The Freemason & me

I've been curious about freemasonry for a while now, not sure why, it's like the 'I want what I can't have' situation... were told nothing about it, it's secret, it's got deep, deep history, and famous, influential people are members. I can't help but be curious.

one day my car was in the shop getting repairs done, I had no choice but to call over for a dealership shuttle to pick me up.

Before I know it an older, 80 yr old man pulls up. I get in and we start driving.

on the way over I noticed his ring and right away i thought it looked like a Freemason ring.

as i said I was curious, so i gathered up some courage and asked him about it.

"is that a freemason ring"

"it's a shriners ring"

He proceeded to tell me that first you had to be a freemason to be a shriner.

and that someone whos a freemason has to invite you in order to join.

I asked him what the criteria was for joining.

you know what he said?

"you have to believe in a devine leader of somesort in order to be member"

doesn't matter what it is? I thought.

my curiosity was peaked.

I knew that the masons had some 'occult' connections as I saw on discovery and history channel after researching a bit on this topic you can't help but run into this 'conspiracy' everywhere, some would say satanic tendencies.
see A Freemason caught saying he is 'lucifer'

see what I mean? it's everywhere.

so I asked if someone were to believe in Satanism would that matter.

He said "it's open to everyone, as long as you believe in some leader."

I was embarrassed by that question.