THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SATANIC CULT INVOLVEMENT: AN ...

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others (Alfred, 1976). Satanic magic rituals generally include prayers, incantations,
curses, sacrifices, and initiation ceremonies. Elaborate robes, visual effects, masks and
symbols are employed with ceremonial formality, and a strict hierarchy of authority is
observed.
3.4.2. The acquisition ofpower and self-gratification
The acquisition and control of this power and its employment for the purposes of selfenhancement
is a primary satanic objective. The importance of personal power and selfenhancement
stems from a perception, reminiscent of Christian Gnosticism, that although
God may have created the world, "He has either abandoned it, is not involved with it, or
is even malevolently disposed against it" (Katchen & Sakheim, 1992). Because there is
no benevolent deity to provide for humankind, individuals are obliged to seek and
actualise their visions ofpersonal fulfilment through development oftheir own powers.
3.4.3. Anti-Christian world view
Related to the above is the third assumption that, because Christianity teaches submission
to God, defines "natural" impulses and thoughts as sinful, and promotes guilt in response
to transgression, it is the ideological antithesis of our essentially positive human nature:
Christian piety, with its virtues of otherworldliness, self-denial, humility,
cleanliness of heart and mind, they condemn as spineless, colourless, dead.
They wholeheartedly echo Swinburne's accusing line - 'Thou has conquered,
o pale Galilean, and the world has grown Gray from thy breath' (Cavendish,
1967, p. 290).
Consequently, Satanism typically manifests as the antinomian reversal of Christianity
(Katchen & Sakheim, 1992). Christian morality is thus scorned and the desecration of
Christian symbols forms an integral part of satanic rituals.
3.4.4. Diabolism
Diabolism refers to the belief in, and worship of, the supernatural deity/deities
traditionally associated with the figure of Satan in Christian theology.
Satan is believed