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Netflix - Inside the Freemasons

Keith C

Registered User
I have yet to check this out. Monday night, while I was meeting with the IPM of my Lodge working on the exemplification of the FC degree, which I have to be "signed off on" tonight at District School, my wife started watching it.

I have to ask those that saw it, how much of "The Secret Art and Mystery of Freemasonry" was shown? When I got home my wife had a bunch of "Why didn't you tell me 'X,Y,Z, about your Degrees?" My answer was "I swore never to reveal these things." So it makes me question what exactly was shown and if what was show was, in your opinion, stuff that should not have been.

I am going to try to watch this myself and form my own opinion. I won't watch it with my Wife as I just don't want the questions.
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
I have yet to check this out. Monday night, while I was meeting with the IPM of my Lodge working on the exemplification of the FC degree, which I have to be "signed off on" tonight at District School, my wife started watching it.

I have to ask those that saw it, how much of "The Secret Art and Mystery of Freemasonry" was shown? When I got home my wife had a bunch of "Why didn't you tell me 'X,Y,Z, about your Degrees?" My answer was "I swore never to reveal these things." So it makes me question what exactly was shown and if what was show was, in your opinion, stuff that should not have been.

I am going to try to watch this myself and form my own opinion. I won't watch it with my Wife as I just don't want the questions.
Well, you will hate me for this, but it depends on the jurisdiction. Remember, that in England the ritual is 90% written, and available for anyone to purchase. I can’t say what PA considers secret.
 

JohnXRV

Registered User
From memory they show a couple of responses to the FC catchesism, masons dressed in aprons and all their regalia and the temples themselves.

A lot of it focuses on why people joined masonry and a lot on the charity work.
 

VinnyCruz

Registered User
They DO say some parts but nothing too in depth. They didn’t show any rituals for degrees. So it’s more of the, why’s and the “everyday” life of a Freemason...the business side of it.
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
Well, you will hate me for this, but it depends on the jurisdiction. Remember, that in England the ritual is 90% written, and available for anyone to purchase. I can’t say what PA considers secret.

Also note that most Brothers think far more is secret than their jurisdiction says is secret. Generally that's how it should work. Measure with a micrometer. Mark with a pencil. Cut with an axe.
 

Keith C

Registered User
Thanks for your replies Brothers.

My wife is away visiting our Daughter tonight through Saturday morning, so I will actually have access to the TV and not have to continue the binge watching of past episodes of "Suits" so I will take the opportunity to watch this and form my own opinion.

Unfortunately, looking through the Ahiman Rezon and Digest of Decisions I can not find any specific information regarding what exactly makes up the "Secret Art & Mystery" of Freemasonry here in PA. Therefore I conclude to myself that anything in the Rituals falls under the prohibition I swore to in my obligation. I understand that other jurisdictions may have better defined what they consider secret and what they do not. However, from what my wife said, if I were considering the prospect of joining The Craft, I would not want to know the details of what she told me ahead of time. I think knowing what is to happen lessens the impact of the experience.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
I think knowing what is to happen lessens the impact of the experience.
Totally agree. When I was researching Masonry prior to joining I stopped short of looking at sites claiming to tell of the actually rituals. If even a part of these were true it would have ruined the actual experience. Now I read them for laughs! Example: One site states that there is a secret Master Mason word and that word is abracadabra! Lol.....
 

CLewey44

Registered User
Totally agree. When I was researching Masonry prior to joining I stopped short of looking at sites claiming to tell of the actually rituals. If even a part of these were true it would have ruined the actual experience. Now I read them for laughs! Example: One site states that there is a secret Master Mason word and that word is abracadabra! Lol.....
It's the Harry Houdini Lodge #420 haha
 

Matt L

Site Benefactor
Totally agree. When I was researching Masonry prior to joining I stopped short of looking at sites claiming to tell of the actually rituals. If even a part of these were true it would have ruined the actual experience. Now I read them for laughs! Example: One site states that there is a secret Master Mason word and that word is abracadabra! Lol.....

Wait, it isn't abracadabra?
 

Keith C

Registered User
I watched the first 3 episodes last night and found that this was very well done. Some of the things my wife told me was more deduction of her part from a mention of something in the show. I think her involvement in OES likely has her thinking somewhat "masonically" and thus drawing correct conclusions from hints in the program.

One thing that surprised me was that we dress more formally here in PA than they do in the UGLE. All the Grand Officers dressed in suit and tie at the Quarterly Communication was particularly eye opening. Not sure why, but I assumed that UGLE would be more formal.
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
I watched the first 3 episodes last night and found that this was very well done. Some of the things my wife told me was more deduction of her part from a mention of something in the show. I think her involvement in OES likely has her thinking somewhat "masonically" and thus drawing correct conclusions from hints in the program.

One thing that surprised me was that we dress more formally here in PA than they do in the UGLE. All the Grand Officers dressed in suit and tie at the Quarterly Communication was particularly eye opening. Not sure why, but I assumed that UGLE would be more formal.
Umm, all grand officers are in suit and tie at UGLE quarterly. Indeed, if they are acting in office, they are wearing tails.
Edit: why do you think PA dresses more formally?
 
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