Most of the members of the convent were old-fashioned…
““Most of the members of the convent were old-fashioned Satanists, like their parents and grandparents before them. They'd been brought up to it, and weren't, when you got right down to it, particularly evil. Human beings mostly aren't. They just get carried away by new ideas, like dressing up in jackboots and shooting people, or dressing up in white sheets and lynching people, or dressing up in tie-dye jeans and playing guitars at people. Offer people a new creed with a costume and their hearts and minds will follow. Anyway, being brought up as a Satanist tended to take the edge off it. It was something you did on Saturday nights. And the rest of the time you simply got on with life as best you could, just like everyone else.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
People adopt extremist identities through symbols and rituals, but underlying humanity remains; upbringing influences how seriously they take such beliefs.
In simple terms: Symbols can mask ordinary people.
Key Takeaway
Question the power of symbols.
Themes
identity
culture
radicalism
Mood
satirical
observational
Type
social commentary
humorous
When to use this quote
- political activism
- youth culture
- education
- media literacy
Key Concepts
social psychology
symbolic interaction
group dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- What role do symbols play in your community?
- How can critical thinking counter extremist narratives?
A Different Perspective
Symbols can be manipulated for harmful ends.