I think there are a lot, so there must be a ton! There's a lodge a couple of blocks from my house in the 3rd ward. I see them driving around with the freemason logo on the back of their cars (some secret!). And, you see references in cemetaries a lot too. I can understand business connections. Seems to be as good as having a church, alumni group, or professional organization to network in. What other benefit is there?
The multilevel marketing thread was last month. http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=229582&highlight=pyramid
Some people don't have a large family, don't like their family or don't live close to any and thus they begin bond and build a brotherhood with their second family. Also, it should be noted that no matter what society or level, there is a certain amount of knowledge that is passed to initiates. It just depends on the chapter/lodge/whatever. For example, my family's masonic lodge is good on Biblical knowledge. Finally, there's status. At least with Masons, people know they have power, connections and usually money and want to associate with them.
I am a member of an elite secret society of crack commandos. If nobody else will help you and you can find us.... Spoiler
Okay, but only if you're willing to shoot a ton of bullets but completely miss everyone. Explosions are okay, but only for flipping cars.
Can someone give Mr. T a real job? He got type-cast worst than Sherman Helmsley and Isabella Sanford (George and Weezy) and hasn't done any consistent work for 25-30 years.
This is all fairly normal right? Either way, this stuff is just not for me. I've turned down every opportunity to become a part of a fraternity (while in college) or 'secret society'. I just look at it as a sign of weakness. I always felt joining implied you weren't capable of being successful or building a good network on your own.
A college fraternity is one thing. I'd actually say it's very good from a networking standpoint as most are harmless enough (granted, hazing is still present with some chapters of a given frat/sorority). I'd avoid the typical non-collegiate secret society like the plague, though. I mean there's money and status to be had but there's the possibility for blacklisting and/or worse yet, injury and death if your name becomes soiled. "It's our way or the highway" definitely applies, especially if you start blabbering secrets of the organization. I've had an almost 6-year standing offer to join Freemasonry and I still refuse.
does the Styx Forum count? if not then just Handsome Men's Club <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MyGJXLxtVEo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
There are some strange happenings and rituals surrounding the entertainment industry, that's for sure. Did anyone notice that Eminem's best friend from the group D-12, Proof, was actually imaged as having been shot in a drive-by shooting not too long before being shot to death in real life? Possibly a coincidence but not as unrealistic as you'd think. I don't think most would just actively sell their soul and they'd either get blackmailed into it (at least getting into the BS of the highest secret societies) tricked into joining something that wasn't what it appeared. This is a major reason why I want nothing to do with freemasonry, too many politics and the wrong set of circumstances could lead you into bad situations if in the wrong place at the wrong time, even if only in the most sinister lodges. LOL, some guy at work was trying to recruit me to join freemasonry and tried to clear up some "misconceptions." Maybe I do have some since I'm not technically in it but if my grandfather, a former grandmaster and in Scottish Rite AFAM for almost 50 years, can't get me to join what will?
