Most people who have heard of the Masonic Lodge have heard conspiracy theories and lies about our work. We are supposed to be a secret society, bent on ruling the world. We are supposed to engage in black magic or blood sacrifices. We kill those who go against us—they say—and plot for all sorts of evil. Books, films, websites and fringe radio talk shows have all been produced to slander the Lodge, and Masons have come under heavy persecution around the world.
The truth is that the Masonic Lodge operates publicly to the ends of brotherhood, service to God and humanity and self-improvement for its members. While many prominent men—including George Washington, David Crockett and Mozart—were members of the Lodge, it is absurd to think that any single organization could run the world, and in spite of our persecution, Masons have always worked to cheerfully serve their communities and love their enemies. Here is a look at some of the most common slanders against Masonry and the truth you need to combat these lies.
Masons are a Secret Society
Masons are not a secret society, but rather a society with secrets. You can find us in public telephone listings, we’ll have a sign out front identifying the lodge, we proudly wear our symbols on our lapels and stick them on our cars. If you think someone may be a Mason—just ask! Membership is not expected to be kept secret, and most Masons are proud to identify with the Lodge.
At the same time we keep our means of identifying one another secret to preclude abuse on the part of con artists, and our rites and rituals are private, as it would be impossible to appreciate all that they symbolize without having been instructed in the Lodge. Our most important activities, however, are the good works we do for our community, and most of these are very public.
Masons are a Religion/Practice Black Magic/etc.
All Masons are required to believe in a higher power, “the Great Architect of the Universe,” in God. The vast majority of Masons are Christians, though Jews, Muslims and many other faiths are represented in the Lodge. When the Church’s power went from all-powerful to just one institution among many, the Lodge helped pave the way for peace and tolerance by recognizing the bonds all men share and the opportunities for enlightenment and wisdom in all faiths. We have no beliefs that contradict those of any faith (except that we denounce bigotry, which some extremists worship), and we are not a faith of our own. We are a fraternal organization for self-advancement, fellowship and community service.
And the Lodge practices no occult rituals, and does not engage in sorcery. Our rituals are not about creating change in the world in a mystical way as is true of black magic, but are instead about symbolizing advancement in our Lodge. Any claims to the contrary are lies.
Masons Want to Rule the World
The truth is that many prominent men have been members of the Lodge, and the Lodge has given powerful men an opportunity to discuss their professional interests in a spirit of privacy and brotherhood. Many of United States’ Founding Fathers were Masons, but many—Thomas Jefferson, for example—were not. The idea that any single organization could rule the world is absurd, as unpredictable phenomena like weather, earthquakes/volcanic eruptions and popular uprisings would make this virtually impossible. Masons work locally to improve their world where they are, but any aspirations to something like a single world government of Masons would be contrary to the values of the Lodge.