10-27-2024, 04:44 PM
(10-27-2024, 12:39 PM)Maxmars Wrote: Frankly, I used to find the Masonic order fascinating.
But I found that exploring the topic on ATS kept thrusting me into the position to either defend nonsensical attacks against them, or tolerating spurious allegations born of ignorance. And even if I brought up my own questions about the order's present or past, I would inevitably evoke the ignorance I sought to deny... I blame free masonry.
It seems similar to being a Catholic, and rushing to intercede in conversations whenever someone tries to revive the cliché 'pedophile' trope; or as an officer of the law being compelled to remind people that not all policemen and women are fascistic narcissists, bent on projecting their personal 'power' under the protection of a veil of 'authority'...
Ultimately, it was part of a lesson I learned... all organizations have one thing in common, they are full of people.
While some of those people might be reprehensible, or unworthy... it's certainly not all of them.
... now, about the whole secrecy thing....
About the secrecy. The official answer has to do with ancient craftsman keeping their trades to themselves. If you wanted to learn, you had to earn your way to that knowledge. And to a degree, I think that's mostly it. Showing you are the kind of person who can keep what they know to themselves, is also an aspect we teach. It all revolves around trying like hell to be the kind of person you wish you were.
But as a Catholic, and a mason (I'm likely excommunicated at this stage, but since I don't go, I don't know) Church is much more rigorous. Most of the business is a formality, and we all have things to do and say at certain times. But the idea for that, is to learn all the different stations, so you can instruct others. That's a key thing since we pass all this on mouth to ear. And an inattentive ear is a fruitless effort. Quite a few similarities, and knowing them both, makes it even more noticeable.
Some people are like Slinkys, not much use, but can bring a smile to your face, when pushed down the stairs.