We all know about some of the secret societies….like Masons, Opus Die or Priory of Sion and even the Illuminati……but those are not the only secret societies that the world deals with…..and conspiracy theorists live and breathe….
Through history there have been many secret societies and conspiracy theories about those societies. This is a list of 10 of the most famous and popular secret societies or alleged secret societies.
1. Skull and Bones [Wikipedia]
The Order of Skull and Bones, a Yale University society, was originally known as the Brotherhood of Death. It is one of the oldest student secret societies in the United States. It was founded in 1832 and membership is open to an elite few. The society uses masonic inspired rituals to this day. Members meet every Thursday and Sunday of each week in a building they call the “Tomb”.
According to Judy Schiff, Chief Archivist at the Yale University Library, the names of the members were not kept secret until the 1970s, but the rituals always have been. Both of the Bush presidents were members of the society while studying at Yale, and a number of other members have gone on to great fame and fortune.
The society is surrounded by conspiracy theories; the most popular of which is probably the idea that the CIA was built on members from the group. The CIA released a statement in 2007 (coinciding with the popularity of the film The Good Shepherd) in which it denied that the group was an incubator for the CIA. You can read that document here.
Cool, huh?
Not to worry there is so much more…..
Top 10 Secret Societies
A historic look on this weekend…..but if you have an aversion to reading then tune in to the History Channel…..if it is not Hitler then it is some Forbidden History…..either way…..these societies are a permanent part of the viewing experience.
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Many bizarre and diabolical undertakings have been attributed to Masons. As a 46 year Mason the most diabolical enterprise in which I participated or was aware of was the great cataclysmic debate over whether the new panelling should be cherry or walnut and whether the new carpet should be cream white or cobalt blue.
Like I said there are conspiracies everywhere…..but then would you tell secrets if there were some to reveal? chuq
Oh, a coupla handshakes, a few hand signs, a flourish of the arms, some words of which I need constant reminder, an association with men of character, lengthy catechism, lotta allegory – nothing of much dramatic or secret consequence. It’s about the charities and an ever present consciousness to live on the up and up in all matters. Then there’s the Saturday breakfast next month and to what level you wish to participate as a lodge officer and project leader. All the “secrets” are fairly well exposed in a related google search . That’s disappointing but the craft is no better or worse for that.
Ab downer for the conspiracists….thanx for your insights chuq
Two things pop into my head when I hear “the masons”: One is “The Cask of Amontillado” story by Poe. The other is the parody version, the Stonecutters, on the Simpsons. I could probably sing this whole freaking song. Sheesh.
I had heard of all these. My dad was in the Freemasons for some time, and it seemed to be a self-help group for business and the judiciary. They procured better jobs for members, overlooked minor cimes, and stuff like that. Most secret societies are not that secret. It is the ones we have never heard of that I would worry about.
Best wishes, Pete.
true that….and some are just myth and legend….chuq
I saw something on the news recently that said groups like the Freemasons are beginning to die out because young people aren’t interested.
The sooner the better…..there is no call for this sort of secrecy……especially when it involves government….chuq
Most of our conspiracy theories are fullfilled by some of these communities. Most of them had started as honourable societies – like the Mafia did. Over the centuries most of them had converted to worse groups.This in mind I am just rethinking the role of the Roman Catholic Church.Lol By the way: Here in Germany some are thinking Scientology also is a secret society, and cooperating with the CIA. 🙂 Michael
THe best laid plans oft go awray. chuq
😉