Why do people join “secret societies” like the Freemasons?
Most Freemasons join a lodge because they know someone who is a Freemason. Personal connections allow people within certain social circles to seek membership. Secrecy itself can elicit the desire to know more. Studies of secret societies have clearly found that they’re widely imagined to be elitist and powerful simply by virtue of being secret. Q: How did you become interested in Freemasonry? A: I began researching Freemasonry as part of my doctoral studies in anthropology. My book manuscript The Brotherhood of Freemason Sisters focuses on present-day Masonic lodges in Italy and the upper-class women who belong to them. Historically, Freemasons have been depicted as a society of men. I think the best-kept secret of Freemasonry is that women are Freemasons too! Q: What makes Freemasonry in Italy unique? A: In Italy, Freemasonry has a very nefarious reputation. Freemasons have been accused of right-wing terrorism, political corruption and attempted coups. The lodges are also more secreti
