You people don't quite get it.

Satanism is usually the cover.

The illuminist handler uses a series of complicated rituals that very rarely involve "red capes" and "ritual dagers".

It's rarely about sexual gratification, although it may be filmed for later distribution for that purpose.

These rituals, performed on some 'high energy' date, are meant to convey/transfer negative energy to some high level parasite/entity.

Children are targeted because of their innocence and because their "soul" is thought to release copious amounts of a certain energy in to the 'aether'.

This is achieved in stages, usually activating certain 'ALTERS' specifically placed in the child to 'magnify' this precious energy/vibration.

Certain rituals are performed to OPEN the selected vortex before the child's Alters are activated via extreme trauma.

These illuminists worship different factions of gods that REQUIRE subtle but pure amounts of energy to carry out certain 'movements'.