The word 'freemason' conjures up the image of a society shrouded in mystery for many people but the organisation itself is now on a mission to make it more accessible.

Visit the official Freemason website and you’ll find it looks and sounds more like a charitable co-operative crossed with a self-help book.

“Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest and largest non-religious, non-political, fraternal and charitable organisations. It teaches self-knowledge through participation in a progression of ceremonies,” explains the homepage in a cheerfully large font.

There are no pictures of dribbly candles, robes, men with ‘wizard’ in their title or any of the stuff that conspiracy theorists might expect from such an organisation. Since a major rebrand a few years ago, it has gone on a PR charm offensive, speaking to newspapers and news websites about the ‘common misconceptions’ held by the public.

So what really goes on behind the closed doors of a Freemason lodge? And will membership boost your wealth?

Networking forbidden

However much the Freemasons protest that they are simply a fraternal organisation dedicated to good causes and self-realisation, there will always be conspiracy theorists who claim they are a shadowy fraternity of men with a sinister desire to help one another at the expense of everyone else.

It’s an accusation that has been denied with some exasperation by the organisation. In an interview with the BBC, Nigel Brown, grand secretary of the United Grand Lodge of England, stated: “Networking within Freemasonry and trying to use it for personal gain is completely forbidden.”

So we asked a lapsed Freemason for his take on the value of membership and whether it is worth anything in the outside world.

Getting an advantage

“Joining is not that hard; you may be invited by a friend, you may hear about it and make enquiries and then be invited in. You wouldn’t usually join because of the chance to make money,” explains our source, who insisted on remaining anonymous.

In fact, he’s scathing of the idea that the focus is on networking, although unlike the grand secretary he does agree that there’s an element of that.

“It’s very ceremonial. You have a ceremony that goes through various degrees and if you’re not raised to that point then you go and stand outside.

"After two or three hours of ritual and secrets, you all go out to dinner and have a good time. I suppose you’d say that is when the networking happens.”

And is that networking valuable? Our source admits that things have changed a lot in recent years.

“When I first became a Freemason I was a policeman and it helped a lot – had I stayed in the police it would have helped me progress without any question at all. I don’t think that’s the case now, but it certainly was then. It would have given me an advantage.”

Looking after your own

It’s not just secret handshakes helping cement that advantage. Our source explains that there are words and phrases which can be dropped into conversations to reveal and highlight membership.

Networking aside, it’s undeniable that a fraternity exists to help one another – something that might chafe those who feel that a secretive male organisation (there are women Freemasons but the vast, vast majority are male and most lodges are for men only) looking after one another is simply enshrining and guarding privilege. In a way, surely it is formalising a golf club mentality?

“Its whole purpose is for members to look after each other. Its whole backbone is fraternity. If you fall on hard times then your fellow masons will help you out of those hard times.

"If you die, your fellow masons will look after your family,” says our source.

Charitable grants

There’s no proof of any wrongdoing or unfair practises from the Freemasons or any similar organisation. In fact, quite the opposite; in the UK the Freemasons carry out fundraising for a number of good causes, as well as the support they offer to members and their families – since 1980 they have made charitable grants totalling more than £100 million.

Past and present Freemasons can apply for a grant if they fall into difficulties and during 2013 alone around £3.7 million was given to help Freemasons and their families.

However, critics of fraternities in general suggest they encourage nepotism and corruption, even if members do not intend to behave immorally. For example, a report by Bloomberg suggested that in the US the entrenched frat-house fellowship helps some privileged students gain jobs at the expense of women and graduates who did not or could not benefit from a fraternity.

Could the same be said for British Freemasons? Certainly our source believes there’s a hidden value to membership.

He explains: “Is [Freemasonry] valuable in the real world? It depends on whether you are a determined Freemason and make the most of it. It means you probably have a better chance of doing business with another Freemason – if they have two people to choose from, they will probably choose you because they won’t want to let you down.”

Yet that statement is directly contradicted by the United Grand Lodge of England, which covers the question “Are Freemasons expected to give preference to fellow members?” in its FAQ.

“Certainly not,” is the reply. “This would be unacceptable and may lead to action being taken against those involved. On joining, each new member states that he expects no material gain from membership.”

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