NationStates Jolt Archive

To begin I, myself , will not be admitting nor denying that I have membership in a secret society. I am not wanting to know if you are in fact in a secret society- although if you so wish you may tell us if you are indeed in membership with one. I am making this thread to understand a little better about how a general consensus views and reacts to Secret Societies.

Now I have studied up on a few publicly known Societies:
1. The Freemasonry
2. The Illuminati
3. The Priory of Sion
4. Elks

These are just a few. I have found that a great many people view these Societies as a place of demonic, or Satanic worship and fellowship. I have read over some documentation, and have found little or no Demonic fellowships involved with these societies. So I would like to know fro the great people of N.S.


Whats your View on Secret Societies?

Whats your View on Secret Societies?

Surely any society on which we can share an informed opinion is by definition not a secret society, no?

I'm a tau bate. It's not really secret though, except for the initiation which is a crock of shit, and was a total waste of an hour of my life.

All secrets have public faces....the public side masks the true workings of the secret side.

Yes, the word 'informed' didn't just fall out of the sky by chance into my last post.

Edit: TW!

I see secret societies being demonic when they are not secret societies, but, in fact, religious cults. There is quite a difference which many people do not acknowledge.

Surely any society on which we can share an informed opinion is by definition not a secret society, no?

All secrets have public faces....the public side masks the true workings of the secret side.

I used to belong to the Elks. It had the best bar and restaurant in a small town.

The secret part was nothing special, don't even know why it was secret. Basically just a pledge to be a good person.

I see secret societies being demonic when they are not secret societies, but, in fact, religious cults. There is quite a difference which many people do not acknowledge.


I agree. Many people do see the differences between the two and often mix them up.

Why do people who have belonged to secret societies always feel the need to mention it to people not in the society?

Part of me wants to be all rebelious and start "BRINGING DOWN THE MACHINE!"

...But another part of me...the bigger part...goes...meh...

To begin I, myself , will not be admitting nor denying that I have membership in a secret society. I am not wanting to know if you are in fact in a secret society- although if you so wish you may tell us if you are indeed in membership with one. I am making this thread to understand a little better about how a general consensus views and reacts to Secret Societies.

Now I have studied up on a few publicly known Societies:
1. The Freemasonry
2. The Illuminati
3. The Priory of Sion
4. Elks

These are just a few. I have found that a great many people view these Societies as a place of demonic, or Satanic worship and fellowship. I have read over some documentation, and have found little or no Demonic fellowships involved with these societies. So I would like to know fro the great people of N.S.


Whats your View on Secret Societies?

Don't most of them have something to hide ... like their feelings from being hurt when people laugh at their stupid insecurities? :p

Seriously, though ... we're all doomed. The cloak of secrecy merely gives an advantage in all cases of confrontation and subterfuge, even if only for a little while.

The first rule about secret societies - don't talk about secret societies. And, the second rule about secret societies - you do not talk about secret societies. Capishe?

You don't know where I've been, Lou!!!!!

*drools*

The first rule about secret societies - don't talk about secret societies. And, the second rule about secret societies - you do not talk about secret societies. Capishe?

The first rule about secret societies - don't talk about secret societies. And, the second rule about secret societies - you do not talk about secret societies. Capishe?

So... which nights do you fight on?

I was in the the Boy Scouts, made it all the way up to Eagle. The Scouts also have a "secretive" parallel group with no age restrictions called the Order of the Arrow. You have to be voted in, and they have all kinds of secret rituals that you're supposed to do, with all kinds of stuff you need to memorize. I got voted in and went to the initiation, which was basically almost a day of hard work, little food, and no talking (for the initiates). At night we had a bonfire ceremony where we said a bunch of meaningless stuff and were whispered secret words that didn't mean anything. They said that I wasn't supposed to tell anyone what I was told, but since it was all just a bunch of Indian-sounding words which didn't mean anything anyway, I forgot them almost as soon as they told me. Guess thats one way to make sure your secret is kept: make it meaningless. Some of my friends advanced a little further, and I knew a guy who made it to the top rank (only 3 ranks, but only a limited number of people are allowed in the top rank, and they're appointed). Since you keep your status the rest of your life, and are always a member I guess I could get back into it since it lacks the age restrictions, but it's sure been awhile and it really didn't appeal to me.

