Masons as a rule are very circumspect when it comes to
discussing the Craft with non-Masons. Some members are so
careful that they are afraid to even mention the things that
everyone knows about the organization. This is probably
because they believe that Freemasonry is a "secret society"
and that members are forbidden to talk about the association
with non-members. This is a mistaken idea and there are many
things that Masons can tell their non-Masonic friends. Let us
consider a few of these.
The first question
that is usually asked by a non-Mason is "What is
Freemasonry?" There are many definitions of the word but none
are complete because the organization embraces a wide scope of
activity. But a short definition is: Freemasonry is a
fraternal organization, religious in character, based on the
principle of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man,
which does charitable work in the community and among its
members, and through its teachings and ceremonials seeks to
make good men better and thereby make the world a better place
to live in.
Freemasonry is a "voluntary" association in that no one is
invited to become a member. You can tell your non-Masonic
friends that unlike college fraternities and other social
organizations, Masonry never has membership drives and never
solicits anyone to become a member. As a matter of fact, you
should make it clear that it is a violation of Masonic law for
any member to invite anyone to join the Craft. You should
emphasize that the prospective member must truly come of his
own freewill and accord, and that he usually seeks membership
because of the high opinion he has of the Craft as a result of
the upright conduct of
Masons.
You can make it
clear that Freemasonry is not a religion. Sometimes outsiders
claim that the Craft is a religion. You can explain to your
non-Masonic friends that Masons do not look upon their
organization as a religion or as a church, and that most
Masons belong to an established church. Masons do not go to
lodge to worship God; they do this on Sunday when each Mason
goes to his own church. It is religious in that one cannot
become a Mason unless he believes in God, but there is no
religious test applied to the prospective member nor is he
required or asked to subscribe to any religious tenet or
dogma. You can explain that it is forbidden to discuss
religion or politics in
lodge.
You can explain
that Freemasonry is not a "secret society". A secret society
is one that keeps its existence a secret and whose members do
not make known their affiliation with the group. Freemasonry
is not a secret society because it does not hide its
existence. Members do not hide their membership, but on the
contrary, the organization meets in buildings located on
public streets, announces its meetings in newspapers and
magazines, engraves the words "Masonic Temple" on many of its
buildings, publishes periodicals, and has homes for orphans
and the aged. Like most organizations, it has some "secrets"
but it is not a "secret
society."
You cannot, of course, discuss the
ritual, the passwords, and other matters of a confidential
nature. You can tell them that the three degrees of
Masonry consist of a ceremony of a strictly serious nature,
without horseplay, which teaches basic moral truths in an
impressive and solemn manner. You can tell them that the ritual contains a philosophy of
life which provides the new member with something on which to
build a hope that is
eternal.
Sometimes a
non-Mason wants to know about the ceremony of initiation. He
may ask specific questions. You can tell him, in general
terms, that each candidate takes part in a ceremony of
initiation, is then advanced to the second degree, and later
promoted to the third degree. You can tell him that promotion
from one degree to the other depends on his proficiency in
learning certain things relating to Freemasonry, its ethics,
and its philosophy. Certainly you can tell him that no man
ever took the degrees without becoming a better man. You can
tell him that the basic ethical principles exemplified in the
ceremonies of the degrees are such as are accepted by all good
men; they are lessons based on the golden rule, tolerance
towards all men, respect for one's family, charity towards
all, and being true to God for His manifold blessings. We
should be proud to proclaim to the world that we are a serious
organization of mature men -- an organization that instills a
love of God, teaches charity in its broadest sense, and shows
each member how to live a better life. You can tell him that
Masons take the simple tools of an operative Mason and use
them in symbols to teach basic moral
truths.
Non-Masons
sometimes wonder at the close bond that exists between Masons.
There is a simple explanation: Masons are bound together by
the deep and abiding knowledge that each of them, during the
ceremonies of the degrees, has accepted certain high ethical
standards of conduct. These standards ensure a bond of faith
and confidence between
Masons.
You need not be afraid
to discuss Freemasonry with the non-Mason. Thousands of books
have been published on the subject. The matters discussed in
this paper are just a few of the things that you can tell your
non-Masonic friends, but they are enough to show him that
Freemasonry is one of the great organizations of the world and
a steadying influence in a faltering
world.
