[BG_TRBL]

juniordeacon85,
The unfortunate truth as you are experiencing it, is that everyone is entitled to their own opinion (Even your sister). You can only offer the information to her that you have learned (and you know what you may and may not divulge per your oaths and obligations). Within Blue Lodge, the 3rd Degree Master Mason is the highest degree you will receive, The first 3 degrees in masonry are the most important, as these are the base of all future learnings. You must make the decision on your part if you choose to fight "ignorant" or not. I would suggest not fighting the individuals who have a preconceived notion of our venerable institution, rather to offer in retrospect any information to her as long as she is acceptable to it. The worst thing you could possibly do is to try to force information which she is reluctant to accept.
Information on freemasonry (good and bad) is probably the most written about topic, you can search for any aspect of freemasonry on the internet and get returns in the millions on that topic. The hardest part is to try to decipher what is true and what is not. You will see that regardless of which site you visit there is information about freemasonry (some excellent and correct in my perspective, some questionable and easily discounted by the tenets of freemasonry). I have found that a very common denominator in the "Anti-Freemasonry" websites is that it centers around religion. The Masonic institution is not a religious body, it accepts men from every religion, and the fraternity circumscribes the entire earth. These men meet, on the level, (each equal to the other, regardless of social or economic status) with the underlying premises that the fraternity is there and they meet for this overall purpose "TAKE GOOD MEN, AND MAKE THEM BETTER". This exists in a multitude of ways and I will not take the time here to address them.
If you truly wish to change the thinking of someone with a mindset against something, that in itself is a daunting task. I would suggest however, that you arm yourself with a multitude of knowledge, which you can attain from the internet or literature, and then ask if your sister would like to sit down and ask questions of you about the fraternity. You may answer them as honestly as possible without violating your vows. If you sit down with an open mind, and she is able to do the same, you both may come out of the discussion with a better understanding of why you each feel the way you do.


GOOD LUCK and I wish you the best in your pursuit.