For almost twenty years the Procter & Gamble Company has been the target of rumors connecting them with Satanism.  The latest gossip has P&G President and Chief Executive Officer Durk Jager, appearing on the Sally Jesse Raphael Show on Monday, July 19, 1999, announcing his association with the Church of Satan.  Mr. Jager supposedly has admitted that a large percentage of P&G’s profit goes to support this satanic religion.  In connection with these charges it was alleged that the old moon and stars trademark of the company is a symbol of Satanism.  Additionally, rumor has it that the symbol of a ram’s horn bearing the number 666 (“Satan’s number”) will appear on products after January 1, 2000.
     The only trouble with any of this is that there is not one word of truth in it!  It is all a lie and a rumor that seemingly will not go away.  This rumor has surfaced at various times for nearly twenty years.  The first time it came out was around 1981-1982; then 1984-85, 1990, 1995, and again this year.  No one knows the source of the rumor, or why it was started.
     A current e-mail states that the President of P&G appeared on the Sally Jesse Raphael program, and urges you to get a video copy of the of the show.  At her own website, Mrs. Raphael says, “The president of Procter & Gamble has NEVER appeared on the SALLY JESSE RAPHAEL show, nor, to our knowledge, did he ever make the remarks attributed to him in the e-mail that is currently being circulated.  (Furthermore, we have not offered transcripts nor videotapes for several years and have not been at the address listed in the e-mail for over a year).”  According to P&G, “no President or top official from Procter & Gamble, has ever appeared on any talk show.”  If you will visit the P&G website you will find similar letters of denial from the executive producers of both the Sally Jesse Raphael and Jenny Jones shows as well as Phil Donahue himself.
     The moon and stars trademark originated around 1851, when many products did not carry a brand name.  People who could not read could recognize the familiar company trademark.  The half moon was chosen because it was a familiar symbol for those times and was a popular decorative fancy of the 1800’s.  The 13 stars represented the 13 original colonies. The trademark bears no connection with the Church of Satan.
     The president of P&G offers a statement about the rumors on their website at http://www.pg.com/rumor/ceo.html.  If this rumor is of concern to you please take the time to visit their website and read what the P&G people have to say in their own defense.  As Christians, our primary concern is that the truth be told.  Satan is the author of lies (Jn. 8:44).  Spreading lies and rumor puts us more into league with Satan than those about whom the lies are being told.  We have nothing to gain in spreading falsehoods and failing to check out the truth for ourselves.