Season 7, Episode 1: Secrecy

 

Secrecy

As your Master for 2023, I’d like to hear from you. Send me a note at john.mccargar@gmail.com if you

have any comments, concerns or questions at all. We have around 170 brother-members many of

whom are out of state, many who are possibly unable to attend lodge. But either way, drop me a note

and tell me how you are doing or offer some words about your journey at this stage in your life. I’d love

to hear from you.

The theme this month is secrecy, an important topic throughout the history of the Craft. The picture-

insert of the figurine, with index finger placed close to his lips, appears to be a gesture to remain silent.

Perhaps the depiction also hints at a finger pointed heavenward, as if to also suggest silence and

reverence are combined to express the virtue of both. The ideal of secrecy forms a basis for protecting

or even perpetuation our Masonic domain or body of knowledge. But what’s the big deal about that?

Many are or have been hostile to our fraternity. Here’s a quick summary of why we have a need for

maintaining “secrecy”:

• Freemasonry stands against oppression and totalitarianism (AASR).

• It is non-sectarian yet abhors atheism and promotes religious belief.

• It proposes free-thought and free-conscience for determining truth.

• It has spiritual rituals that can be the subject of ridicule or mockery.

• It has no religious dogma yet invokes the blessings of Deity.

• It has been seen as a conspiracy or prejudicial by the profane (historically).

• Freemasons can be and have been the target of violence.

• Seeks improvement in all human affairs through a select brotherhood.

• Tolerates diverse philosophies in the exposition of truth.

• Science and Religion go hand in hand.

• It stands against ignorance, fanaticism, corruption and hate.

These some of the bigger reasons; our modes of recognition and ritual details are lesser ones but just

as important, if only for reverence in what leads to sacredness and respect for what is good and true

among men. Tell me what you think. (Picture of figurine courtesy of the London Museum of

Freemasonry)

John McCargar, HA

Master

SECRECY

A human being living alone at -71 deg C in the wilderness of snowy forests isn't affected by any

secrecy; or is he part of one? In theory, secrecy and openness are mutually exclusive, meaning

they can't exist at the same time just like war and peace. In the information age we live in, anything

that brings criticism or vulnerability is termed to have been engulfed in secrecy or layers of it.

Esoteric may or may not be a secret but a secret might be esoteric or it loses its definition. Does

that make sense? Does secrecy breed incompetence, of course, it does. Maybe that is why it

should be handled by the initiated and/or chosen few and not just anyone with a pulse. To avoid

dire consequences secrecy acts as a shield. Ask an electrician the meaning of insulation that

protects him but only a trusted man well-trained in the craft deserves that protection.

The universe itself holds secrecy, colors don't announce the outcome when mixed.

Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and Babylonian civilizations came and went away as time and tide wait

for none. The society we live in has been destroyed and rebuilt many a time with the added

knowledge that demands secrecy. The attentive ear receives sound from the instructive tongue

and mysteries of freemasonry are safely lodged in the repository of faithful breasts. Freemasonry

itself has withstood the tide of changing times because of the respect for the esoteric and the

eyes that are upon its members. The goodness of heart and purity of intention keeps the tenets

of our esteemed institution sacred and solid. The burdens and responsibilities that come with it

entitle a Freemason to its benefits and privileges. Classified it is what makes them want it more

or more will want it hence keeping classified, is the secrecy we all must deal with. Elite clubs have

their limitations.

Shivam J. Sharma, HA

Senior Warden

Can you keep a secret?

Are you keeping Masonry a secret? If so, why?

Times have changed from when it was a big secret that our fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and other men in our lives would go to lodge but never say anything about it. All that would be said or known, was that XXX was going to lodge. Maybe there was the occasional pancake breakfast or other social event, but not much else was said about it. It was something he did, and he was a good man, so there must have been something to it. 

That was enough to drive some to Masonry, know what a good man their role model was and that he was a Mason. For others it was not enough. How many good men never became Masons because of the secrecy that was practiced in the past? That’s a question we will never know the answer to, but that is changing.

You’ve heard “we are not a secret society, but a society with secrets.” That’s true to an extent. Everything we do and say can be found online, you just don’t know which are true and which are made up until you actually become a member. So I know you are thinking, come on man, spill the beans. What are the secrets? Give me a hint!

Okay, a few of our not-so-secret secrets:

• We meet in a lodge room, in a lodge, and a group of brothers makes up the lodge

• We perform rituals. (OH MY GOD! I KNEW IT!!!) A ritual can be anything that is done consistently the same way. You wake up, take your shower, brush your teeth, get dressed, always in that order. That is your ritual. You greet your BFF with an insult, a slap on the back and a big hug. That is a ritual. You go to church and stand up and sit down at certain parts. That is a ritual. Get it. It is just a consistent way of doing things.

• The three-degrees are only a few of the various rituals we perform. There is also ritual for the installation of officers, our business meeting, introducing a dignitary, a Masonic funeral, etc.

• We have “secret” handshakes... like many fraternities or other organizations

• We are selective about who we let join and have a “secret” ballot. Pretty much like any other ballot. It’s nobody else’s business who got your vote.

• We have these top secret buildings with a big square and compass on them, along with a web-site, podcast, and multiple social media pages. (Okay, I am being a little facetious on this one).

• We have been around “officially” since 1717, but there are records going back much further. Oh, these are all public records if you want to do any investigation.

• Some of our most well kept secret Freemasons were/are John Wayne, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Shaquille O’Neal, Brad Paisley, Neil Armstrong, Ernest Borgnine, Charlie Chaplain, Winston Churchill, and many more

So, you see the point? We are no more of a secret organization than the Elks, Moose, Rotary, Lions, or Kiwanis. We have a motto that we take good men and make them better. How you ask? Well, I’m not going to say it is a secret, but I would rather tell you in person. And what you hear from me will be slightly different from what you hear from other Masons. Why? Each one of us has our own experiences in this fraternity and take different things from it. Depending on what we take from it affects our perceptions of it. There is no right answer. There is no one answer. There are many answers, and they are all right. Guess that is another of our secrets... if you come looking for an answer, you may find it, and it may be a completely different one than you were expecting, or from what the man sitting next to you found.

And, and don’t tell a single soul... tell them all.

Aaron Reddoch, HA, PM5

Editor

WHAT IS FREEMASONRY?

I was recently contacted by a member who had a friend, asking him “What is Freemasonry?” The famous question that leaves many trying to find the perfect words that best explains what we do.

Well, if you’re at a loss for words, Grand Lodge has spent the past year creating an effective marketing campaign that will do the talking for you. If you visit their website, just add those 3 words after the domain, with a hyphen between each word: freemason.org/what-is-freemasonry

This will take you to a well designed page with illustrations, photos, and stats of what our fraternity does. It showcases what Masons all over California (and the world) are doing, and have contributed to our society.

This is the best way to break the ice with anyone who is interested in learning more about our Craft. Take time to read it and find gems you can use next time you speak with someone who asks you about your journey in Masonry.