fhc--I also was afraid to open the sites at first but you need to remember that these calendars are available on SRA survivor sites. They are very welcoming and sensitive. There is nothing at all to be be concerned about. And please note that most will describe whether the holiday is "borrowed" from another faith and used for a different purpose. I'm told that these days are also outlined along with accompanying rituals in the Satanic bible. I haven't read it so I do not know. But somehow this information is being passed around and surely the internet has played a large part in that.
Another place I found helpful was this site:
http://www.survivorship.org/resources/dates.html (difficult dates for survivors)
I guess what most convinced me that not all is hysteria is the time I've spent this last year doing extensive research into the supposed Satanic overtones with Randy Leach's disappearance. I've learned along with an author who is writing a book on that disappearance that there is a literal dearth of info out there for the reasonable and non-sensational analysis of possibly Satanic crimes. Even Italy has paired up with a Satanic expert to solve some of their strangest crimes. Yes, I know there will be gnashing of teeth as the Vatican is involved but look at the numbers of crimes:
http://www.tldm.org/News10/satanismInItaly.htm
"Many of the new wave of Satanists in Italy indulge in a potentially lethal blend of black magic, hard drugs, sex and heavy metal..."
more at link
I find it particularly strange that, here in the US, we have expert witnesses on just about every subject, but I could find not a single person offering services to testify on Satanic practices. Is it fear? If we don't speak up, we fail the victims.
I have no growing sense of dread that our country is being taken over by Satanists. Quite the contrary. I think, though, that there is a growing desensitization. Heavy metal bands and confused and questing teens or those in edgier lifestyles are needing to push the envelope a little further each day. If one reads something as basic as the Wiki article on the basic tenets of Satanism, one can see how it might appeal to those who are anchorless or just striving to satisfy their own lust:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Satan
"The Church of Satan does not worship or support a belief in the Devil or other supernatural entities."
"Satan is a model or a mode of behavior."
"The Nine Satanic Statements outline what "Satan" represents in the Church of Satan:
Satan represents indulgence instead of abstinence.
Satan represents vital existence instead of spiritual pipe dreams.
Satan represents undefiled wisdom instead of hypocritical self-deceit.
Satan represents kindness to those who deserve it instead of love wasted on ingrates.
Satan represents vengeance instead of turning the other cheek.
Satan represents responsibility to the responsible instead of concern for psychic vampires.
Satan represents man as just another animal, sometimes better, more often worse than those that walk on all-fours, who, because of his "divine spiritual and intellectual development", has become the most vicious animal of all.
Satan represents all of the so-called sins, as they all lead to physical, mental, or emotional gratification.
Satan has been the best friend the Church has ever had, as He has kept it in business all these years."
It took me a long time to really grasp the concept of their belief that you are your own god and what you desire, is yours. That is not the way I approach life. But then, I'm not a criminal. I think that each person must approach this disturbing study as they feel most comfortable. No one who has suffered SRA should investigate this without a support system in place. I never want to set off any triggers for anyone. I just feel very drawn to shine a light on a mechanism that seems to be pulled into play by some of our most evil criminals.
