When I first joined the Masons, I had no idea what the journey would be like. I was in St. Louis working a union job, going door to door as part of my daily routine. One day, I knocked on a man’s door, and he noticed my Masonic ring. He told me he was a 33rd-degree Mason. That grabbed my attention right away. At the time, I wasn’t a 33rd-degree Mason yet, but I had always dreamed of becoming one. I felt lucky to meet someone who had already reached that level. I was eager to hear what he had to say. He started telling me his story, and I listened carefully. I hoped he could give me some insight or advice. To me, it felt like I was getting a rare look into a path I hoped to follow. I wanted to learn from him and see what it really took to reach the 33rd. What he said next, though, took me by surprise. It was something I wasn’t expecting at all.
He told me something that really bothered me. He said that when he became a 33rd-degree Mason, he had to denounce Jesus Christ. I was completely shocked. That didn’t sound right to me at all. He also claimed that he refused to do it but still got accepted anyway. I didn’t know what to believe. Still, his story stuck with me for years. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I kept saying to myself, “If that’s what it takes, I’m out.” I knew I would never deny Christ, no matter what. It became something I feared might be true. I worried about it as I got closer to becoming a 33rd myself. I even planned how I would walk out if they asked me to do that. It was a heavy thought that never left me.
Years later, in 2015, I was finally up for my 33rd-degree initiation. That old story from the man in St. Louis was still stuck in my mind. I had already made a decision—if they asked me to denounce Jesus, I would leave immediately. I wasn’t going to compromise my faith for anything. I even played out the whole scene in my head. But when the time finally came, the initiation process was respectful, structured, and focused solely on the values and teachings of the Masonic tradition. There was no mention—direct or indirect—of denouncing Christ or any other personal faith. The ceremony emphasized moral growth, service, and commitment to truth, not religious abandonment. There was no pressure placed on me to compromise my beliefs, and no part of the ritual conflicted with my Christian values. The experience proved that the rumors I had heard were unfounded and misleading. It reaffirmed that Freemasonry is not about replacing or denying one’s faith, but about building character and brotherhood. It was nothing like what that man had described. In that moment, I realized he had lied. He made the whole thing up. And I had worried for nothing.
People love to spread rumors about the Masons. They say wild things, most of which aren’t true. People often invent wild stories about the Masons, just like the ones in Dan Brown’s books and movies. These tales are usually made to stir curiosity or boost sales, not to reflect the truth. But real Masonry is not some secret or scary group. It’s a strong network of men who support each other across cities, states, and even countries. If you’re a Mason, you’re part of a brotherhood. That bond doesn’t depend on race, religion, or background. Masons recognize each other and often connect like lifelong friends, even if they’ve just met. You can walk into a new town, meet a Mason, and feel welcomed instantly. It’s a connection built on shared values and trust. A lot of people who criticize Masonry aren’t even part of it. They just repeat what they’ve heard. But once you’ve been inside, you know the truth: it’s about brotherhood, not secrecy.
Masonry teaches values like trust, loyalty, and respect, and I’ve seen them lived out in real ways. I’ve had real talks with other Masons about life, faith, and family without any judgment. Even when our beliefs were different, the respect was still there. The connection felt genuine, like talking to someone who really cared. That kind of understanding isn’t easy to find. It’s what makes the brotherhood so powerful.
Here’s what I want you to remember: don’t believe every rumor you hear. A lot of people speak on Masonry without ever having been part of it. If someone wants to argue about it, ask them how they know so much. Would you argue with a doctor about surgery if you’ve never been in an operating room? Probably not. So why argue with a Mason about something you’ve never experienced? Real knowledge comes from being on the inside, not guessing from the outside.
At the end of the day, I trust in the Lord. I don’t lean on rumors—I lean on experience. And what I’ve lived through shows me that Masonry, done right, is a blessing.