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In the chapter on witch hunts, it seemed like you were making an a priori assumption that Satanism just couldn't exist.

I think that one can accept the existence of Satan and his evil intentions without embracing the notion that people can get into actual compact with him. Some Jesuits said Satan doesn't need fat old ladies.You know, Why in the world would he make a compact with those people? Some of the best people never for a moment said Satanism was impossible, but just that we haven't seen any. But these are instances—it's really, really hard to know.

Your book is full of interesting discoveries. I particularly enjoyed the obscure material you pulled together on the history of Roman Catholic opposition to slavery. What discoveries delighted you as you researched the book?

Well that one certainly did, enormously. And I can thank a Jesuit in Mexico for helping me figure that out. He wrote a little book and sent it to me and it made a big difference in what I eventually decided to do.

One discovery that fascinated me was that when preachers went around on behalf of the Crusades, agitating against heretics and unbelievers, it quickly grew into an attack on the dissolute clergy and practically caused a reformation in the 12th century. I found that fascinating.

A delicious irony.

Yes. And these preachers just kept on trying.

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For the Glory of God by Rodney Stark is this month's selection for CT's Editor's Bookshelf. Elsewhere on our site, you can:

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July (Web-only) 2003, Vol. 47