6INSIDE THE WORLD'S OLDEST SECRET SOCIETY Freemasons have been accused of everything from conducting clandestine satanic rituals to masterminding a worldwide conspiracy for planetary domination. The order's members-which have included Sir Isaac Newton, John Wayne, Bill Gates, some of America's most popular entertainers, and 25 U.S. presidents-insist they merely share a bond of brotherhood, service, and charity. It's the oldest and largest fraternal organization in the world and even figures prominently in such modern bestsellers as The Da Vinci Code, yet Freemasonry is still terribly and consistently misunderstood. In Freemasons, H. Paul Jeffers delves into Masonic history to reveal the surprising and controversial truths behind this ancient and secretive order, from its mystery-shrouded origins in medieval Europe through its rise in America, where Benjamin Franklin founded the first lodge. Today, some four to five million Freemasons worldwide pledge to live their lives in accordance with principles of morality, charity, and loyalty-both to fellow Masons and to the order itself. But what exactly does Freemasonry entail, and what happens behind the lodges' closed doors?