Oh, and I'm a member of Majestic 12, but that's another story.... (Deus Ex reference) :sniper:

Oh, and I'm a member of Majestic 12, but that's another story.... (Deus Ex reference) :sniper:

http://www.nhne.org/news/NewsArticlesArchive/tabid/400/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/3230/MileWide-UFO-Spotted-By-British-Airline-Pilot.aspx

That reminds me ... i have to find that order that pilots get about reporting UFO sightings. I forgot the #.
*shrug*

I don't think the Illuminati or the PS still exist, and the Freemasons and Elks are essentially harmless.

Don't forget the PPT.

To make a half-hearted show of having read the OP:

<snip>
Now I have studied up on a few publicly known Societies:
1. The Freemasonry
2. The Illuminati
3. The Priory of Sion
4. Elks

<snip>

1. Freemasonry is not secret and neither are any of its so-called rituals, all having been fully published at various times. Frankly, I find it extremely hard to get worked up about a "secret society" that includes the Shriners among its ranks.

http://www.shrinershq.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Shriner_syrian_corvette.jpg

Besides, how secret can the Freemasons be? They advertise on television.

2. The Illuminati is one of my all-time favorite jokes. The paranoid ravings that revolve around it are just hilarious. The truth is that there have been MANY groups calling themselves "Illuminati" since the Renaissance, and every single one of them has been a pub-crawling drinking club of pretentious intellectuals. Basically, if the Illuminati have booked a function room at your hotel or restaurant, be prepared because you're going to have a roomful of drunk writers and academics trashing the joint like nobody's business.

3. The Priory of Sion is NOT a secret society. In fact, there is no such thing. It is a hoax. See the following links:

http://priory-of-sion.com/posd/posdebunking.html

http://www.alpheus.org/html/articles/esoteric_history/richardson1.html

4. The Elks are not a secret society. Neither are the Lions or the Knights of Columbus. They are philanthropic social clubs designed to organize fundraising efforts and give middle-class elderly guys something to do besides sleep in front of the tv.

I was in the the Boy Scouts, made it all the way up to Eagle. The Scouts also have a "secretive" parallel group with no age restrictions called the Order of the Arrow. You have to be voted in, and they have all kinds of secret rituals that you're supposed to do, with all kinds of stuff you need to memorize. I got voted in and went to the initiation, which was basically almost a day of hard work, little food, and no talking (for the initiates). At night we had a bonfire ceremony where we said a bunch of meaningless stuff and were whispered secret words that didn't mean anything. They said that I wasn't supposed to tell anyone what I was told, but since it was all just a bunch of Indian-sounding words which didn't mean anything anyway, I forgot them almost as soon as they told me. Guess thats one way to make sure your secret is kept: make it meaningless. Some of my friends advanced a little further, and I knew a guy who made it to the top rank (only 3 ranks, but only a limited number of people are allowed in the top rank, and they're appointed). Since you keep your status the rest of your life, and are always a member I guess I could get back into it since it lacks the age restrictions, but it's sure been awhile and it really didn't appeal to me.

Oh, and I'm a member of Majestic 12, but that's another story.... (Deus Ex reference) :sniper:
Hahaha, I believe this about the Boy Scouts. It's such a "boy" thing to do.

I was a Girl Scout -- GS of Greater New York -- and all we did was make money - nothing secret about it, except to the IRS.

I am part of the Order of Luther. We practice Deeper Lutheranism.

If I told you I'd have to kill myself. That was one of our first.... erm. nothing.

Secret societies? I can see them becoming more popular as the age of the Klan and other such good ole boy clubs wane. Middle class, white Christian males will need to feel special, and will create more of these secret societies in order to engage in the sort of behaviour that is no longer publicly acceptable. The last, grasping attempts to hold onto a fading past, while dreaming of an impossible future.

