This is a bit of the cuff – it is probably something I should think about for a week LOL

When you pass through each degree in Freemasonry you make promises. The form of these will vary from Degree to Degree and Jurisdiction to Jurisdiction – but in essence they will normally cover your duties to the Craft and fellow freemasons and society at large.

One important component of every Masonic obligation that I have taken is secrecy. In some ways this was specific, in others very general. Until I became more experienced, I used to be very careful about what I would talk and type about. Indeed to say I am still not careful would be a lie..

The Officers of our Grand Lodge are very happy to tell Masons and Non-Mason what the secrets of Freemasonry are. They are the words, signs and tokens (handshakes) which allow one Mason to recognise another as a Brother. These are what should not be revealed to those not worthy to receive them - which means that a man should not be told a “secret” to a degree above that which he holds.. So these are secrets - but I cannot describe them more fully to you without breaking my obligation. I will not do that because I would certainly loose respect for myself – it would be dishonourable not to keep the promises I have made..

All over the internet you will read “Freemasonry is not a secret society, it is a society with secrets”… That’s all very well – but often people do not understand what these secrets are or, also quite commonly, they don’t agree what they are :)…

Above is what my Grand Lodge says is a secret. However you still don’t find me posting slabs of Masonic ritual. Why? Because I regard that also as special and reserved for Masons. Indeed taking my obligation literally – I should not reveal it.. Just like I don’t talk about the Company Board Meeting I went to last Month – it is private discussion amongst the Board members…

I remember when I became an Entered Apprentice, and indeed for some time after I became a Master Mason – I was very unsure of what a secret was. I never showed my apron to anyone, and would never discuss Lodge or the social meeting after it…

I think one of the problems you face in discussing the Craft is that if it is a “system of allegory illustrated by symbol” this is very subjective. I resolve this problem by simply saying “I can’t tell you what freemasonry is because I am still learning about it – but I can tell you what is means to me in my personal wonderful experience of it….”

The other problem is once you start talking about Freemasonry you will get questions… Answering them can be difficult.. The more you reveal, the more specific these questions become and hence the closer you approach revealing something that perhaps you should not..


Martinus says;
< Being only a 2nd degree mason, I know many things that I find uncomfortable if they happened to be "out in the open" so I know there has to be things there that should not be.>>

Being a Master Mason (now a JW yay !) I too feel uncomfortable about some things I sometimes see. But hey, despite the “masons control the internet” conspiracy theory – we cannot play internet police. It is out of our control… (but I have respectfully emailed Brothers and suggested perhaps they have over stepped the mark).

I think there is also the issue of respect. I think that people who post “secrets” show a blatant disrespect for Freemasons and Freemasonry. I am sure there is many a deceased freemason who would turn in their grave over stuff that gets posted in other places.

When I joined the Craft my proposer said – “It is basically all on the internet – but reading it before you have earned the right to know such things will diminish your Masonic journey” and I agree with him.

Freemasons don’t automatically have the right to know all the “secrets” when they first join. Indeed the whole point of degrees is to communicate the lessons and secrets of a Degree. To see someone with no right to be in possession of a “secret” post it in the internet can be very disappointing – especially as an Entered Apprentice or Fellow craft who, despite actually being a Freemason - has not yet passed through the necessary examinations to earn the right to possess those secrets themselves..

I am a member of a closed forum for Master Masons only and the rule there is “All members are expected to observe their Masonic Oaths and Obligations as they see fit. The posting of any ritual, in excerpt or full, it to be according to the conscience of individuals..” I think that is true – follow your conscience and be cautious about what you post. Better to be over cautious than break your obligation.. (Also remember that “The posting of any ritual, in excerpt or full,…” in that context is amongst a group of experienced master masons and not in a open and public forum like this one…)

I also strongly believe that there is a huge difference between reading about Freemasonry and experiencing it. Indeed even if you have a copy of the ritual you will only understand it properly if you hear it recited, and then study and reflect upon it…. One must “be” a freemason in order to begin appreciate and comprehend its lessons and what being a Freemasons means…

<<<Perhaps a summary of what categories of things should not be posted online....or what artworks and interpretations should not be available. Or maybe if a MM were to come online in SL somehow I would be happy to show them and let them use their more experience to judge if any action need be taken.>>>

For me, the secrets as outlined by Grand Lodge and ritual are sacrosanct. I also ask myself the question “Will this lead to more questions than it answers and will subsequent questions lead to a request to break my obligation ?”

I all instances I think anyone asking about Freemasonry needs to accept that there is a point where a mason will say “sorry I don’t want to give an answer to that question because I feel it will break the obligations I have undertaken about “secrecy”..

If you have a more specific question feel free to post or private message me as you see fit.

Fraternally

Bloke