THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SATANIC CULT INVOLVEMENT: AN ...

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experienced a superficial peacefulness, but his tranquil facade masked an explosive internal
state, characterised by anarchy, violence and death, resulting from the unrestrained
enaction of his primitive destructiveness (50,51). Although S's school performance
declined, he derived gratification from his negative identity, and felt honoured to be
labelled as "evil" by peers and teachers (52,53).
As a Satanist, S experienced a sense of positive self-regard, based on his belief that he
could magically control and influence the actions of others (74). His self-worth was thus
based largely on the omnipotent fantasy of magically controlling others by means of
thought alone. S's cult duty involved manipulating others, and influencing them to
become satanic recruits, and was aided in this task by the belief that his demonic powers
gave him unlimited ability to deceive and influence others (54,56). His cult "work" was
understandably gratifying, as it enabled S to play out the role of being a powerful and
devious manipulator, ruthlessly beguiling weak and gullible victims.
S felt a sense of achievement when his deliberate ploy of antagonising Christians resulted
in them expressing anger, thereby making themselves vulnerable to demonic intrusion
(57). Envy of others' goodness lay behind the satisfaction S derived from corrupting and
tainting them with his badness. S's hatred of others inclined him to see people as objects
to torture, denigrate, and demoralise (55). Not· surprisingly, the cruelty and
destructiveness of ritual animal sacrifice gave him sadistic pleasure (63). S studied the
works of published Satanists, but idolised and identified with the black magician, Alaister
Crowley, reputedly the most evil human being (59).
S's consistently hostile behaviour meant that he had an uneasy relationship with his fellow
cult members (64). He felt that his destructive intensity and misery distanced him from
them, and prevented him from relating to them (60). His original quest for a sense of
belonging and connectedness with others was frustrated by his aggression and evident selfhatred,
which isolated him from any positive interpersonal encounters. During rituals, S
felt terrified by the awesome power displayed by certain cult members, and the knowledge
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