The Secrets of Freemasonry!

There is nothing secret or secretive about Freemasonry and its organisations.

by WBro. Tony Harvey, PAGDC.

• We exist. We don’t pretend otherwise
• Our buildings are open to the public for meetings, tours and events.
• We appear in public at, for example, the Lord Mayor’s Show.
• We publish lists of our officers every year.
• We are active on social media and have many websites.
• We donate to local and national charities.
• We try to get articles in the press but for some reason they don’t always want to tell our story.
• Our members are free to disclose their membership providing they do not seek any personal advantage by doing so.

Our meetings are private, not secret.

• They are open only to members and candidates whom we have approved for membership.
• Candidates are approved on the basis of a belief in a Supreme Being (the deity of any religion) and adherence to a moral code.
• Meetings are contemplative environments built on the bond that comes from a shared experience.
• They consist of morality plays acted out by candidates and through which we learn to build ourselves to become better people.
• Many other organisations also hold private meetings with a restricted attendance (eg, boards of directors, other clubs and associations).

The secrets referred to in Freemasonry are dramatic elements within the morality plays, part of the script.

• These secrets are used within the plays as proof of a qualification as a Mediaeval Stonemason
• They are the equivalent of diplomas and arose when people were not literate.
• They act like passwords and PIN numbers.
• We don’t disclose the scripts of these morality plays because to do so will spoil the impact of the experiential learning involved.

Freemasonry is an enlightenment organisation.

• it arose during the age of enlightenment.
• Its founders were leading enlightenment figures.
• It promotes tolerance, mutual understanding, respect for each other and our differences.
• Discussion of religious or political dogmas and differences are banned at our meetings because they are divisive.
• It brings people together based on the good things that unite them rather those that divide us
• It formed the basis of the US constitution.

Women can be Freemasons.

• Women may join a women only or a mixed Lodge.
• The most popular Masonic organisations are single sex, partly because of history and partly because thats how their male and female members want them.
• Many women choose to spend some of their time in female only environments just as many men choose to spend some of their time in men only environments.
• Single sex organisations have a valid and important place in our society and do not imply misogyny or unfair discrimination.

Access to our membership lists are governed by data protection laws.

• We are not permitted to disclose membership details
• We are like all membership organisations in that sense.
• Individual members may disclose their membership providing they don’t seek personal gain in doing so.
• Members declare their membership in registers of interests in connection with public, charitable and statutory appointments.

Freemasonry is open.

• You can become a Freemason.
• You only have to ask.
• Like all private membership organisations we define qualifications for membership.
• If you profess a belief in a Supreme Being and live by a moral code, you will be welcome to join us

Freemasonry is not for everyone.

• if you don’t acknowledge the Creator, Freemasonry would make no sense to you.
• If you don’t recognise the source of morality is from “above rather than within” and that there is a force greater than ourselves, Freemasonry would be of no interest to you.
• If you don’t wish to be of better service to others, Freemasonry would be a waste of your time.
• If you don’t wish to work at your personal development and improve your understanding of self and others, Freemasonry is not for you.

Freemasons live by standards of integrity.

• If you use your membership for personal gain you will be expelled.
• If you are convicted of a criminal offence you will be expelled.

Freemasons have been stigmatised, attacked and persecuted since the 18th century.

• Like all organisations that stand for something, Freemasonry has always had its detractors and critics.
• There is a lot of misinformation about Freemasonry as a result.
• Myths and fantastical stories abound.
• Please check your sources and check your facts before perpetuating the rubbish.
• Best of all ask us or visit us to find out the truth.