[Revererdrv]

I also belong to the Masons. Unless someone belongs, how can they understand what they are talking about? When someone does not understand often assumptions are made.

[TFFKAMM]

Brother, I believe a large part of it is because of our secrecy. People don't understand the reason for why we keep our rites and means of identifying each other under wraps, and assume the worst because of it.

The joke is that the literal rituals and signs themselves aren't "secret," inasmuch as they have been virtually in the public domain almost since the beginning of public Masonry in 1717. I always say that it's one thing to merely read our degree work; it's quite another to go through it as an initiate or participant, and learn the ineffable secrets which belong to the Brother in Lodge alone.