alice.in.wonderland - I can tell you, those in those societies and the rituals, do not in any way view them as that way. Even though some of that is true, a lot of it is not true. The actual rituals and what takes place, you'll find many different explanations and things about it. It also keeps people blind, when seeing much could be speculation, that the credible and hard evidence on other matters would fall into the same category as well.
Here is what I 'do' know about the Mason societies. (skull and bones) is a mason one too....
Those who want to join, must believe in grand creator (no matter your belief, but just that there is one)
They must be men of good character, and want to help mankind overall.
That's the part that throws me off to begin with, because you'd think they wouldn't want to recruit good people who have morals, if were meant to be evil.
A lot of the rituals, seem and admitted appear dark, they give a 'christian' reason for them. The part I don't understand, is if one must believe in a God, and they aren't told the reason for the rituals, how could they expect ones to blindly go against what they feel is against God's commands.
Most mason symbols are rooted to the temple of Solomon. Some with advanced understanding of the book of Genesis.
They don't claim to be of any religion.
OUR ROOTS, The WT, was heavily influenced or in harmony with Mason beliefs.
One one side, it looks like Christs rule, or his earthly kingdom. On another it looks like the wild beast and Satans rule. (And this is where I believe the great tribulaton will in full force, as of now)
I know that the answer might seem super clear at first, but more you research, the more you'll see something isn't matching up.
