Why Secrecy Matters?

Understanding Secrecy in Freemasonry:

Two Easy to Understand Metaphors

 

 

"To be straight to the point: Some Secrets are between a man and his God." - Steve C.

 

 

1. The Onion Metaphor (Layered Secrecy)
Imagine secrecy like an onion. At the outside, you have basic, harmless information that can be shared openly. But as you peel back the layers, you uncover more sensitive knowledge that’s only for those who are trusted or initiated.

 

  • Outer Layer: This is where basic moral lessons and the broad goals of Freemasonry can be shared publicly. These ideas don’t harm anyone, and anyone can understand them.

  • Middle Layers: This includes more detailed symbols, rituals, and knowledge. It's reserved for members, and revealing it too soon could undermine its value or disrupt trust.

  • Core: At the very heart of Freemasonry are its most sacred teachings. These are only shared with those who have earned their place and proved their readiness.

 

Why Secrecy Matters: Just like the layers of an onion, secrecy in Freemasonry protects the integrity of the teachings. If everyone knew everything, it would weaken the teachings and reduce their impact. Secrecy ensures that only those who are ready, worthy, and trustful receive the deeper knowledge.

 

 

2. The TOR Browser Metaphor (Privacy and Anonymity)
The TOR (The Onion Router) browser lets people browse the web anonymously by routing their internet traffic through multiple layers of encryption. As you move deeper into the network, more layers are added for protection, just like the onion metaphor.

  • First Layer: This is like the basic teachings of Freemasonry, which are public but still guarded for privacy. It protects the members' identities.

  • Deeper Layers: As you go further into the TOR network, you get more protection and privacy, just as in Freemasonry, where deeper wisdom is shared only with those who have earned it.

 

Why Secrecy Matters: Just like TOR ensures that your data remains safe and private, secrecy in Freemasonry protects its teachings, keeping them safe from misuse and preserving their integrity. It also shields members from outside influences and misunderstandings.

 

 

3. The Need for Trust in Both Models
Both the onion and TOR metaphors emphasize trust. In both cases, the deeper you go, the more trust is required.

  • Trust: In Freemasonry, just as TOR keeps users' identities safe, trust is needed to preserve secrecy. Trust ensures that sacred knowledge is only shared with those who are ready for it.

 

 

4. The Role of Secrecy in Maintaining Order and Focus

  • Preventing Misuse: Without secrecy, teachings could be misinterpreted or misused. Just as learning how to use TOR requires understanding, Freemasonry demands that its knowledge be shared in the proper time and place.

  • Preserving Unity: Secrecy helps keep the group united. If secrets were revealed too soon, confusion and division could occur.

 

 

5. Secrecy Builds Respect for the Process
Secrecy helps create respect for the process. Just like navigating the layers of the TOR network requires effort, Freemasonry requires learning, growth, and trust-building before accessing deeper teachings. This respect helps maintain the value of the tradition and teachings.

 

Conclusion

In Freemasonry, secrecy isn’t about hiding things for the sake of hiding. It’s about protecting wisdom, ensuring trust, and maintaining the integrity of the teachings. Just as the onion and TOR metaphors show, secrecy has a purpose—it ensures that only those who are ready and responsible receive the deeper knowledge and experiences that come with true understanding.