Satan Wants You: The Cult of Devil Worship in America [Hardcover]

Arthur Lyons (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1988

In this fascinating exploration of satanism, from sixth-century Persia to the present day, famed crime fiction writer Arthur Lyons describes the currents and directions of a doctrine as old as the monotheism of western man. 16 pages of photos. Advertising in New York Times, Los Angeles Times and other print media.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

So-called satanic cults in the U.S. are investigated in this survey by Lyons (The Second Coming: Satanism in America) who shows that many claims regarding Satanist conspiracies do not hold up to scrutiny. He documents the historical roots of devil worship in "black Masses," sexual orgies and other rites and practices. He views contemporary charges of Satanism against such flamboyant groups as the Church of Satan, founded by self-proclaimed Satanic high priest LaVey, as evolving from media hype and hysteria. A theologian quoted here notes "very little of what is currently being called Satanism is actually religious phenomena, let alone a religious movement." From his study of supposed satanic cults and their widely differing orientations, Lyons demonstrates only that people have emotional and psychological needs that provoke strange behaviors.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 228 pages
• Publisher: Mysterious Press (June 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892962178
• ISBN-13: 978-0892962174
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #934,256 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent look at contemporary American Satanism., October 11, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Satan Wants You: The Cult of Devil Worship in America (Mass Market Paperback)

As a High Priest of the Wiccan religion, I read the cover with some trepidation - was this going to be another re-hash, trashing my religion?' Thankfully, the answer was a resounding "NO!" Mr. Lyons, in the first few pages of the book, immediately put my fears to rest, as he describes the differences between the Goddess-worshipping, Earth-centered spirituality of the Wiccan religion and the beliefs and practises of Satanism today, "as they themselves define it." Re-assured, I immediately read on, and was impressed by not only his scholarship, but his general neutrality in writing about this religious movement. Several chapters are devoted to the development of the concept of 'the Devil', and its rise in popularity from the Middle Ages to the present. One chapter that was especially well-thought out was the "Urban Legends" chapter, detailing several instances of 'ritual abuse' that had made headlines in recent years. Although somewhat dated now, this is one book that I feel does the subject justice, and is both entertaining and well-researched.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, October 6, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Satan Wants You: The Cult of Devil Worship in America (Hardcover)

This is one of the best or the best book on satanism ever written. It's a shame it's out of print. this is a must-have for occultists and Christians, who will learn negative accustions against satanism are patently untrue. I enjoyed the chapters on Crowley, LaVey and the Temple of Set the most, though the Crowley chapter should've been longer. Aquino left the Church of Satan partially because LaVey was selling priesthoods wheras Aquino thought it should be on basis of magickal merit. Also Aquino didn't put anything on world merit in satanists where LaVey drew on popular entertainers and respectable world jobs. Satanic serial killers are covered, as are witch hunts. This book is excellent, and holds a very high place in my occult library.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential to understanding the true nature of Satanism, December 21, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Satan Wants You: The Cult of Devil Worship in America (Mass Market Paperback)

This book belongs on the shelf next to LaVey's Satanic Bible, for it puts Satanism in more of a historic and modern context. The chapter on heavy metal was particulary interesting. While the public's "fear" of this type of stuff has abated during the 1990s, this book remains a must-read.