The Psychology of Adolescent Satanism: A Guide for Parents, Counselors, Clergy, and Teachers [Hardcover]

Anthony Moriarty (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 30, 1992

This book addresses the problems of adolescent Satanism from a psychological viewpoint. It includes the developmental dynamics that underlie four different types of young people who become involved in Satanism and provides an analysis of risk factors. The author critically evaluates the philosophy of Satanism through a review of The Satanic Bible, and further appraises the causes of Satanism by examining the roles of power, ritual, and dualistic thinking in young people's lives. In addition, Moriarty evaluates how communication patterns and parenting styles impact on a young person's vulnerability to become involved in Satanism. This is also the first book to describe the relationship between Satanism and suicide. Finally, it closes with ten practical suggestions for parents and others that will lead to effective prevention. Six major conclusions challenge a number of prevailing myths: --Satanic beliefs and philosophy should be made known to everyone, therefore destroying the claim to be occult, or hidden. --There is no single type of personality drawn to Satanism, as commonly suggested by law enforcement. Four types are identified by the author. --Satanism must be viewed as a developmental process to be properly understood. --People often contribute to an individual's vulnerability to Satanism by how they relate to children and adolescents. --There is a significant relationship between suicide and Satanism that needs to be addressed in dealing with young people. --Adolescent Satanism is a problem that is largely preventable if certain guidelines are followed. This volume is intended for a wide audience, including parents, teachers, clergy, counselors, and other mental health professionals, and is a valuable resource for law enforcement personnel.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Highly readable and far from technical, Moriarty addresses the problems of adolescent Satanism from a psychological perspective.”–Child & Family Behavior Therapy

“Anthony Moriarity's work is a comprehensive hands-on guide for both parents and professionals. It is written in a style that clearly outlines the problem, the risk factors and intervention strategies. One definite strength of this work is that much discussion is is devoted to effective prevention strategies. Consequently, the clinician can utilize this book not only in direct service to child/adolescent clients, but also toward assisting in the development of effective parenting skills. It would be a valued reference in a general parenting group as well as for a parent support group for adolescents already involved in satanic practice.”–School Social Work Journal

About the Author

ANTHONY MORIARTY is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who has been in private practice since 1980.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 168 pages
• Publisher: Praeger Publishers (October 30, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0275943070
• ISBN-13: 978-0275943073
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,855,690 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars One Star, Deserved, January 17, 2008

By 

Victor "Victor" (MD, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Psychology of Adolescent Satanism: A Guide for Parents, Counselors, Clergy, and Teachers (Hardcover)

The author ignores his own writing, really.

He starts off explaining his first encounter with a Satanist. He describes a self assured, confident individual. Not the whiny goth or the hapless victim. Not the social misfit who gets picked on and can't do anything about it and just "hates everybody."

He ignores whole portions of the Satanic Bible, and whole concepts. I've seen it. I've broken it down. Compared comments from this book and the Satanic Bible. Its assessment is totally inaccurate. This isn't just me complaining. The author contradicts direct statements by Anton LaVey!

Of course, it does also ignore the other works of Satanic literature. Granted, this may have been "before" all that, but I doubt it. Amazon says 1992. So there's no excuse for that either.

Its assessment is largely of teen "Satanists" (used so because I doubt whether the teens he evaluated were actually Satanists). Ignoring the many adults that are Satanists today.

I do think it deserves one star. It has a grain of intelligence. There are people who try to claim Satanism for totally the wrong reasons, as he identifies. But to suggest that all Satanists fit into those four types is foolish.

So? Largely inaccurate where Satanism is concerned. About teens? Somewhat accurate. But there are too many generalizations for this book to be that useful to anybody but paranoid Christians.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Argument Against Satanism...From a Psychologist!!!, November 25, 2007

By 

Mouth of The South (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Psychology of Adolescent Satanism: A Guide for Parents, Counselors, Clergy, and Teachers (Hardcover)

NOTE: This is not a book written by some "Christian Psychologist" that can simply be dismissed by some.
The essence of this book is what common sense knows : Satanism is a religion for anti-social misfits. Too many people try to treat Satanism as an equal and viable religion along side the world's religions. The Complete Idiot's Guide To Religions on the Internet for example has an entire chapter on Satanism, while ignoring dozens of Christian denominations...any of which would probably have ten times the number of Satanists in the world. If you look at the Satanic Bible on this site, there are hundreds of comments supporting it. A case of a goth being beat up in New York is being treated as a hate crime because the victim was a Satanist. It's time for a reality check, and time to stop treating Satanism as something normal people get involved in.

While geared more for Psychologists, Psychiatrists, and mental health professionals, members of the clergy, law enforcement, and parents will benefit tremendously from the book. The book lists and refutes 7 myths of Satanism, namely, you can't be happy and be religious, man is naturally violent, good and evil are reversed, satanism is now, satanism will make you powerful, and you have to chose between religion and sex.

The book lists the 4 types that become Satanists, the pseudo intellectual, the angry individual, the psychotic, and the impulsive suicidal type. It also list the appropriate treatment for each.