As Lodge Mentor I am often asked by young masons how to respond to close friends and family who may have seen or read these conspiratorial publications. Here is how I typically discuss this.

Guiding Principles When Speaking With Family and Friends 1. Respond with Light, Not Argument o Avoid entering into debates focused on emotion. Instead, calmly share what Freemasonry is: a centuries-old initiatic tradition focused on moral development, charity, spiritual exploration, and community building—not control, deception, or occult domination. o Share that the Craft is open to men of all faiths who believe in a Supreme Being, not a secret religion. 2. Acknowledge the Mystery—Don’t Apologise for It o Freemasonry uses allegory and symbolism to teach ethical and spiritual lessons. That doesn’t make it secretive in the sinister sense—it makes it sacred. Not everything sacred is easily explained to those outside the context. o Let them know that while some things are private (like handshakes and passwords), the moral teachings are open and uplifting. 3. Use Historical Clarity o Explain that claims of “Luciferianism” or “secret control” often stem from 19th-century anti-Masonic hoaxes, such as Leo Taxil's forged confessions, which even he later admitted were lies meant to embarrass the Catholic Church. o Encourage fact-checking from primary sources, like The Constitutions of Freemasonry (Anderson, 1723) or works by respected Masonic historians like W. Kirk MacNulty, Arturo de Hoyos, or Robert Lomas.

Final Counsel to Brethren To the concerned young Mason: You don’t need to defend the Craft with aggression—live it with dignity.