It would seem that Freemasonry is so secretive that it even keeps secrets from each other. It has been alleged that Masons who are in the "higher" degrees have certain secret knowledge that the Masons in the "lower" degrees do not have.

The idea behind this lie was taken from the writings of Albert Pike. It has been said that Pike decreed that only Masons of the highest degrees could be told the hidden meanings of Masonic symbols and goals thus deceiving lower initiates as to the real purpose of Masonry.

The purpose of the anti-Masons is to convince everyone that Freemasonry has an organization within the organization that is secretly trying to withhold information on the true "inter-workings" of Masonry, so that they may hold all the power, and perhaps conceal the knowledge of a secret plot to overthrow all government systems. There is absolutely no evidence that such an organization has ever existed. Freemasons may claim to have "secrets," but believe me, they could never keep this "secret" from leaking out. A covert organization within Freemasonry would require a centralized government, which is something that does not exist in Masonry.

There is a sense, however, in which Freemasonry does keep secrets from it's "lower ranking" members. As a Mason "moves up the ladder" in the degrees he is not informed of what will happen in the "higher" degrees. The purpose in doing this is not to conceal some devious plot that is going on within Masonry. Some things are kept from the "lower ranking" Mason until he goes through the proper rituals and shows a willingness to learn and to develop as a Mason. He is not to communicate the things he has learned to "lower ranking" Masons or to "outsiders" for that matter. Why should we teach someone all the principles of Masonry from the very beginning when they may not have a full understanding of what it is all about? Why cast our pearls before the "swine?"

If you have a problem with this, let me remind you that the very same system was utilized in the early Christian Church. A new member was not given the knowledge of all Bible truths. They passed through 3 degrees before they became "saints." The three degrees were Auditors, Catechumens, and The Faithful. Only a portion of the dogmas were taught to the lower levels. Some of the deeper mysteries, such as the incarnation and resurrection of Christ was reserved for the Faithful. Tertullian, who died around 216 A.D. said, "None are admitted to the religious Mysteries without an oath of secrecy." Much of what new members were taught was in the form of symbols and not made clear to them until they were found worthy to receive them. Of course, this practice has gone the way of the Edsel, but no doubt there was a purpose for this practice. It would not be unusual for a leader to send a spy into a church group to find out if there was a plot afoot to overthrow his government. The church was being persecuted and had to "filter" their new members.

One anti-Masons made this statement about our secrecy:

It seems that they are really convinced that we are out to destroy the world, doesn't it?