Masons, why are they a secret?

Answer 1

I work @ a place they own - they have meetings upstairs then come down for a big dinner (I'm a waiter.) Upstairs they have a big rectangle of chairs facing outwards then a smaller row above a few steps where the Master and his cronies sit; in the middle of the chairs there's a chequered carpet with a glass table in the centre containing a skull! Creepy I know.

So I;m THINKING they're some sort of cult like the Iluminati in Tomb Raider lol.

Answer 2

Hi, I am a Freemason of the esoteric Order Amercian Co-Masonry (Freemasonry for women and men). See, that is no secret. Fact is in the USA it is easy to tell who is a Mason. Look for a ring or a pendant, even check the back of their cars. Usually we display something to let folks know (and to allow them to ask.)

In some countries and times being known as a Freemason was a death sentence. Hitler and Mussolini sent many Freemasons to their deaths. In Portugal a few years ago, it was against the law to be a Freemason. Why? Because we believe that all people are created equal and should have the liberty to vote. Many of the same principles of the US government are shared with Freemasons.

Now about our rituals. You can read many of the rituals online if you search hard enough. Those rituals are not the exact ones American Co-Masons use but you can get an idea. Why don't we just make an open thing of those? We want our people who go through the rituals (becoming Initiated, Passed, and Raised) to have no big preconceptions of what they are to be like. You ever read a book and then go see the movie of the book? Right! Hardly can be compared.

About our secret handshakes and passwords, those are not the way you truly would get into a Lodge where no one knew you. But they are small trusts we give people to get them used to keeping things sacredly guarded. You ever trust someone with something and then find they had told everyone else? Pretty bad for a friend. We hold members of our Lodge not just to be friends but to be Brothers (we call women in our Lodges "Brother," too BTW). We have to trust them.

So I hope this helps a bit. If I can be of more help, do feel free to write to me. Check the link below for more information on Freemasonry and Co-Masonry.

A Master Mason
American Co-Masonry

Hiram Lodge (Santa Cruz, CA)
Amon Ra Lodge (Los Angeles, CA)
Sapientia Lodge of Research (Larkspur, CO)
Adamant Mark Lodge (Santa Cruz, CA)

Answer 3

That's a good question. Lot's of historians will tell you that it has to do with the Knight's Templar. I believe that as well. In case you didn't get to watch the hollywood version 'The Da Vinci Code' then here it is. The knight's templar were a secret society developed to protect the Holy Grail. Although the Holy Grail wasn't a cup, it was a daughter. Born unto Jesus and Mary Magdaline. The Templar's kept the baby a secret and times changed and then the Free Mason's came out of it. So, you have to answer your question yourself. If you really had the Holy Grail, wouldn't you keep it a secret?

Answer 4

Masons conduct their rituals in private to emphasize the importance of the moral lessons which we teach there. That is the only secret. Indeed, most of the rituals are posted in one form or another on the internet these days. The only true secrets are the modes of recognition--signs, passwords, and grips. Membership roles, meeting times, etc. are no secret.

And remember--the Da Vinci Code is filed under FICTION for a reason.

Answer 5

Research and read. It is fascinating!
Preservation of trade secrets and social concerns, are just two of the many reasons.

Answer 6

Because they don't want their wives to know that all they're doing is going to the masonic temple to get smashed.

Answer 7

Can't tell you. It's classified.

Answer 8

If you have to ask, you have no need to know.

Answer 9

I can't tell you. Shhhhhh

Answer 10

I do not think so, they probably do not like dumb people..