Secret Societies: A Discussion of Their Character and Claims

This collection presents three essays critically examining secret, oath-bound organizations: the first traces their ancient pagan origin and analyzes secrecy, sworn obligations, profane practices, exclusiveness, and misleading claims; the second evaluates whether Christians should join, weighing time and financial costs, charitable and moral responsibilities, and civic loyalty; the third reports on the moral character of secrecy, associations involving concealment, and the role of religious rites in open and closed societies. Together the authors argue that secretive structures tend to erode broad moral and civic duties while imposing financial burdens and loyalties that can conflict with public and religious responsibilities.