A document distributed by police in 1989 to identify Satanic Worshippers during the "Satanic Panic" in the 80s has criteria that many teens, hard core computer users, and security researchers may identify with. For many, growing up in the 80s was a painful period where a teenagers's interests in music, role-playing games, and trying to understand the world around them were often misunderstood and ridiculed by adults.

Posted to Twitter this weekend by Jennifer Jordan, a document from 1989 was discovered in her sister's teacher supply closet called "Identification, Investigation, and Understanding of Ritualistic Criminal Activity". This document was distributed by police to teachers to help them identify students who may be involved in Satanic or occult rituals.

Hoooooooly crap guys. My sister is an art teacher in FLA, and she found this AMAZING document in her supply closet pic.twitter.com/QyzAvhjm0E — Jennifer Jordan (@jennlynnjordan) May 6, 2018

While some of the characteristics in the document should be a cause of concern or discussion for a parent, such as "Animal Slaughter", suicidal thoughts and writing, alienation, or maybe even altars in a basement, many of the other identifying criteria could just have easily been attributed to being a teenager, a loner, or may I daresay, an adventurous harware/computer/security enthusiast?

"Characteristics of Teen Involved" in Ritualistic Behavior

According to the document, some of the characteristics associated with Satanic worship include "Fantasy Role Play", "Experimentalist", "Underachiever", "Curiosity Beyond Norm", "Intelligent", "Low Self-Esteem", "Creative", and "Bored". Many of these are ones that I have seen security researchers and computer enthusiasts associate themselves with, while finding solace and a sense of exploration pushing a computer to its limits and beyond.

In reality, most of these are traits that should be encouraged rather than being shut down.

This document also lists symptoms that may indicate ritualistic behavior. The one I love is when the "Book of Shadow" is mentioned, it also states that these teenagers "May use computer with access codes". I think we all fit into that characteristic these days.

"Symptoms of Increased Involvement"

Let's not forget that the type of music you listened to was also a determinant of whether you were a Devil worshipper. If you listened to Led Zeppeling IV, otherwise known as ZoSo, and happened to scribble the logo on your binder, or listened to Metallica, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, or Ronnie James Dio, then you were obviously into Satan.

Band/Album Logos

Finally, we have the resource groups available for kids who exhibit this behavior. Included in the list is BADD (Bothered Against Dungeons and Dragons), which was an organization that felt that D&D was the work of the Devil. Yes, even role-playing games were under attack in the 80s.

"Resource Groups"

I would like to think that adults are more tolerant to kids who may act differently or have interests that do not align with main stream beliefs. Who knows, maybe if creative thinking and exploration is encouraged, one of these teenagers could become the next Bill Gates or Steve Jobs.

Then again, maybe I live in a bubble and it's just as bad out there as it was in the 80s.

For those interested in reading the entire "Identification, Investigation, and Understanding of Ritualistic Criminal Activity" document, you can read it here.

Image Source: Social image from opensource.com.