WHO ARE THE MASONS?
The Masonic Information Center now has available a new full-color,
eight-panel brochure titled "Who Are the Masons?" Meant as a "generic" brochure
for use by Blue Lodges and all other Masonic Bodies, the new publication
provides an attractive, introduction to Freemasonry. It is a perfect handout to
give to prospective-members,- and it- offers a clear description Masonry for the
general public. Space is provided on the end panel so that a Lodge, Grand Lodge,
or other Masonic Body can insert its own name as a point of contact.
Reaction to this new brochure has been extremely positive. More than
120,000 have been shipped to Masons, literally, all over the world. If you would
like a sample copy, MIC will send you one.
MAXIM MAGAZINE
MIC has received several angry complaints about an article that appeared in
the April 1999 issue of Maxim Magazine. The article was in the column Circus
Maximus and was titled, " Fake Masonry." MIC would like our readers to be aware
of the letter sent to Maxim which follows:
The Masonic Information Center has been made aware of the apparently "tongue
in cheek" article titled "Fake Masonry" that appeared in your April 1999 issue.
The image of Freemasonry, portrayed in this article is not only inaccurate and
misleading but also, quite frankly, untrue.
We are sending some information about the Fraternity with the request that,
should you do future articles about Freemasonry, you do so with more accuracy
than what was shown in "Circus Maximus. "
Unfortunately, in today's world, there are people who believe this kind of
nonsense, and since Freemasonry has oftentimes (quite unfairly) been linked with
the New World Order and with alleged plots to rule the world, what was in your
article is simply "grist for the mill" of the conspiracy theorists.
Every organization is subject to scrutiny and judgment about its purposes.
However, the least that can be expected is a more accurate portrayal than what
was shown in "Circus Maximus."
We realize magazines are most reluctant to retract stories they have printed,
but quite frankly, your readers deserve no less, since the statements made in
this article are, as we noted earlier, misleading, inaccurate, and untrue.
FACT SHEETS
In the March 1999 issue of FOCUS, the MIC called attention to several Fact
Sheets that have been prepared concerning various aspects of Freemasonry. In
this issue we are highlighting the Fact Sheet Freemasonry and Secrecy.
The Fact Sheets cover such topics as The Organization of Freemasonry;
Freemasonry and Brotherhood; The History of Freemasonry; Freemasonry and
Secrecy; and Freemasonry and Religion. Copies may be obtained by writing to the
Masonic Information Center, 8120 Fenton Street, Silver Spring, MD 20910 or
faxing your request to 301-608-3457.
FREEMASONRY AND SECRECY
People sometimes refer to Freemasonry as being a "Secret Society." In one
sense the statement is true. Any social group or private business is "secret" in
the sense that its business meetings may be open only to its members. In
Freemasonry, the process of joining is also a private matter, and its members
are pledged not to discuss with non-members certain parts of the ceremonies
associated with the organization.
Freemasonry does have certain handshakes and passwords, customs incorporated
into later fraternities, which are kept private. They are means of recognizing
each other--necessary in an organization which spans the entire world and which
encompasses many languages.
The tradition of using handshakes and passwords was very common in the Middle
Ages, when the ability to identify oneself as belonging to a building or trade
guild often made the difference in getting a job or in obtaining help for
yourself and family. Today, Freemasons make the same pledge to every member that
he will be offered assistance if he, or his family, ever requests it.
Freemasonry can't be called a "secret society" in a literal sense. A truly
secret society forbids its members to disclose that they belong to the
organization or that it even exists. Much of the Masonic ritual is in books
called "Monitors" that are widely available, even in public libraries. Most
Freemasons wear rings and lapel pins which clearly identify them as members of
the fraternity. Masonic lodges are listed in public phone books, Masonic
buildings are clearly marked, and in many areas of the country Masonic lodges
place signs on the roads leading into town, along with civic organizations,
showing the time and place of meetings.
In terms of what it does, what it teaches, who belongs, where it meets, there
are no secrets in Freemasonry! It is a private fraternal association of men who
contribute much toward the public good while enjoying the benefits of the
brotherhood of a fraternity.
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