The Indispensability of Secret or Cult Groups in Human Society

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
07031523329
03/08/2021

Introduction:

Secret societies or cult groups are organizations that have, over the years earned a reputation for savagery: they are adjudged by the society to be evil. This conception is borne out of ignorance. Secrets are not only kept for bad reasons. Sometimes, keeping secret becomes necessary in order to preserve life. Individuals, organizations etc keep secrets. Organizations like the secret police for example, cannot be tagged as evil simply because it has most of its operations enmeshed in secrecy. In like manner, some associations owing to their belief and peculiarity cannot expose their teachings and practices to all and sundry: only those whom they consider to be matured and prepared for such information or knowledge are allowed to access them. What makes a cult or a secret society bad is not the secret it chooses to keep but its impact on the society. If the activities of the association is antithetical to the common good of the society then it should be rejected. But, if on the contrary, it seeks to promote the interest and unity of its members without inflicting injury to the larger society it should not be denigrated or condemned as an evil association. The freedom of thought and conscience which happens to be an inalienable right allows individuals to follow any belief or religion of their choice.

The words "cult", "secret", "fraternity" etc are words that a lot of people hold with revulsion and fear. In our society, a secret or cult group is a damnable association; they are more often than not associated with darkness or evil. For instance, a secret or cult group is an organization perceived to be a place where human flesh and blood is consumed or used for sacrifice etc. This conception has helped to paint a sordid picture of secret or cult groups. A secret society simply refers to "any of various oath bound societies often devoted to brotherhood, moral, discipline and mutual assistance". Like secret society, a cult is "a small group of very devoted supporters or members". With this definition, we realize that a secret or cult group is not as gloomy as the society has painted it. Concerning this, Charles Ezekwugo in his book, "Philosophical Concepts" tells us that "any human organization anywhere in the world has some secret to observe in its meetings". He further added that: "no one, except Cardinals, know exactly what happens in the College of Cardinals especially when they go into hiding for the purpose of electing a new Pope". In government organizations, people take oath of secrecy and allegiance - this secrecy covers government classified Documents and so on. In private organizations, there are secrets that only few people have access to. In fact, it is impossible not to have this type of groups or organizations in human society.

Secret or cult groups have also been misconstrued to be associations that have religious foundation. This, however is not true. As I have shown in the preceding lines, some secret or cult groups have no connection with religion. One of the key elements of a secret or cult group is " initiation " - this is a process where intending members go through the ritual or ceremony of actions that make or qualifies them as members". This ceremony can be formal or informal depending on the nature of the organization.

What separates secret or cult groups from others is the volume or amount of secret information at its disposal. Although, some have argued that, no matter how pious the objectives of an organization is, there must be certain information that only few "trusted" people are privy to. In the Order of the Knighthood of the Church, there are lots of information or knowledge that cannot be revealed to nonmembers.

Certain information or knowledge cannot be made available to everyone. The Bible corroborates this fact when it say "you should not give the food meant for the children to the dogs". It is along this line that the various aspect of society such as; political, economical, spiritual etc are organized - it is not every information that is thrown to the general public. In politics for example, political parties are not secret or cult group but within it (a political part), there is a band or small group of people who meet secretly to lay the foundation of the party's decisions and policies.

There is nothing wrong in secret or cult groups as long as it is not used to undermine or threaten social peace and harmony. It is important to note that secret societies or cult groups are not the same as occultism. Occultism is the belief or study of supernatural or supernormal powers. Although, occultism , like secret societies or cult groups has its practices shrouded in secrecy but its primary concern is not to foster or promote unity, progress, discipline and morality amongst its members but to understand the sources, uses and limits of supernatural powers. It is however without doubt that some secret or cult groups in their quest for power venture into the realm of acquiring supernormal powers but majority of secret societies or cult groups have nothing to do with occultism. For example, the Order of the Knighthood is a secret society but not an occult group. Onoyimah T. in his book titled, "Be A Catholic Knight" says that "if you want to know what is happening inside the Order, you have to be a member".

Secret societies are necessary for the running of the society. In the traditional African societies, secret or cult groups played variety of roles. While some were used in perpetrating evil and wickedness, others were used to maintain law and order. In the Ogba society for instance, the "Ukwu Primam" was used to commit all manner of heinous atrocities while "Ukwu Ali", like the "Ogboni" secret society ensured that law and order was maintained. In the modern or contemporary society, the law enforcement agencies such as; the police, military etc contribute immensely towards the safety of the society: they, most often, in a stealthy manner neutralize criminal elements. In security organizations, information is key - it is treated with utmost confidentiality. Even within a particular office, certain information are limited only to few personnel.

Conclusion:
By carrying the tag 'secret' or 'cult' does not make such societies or organizations bad. What makes them bad is when they engage in unhealthy or unwholesome practices - practices that are inimical to the peace and progress of the larger society. When students join cult groups, what do they want to achieve? Is it academic excellence or criminality? In our towns and villages, when people especially the youths float cults groups what do they have in mind? To protect one another or to intimidate and victimize nonmembers? Any way, those who join cult or secret societies for nefarious purposes are criminals and should be treated as such by the State.

Stay safe!