Hidden Societies and Fraternities
Secret societies are a unique form of groups established all the way through past history and across several societies. These societies also includes fraternal ones whose membership is based on community service, religious beliefs and practices, fraternity, political ideology, economic ties, and political power. Рlains Indian military societies, Freemasons, Rosicrucians, Elks, Moose, Chinese triads, the mafia, Odd Fellows, Ѕhriners, and even Robin Hood's Band of Merry Men are all secret societies. What they have in common is that they all have secret knowledge that they keep from nonmembers. As organizations, they provide members with mutual aid and charity. They may also pursue a political agenda, provide assistance to non-members, help maintain law and order, and help settle internal disputes.
Secret societies generally use religious, philosophical, or spiritual sanctions to provide a certain mystery to their members that aids in the performance of their duties. The mystery gives a sense of responsibility to members. They also feel they have a purpose to fulfill, which fosters a sense of superiority.
In more complex societies, the role of secret societies may be more ambiguous, and the existence and role of some societies may be unknown or irrelevant to some nonmembers. For example, the Skull and Bones Ѕociety at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, has over the years had among its members many men from prominent families who went on to be influential in American life—Рresidents George H.W. and George W. Bush being just two. But Skull and Bones is hardly known by Americans. Other secret societies such as the Ѕhriners and Elks are well known and little about them is secret, except for some ritual activities. In 2003, the secret societies drawing the most attention are terrorist groups—lists of these groups are compiled by the United Ѕtates and other nations and are circulated around the world.
Finally, it should be noted that the relationship between some secret societies and the larger community has often been characterized by suspicion and hostility by the latter directed at the former. The Freemasons are a classic example of this, but many other secret societies have also been the object of conspiracy theories, as well as being linked to satanism, defined as subversive movements, and accused of fomenting political unrest.
