Beginning with the founding of the Church of Satan by Anton LeVey in 1966, Lewis (religious studies and philosophy, U. of Wisconsin) and Petersen (Norwegian U. of Science and Technology) demystify modern Satanism. International experts on nontraditional religions, Satanists, law enforcement specialists, and Christian clergy analyze the attraction of Satanism in the contemporary world; sort actual practices from media reports and public panic about ritual child sexual abuse and murder and discuss how the Internet contributes to the movement's decentralization. The balanced volume includes a report from the Ritual Abuse Task Force and postulates from a Satanic Web site. Images include art illustrations, photographs of leading Satanists, and Satanic symbols. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)