Read up on their founding and history, they brought it upon themselves. They wanted to be the mysterious Boogeyman from their inception because the founders thought it would be cool and fun.
In high school we started a secret order, made a logo and symbols that we printed into stickers and would hide around the school in weird hidden places, even published a fake newspaper that we left around referencing it’s mythology and origins.
About 4 years after we all graduated I heard that apparently someone replaced the national anthem tape with one repeating the order’s phrases and terms.
My version is not as good, but may amuse you as thanks for sharing your story.
I once started a joke secret society in an MMO, only to be forgotten within a day, and then (gleefully) be reinducted a couple days later by a total stranger as a new member.
The induction nonsense had changed enough within that couple of days that I think I made a pretty convincing new recruit.
Though I think I caused some confusion when I changed outfits - I forgot that I had not yet “been told” the secret dress code. Oops. I think everyone then realized something was up, but chalked it up to secret society intrigues.
I think that any adult secret society is either going to be lame and boring, or it quickly escalates into a cult, gang, cartel, racket, or terrorist organization, depending on the group’s intentions.
Ehh, Freemasons are probably not religious in the sense you think they are. They all believe in god but are not necessarily of the same religious background.
Elks are the same in many(most?) chapters—a higher power whatever that means to you. Still, it’s a shame. A friend wanted me to join but I can’t be bothered with requirements that are silly/force me to express beliefs I don’t believe.
While yes, the unfortunate thing is that it’s pretty christian dominant and my experience has been that don’t appreciate agnostics and pagans in there midsts.
Every lodge is different. Visitors from one lodge to another were once appalled by the more relaxed atmosphere of another. Even in a society of very well documented and studied ‘rules’ and practices can have widely different cultures depending on the town and people. Not all lodges are created equal.
I love secret societies because they always remind me of LARPers. I used to go to this comic shop that held a Vampire:The Masquerade LARP thing, and they would all act secretive and sneaky, and come in the backdoor and things.
Read up on their founding and history, they brought it upon themselves. They wanted to be the mysterious Boogeyman from their inception because the founders thought it would be cool and fun.
Honestly, he’s not wrong, it does look cool and fun. I wish there were non-religious secret sects.
In high school we started a secret order, made a logo and symbols that we printed into stickers and would hide around the school in weird hidden places, even published a fake newspaper that we left around referencing it’s mythology and origins.
About 4 years after we all graduated I heard that apparently someone replaced the national anthem tape with one repeating the order’s phrases and terms.
My god I hope that train keeps running away.
Nice.
My version is not as good, but may amuse you as thanks for sharing your story.
I once started a joke secret society in an MMO, only to be forgotten within a day, and then (gleefully) be reinducted a couple days later by a total stranger as a new member.
The induction nonsense had changed enough within that couple of days that I think I made a pretty convincing new recruit.
Though I think I caused some confusion when I changed outfits - I forgot that I had not yet “been told” the secret dress code. Oops. I think everyone then realized something was up, but chalked it up to secret society intrigues.
That’d be an absolute blast! I wish the few we tried to get started never really got anywhere.
I think that any adult secret society is either going to be lame and boring, or it quickly escalates into a cult, gang, cartel, racket, or terrorist organization, depending on the group’s intentions.
You’re just making it sound cooler
That’s one of the harder parts about it, even one themed in a way that’s positive is going to eventually fall to something with stronger conviction
Ehh, Freemasons are probably not religious in the sense you think they are. They all believe in god but are not necessarily of the same religious background.
If I recall, Masons don’t require you to worship any specific God, just believe in a higher power or something like that.
Elks are the same in many(most?) chapters—a higher power whatever that means to you. Still, it’s a shame. A friend wanted me to join but I can’t be bothered with requirements that are silly/force me to express beliefs I don’t believe.
While yes, the unfortunate thing is that it’s pretty christian dominant and my experience has been that don’t appreciate agnostics and pagans in there midsts.
my experience is contrary to this. Few people really believe in religion in 2024, it’s not like the pious times in which the rites originated.
In practice, you don’t have to believe in god to be a mason. Although that rule is still around.
Every lodge is different. Visitors from one lodge to another were once appalled by the more relaxed atmosphere of another. Even in a society of very well documented and studied ‘rules’ and practices can have widely different cultures depending on the town and people. Not all lodges are created equal.
Isn’t that what the Order of Odd Fellows is?
I love secret societies because they always remind me of LARPers. I used to go to this comic shop that held a Vampire:The Masquerade LARP thing, and they would all act secretive and sneaky, and come in the backdoor and things.
Be the change. Id join you dark order of the cinnamon roll or whatever
For only checks again $44.99 USD you can become a doktor in the Church of the Subgenius.
https://www.subgenius.com/scatalog/membership.htm
Be the chage you want to see ✨✨
(I’ll join your quirky mysterious lodge)
There’s always the Possum Lodge.
Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati
(When all else fails, play dead)
Honestly, same.
Secret Order of the Lemmings? Can we have a sh.it.head rite?