Are the freemasonry or masons still considered a secret society? Were they and are they still a cult?
370588
1) Freemasonry is not a secret society.  Check the topic out at a decent library and you'll find all you ever want to know.  (If you look hard enough, you'll even find out why people think everything's a secret!)\n\n2) Freemasonry is not a cult.  A cult deals with religion and freemasonry does not.  True, it is based upon religious texts... but only for the moral values found therein.
152805
I know! You know who the worst of all the masonry is? The tiles. Those sons-of-guns are running the whole country.\n\nSeriously though, yes they are behind some big stuff but it would be too obvious to think the masons are behind everything. Especially these days. What we know as the Masons more likely changed their identity and left behind a "sceleton crew" to maintain the facade that the "Masons" still exist. Functioning only as a red herring to detract from the real masters who continue on with anomynity. In any case the Masons, or what they became anyway, arn't the whole of the conspiracy just a cog in a grand scheme to keep us stupid and working our lives away for just enough incentive to keep us from realizing just how deep the roots go. Look up flouride dangers, look up Chomski, look up the real cause of John Wayne's death. The secrets are left right out in the open for you to find. That is how arrogant the ruling class have become. Things are all ready so bad they know most people wouldn't believe the truth even if they were staring at it. Fact is, you even asking this question is puting yourself on the radar. And I doubt you realize just how serious this really is. Keep looking. Every day brings new horrors.
706454
I am a 5th generation Freemason, and I have found it be a rewarding experience.  Please feel free to email me with any questions you have.  There is very little that is actually secret, and I will be glad to share as much information with you as possible.
204815
Most of the rituals revolve around the building of King Solomon's Temple. We use the building tools of the ancient operative stonemasons symbolically as an allegory for how to live our lives as just and upright men.  (on the level...fair and square, etc.) It's no secret. Only the passwords, and grips we use to identify ourselves to each other are secret, just like in any college fraternity or sorrority. Also, we cant quote the rituals.  But as far as what they are about....pretty much public knowledge to anyone who will put down their pre-conceived notions and just ask.  Many lodges hold open houses a couple of times a year where the community can tour the building and ask questions.  The cross-spitting thing that one answerer mentioned is a myth.  Just like they say we ride goats, worship the devil, make ritual sacrifices, and...(oh, my personal favorite) have sex with satan in our initiation.  If anybody honestly believes any of that, then they deserve to make fools of themselves by stating them out loud.
523828
There are 11 known secret societies, The Free Masons are among the top of them dating back to ancient Egyptian times, and many US presidents, senators, and representatives... have been, and some still are members of secret societies. You can learn much more about them by logging on to various websites, just enter secret societies and take your pick.
595570
The wife of a Freemason would be the spouse of one of the most respected members of the community.  She would therefore be called a "Lady."  When Freemasons are introduced on any occassion they are introduced as Brother so an so and when so accompanied the spouse is referred to as "Lady."  Freemasons are by definition gentlemen and therefore the wife of a Freemason is a lady.  This can be proved by watching who emerges from which necessary room at most public places.
438541
From the Wikipedia:\n\nFreemasonry is an esoteric society, in that certain aspects of its internal work are not generally disclosed to the public[2]. In recent years, Freemasons have stated that Freemasonry has become less a secret society and more of a society with secrets.[3][4] It also claims that most of the "secrets" of Freemasonry were revealed and have been known to the public since as early as the eighteenth century.[5] For this and other reasons, most modern freemasons regard the traditional concern over secrecy as a demonstration of their ability to keep a promise[6] and as a surrogate for the organization's concern over the privacy of their own affairs.[7][8] The private aspects of modern Freemasonry deal with elements of ritual and the modes of recognition amongst members within the ritual.
105602
The purpose? Both the Illuminati and the Masons work to achieve the same goal. A NEW WORLD ORDER meaning CONTROL of EVERYTHING. )Just take a look on the back of a dollar bill and see..) And so far, they have done a good job considering Iraq especially. And how are they doing this? Because we let them by doing absoluetly nothing.
586978
Speculations as to the origins vary as has been discussed earlier. Personally, I am with the small crowd that does not believe it strictly came from the stone masons. Stone masons, however, were one of the very few groups of men who were not tied to the land and could travel in small groups. OK, I like the Templar theory, but it is MY liking. Freemasons are that, free to speculate.\n\nMany rituals harken back to the ancient mystery schools. More than that I cannot say. I would refer you to my Order's website (link below) for more information. I am a Co-Mason (women and men in Lodge together).\n\nFreemasons have not conducted Inquisitions nor burned people for not believing as they do. We encourage people to think and to explore, to extend the hand of friendship to people of all faiths. I know of few RELIGIONS which do that.
