Letters and Comments

Mysteries and Myths of Freemasons

By U.S. News Staff

September 25, 2009 RSS Feed Print
  • Comment (9)

Freemasonry is just a men's fraternity with some not so secret, secrets ["Share Your Thoughts on the Freemasons," usnews.com]. Any average net researcher can find all there is to know about the Masonic secrets. I myself took an oath called an obligation not to reveal this information, not because it's secretive in and of itself, but because the act of honoring an oath builds character. By the way, the Masonic credo is "Making Good Men Better." There is no place for corrupt, evil men in this organization.

Comment by Mike W. of OH

Why is it that Freemasonry is limited to men and only men? Women have proven to be the equals of men and yet are not allowed to join this. To even qualify you have to be related to a freemason. In my personal opinion and as a scholar I believe it is a sexist organization. If it were not so it would have changed with the times and included women.

Comment by Ashley of NY

I was at a festival in town over the weekend and the Freemasons had a booth set up for selling food. Theirs was the least expensive amongst the others. More than 50 percent! I asked one of the brothers how I can become a Freemason, and he gave me some literature which was eloquently explained. It described the early Freemasons and how the fraternity was formed. It also explained what was expected of new members. It sounds like a wonderful fraternity to be a part of, and I'm waiting for my application to arrive.

Comment by Joe W. Hotkewicz of KY

Masonry is not a secretive organization. Members wear pins on their lapels and put bumper stickers on their cars proclaiming their membership. They do have symbolic rituals used to give their new members a better understanding of their beliefs but these are readily available in many books printed on the subject. Only people who want to discredit their philanthropic work (they contribute millions of dollars every year to help the less fortunate members of our society) and their firm belief in a Supreme Being still call it a "secretive" organization.

Comment by E. James of IL

In my experience, without exception, Freemasons are good and honorable men, working to be better men. No matter what else is going on in my life, within the Lodge I have always felt welcome, accepted and among friends. This is true even when I am only visiting and don't know anyone in the Lodge. As a Freemason, I am part of something much greater than myself, dedicated to the improvement of men and continuing the honorable quest for liberty for all and the brotherhood of men. It is an honor to be associated, through Masonry, with the many great men and Masons, some of whom were identified in this article. Millions more throughout the world live ordinary but good lives dedicated to their families, professions, communities and nations. If you want to learn more or to be a mason, ask a mason. We will always welcome honorable men.

Comment by L. Wes Sadler of WA

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timmerman is bad for all decent masons. coward and a liar. thats all he is.

employee of AZ 2:07PM April 13, 2011

There are honorable associations open to women that follow the same traditions as the major numbers of Freemasons worldwide. The most numerous are groups that admit only women. Less numerous are a few groups that have both male and female members: Droit Humain http://www.comasonic.org/ is best known.

The numbers perhaps best tell the story. The all-male fraternity is by far most numerous followed by the all-female traditions; the "co-Masonic" the least numerous. This is within a "free marketplace" if you will.

There is no requirement in the all-female and co-Masonic traditions for a relationship with a male Freemason. In the North America there are such organizations for women and youth of both sexes that do have some relationship requirements. In the U.K. and elsewhere these organizations are little known.

If a woman in the Anglophone world wishes to become a Mason, she might best pursue one of the organizations that are all female or are "co-Masonic." It might offer interesting opportunities for practice of leadership.

However, one should consider that most of Freemasonry does not allow discussion in meetings of politics or religion. This tradition dates at least to the English Civil War and associated upheavals of the 1600s that gave rise to the Freemasonry known today.

While many Freemasons are interested in, and some are directly involved in political or religious leadership, it is not a function of Freemasonry to be institutionally involved in disputes of politics and religion beyond a basic belief of religious and political tolerance that has become a common cultural tenet in Anglophone nations. That tradition perhaps allowed the institution to survive well over 300 years - especially when one considers how many other public institutions arose and fell during that time.

An excellent web site with some history of females in Freemasonry and organizations available for women that follow Masonic traditions is: http://www.masonic-lodge-of-education.com/women-freemasons.html

m in the us of SD 11:50AM October 02, 2009

I support what the Masons mostly do in the States for hte benefit of the less fortunate, most specifically the work of the Shriners.

I take exception to one of the previous comments (although the gentleman did limit his comment with :in my experience"), wherein it was said that, without exception, Freemansons are "good and honorable men." Truth is, there is no such thing as "without exception," and my only issue with the Masons is when I see bad things covered up for the sake of a fellow "brother." In the real sense of the word, I have 4 brothers, but if one of them does wrong, I'm going to let him know.

A woman very close to me was sexually assaulted by a "Grand Master Mason," and, although I blame no one but him for this, he is nevertheless an exception to good and honorable.

Also, I have seen Masons in the military operating overseas whose fundraisers and membership dues go towards very little but partying. THAT is the point in being a Mason in some lodges on certain bases.

I believe in the purported purpose and reasoning of the Masons, but it seems that many of them have lost their way. If there are men of good standing, they should object to the men hiding among them who are not.

John 6:23AM October 01, 2009

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