Masonic Initiation Misconceptions

The man in the street, gazing up at the Lodge's thickly covered windows that reveal only a thin rectangular outline of light must wonder what goes on behind the veil. For those credulous men who easily fall prey to the fraternity's detractors and exploiters, the mystery of what occurs may create an unnecessary dread.

Some who read such best selling novels as Brad Meltzer's The Book of Fate may come away believing that a cabal of Masons are trying to open the gates of hell in distant Washington, D.C., in spite of Meltzer's note at the end of the novel that attempts to separate truth from fiction he created about the fraternity. The public may draw similar conclusions from the works of other contemporary novelists, especially those of Dan Brown (da Vinci Code, Angles and Demons).

But while most of the public is not so gullible as to believe what are obviously tall tales, some may still hesitate to knock at our door on account of the fear bread of uncertainty.

Some may have misconceptions about the Masonic Initiation. As illustrated by these 19th Century magic lantern slides, such unfounded fears have a long history - at least a long as fears of what lives under the bed or in the closet!

Candidates families should have nothing to fear. The candidate will be treated with the utmost respect both for his physical and for his emotional well being.

Candidates do enter a space that is deliberately separated from the outside world for the course of the ceremony. Their safety and well being will be protected by the brethren.

Once beyond the veil, misconceptions abound with all who have not gone through the ceremonies. No candidate is ever placed in danger. The brethren maintain the utmost decorum throughout the ceremony. Nothing is ever asked of any man that is contrary to the duties he owes to his religion, country, family or neighbors.

As a philosophical society, candidates are asked to consider mortality, but this is never done as a burlesque. There is no humor at the expense of any man.

The candidate will not be confronted or forced to "ride a goat" or any other animal: This misconception seems to have its origin with the non-Masonic Orange Order's Royal Arch Purple Degree, and is an acronym for the phrase, "The Ark of God."

Candidates are never embarrassed or ridiculed in a Masonic Lodge.

A Masonic candidate's safety is never jeopardized.

Freemasonry permits no form of hazing.

Nothing demeaning or harmful is ever done to a Masonic candidate.

Masonic candidates are not subjected to ridicule.

Any trepidation that may have existed before the ceremony is fully dispelled by the kind care and consideration felt during the ceremony from the brethren.

The Lodge returns every man safely home. It is the intent of the brethren that the candidate returns with more, not less than he brought into the Lodge.

While it is the existing members who are in control of the ceremonies of initiation, it is those same members who are by choice most vulnerable at the hour of initiation: It is they who have chosen to open the door of the Lodge to a stranger so as to greet them as a brother. It is they who seek to rise to the occasion and make the event a gift for the newcomer. It is they who anticipate the gift will bring good things into the life of the candidate and through him, into the lives of his family, friends, and community.