WHAT CAN I TELL MY NON-MASONIC FRIENDS? By Alphonse Cerza

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 free will 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.