Why are religious people so messed up?

This is exactly the question one might ask those who saw Satanic child abuse as widespread in a moral panic, but then failed utterly to follow through their claims when cases ever reached to court. However it might be noted that Satanism is usually associated with paraphernalia, together with a ritual structure and specific terminology, that mere angry parents lack. In fact many of the spurious claims made the most of such things, inaccurately and imaginatively served up, to define matters to suit preconceptions. I am sure, given your recent thread arguing in favour of Scotsmen, that you will be happy to argue that no true Satanist would be without them. I hope that helps.

As I have shown, it is not I that is playing down matters, just those who took the time and trouble to investigate claims and outcomes carefully, including the two well-known studies I quoted. Of course feel free if you wish now to offer up examples of numerous successful prosecutions for SCA by way of demonstrating the constant moral peril we face. In the absence of this, the question ought to be why some are intent on still playing things up. And, inevitably, there will be an absence.