In reality, then, these antics were simply part of a counter-cultural movement. Which is why it's pretty strange to see people criticising the church burning on the grounds that it destroyed cultural artifacts. That was entirely the point, the aim was (an admittedly unlikely and poorly thought out) attempt to spark off some sort of cultural revolution - for some a regression back to a pagan culture, for others simply an outlet for a teenage desire to be perceived as being dangerous and mysterious (hence, the satanic element).