To begin I, myself , will not be admitting nor denying that I have membership in a secret society. I am not wanting to know if you are in fact in a secret society- although if you so wish you may tell us if you are indeed in membership with one. I am making this thread to understand a little better about how a general consensus views and reacts to Secret Societies.

I'm an Arrowman (a member of the Order of the Arrow), which is a semi-secret society.

[QUOTE=Hobbeebia]Now I have studied up on a few publicly known Societies:
1. The Freemasonry

Over rated old boys club

2. The Illuminati

The real Bavarian Illuminati passed into the dust bin of history long ago, and exists now only as either a bugbear of conspiracists like David Icke or as copy-cat frauds with no historical connection, such as Aleister Crowley.

3. The Priory of Sion

Recent hoax which got a boost in a recent bad novel.

4. Elks

I assume you mean the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, a chummy social club that does charity work as well.

Whats your View on Secret Societies?

They tend to fall into the 4 catagories outlined above.

I see a good need for secret societies, not that I'm a member of any, in that if a society does go down the road of repression, I like the idea of a group that has the experience of secrecy, of forming methods of gathering and communication that are hidden to both the public and government - it may be for bad, it may be for good but I like it out there.

None of those things are really secret societies of any real worth. There really is only one true secret society in the country that can still be described as secret, and whose membership does have significant power.

Skull and Bones.
Someone watched The Good Shepherd.

Don't forget about Opus Dei!

None of those things are really secret societies of any real worth. There really is only one true secret society in the country that can still be described as secret, and whose membership does have significant power.

Skull and Bones.

No.

Someone went to Yale.

Sorry, I must be missing a reference here, not being an Amerikan. Are you intimating that you are a member of this fabulous and secretive group, or are you just showing off in some other way I'm not grasping?

None of those things are really secret societies of any real worth. There really is only one true secret society in the country that can still be described as secret, and whose membership does have significant power.

Skull and Bones.

Someone suckered you into watching that awful "Good Shepherd" too? :p Skull and Bones is pretty well known, and has been for a long while - having two member presidential candidates piqued some interest, but to say that they have power is silly.

As to "secret" societies, I knew someone who was a mason - that's about it. It wasn't too big a secret, as others have noted. :)

Someone watched The Good Shepherd.

No.

Someone went to Yale.

No.

Someone went to Yale.

*And* saw the movie? ;)

Sorry, I must be missing a reference here, not being an Amerikan. Are you intimating that you are a member of this fabulous and secretive group, or are you just showing off in some other way I'm not grasping?

Yale = the school you'd have to attend to be a member. No obscure reference there. ;)

I don't know anything about secret societies.

*And* saw the movie? ;)

Who wouldn't? Matt Damon. Yum. Nothing more needs be said.

Yale = the school you'd have to attend to be a member. No obscure reference there. ;)

Really? This is a school specific little boys club? That's even more pathetic than my original estimation.

Who wouldn't? Matt Damon. Yum. Nothing more needs be said.

Yeah, he's okay. I *wanted* to like that movie, because I really like DeNiro (he directed it) but it just kinda fizzled out about midway through, I thought.

As to your question,were I to be a bonesman, I would never admit to it, so there is no implication. Were you to ask, the only answer I could ever give you is "no"

Ah. And yet, I suspect you wish me to think that you are indeed a member. Or at least, attempting to cause me to suspect such, albeit it in not an entirely crass manner. This is a strange forum.

Sorry, I must be missing a reference here, not being an Amerikan. Are you intimating that you are a member of this fabulous and secretive group, or are you just showing off in some other way I'm not grasping?

The skull and bones is a secret society that operates out of the Yale University campus. It is legitimatly a secret society, with a highly secretive membership group, entirely male, membership by secret invitation only. President George W. Bush was a member of Skull and Bones, as was his father. Their membership, that which is known, tends to be extremely powerful and influential people.

