What is the most enthralling secret society of all time and why?

Question

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Answer 1

Being a UK resident I'd have to site the Freemasons. British history portrays them as something of an omnipotent force throughout the middle and upper classes, at the height of their powers in Victorian England. As a members-only "boys club" of the great and the good in society, their sphere of influence was known to spread throughout the police, judiciary and the higher professions. Their activities where protected by ritualistic initiations and punishments for transgressors against the secrets of the lodge, and although these rituals are nowadays merely symbolic, with the movement acting overtly as a benevolent charity-supporting brotherhood, who really knows?

Masonic influence is often sited in modern or historical fiction (e.g. the "From Hell" telling of the "Jack the Ripper" story featuring Johnny Depp, and a series of BBC's "Messiah", with Ken Stott).

Who knows to what extent their influence still pervades the UK's corridors of power, and exactly how much is promotion through the echelons of Britain's professions still dependent on allegiance to the brotherhood and the "special" hand-shake????

Answer 2

FREEMASONS… So many people have so many different interpretations about who the freemasons are. Some people say that they rule the World; others say that they are behind all wars and disasters.

From what I understand is that the freemasons is an organisation of white men. You are either born into the society or have a lot of money or political power!!! Membership is restricted to white males,

Freemasons are known for favours. They help each other out. For example a Mason may be a builder and they might work on someone’s house for a discount just because they guy's house they are fixing is also a Mason. In return, that guy has to return the favour in some way by helping that guy out, for example that guy may be a school principal and he'll keep a specific eye on the builder’s kids at school or help them in entrance exams.

With this, people speculate further saying that government ministers are also masons and they make decisions which will favour the Masons. The guy has nothing to lose because he knows that the Masons will back him up, especially if you have a Mason judge.

It’s an interesting society as not a lot of people know anything about the members. Unlike the Italian Mafia or any other Mafia you never read in newspapers of a free mason being gunned down or sent to prison for tax evasion and money laundering. It is a far more sophisticated secret society with so many questions surrounding the society… Is this secret "brotherhood" really a religion? …Is it a cult? Is it a Christian organization or is it opposed to Christianity

Answer 3

I would have to say the Free Masons are the most enthralling "secret" society of all time as they seem to be getting the most attention whether they like it or not! Over the years they have been accused of being involved in some very high profile cases and mysteries. Even though they insist they have nothing to hide and have begun to open their doors more and more to the public eye over the last few years, they just can't seem to erase this increasingly larger black spot on their name. I suppose the movie "The DaVinci Code" didn't help matters much, or "From Hell" for that matter.

However, if any secret society needed a closer look, I would have to say Skull and Bones deserve the scrutiny the Masons are getting right now. I honestly believe they are a ruthless and dangerous society and have been involved in some acts over the last few years that would shock the American people to say the least. I won't go into this any more as I have seen how people get so easily flamed by ignorant and closed-minded people in these blogs.

Mr DeNiro, it has been an honour to answer this question for you and I hope it helps. Be well.

Answer 4

OK, I'm not sure if anyone will ever read this answer, since there's so many excellent answers already, but skimming through the pages and pages of secret societies, I noticed something.

All the usual suspects are here, the Bavarian Illuminati, the Knights Templar, Freemasons, Rosicrucians, and Majestic 12. There's even quite a few mentions of the Trilateral Commission, Skull & Bones, Cosa Nostra and the CIA.

But there seems to be a remarkable lack of one of the most influential secret societies in world history. The occult Thule society provided philosophical underpinnings that were used by the National Socialist party in their promotion of the Aryan race, and the Thule society itself provided many of the key leadership roles in the Nazi hierarchy itself.

The activities of this society are directly responsible for some of the greatest atrocities in human history. Their influence on the shape of 20th and 21st century geopolitics is tremendous. If there were no Thule society, would there be an Israel today?

On top of their historical significance, there is also the occult underpinnings they give to the legacy of the Nazi party. This sinister aura turns the Nazis from being purely politically motivated genocidists into potential symbols of pure evil. In terms of story telling and symbology, this lends the Nazis a cache that groups like the Khmer Rouge and Stalinists do not possess, however evil they may have been.

Even today, the Nazis are the quintessential villains, the perfect adversary for heroes true of heart. Raiders of the Lost Ark, Hellboy, even the Marathon Man shine brighter as symbols of good contrasted against the occult-tinged evil of the Thule Society.

Answer 5

I feel the most enthralling secret society of all time is the one that remains a secret. The ones from history that we know about are fascinating but the facts are undependable. Perhaps that is what makes them enthralling to so many is the unknown.

One of the more modern and fascinating secret societies is The Sisterhood of The Shields to which Lynn Andrews is a member. (Not the Eagle spin-off.) Sure, it's no longer a secret that they exist. But their members and actions are very well guarded. Still, they give just enough information on their activities to make you wonder what their real purpose is in the world and what they contribute to mankind.

I was with a small group for seven years before we split to form our own. In the time we were together we did and achieved things that I have never read or heard of.

Answer 6

Hollywood was once notably called "the most exclusive club in the world."
If there were no 'why' as part of this question it's one that would be easier to answer. If theres a crucial difference between "enthralling" and "intriguing" its in the connotation between what so-called secret societies bring (beyond speculation) and what the search and quest for greater knowledge has brought us from explorers and adventurers and searchers and stuff.
While Illuminati and Freemasonry and the Mafia and Skull and CrossBones and Nazi'ism and Odin'ism have intrigue written all around them, I am more enthralled with things like Aztec culture and the Mayans and the Essenes and the Christian movement known as Catharism in southern France as well as how Buddhism came into being from India. IMO, if you add to this also the secret society of Ninja warriors and its easy to see how hard it is for one to be more 'enthralling' than all the other(s). Even Chinese secret societies such as Yellow Turbans and the Five Pecks of Rice, have a level of intrigue that beat out all the other top runners for having that innate potential to enthrall.
I can't even draw a bead on any Illuminati, theyre everywhere-lol.......speaking of which, how about that tiny tiny writing on a grain of rice done by Indians?

