Why is Masonry so Secretive?

littlecat123 · 06-30-2007, 09:07 PM

Why do Masons remain so secretive?

I don't really know anyone who knows anything about Masons and some people I know are fearful about what they believe.

It would seem like a good idea to let people know what the organization is about and what they do and believe in.

SageMother · 07-01-2007, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlecat123

Why do Masons remain so secretive?

I don't really know anyone who knows anything about Masons and some people I know are fearful about what they believe.

It would seem like a good idea to let people know what the organization is about and what they do and believe in.

Sometimes it is best NOT to tell too much of what goes on, even though there are lots of books on Free Masonry around. If the masses are allowed access to too much information, you get things going on like what has happened with Feng Shui and Native American spiritual activities. They get watered down and eventually alot of Christianized thought gets woven in, which destroys the impact these alternative paths are supposed to have

littlecat123 · 07-01-2007, 05:01 PM

I guess I don't understand how the Masons are an alternative path.

Can you explain?

SageMother · 07-02-2007, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlecat123

I guess I don't understand how the Masons are an alternative path.

Can you explain?

I think it's pretty straight forward. They accept all religions, which means they don't insist on one set of rules. It is a spiritual path...not a religion.

**Jason** · 07-02-2007, 09:30 PM

Masons are not to discuss things such as ways on how to recognize each other outside a lodge, and details of the degree work.

Some events such as cornerstone ceremonies, are barely noticed by the public anymore.

Masonic buildings are clearly marked, websites are viewable to the public, some even post events calenders online.. Our lodge has a Saturday breakfast where anyone can come in and have a good breakfast for a small donation, even if they are not a Mason.

Masons wear rings, hats, pins, car license plates, bumper stickers or more.

Alexanderx · 07-09-2007, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason

Masons are not to discuss things such as ways on how to recognize each other outside a lodge, and details of the degree work.

Some events such as cornerstone ceremonies, are barely noticed by the public anymore.

Masonic buildings are clearly marked, websites are viewable to the public, some even post events calenders online.. Our lodge has a Saturday breakfast where anyone can come in and have a good breakfast for a small donation, even if they are not a Mason.

Masons wear rings, hats, pins, car license plates, bumper stickers or more.

Or some of us have no visible markings/rings at all.

I personally would like someone to take notice of my contributions to human kind first and foremost, then learn that I am a Mason, by chance.

That's my own personal path.

harmony_mom · 07-10-2007, 01:18 AM

I would assume that some Mason's also want to avoid debate about their beliefs. It's comparable to religion in the sense that those that don't understand what it's all about are going to try to impose judgement on Free Masonry without understanding anything about it.

littlecat123 · 07-11-2007, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexanderx

Or some of us have no visible markings/rings at all.

I personally would like someone to take notice of my contributions to human kind first and foremost, then learn that I am a Mason, by chance.

That's my own personal path.

I think that's a great philosophy. Hearing that, I can understand why some would keep their membership secret in hopes that people would see them for who they are as opposed to who they "belong" to.

**BG_TRBL** · 09-04-2007, 06:15 AM

This is my own opinion of course, Masonry is not as secretive as many say it is. There are very few things in freemasonry which are not readily available to anyone who wishes to investigate them. We as freemasons do not involve ourselves in debates with those who question our motives. We also don't fight the "anti-masonic" individuals for multiple reasons, think about it, why would you fight something that is based on opinions and perceptions?? it is hard enough to live life without involving yourself in quarrels in which there would be no decernable winner. If all of the grand lodges of the world were to spend money on fighting the "anti-masonic" propaganda then it would impede the charitable contributions which are made daily.

PM#232

ncjwr · 09-04-2007, 04:18 PM

my grandfather was completely proud of being a mason. he was also a Baptist Minister and i mean Southern Baptist!

my mother used to say things like..."how can he be a minister and a mason" it never phased me. he was just a good man.

i now have friends whose husbands are masons and they are of all different faiths. it seems to be very accepting and not about your faith...but i'm new here

06-30-2007, 09:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
littlecat123 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 25	Why is Masonry so Secretive? Why do Masons remain so secretive? I don't really know anyone who knows anything about Masons and some people I know are fearful about what they believe. It would seem like a good idea to let people know what the organization is about and what they do and believe in.

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07-01-2007, 05:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
littlecat123 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 25	I guess I don't understand how the Masons are an alternative path. Can you explain?

07-02-2007, 09:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
Jason ex oriente lux Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 573	Masons are not to discuss things such as ways on how to recognize each other outside a lodge, and details of the degree work. Some events such as cornerstone ceremonies, are barely noticed by the public anymore. Masonic buildings are clearly marked, websites are viewable to the public, some even post events calenders online.. Our lodge has a Saturday breakfast where anyone can come in and have a good breakfast for a small donation, even if they are not a Mason. Masons wear rings, hats, pins, car license plates, bumper stickers or more.

07-10-2007, 01:18 AM	#7 (permalink)
harmony_mom Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7	I would assume that some Mason's also want to avoid debate about their beliefs. It's comparable to religion in the sense that those that don't understand what it's all about are going to try to impose judgement on Free Masonry without understanding anything about it.

09-04-2007, 06:15 AM	#9 (permalink)
BG_TRBL "Laus Deo" Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: #232 Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania Posts: 298	This is my own opinion of course, Masonry is not as secretive as many say it is. There are very few things in freemasonry which are not readily available to anyone who wishes to investigate them. We as freemasons do not involve ourselves in debates with those who question our motives. We also don't fight the "anti-masonic" individuals for multiple reasons, think about it, why would you fight something that is based on opinions and perceptions?? it is hard enough to live life without involving yourself in quarrels in which there would be no decernable winner. If all of the grand lodges of the world were to spend money on fighting the "anti-masonic" propaganda then it would impede the charitable contributions which are made daily. PM#232

09-04-2007, 04:18 PM	#10 (permalink)
ncjwr Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 30	my grandfather was completely proud of being a mason. he was also a Baptist Minister and i mean Southern Baptist! my mother used to say things like..."how can he be a minister and a mason" it never phased me. he was just a good man. i now have friends whose husbands are masons and they are of all different faiths. it seems to be very accepting and not about your faith...but i'm new here