1.
Masonry is a religion.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
Masonry is religious, but it is not a religion. You must believe in a higher power before you can become a Mason.
2.
Which is the odd one out?
Correct Answer
B. Masons are working to subvert governments
Explanation
Masons work to become better citizens, fathers, husbands and sons. At all levels the charitable donations of Masons exceed $1 million a day through many different charities.
3.
Who is the semi-mythical figure central to Freemasonic doctrine?
Correct Answer
A. Hiram Abiff
Explanation
Hiram Abiff was said to be chief architect involved with the building of Solomon's Temple. He was murdered by 3 jealous rivals or apprentices for the secrets he would not divulge to them. His "triple death" and subsequent resurrection are replayed in the early stages of masonic initiation.
4.
Cabala, Kabbalah or Qabala is associated with which of the following groups?
Correct Answer
D. All of these
Explanation
I believe it began with Plato (although many differing opinions prevail) who saw in individuals characteristics being associated with their birthdates and other significant numbers associated with a person. In a much more highly developed form it is an approach to deciphering scripture through the assignment of values to numbers and letters: a way of reading betweeen the lines. Cabala is practiced mostly among esoteric Jews and also many esoteric Christians. Many magical societies have dedicated themselves at least in part, to the study and application of cabala.
5.
The Order of the Poor Knights of Christ and the Temple of Solomon, better known as the Knights Templar were a mysterious order of warrior monks charged with protecting Christian pilgrims on the road to the Holy Land. They were also wealthy to the point of being able to refinance bankrupt kingdoms. Who was the last official Grandmaster of this enigmatic order?
Correct Answer
A. Jaques de Molay
Explanation
Friday the 13th of October in 1307 saw the beginning of the official end for the Templars. Their property was seized, members were arrested and charges were laid (mostly false). The fact is that Philippe IV le Bel, King of France, with the aid of his Avignon puppet pope Clement V wanted the Templars' money and an end to Templar power. De Molay was nailed to the back of a door in a parody of Christ's crucifixion. He survived this torture and lived for another 7 years until he was burned at the stake in 1314. At his execution he proclaimed that he would meet both the king and the puppet pope at a higher court within a year. Both Philippe and Clement were dead less than 12 months after this proclamation.
6.
What is Yale University's secret society called?
Correct Answer
A. Order of Skull and Bones
Explanation
This society reputedly has/had as members, the two George Bushs plus many other highly placed intelligence and government officials. It is reputed to foster the future financial and political successes of its select membership. 15 Acolytes per year are accepted by invitation only; upon acceptance each recieves (reportedly) US$15,000 and a grandfather clock.
7.
Who founded the Church of Satan on the 30th of April, 1966CE?
Correct Answer
B. Anton Szandor LaVey
Explanation
Interesting fact about LaVey: If you have an album copy of The Eagles' "Hotel California" have a look at the inside cover. Look for a balcony. On the balcony you will see a man holding a "devil" by a leash. The man holding the leash is Anton LaVey. No I'm not paranoid, it's really him although unfortunately I cannot find the story behind why and how he got there, though strangely enough the lyrics to "Hotel California" mirror in a very thinly disguised fashion of the early history of the Church of Satan and the woes of an initiate. Not to suggest that The Eagles were Satan worshippers in any way; I am a great fan BUT a great sceptic of almost all conspiracy theories. I figure if LaVey could have had a verifiable affair with Marilyn Monroe he may have been able to insinuate himself into other celebrity circles via his Magic Circle group meetings which were popular within various San Francisco society circles for a number of years.
8.
This club of powerful men was founded in 1872 by five journalists in San Francisco, and continues to meet in a private grove in Northern California.
Correct Answer
C. The Bohemian Club
Explanation
Exact details aren't known about this group of power-brokers, but it's rumored that its members have included every Republican President since Herbert Hoover. Apparently, there is a waiting list of years for admission.
9.
This group featured prominently in Dan Brown's popular novel "The DaVinci Code". Founded in 1118, this order eventually grew so rich and powerful it was second only to the Catholic Church.
Correct Answer
D. The Knights Templar
Explanation
In "The DaVinci Code", the Knights Templar were depicted as the keepers of an ancient religious secret. But another logical theory is that their knowledge of geometry and architecture allowed them to produce superior buildings, and their wealth and power grew as a result.
10.
In 1973, David Rockefeller founded this group of wealthy, influential people as a kind of think tank to solve the world's problems.
Correct Answer
D. The Trilateral Commission
Explanation
The Trilateral Commission has a website - www.trilateral.org - that states its mission, though some conspiracy theorists have tried to peg this group as a bunch of power-hungry men eager for world domination.
11.
The term "La Cosa Nostra" is another term sometimes used to describe what sprawling crime syndicate?
Correct Answer
C. The Mafia
Explanation
The Mafia originated in Italy, but no one is exactly sure when! It's been a long time, though, just like there have been a lot of movies made about The Mafia, including "The Godfather" trilogy, "Goodfellas", "Casino", and many others. "La Cosa Nostra" is an Italian phrase meaning "Our Thing".
12.
In 1975 he killed Saudi King Faisal.
Correct Answer
C. Prince Faisal bin Musa'id
Explanation
After killing his uncle, King Faisal, the Prince was publically declared insane. He was condemned to death and beheaded merely hours after his trial was finished.
13.
In 1968 he killed Robert Kennedy.
Correct Answer
D. Sirhan Sirhan
Explanation
Sirhan maintained after the assasination that he had no memory of the crime ever having taken place.
14.
This person was the chief assassin of Egyptian president Anwar Sadat on October 6, 1981.
Correct Answer
A. Khalid Islambouli
Explanation
Islambouli arranged and carried out Sadat's assassination. He was a member of Egyptian Islamic Jihad. Islambouli and three co-conspirators were executed by firing squad in 1982.
15.
Freemasonry began in London in 1717. It was a trendy dining club for the wealthy and a philanthropic society.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
The first Grand Lodge was founded in London in 1717 but this was hardly the beginning of masonry. Many English-heritage masons wanted this to be seen as true however, but in reality it was only to distance itself from masonry's Jacobite roots. It is a known fact that masonic lodges existed as far back as the 15th century and almost certainly as far back as the 14th or even 13th century. The origins however go back even further to a time before the roots had crystalised into a proper corpus. Masonry was originally esoteric rather than philanthropic although under the Grand Lodge, after 1717, it became more of a Men's Club than a repository for fraternity and occulted wisdom.
16.
One of the most hateful secret societies ever concocted, the Ku Klux Klan, is notorious in the United States for their evil and shameful practices. What is the title given to the leader of all Ku Klux Klan?
Correct Answer
A. Imperial Wizard
Explanation
Their uniform of white robes and cone-shaped hoods have become emblematic of evil and intolerance.