i couldnt agree more, why put ourselves in their rants?

If I knew just how powerful we are I would had petitioned a long time ago

indeed, good points

But if we do not tell people who we are, "2B1ASK1" or "2KNOW1ASK1" is irrelavant. I know in the USA it is more openly publicised but in Europe it is stil a bit hush hush.
If there were more public awareness of what Masonry is and what it stands for I think people would not have much to gossip about.

true true... but no matter how good we show what we can do, ppl are gonna talk crap...look at FEMA, yeah N.O. and Hurricane Katrina was a distaster but I remember FEMA doing a lot of good things as well but people still gossip about them and stuff

but at least we know the real truth ;D

The best thing you can do is answer with what you truly believe.

I am only an EA BUT...

my first experinece of masonry was from a website sent to me that was an anti mason site.

AFTERWARDS I found my Gradfather was a mason, I also met masons along the way and they were all good men.

So now I make my own mind up - like most intelligent people.

Antimasonry will scare away the ignorant and those who have no desire to rid themselves of ignorance. I would suggest most anti-masons already feel "left out" of society on some level and hit out at a group they see as "secret" or "exclusive" - in reality I have found masonry to be neither of these. Once I showed a genuine interest I was immediately assisted openly and included as a friend, well before even being officially a brother.

So, be a proud mason - no need to defend anything
If others are anti masonic, it is their right, dont be angry, maybe even feel a little pity and show some understanding and empathy, their heart is probably not so disimlar from you own.

cheers

Matt

;D You make a good Mason brother...I am honored to know you before you become a MM ;D

It is hard not to justify something you love and truly believe in. There are always antis against every organisation whether it is religious, political or whatever...
If you are approached personally by an anti, you should listen to their points of view, be calm and when they have finished ask where they have gotten this information from and then tell them that they have been misinformed and say you can put them right with the correct information. If they are not interested they will usually walk away.
People have their own beliefs and the majority of the time do not have the facts straight to start with.

[color=Green][b]Well said WestAus I could not agree with you more.