I went to yale, so I went to the school that Skull and Bones recruits from. Hence my comment about going to Yale

As to your question,were I to be a bonesman, I would never admit to it, so there is no implication. Were you to ask, the only answer I could ever give you is "no"

Yeah, he's okay. I *wanted* to like that movie, because I really like DeNiro (he directed it) but it just kinda fizzled out about midway through, I thought.

That would be the lack of naked Matt Damon.

Really? This is a school specific little boys club? That's even more pathetic than my original estimation.

Yep. Pretty secret, too - if you ignore the half dozen books on it that I've seen just this year on the shelf at my local bookseller's. :p

They're social clubs that a bunch of frat boys use as an excuse to party and a bunch of old men use as an excuse to swim naked in indoor pools and sit in saunas.

Or maybe an excuse for old men to sit naked in saunas with young frat boys.

hah, all of which are based on records that, if they are accurate, are 20-30 years old.

Besides, it is fairly hard to keep a secret today, so Skull and Bones could perhaps be considered the most legitimate of the "secret" societies in existance.

Eh. I haven't read them, so I can't vouch for their accuracy. All I know is that they're pretty consistent, supposedly. I saw the History Channel's take on it, that's all. I wasn't disputing the secrecy of it - just the "significant power" line. They may recruit from power, but it doesn't look like they affect much. ;)

Yep. Pretty secret, too - if you ignore the half dozen books on it that I've seen just this year on the shelf at my local bookseller's. :p

hah, all of which are based on records that, if they are accurate, are 20-30 years old.

Besides, it is fairly hard to keep a secret today, so Skull and Bones could perhaps be considered the most legitimate of the "secret" societies in existance.

I'd go gay for him.I agree.

They're social clubs that a bunch of frat boys use as an excuse to party and a bunch of old men use as an excuse to swim naked in indoor pools and sit in saunas.
Who wouldn't? Matt Damon. Yum. Nothing more needs be said.
I'd go gay for him.

Ah. And yet, I suspect you wish me to think that you are indeed a member. Or at least, attempting to cause me to suspect such, albeit it in not an entirely crass manner. This is a strange forum.

haha, nah, not in the slightest. Merely that as someone who went to yale I suppose I've been exposed to the organization more than most.

But what I said was valid. Of course I'm not a member, but it's worth noting that anyone who was a member would say that.

Basically if anyone were to tell you he's a member, he'd be lying :p

Bleh, this is what I get when I write tired. It has been traditionally male. Recently went coed

How the fuck should I know?

Ah, more affirmation disguised as denial.

The skull and bones is a secret society that operates out of the Yale University campus. It is legitimatly a secret society, with a highly secretive membership group, entirely male, membership by secret invitation only. President George W. Bush was a member of Skull and Bones, as was his father. Their membership, that which is known, tends to be extremely powerful and influential people.

I went to yale, so I went to the school that Skull and Bones recruits from. Hence my comment about going to Yale

As to your question,were I to be a bonesman, I would never admit to it, so there is no implication. Were you to ask, the only answer I could ever give you is "no"

I thought they let women in now? Or is teh conspiracy website I read wrong about that?

Also, is it true they lie naked in a coffin and spank it?

Edit: Don't they also publish a list of bonesmen or something?

OTO- Crowley's doings
Opus Dei - off spring of Cestus Dei - and despite the hype (best way to hide is in the glare of the spot lights) - isn't to be triffled with

I thought they let women in now? Or is teh conspiracy website I read wrong about that?

Bleh, this is what I get when I write tired. It has been traditionally male. Recently went coed

Also, is it true they lie naked in a coffin and spank it?

How the fuck should I know?

I was a bonesman in a former life.

Edit: Don't they also publish a list of bonesmen or something?

It did until the early 70s

Ah, more affirmation disguised as denial.

?

Not really. It's pretty common knowledge that they used to publish membership lists but stopped in the 70s, look it up.

Also, he asked me what they do. My response is simple, how should I know? Their activities aren't really published outside the organization.

?

Not really. It's pretty common knowledge that they used to publish membership lists but stopped in the 70s, look it up.

