Have you ever wondered by secret societies still exist and thrive in today’s modern society? The best example, is, of course, the Freemasons. This organization “claims” to have traced their craft back to the time of the building of the great pyramids of Giza.

Over the years, whistleblowers have been able to gain access only to reveal what secrets they could. While, their story is not conclusive evidence, there is little information given away by any masonic member.

However, there have been a few leaks over the centuries that can help bring some understanding to this secret organization.

What is a secret society?
Secret societies are often referred to as clubs. Most clubs contain people who are typically like-minded individuals, with little to no restrictions on membership. Secret societies, are basically groups of men who wish to achieve name status, obtain lost or ancient knowledge, and have a feeling of self-worth through obtaining this knowledge. Freemasons contain a large mixture of different worldviews and personalities, far broader than you would typically see in a club. The end goal of a secret society is to reach the top, as high as you can go.

So, what’s the attraction for joining?
It is human nature to be curious about the unknown. It is also common for people to want to know ancient and/or secret knowledge that is not readily available to your average citizen. The entire masonic society is built upon secrecy. And, constant reaffirmation of the penalty for breaking one’s oath to the society. Masons are taught from their very first introduction into the society that secrecy is mandatory.

If your neighbor told you, “Hey, I have the most amazing (insert your favorite item here) over at my house. It is a special edition you can only get directly from the owner.” Then he says, “yeah I would love to show it to you but it's kind of a secret.” How interested are you now?

There is also the attraction of those who wish to gain special favor. Most people I have spoken to about the masons have always mentioned the perks. Since, most judges, lawyers, and other higher-ranking officials in the community are often members. Stories of not getting speeding tickets, getting away with other traffic violations, court cases being dismissed, and everything else you could think of. Hearing these things throughout your life, you may be more inclined to try and get that free pass that comes with membership.

Are there any secret societies more powerful than the Freemasons?
That depends on which researcher you ask. Most believe that masons are the largest and most powerful secret society on earth. While I am sure they are the largest, I am unsure of their overall power as a whole. The average freemason, even those who are 33-degree masons, are not always let into the loop and will remain stuck at the forever blocked door till the end of their membership. When achieving your 33 degrees, depending on which account you consider truth, you are asked a series of questions or you are asked a single question and you are only asked once. Your answers determine whether or not they invite you in. The one question that has been on everyone’s list is “Do you believe in Jesus Christ.”

Many would say the Illuminati is the most powerful, but all roads lead me to believe that the Illuminati, is in fact, a group of masons. There have been hundreds of secret societies formed from the masons over the centuries. These smaller groups within the masons may have more power based on membership and class.

What is the purpose of secret societies?
In most cases its control, through the careful handling and slow release of information.

The masons for example give members, based on degree, different information including hand-shakes, passphrases, different introductions, and more. Often times the end results are not what the original member believed they would obtain, this has also led to more people releasing the masonic information.

Do secret societies have rivals with one another?
Yes, and it's very active in the Collegiate societies. Even factions rooted in the masons have been known to have bad blood. This happens often when the two groups have the same purpose and are interfering with one another’s profit, power, or position. It also happens if two rivals inside the organization create opposing views, whose rivals will continue even after the founder has died.

How long have there been secret societies?
For as long as there have been societies. The first society is often credited to a thief’s guild in different agent cities. There are also manuscripts that support a group called “The Seven” but nothing outside of the one manuscript backs this up.

Do all secret societies have hidden or secret knowledge?
While it's inevitable that they have some form of hidden or secret knowledge. Whether or not it is in fact real or something conspired by someone in recent history is anyone’s guess without access to their libraries.

The real knowledge is hidden in private collections around the world. Many hold some of the rarest and most sought-after items known to man. They are sold at private auctions the common person never knows anything about. I have personally been in several multi-million-dollar mansions and have seen a few of them myself.

The information contained in old societies like Skull and Bone, the Masons, Knights of the Golden Circle, Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. All of these groups have their private collection only available to members and maybe not even all members, only those selected to see it.

There is also the Catholic church, the Vatican holds some of the most valuable manuscripts on earth. The information contained within these tombs is priceless to humanity. Yet the church keeps this all to themselves only allowing a very select few with high qualifications to even view a book.

So with all that is kept from us, all the information we know is missing, all the secrets these groups promise to receive all drive people from all races to seek out these secret societies. And, it is unlikely they will be going anywhere in the near future. Secret Societies will always be with us.