So, are you part of any secret societies? Do you sneak out of your home, checking behind you to ensure you aren’t being followed as you travel to a hidden meeting place? Are you required by oath to keep secrets from those you love? Statistically, the answer to these questions is, “Probably not.” However, millions of people in the world are part of such groups. One of the most famous of these groups is Freemasonry.

Most people believe that Freemasonry began in the 14th century with local fraternities of stonemasons acting as a type of early labor union. Some theorists, however, place Freemasonry in an evolved order of the ancient Knights Templar who changed their name for survival. Whatever the origins, today Freemasonry is considered one of the world’s oldest and most secretive, secular, non-religious, fraternal societies. There are estimated to be over 6,000,000 Freemasons around the world. Members–called “Freemasons” or simply “Masons”–are encouraged to volunteer their time towards charity work. All discussions regarding politics or religion are said to be forbidden.

Freemasonry has been associated with many different conspiracies. One common belief is that Freemasons control the inner workings of our society and have members infiltrating every major organization to influence world decisions. Theorists believe members of Freemasonry seek to hold key positions within the United States government. This theory also equates Freemasons with the New World Order, particularly those who have achieved the high honor of a 33rd-degree level Mason, or “white hat.” However, the secrecy surrounding Freemasonry makes it difficult to verify or disprove such claims, at least when they pertain to current world leaders.

Freemasonry is sometimes thought by outsiders to be associated with Satanism, and some Christians denounce them as people who stand against God. Members and proponents of the Freemasons, however, deny such claims.

It’s hard for the average person to know what to believe in the world that we live in. The possibility exists, too, that you might even know a Freemason or two, but are unaware of their secret participation in the organization. The two polar-opposite theories of the purpose of Masons paint the organization in two very different lights; one, that of altruistic servants of the community; and two, power-hungry men that want to control the world for their own purposes . . . far from altruistic.