Tony Uzzell
Registered User
Yeah I have tried that and people believe the internet. I agree that the internet does masonry more bad than goods
Obviously, I don't know your way of talking to people about it, but I've seen a lot of people start out with something along the lines of: "Let me explain how everything you know is wrong."
This is how it starts off in a confrontational manner and that immediately puts people on the defensive and makes them dig in with what they "know to be true".
As Bro. Book mentioned earlier, it's important to "walk the talk". I have listened to many ignorant people spout off about our Craft without knowing I was a Mason (I mean....I guess they missed the ring). After they had their chance to rant, I gently mention my Masonic affiliation and will usually pick one small thing to start by correcting (generally, I pick the smallest, least consequential thing to correct: "You said we had black cloths on our Altars, but most of the Lodges I know that use altar covers use white ones."). It becomes a shock to their system to know they've been spouting off around someone who actually knows what they're talking about and isn't yelling/screaming/accusing about it.
It's generally amazing from there how many people ask questions and want to know the truth. I've helped several people seek out the Fraternity this way. Most people actually realize that the conspiracy theories are crap, but they don't hear anybody else answering their questions, so what choice do they have. In the absence of the truth, they will accept whatever interesting story they hear. It also, frankly, doesn't help when our Brethren answer any question with: "I can't tell you about that". It's especially idiotic for us to respond so when they ask questions about things that are not secret signs, passes, tokens, obligations, etc. (I've actually heard the question "Why do you call him the 'Worshipful Master'?" answered with, "We don't talk about that.".......it's hugely frustrating).
TU