Thursday, September 17, 2015

A Conversation with Professor David Frankfurter About the Problem of "Evil", Witchcraft, and Demonic Possession

Dr. David Frankfurter is the guest on this week's episode of The Chauncey DeVega Show. He is a Professor of Religion at Boston University. David is also the author of several books, most recently, Evil Incarnate: Rumors of Demonic Conspiracy and Satanic Abuse in History.

Dr. Frankfurter does some great teaching in this episode of the podcast known as The Chauncey DeVega Show. What makes someone "evil?" How is that concept abused in American political and social discourse? Was Dylann Roof "evil?" What about the 9/11 hijackers?

What was going on in America during the 1980s and its moral panics about demonic possession, cults, and child kidnapping?

Chauncey could not resist asking Dr. Frankfurter about his research on witches, demonic possession, magic, and the supernatural. In response, David offers up some stories about his own experiences and scholarly research as a student of history, religion, and anthropology.

In this week's episode of The Chauncey DeVega Show, Chauncey tries to regain his sanity after watching the 3-hour-long CNN 2016 Republican Primary Debate. He also offers thanks to the kind folks who offered him some online Paypal love for his birthday.

Chauncey is still in his "blue" post-birthday period and shares some life advice he received from a wise man at Friday's restaurant, meditates on his life trajectory, and speculates about his inability as a wannabe member of the TV commentariat to make sense of nonsense after watching the Republican debate.

At the end of this week's episode of The Chauncey DeVega Show, Chauncey continues to speculate about Star Wars: The Force Awakens--he thinks he has figured out the story behind the title--and shares a nice story about a lost/found stray kitty cat in his neighborhood.

This episode of The Chauncey DeVega Show can be downloaded from Libsyn and also listened to hereIt can also be "watched" on Youtube.

The Chauncey DeVega Show is available on Itunes and at Stitcher as well. 

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