837339
Hello, I am a Freemason of the esoteric kind, American Co-Masonry. We admit women and men, who are over the age of 21, of all races, who believe in a Supreme Being, who are tolerant of races and religions other than their own, who wish to improve the world by improving themselves.\n\nBlaming strange occurances and bizarre murders upon a group such as Catholics, Jews, Freemasons, or Mormons may make exciting reading but is rarely (if ever) factual. \n\nWhat we in Co-Masonry are about is to continue the aims of the Ancient Mystery Schools. We are about helping the person mold their character, to make the world right here better. We use the tools of ancient stone masons as symbols. After all, how difficult is it to change human character as an adult? About the same as shaping stone. Right? We do our best to stimulate the values of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth within our members and to apply that throughout our lives and dealings with all of humanity.\n\nThis was what Freemasonry always was about. Again, we are a bit different because we admit women and we admit all races (some states in the US have problems with that) but truly that is the aim. We are not about going out and killing folks. \n\nWe are also not a religion. People of Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, Taoist, Wiccan, Latter Day Saint, Deist, and whatever else may meet peacefully in Brotherhood and fellowship in our Lodges. We are about this world. We urge our members to attend their own churches and become better community members, better family members. That is what we are about.\n\nIf I may be of more assistance, feel free to write me. Click on the link below to learn more about American Co-Masonry.\n\nA Master Mason\n\nHiram Lodge (Santa Cruz, CA)\nAmon Ra Lodge (Los Angeles, CA)\nSapientia Lodge of Research (Larkspur, CO)\nAdamant Mark Lodge (Santa Cruz, CA)
554859
What I tell you about Freemasonry will only be MY truth, not some other people's quotations, not something you can google. I will link you to MY Order of Freemasonry and let you read more (but only if you wish to.) Points? If you wish to. The important truth here is that you asked. OK?\n\nFirst, no one knows how far back Freemasonry goes. Many of us believe it is a descendant from the Ancient Mystery Schools of the Middle East. Certainly numbers and geometry play great parts in our work. There are those who say we have roots in the Knights Templar. There are, after all, in many Orders of Freemasonry a degree or more designated to correspond with those men. Some say that all of that is just convenient legends made up to add mystery and to sucker folks in. \n\nSecond, there are many different Orders of Freemasonry. The Order I belong to, American Co-Masonry, is very esoteric and places a great deal of emphasis on the slower alchemy of personal transformation. We also are different from most other Orders in that we admit women and men into Lodge. I am not talking Eastern Star, but fully into the Brotherhood. We admit all races, all religions but you must believe in a Supreme Being in our particular Order. There are even Orders of Freemasonry where that is NOT a requirement. In ours it is a requirement. \n\nWe are more than just a social club, more than just a club that does good for charities; although, both are part of Freemasonry. We are a way of helping make the world better by helping humans make themselves better. We study morality and try to practice it in our own lives. Simply put, we try to live by the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you."\n\nWe use the working tools of real stone masons as allegorical symbols to remind ourselves of principles. Thus you see those tools as symbols everywhere after you become a Freemason and see their application too. Funny thing, when you join and ask what a certain symbol means, you are asked, "What does it mean to you?" The others are not mocking you; they want you to find answers within yourself and to help them find answers, too.\n\nWe work together because stones are smoothed (big analogy here) best by rubbing together. We work in Lodge and out of Lodge. Not the conspiracy business. I do not have a Ferrari. I did get to sit in one owned by a non-Mason the other day and it was too small. *sigh* We talk and email each other with encouragement and insight. \n\nWe are not for everyone. You have to be of legal age (21 in most places, sometimes 18 for children of Freemasons). You have to be free. You have to be of good moral character. \n\nI belong to two Lodges: one in Santa Cruz, CA and one in Los Angeles. I drive 360 miles round trip to each one each month. That is 720 miles. Lots of gas. We have very little time for socializing. We get our Lodge set up, do our ceremony, put away the Lodge furniture, have a quick potluck, and drive home. I am an officer of both Lodges. I do work outside the Lodge for both. \n\nWhat do I get from it? My daughter (23 years old and pretty cynical Libra, IQ at least 10 pts higher than mine) says that she sees a change in me. That I am more capable, less stressed, kinder to myself, more at peace, a lot more honest, even better to my ex-wife. \n\nOh, guess I should address the business of secrets. There are some. We have handshakes, certain words, etc that are traditional means of recognition. I suppose you could google around and find most of those. Cannot guarantee they would get you very far into a Lodge. There is a great deal of memorization work. I had to work pretty hard to learn all that took to get proficient in the first degree and second in order eventually to become a Master Mason (3rd degree). That is not so much a secret as it is a tough part of Masonry. \n\nOh, the real secret? Want to know that? I could put it in words all day but it really would not mean anything to you. Let us leave it wit
299087
The Order of the Fraternity of the Illuminati, also known as Brotherhood of the Light, was a highly secretive society back in the 17th-century at the hight of the occultism.  If, and only "IF", this very society still exists into the modern age, its secrecy should not be any less as it was centuries ago.  However, since people do know little pieces of this society via the historical records (whose authenticities are yet very questionable), you are NOT without hopes in ATTEMPTING to locate this society.\n\nNow, there ARE over a dozen societies out there all claiming to be the Illuminati or related to the Illuminati (and let the X-File's theme-music play with that logo dispalyed: "The Truth is Out There").  My suggestion?  Try the Rosicrucians because, the Rosicrucians and the Illuminati shared a long history that goes way back (even to claim as far back as to the Era of Atlantis).\n\nSo, the Illuminati cannot be found but, we still can find their former "sister society" -- The Rosicrucians.  Now, the Rosicrucians were NOT that secretive then nor are they very secretive now-a-days...only if you know where too look (A Hint: Type "Rosicrucian AMORC" into YahooSearch).
