Satanism in Britain today

It has been alleged that 10 per cent of the population of Britain are Satanists who conspire (perhaps influenced by a real Devil) to corrupt and blaspheme against everything godly, good or socially valued. This paper discusses the views and activities of self‐identified Satanists in Britain, especially the Temple of Set, the Church of Satan, the Order of the Nine Angles and Dark Lily. It also comments on ad hoc, adolescent and multi‐generational Satanism. Satanism is a series of techniques for allowing individuals to affirm, develop and express themselves, and to do what they wish to do in the context of a spirituality. It does not require belief in the Satan of the Christian pantheon although thriving on the sinister image and the hostility it can evoke in Christians and the media. Satanism is an adversarial form of self‐religion.