1. The New World Order
   A Satanic cult
2. Fraternal organizations

The Freemasons are a collection of fraternal organizations. They have a reputation for secrecy, but that's actually not an accurate depiction of these groups.

1. Navy
   Law
2. Stonemasons

In the 14th century, stone masons created a serious of credentials to protect their craft. The Freemasons have since evolved into a much broader series of activities.

1. Fish and chips
   Square and compass
2. A large glowing eyeball

Freemasons began with stone masons. They often used tools like the square and compass to do their jobs, so these are the organization's traditional symbols.

1. The Stake
   The Lodge
2. The Cave

Freemason activity centers around their beloved Lodge. That's where they hold meetings, conduct club business, and plan to take over the world, and we're probably joking about that last part.

1. They were running for office.
   They were also warlocks.
2. They were protecting their trade.

In the early days, stonemasons proved their legitimacy by using secret symbols and words. The idea was to keep outsiders from infiltrating their trade and their network of clients.

1. Scotland
   Ghana
2. Japan

Scotland, the birthplace of so many of Western cultural touchstones, also gave rise to the Freemasons. The first lodge may have been established in the late 1500s.

1. A club for warlocks
   A secular organization
2. A religious cult

The Freemasons aren't some strange cult of the underworld. It's a secular organization primarily concerned with professional networking.

1. That they will use only granite for countertops
   That they won't upend peaceful society
2. That they will protect life at all costs

In spite of their (inaccurate) public perception as a force of cultural subversion, Masons are expected to be peace-loving. They take an oath that they'll not harm peaceful society.

1. Civil War era
   World War II
2. Civil Rights era

To be fair, was there anyone that Hitler didn't persecute? The Freemasons were another target of the Third Reich, so they went underground during the war.

1. Not very
   Some secrecy
2. Totally open

The Freemasons aren't exactly the CIA. They do protect some information - like any other exclusive club - but they don't have any deep dark plans for the world.

1. That there is a God of some sort
   That they will never amount to anything
2. That they are evolved from monkeys

In the Freemasons, there's no indication that you have to believe in a specific god. But you are expected to at least go through the motions in expressing belief in a higher-deity, such as the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

1. It's all available online.
   They don't really share that information.
2. They publish their names in a newsletter.

It's one reason that the organization has a reputation for secrecy. Members don't really talk about being members - it's a relatively hush-hush topic.

1. 3
   33
2. 333

Per medieval traditions, there are three degrees in Freemason society. They are Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master Mason.

1. What are "women"?
   Sometimes
2. Anytime they like

The Freemasons are mostly a boy's club. However, in some isolated cases, women are admitted and welcomed with open arms.

1. Illuminati
   New World Order
2. There isn't one.

Unlike a lot of organizations, there's no overarching headquarters for Freemasons. They are mostly independent lodges … and sometimes don't really recognize each other at all.

1. Frederick Douglass
   Homer
2. George Washington

Like many powerful men who knew their way around society, George Washington was a prominent Freemason. He was even Master of his lodge.

1. Technically, none
   About half the time
2. Very often

In theory, religion is off the table. Lodge meetings are supposed to pretty much avoid the topic of religion.

1. They must ask for membership.
   They kidnap a goat (and then return it).
2. They commit a ritual murder.

In most situations, prospective members must flat-out ask to be a part of a lodge. Then, they have to survive an interview process that determines whether they are truly worth of Freemasonry.

1. Not at all
   Sometimes
2. Constantly

Like religion, politics are off the table at Mason meetings. These two topics are simply too divisive for a professional networking group.

1. They are located in national forests.
   They are opulent palaces.
2. They oversee lodges in a specific area.

Grand Lodges are the top lodges. They are a headquarters of sorts for a particular area, like a county or state.

1. They may need to copy the Bible, verse by verse, with ballpoint pen.
   They are required to give a blood sample.
2. They might need to believe in a specific god.

In most cases, lodges allow people of any religion, so long as that religion specifies a single god. But there are some lodges that only admit candidates who believe in the "right" religion.

1. They fear prejudice.
   The world stone supply is dropping quickly.
2. Witches are burned at the stake.

The pervasive public perception of Masons as weirdly secretive types doesn't make lodges forthcoming about their status. So most men don't declare their membership to others.

1. A specific handshake
   A slight bow
2. A seductive hip thrust

Like all "secret" societies, the Masons have a groovy secret handshake. It looks suspiciously like a normal handshake.

1. They are ultra-liberal.
   They are staunchly conservative.
2. They burn things.

In some areas, Freemasons are considered very, very conservative. And in some cases, they've earned (rightly or wrongly) a reputation for resisting progress and change.

1. To murder political rivals
   To capture slaves
2. To set wages

Stonemasons needed to standardize pay rates so that everyone got their fair share. So they helped to regulate wages throughout the lands.

1. Self-improvement
   Jesus Christ
2. Mortar

There's no universally-accepted (or even clear) doctrine for the Freemasons. But no matter where they are located, they're committed to their brotherhood and continual self-improvement.

1. Hazing
   Drinking
2. Hugging

In the olden days - and even now - drinking was part of lodge meetings. Members take meals and drinks together as part of the bonding experience.

1. Blue-collar workers
   Well-off gentlemen
2. Social outcasts

As stone mason guilds faded in the 1700s, the lodges found their ranks filling with gentlemen. Membership became more for well-to-do types hanging out with like-minded men.

1. It embraces it.
   It has no official stance.
2. It condemns it.

The Catholic Church has a long-standing reputation for condemning organizations that might be perceived as gaining in political power. It has always condemned the Freemasons.

1. It is booming.
   It is about the same as ever.
2. It is declining.

For decades, membership in the Freemasons has been declining, particularly in America. Very few people express interest in joining the groups today.