The Masons and other "fraternal" organizations are no different than college fraternities. While members may personally benefit through social and professional "networking", most also perform positive and beneficial, charitable functions. Some however, become adolescently obsessed with their bizarre initiation rites and secret rituals, and can develop sinister cult-like behaviour similar to the KKK.
There is no need for government to violate individuals' rights of free association to demand public disclosure of membership roles of these organizations. It's sufficiently humorous to watch the cockroaches scurry when the bright light of a free press shines upon them. There is inherently something hypocritical about those who are reluctant to declare their associations in public, however nobody should be forced to do so.
As far as you understood it is not far enough.
My grandfather, my uncle, my aunt, and two granduncles were all Freemasons. I never saw it as a social thing, but as a networking ad public charity sort of thing.