1164920
This question has been answered on a few other threads but I will give you some basics (and NOT what you can get from Wikipedia).\n\nFreemasons are a composed of a diverse set of organizations. In the United States, for example, each state or region has its own rites and rituals for what we call "the masculine rite".  There is also Co-Masonry, of which I am a member, that admits women and men to all the rites and privileges.  So what one Freemason may answer here is only one viewpoint.\n\nThere are secrets but they are mostly passwords and signs to prove yourself as a member of the Society. Those grips and tokens are remnants of ancient times when few could read and write and it was necessary to be able to travel beyond where one was known. Was it because masons were stone masons or was it because we were actually Knights Templars in hiding? No one knows for sure. Whatever the case, those secret words are hardly secret if one looks hard enough.\n\nIs it a secret who is a Mason? Hardly! Check the back of their car. Look at their hands, are they wearing a Masonic ring? Masons are usually proud of belonging to such an upright and charitable organization. Although with that said, in some countries being a Mason has been a death sentence: Hitler killed Masons, in Portugal the Catholic dictators did too.\n\nMasonic belief is in the Golden Rule: do unto others as you would do unto you. Our belief and practice is in the equality of mankind and the need for justice dispensed equally. In my Order and in most Orders of Freemasons it is a requirement that the person believe in God (a Supreme Being whatever your religion chooses to call that). We leave religion and politics outside the Lodge door, however, save that upon which we all can agree. We practice tolerance of all religions. We, in Co-Masonry, admit all genders and races.\n\nOur purpose? To put it most clearly is to make good people better. We are a kind of morality. We take our lessons from the symbols of ancient stone masons. We do our best to put those lessons in practice in our lives. It is difficult to hew stone. It is far more difficult to change our own behaviors. No one changes them for a Mason but himself with the help of God. \n\nI know it is easy to distrust and throw mud at that which we do not know, but look to our past at the famous founders of the US and Great Britian, liberators of South America and Mexico. Look to  your own families; I bet that some of your grandfathers and uncles were Masons. \n\nOur doors are open to women and men over 21, free (not slaves to drugs or jails), and of good report. You do not have to be rich. You do have to want to make yourself  "The Temple of Solomon."  We do not recruit. You have to knock for yourself. \n\nI am a Master Mason. I believe it has made and continues to make me a better person.
60703
Ronald Reagan was never a Freemason.  He did recieve a certificate of commendation from the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, but they can't make anyone a Freemason.  \n\nThe last Freemason who was President was Brother Gerald Ford.
4386
A secret society formed on May 1, 1776 by  Adam Weishaupt.  Though generally considered to be long defunct, many conspiracy theorists still cling to the notion of the Illuminati and Freemasons controlling the world through covert dealings.  Of course, since the name means "enlightened ones," the name is popular and many minor organizations have doubtlessly assumed that same name.
1041325
I enjoy reading information about secret societies.  If you want to learn more about another interesting group read about the Bilderberg group.\nAs far as my opinion for this society, I believe that they exist.  This country was formed by a group of men, most belonging to a secret society-free masons.  Seems like it is tradition maybe even American culture.
530313
You know, about a month ago I had an enormous crisis in faith involving Freemasonry. \n\nIt was not any dark secret involving the da Vinci code or the Illuminati. It was not about the VSL or any garbage that Leo Taxil wrote about Albert Pike. Want to guess what it was?\n\nIt was that I was not up to be a good enough Freemason. True. I am a Co-Mason (women and men, all races, and all religions as long as you believe in a Supreme Being). We take the esoteric stuff pretty seriously. I belong to two real life Lodges and travel 1500 miles each month to attend them both. I also belong to a Lodge of research (we research Masonic history). I was Entered on May 23, 2004 VE, Passed April 17, 2005 VE, and Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on October 22, 2005 VE. \n\nWell, I was having physical problems - not sleeping enough, my leg hurting, my back hurting. A lot of it revolved around not having a good mattress and having been tortured when I was in the Army. The travel made it worse. I started taking everything my Right Worshipful Master said as an attack on me (even though she meant it as instruction).\n\nSo I had to deal with that. I had to think that maybe I was just not worthy enough to be a Freemason; that I was too rough a stone to be smoothed. Everyone else seemed to "be getting it." Eventually, through much more introspection I came to I was in pain and needed to deal with that instead of just running away and hiding (my first inclination).\n\nBTW, the "instruction" was nothing weird or violent, just what was proper to post where and what forms to send where. Nothing major, just ME making mountains out of mole hills. \n\nWhen you say to the Universe that you are ready for lessons, The Great Teacher in His Ineffable Wisdom smiles and sends those to you. Stone gets shaped very slowly and sometimes it seems kind of hard on the stone. But what a lovely edifice Solomon's Temple!