Satanic Panic and the AD&D Player's Handbook

So today, just for the heck of it, I read the "Foreword" to the first-edition Player's Handbook. I came across this line, which I never noticed before:

"DUNGEONS & DRAGONS has become a gaming cult, as avid D&Der’s have ceaselessly 'spread the gospel,' enrolling new players in expanding groups which just seem to grow and grow."  (PHB, p. 2, emphasis added)

I had to laugh, thinking of the subsequent "satanic panic." I know this line didn't cause it. But I'll bet it didn't help either. :)