I remain ENTHRALLED that a potential exists that this Interent connected computer device may actually allow my answer and comments to be read and considered by the great and versatile Mr.Robert DeNiro. I am such an ardent fan!

Read my review at cinemaclock.com Prince George BC Canada..I am one of few people to rate it high and two thumbs up
..you must be very proud!

Answer 7

Well, first off, if a society is thought of as enthralling then the 'secret' part has been a dismal failure. If a society is successfully secret then obviously nobody knows of its existence.
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But forgetting about that for a minute I suppose the one that comes to mind would be the society responsible for concealing the marriage of Jesus to Mary and the birth of their children and ensuing descendents. I mean it is still taken to be some urban (well maybe 2000 year old urban) myth. Yet one cannot shake the feeling that there is something quite logical and sensible about this theory/truth. It would have to be one of the best kept secrets in the last 2000 odd years.
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One other society I have always found very mysterious has been the The Nights Templar and the Masons. It seems they are connected historically but it is a complex and clouded history.....trying to determine fact from heresay and fiction. Once again I think they are so enthralling because they have managed to keep their essence secret and the rest is like dealing with smoke and mirrors.....quite a maze to navigate which of course is deliberate and shakes off or drives away all but the very most inquisitive. Until it is generally believed by the masses that the tales are just that....the stuff of myths and legends. In other words pure fiction.
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My favourite comedian Billy Connolly once stated in one of his stand up shows that men don't gossip like women which he quite beautifully put a positive spin on by then saying that although men did not gossip they were sneaky and liked to keep a secret. They liked that they new something that everyone else did not. Of course he then got to the crux of the humour part by turning the whole monologue into the entry to a fart joke.....a good one by anyone's standards!!! But the bit about men and secrets stayed with me in my subconscious and resonated as a keep observation. Of course it is a generalization however I just wonder how many so called secret societies, that are heard of, talked about and generally well known (despite the irony of still being called secret) were the brain child of a woman or a group of women. It seems to me this is, so far anyway, been the arena for the male of our species. I mean here is just a beginning list : the CIA, the FBI, the KGB, Mossad, MI5, MI6, the Masons, The Nights Templar.......obviously masculine based and run societies. Anyway I just wonder what secret, truly secret societies are out there that are the bastion of women (if there are any at all). I am not aware of any so if indeed they do exist they must indeed be the most absolutely enthralling of all by the very fact that absolutely nothing is know of their origin.
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It's an intriguing topic. I hope you find my response edifying.

Answer 8

The Hashishin of Northern Iran on the Caspian Sea overtop the Levant Mountains of the 11th and 12th century led by Hassan Bin Sabbah( the old man of the mountain). They smoked Hashish as a pre-murder ritual and they existed for the sole reason of commiting political murder on the Christians, the Jews and even the Moslems. The modern word 'Assasin' is coined from the word 'Hashishin' because this is indeed how enthralling the Hashishin truly were in their day. They are the predecessors and the prototypes of the modern day suicide bombers we saw so vividly on septermber 11th 2001. If this is is not an enthralling secret society then I really don't know what is !

All other secret societies are intellectual wimps scurrying through back alleys under black cloaks with secret knowledge of dubious importance compared to the Hashishin of the Levant led by Hassan Bin Sabbah !

Google this and you will see that I am not wrong.

BTW.... the Hashishin still exist today under a different name but I won't dare say what this name is.

Answer 9

So many answers!

I would say you have a top three:
Skull and Bones
Freemasons
Illuminati (which notably the founder of Skull and Bones went to Germany (origin of Illuminati). It has been said the founder of Skull and bones went there for the rituals etc.

I think the enthralling could fall into a complete and TRUE understanding of Freemasonry. I suppose each of the three mentioned groups above all have a different ideal, but the Freemasonry by far would have the emphasis and history of a true secret understanding. However that debate will never end...

Also to note the self-forming inner sects of CIA,DIA etc. mainly because the work involved i.e. remote viewing etc. You either end up self forming or adapting to a group like Masonry.

Answer 10

Traditionaly I think the stonemasons were interesting to the extent that fellow masons would do each other favours which could help a great deal in everyday life however i think the traditions of this society have unfortunaly been forgotton in the modern world.

As someone else mentioned i think the ODESSA organisation are the most enthralling and exciting organisation. The idea that top nazi officals could have escaped from the allies right under there noses to south america and continue the beliefs of the third reich is fascinating. The ODESSA group could still be active today working on building a fourth reich? Who knows but the possibilities are endless a writer could have a field day with such a group.

Answer 11

Whilst not a society as such rather a branch of the military; the Selous Scouts of the former Rhodesian Army are extremely interesting. They could operate in the Bush for months at a time without re-supply all the while covertly tracking the guerilla armies of Joshua Nkomo and Robert Mugabe. Often times the Scouts would infiltrate enemy encampments disguised as guerillas and wreck havoc before the bad guys knew what was going on. The Selous Scouts had one of the toughest selection courses in the world with a drop out rate of well over 90% and they were so effective at what they did that they have been attributed with over 60% of enemy kills during the Rhodesian Bush War. If Rhodesia existed today you could expect the Selous Scouts to be at the fore-front of the War on Terrorism.