Also, he asked me what they do. My response is simple, how should I know? Their activities aren't really published outside the organization.

Sorry, I am making a joke but perhaps it has gotten lost in translation.

Also, he asked me what they do. My response is simple, how should I know? Their activities aren't really published outside the organization.

I was more hoping you'd heard some campus gossip than anything else.

I was more hoping you'd heard some campus gossip than anything else.

I think a lot of it is embellished. Supposedly the initiation ritual involves being stripped naked and made to discuss all the personal and private details of your life.

I am part of the Order of Luther. We practice Deeper Lutheranism.

Deeper, Harder, LONGER Lutheranism?
:confused:

Lex Lutherism?

Whats your View on Secret Societies?

They're fraternities for those who are out of college.

None of those things are really secret societies of any real worth. There really is only one true secret society in the country that can still be described as secret, and whose membership does have significant power.

Skull and Bones.
What is the difference between Skull and Bones and a fraternity? Absolutely nothing. It's just a fraternity that takes its rituals a whole lot more seriously than mine.

Ah, more affirmation disguised as denial.

No, they're quoting that part in Ronin, where DeNiro's character was badgering that wannabe about what colour the boathouse was at Hereford.

I used to belong to the Elks. It had the best bar and restaurant in a small town.

The secret part was nothing special, don't even know why it was secret. Basically just a pledge to be a good person.

true that. I used to date a guy whose dad was a member of the Elks, good bar, nice people, respectful elders. I didn't get in on any of the "secret secret" stuff though, but I doubt his dad was into anything sinister, he was a pretty great guy........which all of the sudden I am supremely suspicious of.

Whats your View on Secret Societies?
Usually they are just expensive frats and Rich White Boy clubs that employ extravagant rituals and lots of old-tyme language in order to reassure themselves of their own immense importance.

I agree with bottle. it's just a way of perpetuating the old boy network and are generally exclusive of women, other races, and religions

So... which nights do you fight on?

I go Mondays and Thursdays. Have you heard about the guy who invented it? They say he's a great man...

The real Bavarian Illuminati passed into the dust bin of history long ago, and exists now only as either a bugbear of conspiracists like David Icke or as copy-cat frauds with no historical connection, such as Aleister Crowley.

You're woefully neglecting Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson, The Church Of The Subgenius, and many others. Fnord!

I don't know anything about secret societies.

No. Neither do I. Not a thing. Never even heard of them. Secret what, you say?

I was a bonesman in a former life.

John Holmes? Is that you?

to me secret societies just seem to be a haven for backslapping cronyism and pivate dick waving. more contemptable than anything else.

I think a lot of it is embellished. Supposedly the initiation ritual involves being stripped naked and made to discuss all the personal and private details of your life.

Cool. I'm glad to know these sensible folks are running things.

I agree with bottle. it's just a way of perpetuating the old boy network and are generally exclusive of women, other races, and religions
Not quite true. My grandfather was in in the Freemasons and they knew he was Jewish.

I thought the whole point of Secret Societies is that what they are and who belongs to them was supposed to be... secret?

You know, the whole "The first rule about Fight Club is you don't talk about Fight Club. The second rule about Fight Club is you don't talk about fight club."

Why do people who have belonged to secret societies always feel the need to mention it to people not in the society?

Because it's like grade school --I Have a Secret and NYAH NYAH, Not Telling YOU!

Being only 18, I'm not a member of any secret societies of note, beyond the Just William fan club, which I joined when 7.

However, I have made membership of the Freemasons an ambition of mine; the potential for nepotism and unwarranted advantages is simply too great not to admire.

I've actually been asked if I'm part of the illuminati (I'm not).

Also, if a secret society is discovered, it's not really secret anymore...

I agree with bottle. it's just a way of perpetuating the old boy network and are generally exclusive of women, other races, and religions

Surely if one is part of the old boy network that renders them rather attractive?:confused:

Being only 18, I'm not a member of any secret societies of note, beyond the Just William fan club, which I joined when 7.

