It seems to me that Freemasonry is the 'gateway drug' of secret societies. From what I can tell it is the society that is the foundation from which most other orders stem from. The fact that it has lodges and members all of the world proves how extensive it is; the Scottish Rite is said to be the largest secret society in the world.
It's no secret that these guys are bad news. The higher you ascend the more insidious the knowledge and rituals are. I've heard that in order to become a 33 you have to perform a human sacrifice. Most people think that it ends at the 33rd degree but I suspect that there are more. Bill Schnoebelen claims to have been a 90th degree Mason.
http://video.google.com/videosearch?...q=bill+schnoe#
As far as the difference is between the Rites, I know that the Scottish is based on the Egyptian system and the York is based on more Christian beliefs. Freemasonic symbols are pervasive in almost all nations and religions. Some of the most notable are the double square, the checkerboard, and the two towers Jachin and Boaz. Corporate logos are replete with these symbols. Look into Jordan Maxwell and Michael Tsarion for occult symbolism.
I feel bad for these guys because they have to go through of that nonsense to obtain knowledge that you can do by just doing your own research. They do this just to gain power and prestige for themselves but they're just decorating a burning house as far as I'm concerned.
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"You see Heaven's Gate, remember this idiot, Heaven's Gate..." Jordan Maxwell