Commander

Serious historians will scoff at the idea that secret societies are more than a footnote in history. And then you got all the mass of non-scholarly literature saying that they pretty much run the world. How important are secret societies really?

For a specific example I've heard (from our own member nazone) that most prominent members of the American and French revolutions were free-masons, and that several American presidents, Britsh and Canadian prime-ministers were also free-masons. Do you think that this is true, and if so, did their belonging to a secret society actually matter?

celtman

I think secret societies are very important. Almost all the most influential people ofthe past were supposed to be members of secret societies. Now, I doubt the control the way the world runs... but you know some of those ancient societies in the Vatican control a lot of powerful stuff.

Belonging to a secret society might give you connections in high up places, and for some of our current politicans it could help pursuade people to vote a certain way.

tjadams

There were close to twenty US presidents who were Masons or had close affiliation with them. Also, over twenty signers of the Dec. of Ind. were Masons. Even our Supreme Court has had Masonic members on its rolls. Masonic membership includes sports figures, politicians, military leaders, writers & actors. The positive influence of Masonic members ship cannot be over looked.

Didn't Geo. Washington swear his oath as the first president on a Masonic Bible?

duckmom7

I think, in order to determine whether being a Mason affected how all these powerful men wielded their power, we need to first look at what does it take to be a Mason? Doesn't one have to be a rather established business-person in the first place, before one can become a Mason? My take on it is there is some sort of qualification required--like the VFW--you have to be a veteran of a foreign war to be a member. Does anyone specifically know what the qualifying factors of masonic membership is? Even better, is anyone out there a Mason and could teach us a thing or two?

Melisende

I don't think this should be limited to the Masons.

Until it became an established / conventional religion, Protestantism was an "undreground" movement - as well as being classed as a heresy. A lot of the "spin off" religious started out in secrecy from fear of persecution.

Or are we referring to secret political groups??? Or both??

Lucius

The connection is co-incidental, not causal. Back in those days, there was no Rotary Club, no Optimist Club, etc. Men who were interested in improving society, especially in small towns, would have few or no other venues to operate in. It was an outlet for charity, civic-mindedness, etc. These were just the sort of guys who would involve themselves in public affairs as they grew older. It's just that decent, responsible people might be interested in both.