However, I have made membership of the Freemasons an ambition of mine; the potential for nepotism and unwarranted advantages is simply too great not to admire.

The age you can join Freemasons is 18. Im notsure if it always was, but it is now.

An ambition? Its really not hard. The lodges are listed in the phone book under "Fraternal Organizations" just hang around the bars near the lodge. Most Freemasons have the signs on their cars too, so just ask.

Really though, the reason I don't join despite the obvious intrigue is the organization has become quite old in my area. I don't know a single member younger than their late thirties and most are in their fifties.

I did join the DeMolay though. Its the 12-21 youth organization attached to the Freemasons.

Now I have studied up on a few publicly known Societies:
1. The Freemasonry
2. The Illuminati
3. The Priory of Sion
4. Elks

Does the Priory of Zion actually exist? I thought it was just an anti-Semitic myth.

Being only 18, I'm not a member of any secret societies of note, beyond the Just William fan club, which I joined when 7.

However, I have made membership of the Freemasons an ambition of mine; the potential for nepotism and unwarranted advantages is simply too great not to admire.

The only advantage of being a Freemason is the connections you make. Other than that it won't get you anywhere.

The only advantage of being a Freemason is the connections you make. Other than that it won't get you anywhere.

networking is everything for people looking to move up in the world, don't kid yourself.

An ambition? Its really not hard. The lodges are listed in the phone book under "Fraternal Organizations" just hang around the bars near the lodge. Most Freemasons have the signs on their cars too, so just ask.
A guy I work with has a rather obvious Freemason ring.

what about the bilderbergers?

they arent a huge secret but they do keep outsiders/reporters away from their meetings pretty successfully.

and they are a focus of the anti-establishment conspiracy theorists (along with the reptiloids and the illuminati except that they really exist)

[QUOTE=Yaltabaoth;12933559]I go Mondays and Thursdays. Have you heard You're woefully neglecting Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson, The Church Of The Subgenius, and many others. Fnord!
QUOTE]

but there is no fnord :P

A guy I work with has a rather obvious Freemason ring.

It's not really meant to be that secret. hang around any Freemason long enough and you'll hear: "It's not a secret society, it's a society with secrets!".

networking is everything for people looking to move up in the world, don't kid yourself.

I know networking is important, but you can get that same networking at any college fraternity or sorority.

I know networking is important, but you can get that same networking at any college fraternity or sorority.

and if you're not in college?

I know networking is important, but you can get that same networking at any college fraternity or sorority.

if one missed that opportunity or if one wants to network with the proven powerful, freemasons might be the way to go.

if you dont mind the bullshit.

The only advantage of being a Freemason is the connections you make. Other than that it won't get you anywhere.

No shit sherlock. As Smunkee points out, for those out on the make, networking is every inch as important as anything else.

I know networking is important, but you can get that same networking at any college fraternity or sorority.

Not really. Freemasons are generally those in positions of power, or, at any rate, those who have careers.

Fraternities, sororities and the like are populated by those of no immediate use. In any case, such things are rarer in the UK than in the US.

I've actually been asked if I'm part of the illuminati (I'm not).


Just what I'd expect an Illuminate to say . . . :eek:

23 skidoo

Secret societies are fun.

OTO- Crowley's doings
Opus Dei - off spring of Cestus Dei - and despite the hype (best way to hide is in the glare of the spot lights) - isn't to be triffled with

Cestus Dei? God's assassin weapon? Is it socketed? (Yes, I've played too much Diablo 2)

You're woefully neglecting Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson, The Church Of The Subgenius, and many others. Fnord!

Sweet, SWEET eye candy.
Mmmmm.

[QUOTE=Yaltabaoth;12933559]I go Mondays and Thursdays. Have you heard You're woefully neglecting Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson, The Church Of The Subgenius, and many others. Fnord!
QUOTE]

but there is no fnord :P

This would be non-illuminatus, then.

Sweet, sweet eye candy.

A guy I work with has a rather obvious Freemason ring.

