Satanism Today - An Encyclopedia of Religion, Folklore and Popular ...

Introduction
xv
however, following work on a reference book
dealing with human rights. This other project
brought me face to face with real evil. Afterward, I
perceived contemporary Satanism as a lighthearted
subject in contrast to the torture and suffering of
innocent human beings that takes place every day
in almost every corner of our planet.
As with all projects of this scope, I have been
assisted by so many people that they cannot all be
acknowledged in a short introduction. I would,
however, like to acknowledge some of my most
significant debts. First and foremost, I would like to
thank my partner and wife, Evelyn. This book was
harder to finish than most, and it might never have
reached completion without her support. Second,
I want to express my gratitude to Todd Hallman,
my editor at ABC-CLIO. This encyclopedia would
never have gotten off the ground had Todd not
believed in the project. Third, when composing
entries on modern religious Satanism, I took the
unusual step of contacting Satanist groups directly,
and I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the
many individuals who responded so generously to
my queries. Finally, a word of thanks is due to the
interlibrary loan department at the University of
Wisconsin, Stevens Point library for the many
requests they so graciously fulfilled for me over the
course of writing this book.