Regarding Freemasonry: Everything You Wanted to Know About Masonic Conspiracies, by Bernard Schaffer Read Free Book Online

my lodge.  I don't know much about them, other than that they do degree work for their members, have rituals, and really kick ass in terms of fundraising.
     Is it a Secret Society or just a Society with Secrets?
    I would say that Freemasonry is very-much a society with secrets, in that members don’t hide their affiliation or meeting places.  Freemasons are a properly registered body.  That being said, there are many things that are only shared with the members and not with outsiders. 
    What do you DO at these meetings?
    It depends on the type of meeting.  A general ("stated") meeting occurs monthly, where the body of Master Masons discuss lodge affairs and vote on new members.  Sometimes a guest lecturer is invited to discuss a wide variety of topics.  
    Extra meetings are held for new members to receive requisite degrees that will make them into full members.  There are three degrees in Freemasonry: 1st Degree (Entered Apprentice), 2nd Degree (Fellowcraft) and 3rd (Master Mason).  The associated bodies have additional degrees that are considered off-shoots and do not put any member of those organizations, no matter how high-ranking, above members of the Blue Lodge.  
    What is the stated purpose of the society?
    Hmm.  Tough one.  As I’ve already said, there is no singular unifying body in Freemasonry.  Every state is governed by its Grand Lodge and they take a varied approach to the practice of Freemasonry.  Thus, what you read on the internet about how things are done in Utah will be very, very different from how it is done in Pennsylvania.  
    Freemasonry is one of the largest charitable organizations in the world, but it is not a charity.  All Shriners are Masons (But not vice-versa), therefore you can count every Shriner Hospital as a part of the Masons charitable efforts.  Thousands and thousands of children all around the world have received free state-of-the-art health care at Shriner Hospitals.
    A large portion of Freemasonry is dedicated to self-preservation.  Very little is written down in The Craft, and older members must constantly educate younger ones, ensuring that the ritual and meaning is passed down properly.  Freemasonry only exists because generations of men have made sure it stayed strong and healthy.
    How do new members get in?
    Ask a Mason to join.  No one is ever supposed to be recruited into Freemasonry.  You are supposed to go to a member of the Lodge and ask to join.  (Don’t let that idea intimidate you.  In this modern era, most Lodges have a website.  If you don’t know any actual Masons, just email the secretary of the Lodge and ask if they can help you out.  Someone will be glad to help you out.  There are special recognitions for those who bring new members into the Lodge.)
    I say “supposed” in the above paragraph because I have heard of some Lodges holding membership drives where they go out looking for new members.  This appears to be contrary to everything I was ever told about Freemasonry, but those decisions were likely made by people with infinitely more understanding about it than I. 
    Once you ask to join, a painless vetting process begins, culminating in an eventual vote by the body.  It is an ancient a democratic process as ever there was one and incidentally, where the term being "black-balled" derived from.  (Black balls are extremely rare.  Don’t sweat it.)  
    How terrifying are the rituals?
    It’s scary going into the unknown, but I can assure you that you have nothing to fear.  There is no hazing involved.  There is absolutely nothing offensive or compromising.  There is a process which all masons must pass through, where the candidate receives the degrees that he needs to be a Master Mason.  We’ve all done it. 
    There is no animal sacrifice, no drinking of blood, no pact with Satan or any of the other bizarre things you might have heard of.  I can’t even make a joke here because the myths associated with the