There's a guy driving around town (who isn't from this town) who has his freemason sextant OVER his license plate (not on it, not engraved - a separate emblem).
Curious.

No, Martin Luther. And yes, part of Deeper Lutheranism is we do it "harder" and "longer," ... And more.

WooT!


Well, if there's anything you should be proudest of for your church (aside from having one of the least modified interpretations of Jesus' "word") is the fact that Luther had the balls to say fuck you to the church.

Deeper, Harder, LONGER Lutheranism?
:confused:

Lex Lutherism?

No, Martin Luther. And yes, part of Deeper Lutheranism is we do it "harder" and "longer," ... And more.

WooT!


Well, if there's anything you should be proudest of for your church (aside from having one of the least modified interpretations of Jesus' "word") is the fact that Luther had the balls to say fuck you to the church.

Martin Luther did kick ass. He went a little crazy at the end, and I can't say I agree with him about the Jews. Nonetheless, we of the Order of Luther really like him.

I don't know about things Stateside(apart from movies which show that fraternities routinely do stuff to "initiates" that would be considered assault and harassment out in the real world.), but over here, our "secret societies" are for gang recruitment. I don't remember near half the names, but the one that stands out is generally the 369 gang. And yes, gangs as in go out and fight, beat people up, etc. No guns though, since they're illegal here. At least the collateral damage is minimised somewhat(Assuming you can run away fast enough, you're unlikely to get hit by a stray shot. If you're mistaken as a member you'll probably get maimed by machetes or kitchen knives though).

My view on Secret Societies? It ain't the Masons Riding their Hogs through the Neighborhood at 3AM waking everybody up and causing hate and discontent.

Trust what you see and not what you've been conditioned to doubt.

[...]

Whats your View on Secret Societies?

They might be into something fun and illegal, eg taking drugs or plotting world domination.

But far more likely, they just think it's more fun because it's "secret" ... when actually their meetings are probably so boring the pot-plants get up and leave.

I don't know about things Stateside(apart from movies which show that fraternities routinely do stuff to "initiates" that would be considered assault and harassment out in the real world.), but over here, our "secret societies" are for gang recruitment. I don't remember near half the names, but the one that stands out is generally the 369 gang. And yes, gangs as in go out and fight, beat people up, etc. No guns though, since they're illegal here. At least the collateral damage is minimised somewhat(Assuming you can run away fast enough, you're unlikely to get hit by a stray shot. If you're mistaken as a member you'll probably get maimed by machetes or kitchen knives though).

So it's "secret societies" for the kids, and once they realize they're in a gang, it's too late to leave? :(

That rather casts my "taking drugs and plotting world domination" into a more negative light. I meant that like it was harmless fun.

I belong to the highly elite group of those who knows the secret about Bielefeld (aka Bielefake)!

No, Martin Luther. And yes, part of Deeper Lutheranism is we do it "harder" and "longer," ... And more.

Does that come on the bumper sticker, too? :p

My view on Secret Societies? It ain't the Masons Riding their Hogs through the Neighborhood at 3AM waking everybody up and causing hate and discontent.

Trust what you see and not what you've been conditioned to doubt.

Aren't those Vespas, usually? :p

Hey, TPC is drunk. This should be good. :)

EDIT: Bah, a sleepy drunk. Happy drunks are much more fun!

I find them intriguing. Though I have never been a member of one, I have always found them interesting and mystical. I think that many people join them simply because they hold such mystery and promise.

I think they remain secret so that not every Tom, Dick, and Mary can walk in and ask to join. In this way they keep their membership exclusive and their members continue to be intelligent people.

I know there is no correlation between most secret societies and devil worship. The link was created hundereds of years ago by the church to try and scare people away from ANYTHING that wasn't the church.

[...]

Take this brother. May it serve you well.

:sniper:

I know there is no correlation between most secret societies and devil worship. The link was created hundereds of years ago by the church to try and scare people away from ANYTHING that wasn't the church.

"....AMONGST our weapons are such diverse elements as ...." :D

Fear within, fear without.
Yoda said plenty about that.