Why do people create secret societies?

Do people feel the need to be in a secret society? I don�t usually post in here but I read something that just made me think why? Why would anyone want to be part of a secret? Im quite an open person I like transparency, I like to feel part of a group like most people, but have never felt like wanting to be part of anything that�s secret. Is it because these people fear ridicule? Or is it because their intentions.

I think this is a multi-facited answer....

(1)you have the crazy people who create secret groups to appease their own insanity and draw others into their perversions....(2)you have those that do it out of respect for the mindless society that could not possibly be willing to accept what truth they have found.....(3)those that wish to keep their identity a secret while doing things they should not be doing....(4)those that are so intreverted from regular society that they fill a need to keep everything secret to protect their own self-worth....(5)those who remain secretive to keep the nation's offensive and defensive strategies at bay from leaking....(6)those that are the "button pushers," or the people who do exactly what is against their own will and thus become secretive to protect themselves from doing any unintentional harm to themselves

I'm sure there's lots of other reasons - I think those are pretty well justified to some degree tho

There are those people who form a secret society or group to be with like-minded people, because the average everday society cannot or will not except them or their beliefs.

Oops, I guess that would fall into your second catagory.

The only downfall of starting a secret society is how can you do it? You cannot advertise it, you cannot go door to door... how to go about getting new members, or any members for that matter?

Anyway...

Take the United States for example, home of the free. We are free to speak whatever we want, worship anyway we want, form groups for anything we want. Geez... I couldn't type that without laughing...

For anything we do, we need permits, or a council has to vote on it. Heck, chances are, if a group is 'officially' started, it'll be condemned by at least 15 different groups for being wrong, or immoral, or whatever...

You need a secret society because society wouldn't, and doesn't, want to see you or your kind.

Originally posted by EnronOutrunHomerun
I think this is a multi-facited answer....

(1)you have the crazy people who create secret groups to appease their own insanity and draw others into their perversions....(2)you have those that do it out of respect for the mindless society that could not possibly be willing to accept what truth they have found.....(3)those that wish to keep their identity a secret while doing things they should not be doing....(4)those that are so intreverted from regular society that they fill a need to keep everything secret to protect their own self-worth....(5)those who remain secretive to keep the nation's offensive and defensive strategies at bay from leaking....(6)those that are the "button pushers," or the people who do exactly what is against their own will and thus become secretive to protect themselves from doing any unintentional harm to themselves

I'm sure there's lots of other reasons - I think those are pretty well justified to some degree tho

.......to some degree thanks EnronOutrunHomerun

I have now been enlightened. bwaha ha ha I am BACK from my QUEST.
I hope you all did not miss me too mcuh... But, now that I have a bit more free time, I will be able to contribute more than I have been recently.

Do people feel the need to be in a secret society?

This is probably personal for many people. I am a Mason, so I will give my perspective from MY MASONIC side of the fence. This will probably different for each Mason or society in general. My father was a Mason and I grew up around it. Although, I did not know too much, I was interested in the ideals of the group as a whole. I asked when I was ready and found it to my liking. It would not matter if it was a secret society or notm I would still join.

Im quite an open person I like transparency, I like to feel part of a group like most people, but have never felt like wanting to be part of anything that�s secret. Is it because these people fear ridicule? Or is it because their intentions.

I am sure there are things you do not want to share with EVERYONE. Family problems or ongoings, your financial affairs, your bank information, etc etc etc. Basically, everyone and everything has its own secrets. Speaking only for Masonry, the secret have been handed down for generations and the order and ways of doing things are kept as tradition. I personally see nothing wrong with that, as it deals internally with the organization.

I think hundreds of years ago things such as unpopular political or religious beliefs were the reasons for secret societies. Of course there's always power or at least the attempt to gain power through subterfuge.

Now days could be anything from those reasons already mentioned or just people with certain kitchy hobbies.

Ever been to a star trek or comic book convention. Don't tell me they don't speak a secret language acompanied by hand signs and gestures. Any truly tight clique with layers of culture can be a secret society.

Even the big Lord Of The Rings kids who dress up like elves and hobbits and speak in that middle earth language tolkien wrote could be a secret society because I certainly have no idea what the hell they're talking about.

Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Indian Guides (probably don't have that anymore) brownies, Jedi, Masons and Trekkies(ers?) can all be considered secret societies.

IMO

SPiderj

Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Indian Guides (probably don't have that anymore) brownies, Jedi, Masons and Trekkies(ers?) can all be considered secret societies.
IMO
SPiderj

Actually by definition, a "Secret Society" is one who's existence and membership is just that...SECRET. All the above mentioned and many other fraternal and other such societies are publicly known. Their members wear pins and rings, have automobile emblems, etc. that mark their identity with their group. Meeting places and times are well advertised, etc. A Secret Society meets in secret....it's membership known only to itself.

Fraternal societies such as Masons, Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, etc. have private initiation ceremonies, private meetings...some have secret pass-words, grips etc. for modes of recognition (Knights of Columbus have no pass-words or grips) but outside that, they're not truly "Secret Societies" ...some have referred to them as "Societies with Secrets"

Regards,

Senrak (A Mason, Knight of Pythias, OddFellow and some other stuff)