Freemasonry …. Why the Secrets?

Masonry:  Secret Society or Society with Secrets – or Both?

Bradley E. Kohanke, 32⁰
Dave Crocket Lodge, San Antonio, Texas

We’ve all heard it before…”Masonry is not a secret society, it is a society with secrets.”  My opinion is that depending on where we are geographically or when we are historically, either of those two definitions could apply.  For example, here and now in the United States we certainly don’t hide the fact that we are members.  Many of us proudly wear jewelry or clothing, or even display bumper stickers on our vehicles identifying ourselves as members of the Fraternity.  Our meeting places are clearly marked and can be found most times in the heart of a community.  The history of Masonry along with its teachings, are instantly available to anyone with internet access.

The maintenance of secrecy

The maintenance of secrecy

So, are we just kidding ourselves? I don’t think so.  Freemasonry has very good reasons for attempting to preserve its secrets.  In his article for The Scottish Rite Journal, Dr. Roger M. Firestone, 33⁰ gives several interesting reasons.  He states that “The maintenance of secrecy is one of the first duties to which a man who becomes a mason agrees…A matter deemed so important by those who created the Masonic ritual is definitely worth further examination by all of us.”

Dr. Firestone points out that although all of the rituals, grips, and words can be easily found with little effort, the obvious difference is the “nature of the experience.”  Becoming a Mason “is a process that requires effort on the part of the candidate.”  A man must voluntarily seek admission into the Fraternity; he must request the recommendation of current members; he must pay an initiation fee and annual dues; he must present himself at the proper times to receive the degrees and instruction; he must commit the appropriate information to memory; and he must prove his proficiency before moving forward.  “Someone who merely reads the ritual is, on the other hand, totally passive.”  The contention is that “without effort there is no learning.”  Interestingly enough, I recently tried to find the definition of a “cowan.”  I thought that since we are constantly on the lookout for eavesdroppers and cowans, I should probably know what a cowan was.  The definition I found most interesting was that it was an old Scottish term for stoneworkers who did not utilize mortar.  I think that fits well here.  Although a “cowan” may technically be a stonemason, he is not fully trained in the workings of the craft.  Probably because he bypassed his lessons or put little effort into learning them fully.

Another example of why Masonry advocates secrecy is to convey the message that our teachings are valuable.  We all keep inexpensive things lying around our homes or offices with little thought as to their importance.  However, the truly valuable items we keep locked up or out of plain sight in an attempt to conceal them from those who would steal or misuse them.  Likewise, if we made our teachings easily available to anyone it would indicate to members and outsiders that we place little value on them.  “Instead, we have spent centuries of effort keeping the truths of Masonry secret and passing them down the generations by memory.  This should convince us that what we have labored so hard to possess is valuable indeed.”

Yet another reason for keeping secrets is that it promotes a form of self-discipline.  It is human nature to want to share what you know with others.  The more important the information, the more prestige associated with the person sharing it.  When the information conveyed is for the purpose of simple gossip or idle talk, the unfortunate result is often the loss of another’s reputation, or worse.  Therefore, learning to keep the secrets of the Fraternity teaches us responsibility for the property of others and proves that we merit each other’s trust.

I think most importantly however, we should remember that secrecy is an important characteristic of any individual or group.  We all have information we’d like to keep hidden…our salary, our Social Security number, our family struggles, the list goes on and on.  For outsiders to demand that the Fraternity give up its secrets is an invasion of privacy.  Our right to privacy, both as individuals and as a group is something we hold very dear.  One of the most memorable books ever written is George Orwell’s 1984, which depicts the horrifying results of a society totally devoid of privacy.  So…what does that have to do with Masonry?  Why would an organization whose principal tenets are Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth have to fear the loss of its right to privacy?  Who would object to any one of those tenets?  Our history is riddled with examples of those who would through ignorance or evil design seek to oppress or control societies through the use of hate, poverty, or deception.  For example:

Papal States (1738) – Pope Clement XII issued the first papal prohibition on Freemasonry and excommunicated all of its members.  Catholicism to this day views Freemasonry as a dangerous sect and counsels its Bishops to be vigilant against its abuses.

Germany (1932 – 1945) – The Nazis claimed that Freemasonry was one of the causes of Germany’s loss of the First World War.  When Hitler came to power, he ordered the disbandment of Freemasonry and confiscation of the property of all Lodges.  Freemasons were prohibited from holding office and were consistently considered the ideological foe of Nazism.  Eventually Freemasons were sent to concentration camps as “political prisoners” and forced to wear an inverted red triangle as a means of identification.  The number of Freemasons who were killed in Nazi occupied countries is not accurately known, but it is estimated that between 80,000 and 200,000 Freemasons were murdered under the Nazi regime.

Japan (1938) – A Japanese representative stated that “Judeo-Masonry is forcing the Chinese to turn China into a spearhead for an attack on Japan, and thereby forcing Japan to defend herself against this threat.  Japan is not at war with China but with Freemasonry, represented by General Chiang Kai-shek, the successor of his master, the Freemason Sun Yat-Sen.”

Italy (1924) – Mussolini ordered all members of his Fascist Party who were Masons to abandon their membership.  The next year he dissolved Freemasonry in Italy, claiming it was a political organization.

Spain (1936) – Following the military coup, many Freemasons trapped in areas under Nationalist control were arrested and summarily killed for allegedly plotting against the government.  It was reported that Masons were shot, tortured and murdered by organized death squads in every town in Spain.  As late as the 1960’s, Generalissimo Franco was still claiming that “The whole secret of the campaigns unleashed against Spain can be explained in two words, Masonry and communism…[and] we have to extirpate these two evils from our land.

