Jeff, We particularly are against those organizations in which you have to take an oath even though you have no idea of what is coming (i.e. forswearing). This of course was the downfall of the judge Jephthah. But not all fraternal organizations would be secret oath bound societies. Though many fraternities would fall into this category. The college I went to (Geneva College - an RP school) forbid fraternities or sororities for this reason. It is interesting to note that even the ones not listed under "religious" all have religious connotations to them - most are Islamic too. Peace, Steve Jeffery Hallmark wrote: > > > Secret society > > > From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia > > Jump to: navigation > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_society#column-one>, search > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_society#searchInput> > /For the Europe <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe_%28band%29> > album, see Secret Society (album) > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_Society_%28album%29>./ > > A *secret society* is an organization > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organization> that conceals its > activities from outsiders. The term "secret society" is often used to > describe a wide range of organizations: collegiate fraternities > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_fraternity>, fraternal > organizations <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fraternal_organization> > that may have non-public ceremonies, and also mythical organizations > described in conspiracy theories > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conspiracy_theories>. > > > Contents > > [hide <javascript:toggleToc()>] > > * 1 Overview <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_society#Overview> > * 2 List of secret societies > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_society#List_of_secret_societies> > > o 2.1 International organizations > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_society#International_organizations> > > + 2.1.1 Religious > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_society#Religious> > + 2.1.2 Other > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_society#Other> > o 2.2 Criminal organizations > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_society#Criminal_organizations> > o 2.3 Historical secret societies > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_society#Historical_secret_societies> > o 2.4 Collegiate secret societies > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_society#Collegiate_secret_societies> > o 2.5 Revolutionary organizations > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_society#Revolutionary_organizations> > o 2.6 Alleged secret ! societies > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_society#Alleged_secret_societies> > * 3 See also <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_society#See_also> > * 4 References > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_society#References> > * 5 Notes <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_society#Notes> > * 6 External links > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_society#External_links> > > > [edit > <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Secret_society&action=edit§ion=1>] > Overview > > Historically, secret societies have been the subject of suspicion and > speculation from non-members since the time of the ancient Greeks > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greeks>, when meetings were held > "sub rosa" > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Latin_phrases_%28P%E2%80%93Z%29> > (Latin, "under the rose") to signify the secrecy and silence of the > Hellenistic <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellenistic> god Harpocrates > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpocrates>. > > Since some secret societies have political aims, they are illegal in > several countries. Poland <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poland> has > made the ban of secret political parties and political organizations a > part of its constitution. > > Many student societies established on university campuses have been > considered secret societies. Some collegiate secret societies are the > Flat Hat Club <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Hat_Club> (1750) and > Phi Beta Kappa <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phi_Beta_Kappa> (1776), > both founded at William & Mary > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_of_William_and_Mary>. The most > famous member of the FHC was Thomas Jefferson > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson>, the third President > of the United States > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_the_United_States>. In > correspondence, Jefferson noted that the Flat Hat Club served "no > useful object." The most famous collegiate secret society today is the > Skull and Bones <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skull_and_Bones> (1832) > at Yale University <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yale_University>. See > List of collegiate secret societies > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_collegiate_secret_societies>. > > > [edit > <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Secret_society&action=edit§ion=2>] > List of secret societies > > > [edit > <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Secret_society&action=edit§ion=3>] > International organizations > > While not self-styled as secret societies, these groups are often > discussed in that context. > > * Bilderberg Group <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilderberg_Group> > * Club of Rome <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Club_of_Rome> > * Neurocam <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurocam> > * Order Militia Crucifera Evangelica > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_Militia_Crucifera_Evangelica> > * Rhodes-Milner Round Table Groups > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodes-Milner_Round_Table_Groups> > * Rosicrucians <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosicrucians> > * Trilateral Commission > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trilateral_Commission> > * Council on Foreign Relations > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_on_Foreign_Relations> > ! > > > [edit > <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Secret_society&action=edit§ion=4>] > Religious > > * Compagnie du Saint-Sacrement > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compagnie_du_Saint-Sacrement> > * Order of the Solar Temple > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Solar_Temple> > * Ordo Templi Orientis > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ordo_Templi_Orientis> > * Temple of Set <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Set> > > > [edit > <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Secret_society&action=edit§ion=5>] > Other > > * Broederbond <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broederbond> > * Bohemian Club <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohemian_Club> > * The Komala <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Komala> > * P2 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propaganda_Due> > * Seven Sages <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Sages> > * P.E.O. Sisterhood <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P.E.O._Sisterhood> > * The Posse <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Posse> > * The Veiled Prophet Organization > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_Saint_Louis> in St. Louis > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Louis%2C_Missouri>, Missouri > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missouri>. [1] > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_society#_note-0> > > > [edit > <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Secret_society&action=edit§ion=6>] > Criminal organizations > > * Al Qaeda <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Qaeda> > * Camorra <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camorra> > * Ku Klux Klan <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ku_Klux_Klan> > * Mafia <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mafia> (also known as "La > Cosa Nostra <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Cosa_Nostra>") > * Mara Salvatrucha <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mara_Salvatrucha> > * 'Ndrangheta <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%27Ndrangheta> > * Sacra Corona Unita <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacra_Corona_Unita> > * Thuggee <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thuggee> > * Tong <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tong_war> > * Triad <http://en.wikipedia.org/wi%21%0A%20ki/Triad> > * Yakuza <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakuza> > * SPECTRE <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPECTRE> > > > [edit > <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Secret_society&action=edit§ion=7>] > Historical secret societies > > * Assassins <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hashshashin> > * Beati Paoli <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beati_Paoli> > * Gladio <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Gladio> > * Hellfire Club <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellfire_Club> > * Illuminati <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illuminati> > * The Knights' Order > <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Knights%27_Order&action=edit> > * Kizilbash <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kizilbash> > * Knights of the Golden Circle > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knights_of_the_Golden_Circle> > * Krypteia <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krypteia> > * Molly Maguires > <http://en.w%21%0A%20ikipedia.org/wiki/Molly_Maguires> > * Society of the Elect > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society_of_the_Elect> > * SPK <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPK> > * Thule Society <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thule_Society> > * Tiandihui <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiandihui> > > > [edit > <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Secret_society&action=edit§ion=8>] > Collegiate secret societies > > /Main article: List of collegiate secret societies > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_collegiate_secret_societies>/ > > > [edit > <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Secret_society&action=edit§ion=9>] > Revolutionary organizations > > * Black Hand <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Hand> > * Carbonari <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbonari> > * Irish Republican Brotherhood > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Republican_Brotherhood> > * Fenian Brotherhood <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fenian_Brotherhood> > * Germanenorden <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germanenorden> > * Katipunan <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katipunan> > * La Giovine Italia <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Giovine_Italia> > * Logia Lautaro <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logia_Lautaro> > * Mau Mau <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mau_Mau> > * Muslim Brotherhood > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_Brothe%21%0A%20rhood> > * Righteous Harmony Society > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Righteous_Harmony_Society> > * Sons of Liberty <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sons_of_Liberty> > * Tatenokai <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatenokai> > * Tongmenghui <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tongmenghui> > * Vihan Veljet <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vihan_Veljet> > * Walhalla-orden <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walhalla-orden> > * White Rose Society <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Rose> > > > [edit > <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Secret_society&action=edit§ion=10>] > Alleged secret societies > > Either the existence of these, or their status, is subject to > significant doubt. See also Secret societies in popular culture > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_societies_in_popular_culture> > > * Angelic Society <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angelic_Society> > * Majestic 12 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Majestic_12> > * Nine Unknown Men <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine_Unknown_Men> > * Priory of Sion <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priory_of_Sion> > * Vril Society <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vril_Society> > * Skull and Dagger <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skull_and_Dagger> > * The School of Night > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_School_of_Night> > > > [edit > <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Secret_society&action=edit§ion=11>] > See also > > * Secret societies in popular culture > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_societies_in_popular_culture> > * Secret societies in Singapore > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_societies_in_Singapore> > > > [edit > <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Secret_society&action=edit§ion=12>] > References > > * Heckethorn, Charles William (1997). /The secret societies of all > ages and countries, embracing the mysteries of ancient India, > China, Japan, Egypt, Mexico, Peru, Greece, and Scandinavia, the > Cabbalists, early Christians, heretics, Assassins, Thugs, > Templars, the Vehm and Inquisition, mystics, Rosicrucians, > Illuminati, Freemasons, Skopzi, Camorristi, Carbonari, > nihilists, and other sects/. Kessinger Publishing. ISBN > 1-56459-296-0 > <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Booksources&isbn=1564592960>. > * Whalen, William Joseph (1966). /Handbook of secret > organizations/.! Milwaukee: Bruce Pub. Co.. LCCN > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library_of_Congress_Control_Number> > 66-026658 > <http://catalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?Search_Arg=66026658&Search_Code=STNO&CNT=25&HIST=1>. > * Axelrod, Alan (1997). /The international encyclopedia of secret > societies and fraternal orders/. New York: Facts on File. ISBN > 0-8160-2307-7 > <http://en.wikipedia.%21%0A%20org/w/index.php?title=Special:Booksources&isbn=0816023077>. > * Roberts, J. M. (John Morris) (1972). /The mythology of the > secret societies/. New York: Scribner. ISBN 0-684-12904-3 > <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Booksources&isbn=0684129043>. > * Robbins, Alexandra (2004). /Pledged: the secret life of > sororities/. New York: Hyperion. ISBN 0-7868-8859-8 > <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Booksources&isbn=0786888598>. > > > [edit > <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Secret_society&action=edit§ion=13>] > Notes > > 1. *^ <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_society#_ref-0>* Moore, > Bob. "Jefferson National Expansion: Administrative History" > <http://www.nps.gov/jeff/adhi%20Folder/adhi2-3.htm> Chapter 3. > Accessed 21 Mar 2007. > > > [edit > <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Secret_society&action=edit§ion=14>] > External links > > * Major media articles on secret societies: > <http://www.wanttoknow.info/secretsocietiesnewsarticles> — > Collection of one-paragraph excerpts with links to original articles > > > > > Presenting the Prince of Peace to Prince George > > Spruceland Baptist Church > > To avoid burning.....use "Son" blocker. > To subscribe, send a message to: pastorsforum-join@... To > unsubscribe, send a message to: pastorsforum-unsubscribe@... -- ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Pastor Steven G. Rockhill Lisbon Reformed Presbyterian Church PO Box 88 Lisbon, NY 13658 315-393-9041 revrock@... http://lisbonrpc.port5.com +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++