Most of the references to Masonry that I encountered were in the context of conspiracy, ala 'Behold A Pale Horse'...While reading Jim Marrs' 'Rule By Secrecy', I found that his description of Masonry being a sort of crossroads of paths and practices, being composed of knowledge and wisdom from Christianity, Gnosticism, Buddhism, Kabbalah...containing eastern philosophy as well as western mysticism...I thought 'geeez, this sounds like just what I've been looking for!'.
At first, my only real interest in the Craft was admission to lodge libraries, an opportunity to study from the inside...but the more I looked into it all, I found that the wisdom to be gained was going to be found in the ritual, and active participation in the brotherhood..as well as living the lessons that were found therein. With these realizations, I put in my petition, and began my life as a Craftsman!