Hungary (1920) – Masonry was outlawed in Hungary and marked the start of raids on Masonic lodges along with theft, and sometimes destruction of Masonic libraries, records, archives, paraphernalia, and works of art.  After World War 2, lodges were described as “Meeting places of the enemies of the people’s democratic republic, of capitalistic elements, and of the adherents of Western imperialism.  As a matter of fact, Freemasonry was suppressed throughout Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union throughout the Communist era.

Iraq (1958) – Following the abolition of the Monarchy, laws banning Freemasonry were introduced.  This was later reinforced under Saddam Hussein who prescribed the death penalty for those who “promote or acclaim Zionist principles, including Freemasonry, or who associate with Zionist organizations.”

Now, you may be thinking to yourselves, this is all well and good, but it wouldn’t happen now.  However, in…

The Islamic World – After the condemnation of Freemasonry by Clement XII in 1738, Freemasonry was equated with atheism and outlawed in the Ottoman Empire.  It is still illegal in most of the Islamic world.  Today, Freemasonry is viewed by the Islamic Jurisdictional College (the most influential entity for interpreting “Sharia” or Islamic Law) as a dangerous organization.  Their opinion issued in Cairo in 1978 contains the following:

Freemasonry is a clandestine organization, which conceals or reveals its system, depending on the circumstances.  Its actual principles are hidden from members, except for chosen members of its higher degrees.

The members of the organization, worldwide, are drawn from men without preference for their religion, faith, or sect.

The organization attracts members on the basis of providing personal benefits.  It traps men into being politically active, and its aims are unjust.

New members participate in ceremonies of different names and symbols, and are too frightened to disobey its regulations and orders.

Members are free to practice their religion, but only members who are atheists are promoted to its higher degrees, based on how much they’re willing to serve its dangerous principles and plans.

It is a political organization.  It has served all revolutions, as well as military and political transformations.  In all dangerous changes, a relation to this organization appears either exposed or veiled.

It is a Jewish organization in its roots.  Its secret higher international administrative board is made up of Jews, and promotes Zionist (pro-Israel) activities.

Its primary objectives are the distraction of all religions, and it distracts Muslims from Islam.

It tries to recruit influential financial, political, social, or scientific people to utilize them.  It does not consider applicants it cannot utilize.  It recruits kings, prime ministers, high government officials, and similar individuals.

It has branches under different names as a camouflage, so people cannot trace its activities, especially if the name of Freemasonry has opposition.  These hidden branches are known as Lions, Rotary, and others.  They have wicked principles that completely contradict the rules of Islam.

There is a clear relationship between Freemasonry, Judaism, and international Zionism.  It has controlled the activities of high Arab officials in the Palestinian conflict.

Any Muslim who affiliates with it, knowing the truth of its objectives, is an infidel to Islam.

“Ok” you say to yourselves, but the suppression or outlawing of Freemasonry would never happen here in the United States, or even in the United Kingdom.  But, in…

Freemasons murdered Morgan

The United States – In 1826, a man named William Morgan – (link to more info) disappeared.  The allegation was that he was kidnapped and killed by Freemasons after publishing an expose.  This resulted in increased suspicion of Freemasonry and the formation of the “Anti-Masonic” political party.  Two members of this party were elected governors of their respective states of Vermont and Pennsylvania running on anti-Masonic platforms.  Laws regulating the activities of Masonic lodges were enacted in the mid-1800s in Vermont, Massachusetts, and New York.  Even former President of the United States, John Quincy Adams declared “Masonry ought forever to be abolished.  It is wrong – essentially wrong – a seed of evil which can never produce any good.”

The United Kingdom – In 1799 passed the “Unlawful Societies Act” which affected all societies whose members were required to take an oath not authorized by law.  It was only after several prominent Freemasons intervened and pointed out that the membership list and places and times of their meetings were annually registered with the local Clerk to the Justice of the Peace that Freemasons were exempted from this act.  However, the Act remained until repealed in 1967 when the reporting of annual returns of the Lodges to authorities ceased.  Since 1997, several members of the British Government have attempted to pass laws requiring the police or judiciary to declare their membership publicly to the government amid accusations of Freemasons performing acts of mutual advancement and favor-swapping.  In 1999, the Welsh Assembly actually passed a similar law requiring all first time successful judiciary candidates to declare their Freemasonry status before appointment.  And as recently as 2004, Rhodri Morgan, the First Minister of the Welsh Assembly, said he blocked Gerard Elias’ appointment to counsel general because of links to hunting and Freemasonry, although it is claimed that the real reason was to have fellow Labour supporter, Malcolm Bishop, in the role.

So…there are very good reasons for the Fraternity to have secrets.  But history has also proven that it is at times, very important for the Fraternity itself to remain secret.  Our ancient brethren met on hills or in valleys not just to protect the secrets of the Order, but at times to protect themselves.  The price of freedom is vigilance…so we watch.  We watch for eavesdroppers, cowans, or anyone who would seek to suppress Masonry or oppress society.

References:

“Why Secrecy?” – Dr. Roger M. Firestone, 33

“Freemasons for Dummies” – Christopher Hodapp 32

“To the Entered Apprentice Mason – Book 2 – The Texas Lodge System of Candidate Information” – The Grand Lodge of Texas, A.F. & A.M.

Wikipedia

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2 Responses to Freemasonry …. Why the Secrets?

  1. louis griffith says:

    very good – brother louis griffith

  2. Kizi 3 says:

    I am always pleased with what he's doing

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