Aren't free-masonic lodges supposed to be secret? Why do you see initiation pics on Facebook?

Question

I'm not a Freemason. But many of my friends are.

I have friends from different lodges. I used to think that free-masonic lodges were supposed to be secret, but it doesn't seem like it.

A lot of the younger people (under 25,) upload pictures of the events that they have inside the lodges.

I've never been inside a lodge, but from the pictures that many of my friends upload, lodges seem to have checkered tiles, stars drawn on the ceilings, obelisks, all sorts of symbols on the walls, steps, among other things.

Other thing that I notice from the pictures is that they wear aprons and sashes with badges similar to the ones boy-scouts wear, and swords.

If Freemasons are so secret, why do people take pictures of the events, and tag all of their friends on Facebook?

Answer 1

Freemasonry was NEVER a secret. In fact the first 'exposure' of Masonic ritual was published abut 1696 some 20 years before the Premier Grand Lodge of London even formed into what we know today as Freemasonry. If you check the news archives there are published meeting dates and times of Masonic meetings going all the way back to 1720's.



At this point in history the only places to meet were Taverns and Inns as they had the room.



As for posting pics inside a Lodge, this has become quite common place, especially in the US. Many Lodges and Lodge members have webpages, FB accounts and routinely post pics of special events. Where I am from there are a few rules though. You cannot post pics of members until they have been given the 3rd (Master Mason) degree and only with their permission.



Many Lodges have historical buildings in the towns they're in so of course typically they are proud of their history in a town and the building they work so hard to build and maintain.



Yes younger men are now knocking on the doors of the Lodge more often. Personally I am glad to see this as in a typical Lodge you would see some 70+ members and some 40's, 30's and even 20's. The 50s and 60 year olds are not as well represented as they avoided Freemasonry after the turbulence of the 60's and 70's and anti-establishment sentiments. The baby boomers.



So now a new generation is discovering what this generation missed. Freemasonry the original social network.



As for some answerer's theories..well they are just that...theories and he/she really wouldn't know now would they. Freemasonry is not for everyone, each joins for their own reasons and they are not easily allowed in as some answerer suggested.



The symbols of Freemasonry are taken from the operative stone masons tools, the ones who built the magnificent cathedrals, churches and castles of the middle ages and used to communicate serious truths. Many of the 'symbols' you listed are not symbols of Masonry at all, but decorative in nature, like a motif.



So now that you know that Freemasonry is NOT a secret society, our buildings are adorned with the square and compass and usually posted meeting times and dates, listed in phone directories and now published on websites and FB page among others.



I suggest you pick up Freemasonry for Dummies by Chris Hodapp and it will give you a much better background on this not so secret organization. BTW there is a difference between privacy and secrecy. Short or that you can go here: http://www.askafreemason.org and have a look around and check out the Ben Franklin Chats, join the forum and ask Freemasons your questions.



To fend off the wacky conspiracy theories you can see here: http://www.masonicinfo.com and read all about the wacky world of anti-Masons.

Answer 2

Nope. Masonic Lodges are big buildings, clearly marked, listed in phone books, found on Google, and advertised on city limit signs and in newspapers.



You don't see initiation pictures on Facebook, you see pictures AFTER the initiation. During the private degree work, there is no photography, and all Masons and initiates must keep their hands and arms inside the Lodge at all times.



There's absolutely nothing wrong with posting pictures of public events in a Lodge.



Some Lodges do have checkered floors, stars on the ceilings, a thing that looks like a sideways Green Lantern symbol on the wall, and probably a boat stuck on the wall, too.



No obelisks, though. Maybe you're seeing columns.



If you're seeing sashes and badges and swords, then you're probably not seeing a Lodge - unless it's a Prince Hall Lodge or a South American Lodge. Aprons are what's worn in a Lodge.



NOTES:



- There's NO SUCH THING as a 32nd Degree Freemason.

Answer 3

There are some things that are secret and some that are not. Your description of the interior is accurate, I have been inside two different lodges though I have never been a mason.



One of the symbols is a rough cut cube of stone with another smooth cut. This is supposed to symbolise the improvement of people who are members of the organisation. Most of the symbolism is about being "on the level" meaning not deceptive, trustworthy etc. "On the level" is actually a Freemason phrase which has entered the ordinary language. "We meet on the square and part on the level."



The aprons are of course based on aprons worn by stone masons. The checkered tile floors were a common form of decoration, there is an old pub I know that has the same in the entry hall.



I can guarantee that most of the critics of Freemasonry are not "on the level", are crazy religious cranks or just paranoid conspiracy theorists. This is partially based on the writings of Albert Pike, an American Freemason who had been an officer in the Confederate Army in the Civil War. Pike's ideas were not fully adopted or not adopted at all outside the USA and probably not inside it all that much either. In addition, some of the things he wrote have been carefully taken out of context by cranks and paranoids.



As for the twaddle about "elites", 99% or more of Freemasons are ordinary decent men. The ones I have known have been clerks, butchers, locomotive drivers, farmers, a few small business owners, electricians etc. and I'll bet most of the ones you know are similar.



Apart from the rituals, symbols etc they are not much different from Rotary and similar clubs.

Answer 4

The Free Masons originated as a group promoting theistic (predominately monotheistic) religious traditions when, to be overly-dramatic, anything that wasn't what the King believed (whether it was the Incarnation of Yahweh as Jesus or what to have for breakfast) was met with either torture or death.



Without such a threat even remotely on the horizon, the same pressing need for secrecy is diminished.



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As to the practices and rituals themselves, 90% of what happens within a lodge is not greatly secretive. The lodge my dad predominately went to allowed me and my brothers (the three of us being low- and mid-teens) to sit in on the meetings at times. We also helped set up the annual Halloween party and sold/moved/cataloged Christmas Trees.



The obelisks, tables, and symbols aren't anything that warrant secrecy. Would you make a big deal of someone posting their dining room table or night-stand on Facebook even though the house is supposed to be private? No? Same essential thing.



One lodge, which my dad would take us to when visiting his friend, had weekend breakfasts where anyone who could pay the $2 or $5 per person to get in.



Now, where secrecy is still a major factor are the aspects that make it distinct from, say, your college fraternity.

Answer 5

If we were a secret organization, why would we put our logo on the door.

Masons hold a lot of public events. And if you want to see any lodge, go on their webpage and ask for a tour.



Our degrees are private, not our organization

Answer 6

We and our Lodges are not secret. Our passwords are Secret.

The symbols you refer to are explained during Degrees.

All Freemasons wear Aprons. Sashes are worn in various Jurisdictions but not in others. It depends upon the choices made in those Jurisdictions.

Answer 7

This is, of course, my theory and you dont have to pay attention to it, but, The freemasons that your friends are apart of is really just a money bin. Anyone who pays the membership fees can join. Hell, I know a Chinese and a Black guy who applied as a joke and got in. BUT, i think the Freemasons are still around and are still a secret going throughout powerful people in the world. So dont be coaxed into this Freemasons group with your friends where the decisions they make are on what type of doughnuts to buy instead of which foreign power to eliminate.





(Im not a nut and this is just a theory of mine)

Answer 8

The secret is not in what rituals they practice; rather who it is they worship and their reasons why...