The Most Powerful Secret Societies- Part One
With its numerous members and various lodges spread throughout the world, modern Freemasons do not share the same universal rites, as was the case in the past
Although most secret societies were established with relatively realistic political or religious objectives, their insistence on secrecy and mystique has made them the subject of endless criticism and conspiracy theories.
First Freemasons (Masons)
Masons are still one of the most influential fraternal societies in the world, which counts around five million members. The organization was founded in 1717, but the documents relating to their existence date back to the 14th century. The Company was formed as a fraternity whose members share the same philosophical ideas, including a belief in a supreme being. Despite the seemingly harmless activities, Freemasons were subjected to fierce criticism.
Conspiracy theories have long talked about their occult rituals, and even some political groups were formed as a sign of resistance to the Freemasons. Also the churches of all faiths have criticized this organization. With its numerous members and various lodges spread throughout the world, modern Freemasons do not share the same universal rites, as was the case in the past. However, one ritual that has remained constant is the initiation of new members. New devotees suggest someone who has been a Mason, and each new member has to go through three different degrees, before it reaches the level of masters.
Members also have special rules of mutual greeting, including handling, gestures and codes, and their meetings, denied access to those who are not Masons. Famous Freemasons were Winston Churchill, Mark Twain, Henry Ford, Benjamin Franklin. Symbols of the Freemasons are a compass and straightedge.
Illuminati (Freethinkers)
Stories about the Illuminati are often present in the literature, the movies and television. The organization was founded in Germany in the late 18th century. At that time, members of the group introduced themselves as enlightened turn freethinkers. The press soon turned against them, and many began to view them as a group of dissidents whose intention was demolition of government, and they were accused of causing the French Revolution.
The group soon torn apart, but their influence has remained very strong, and it has long been rumored that they still operate in the shadows. Thanks to the constant presence in popular culture, many fear the Illuminati. Modern conspiracy theorists believe that the group managed to survive and that today works as a dangerous shadow government managing the global industry and politics, a group who wants to establish a new world order. As members of the Illuminati, some people marked the Bush family, Winston Churchill and Barack Obama.
The official symbol of the Illuminati is a pyramid, taken from the Freemasons, on its top around surrounded by light rays.
Although we have a number of different theories about Illuminati and Freemasons, we really cannot be sure about their actual activity, real goals and power. We can only guess about that.
