Item Detail
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17826
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0
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0
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English
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Religion, Policy, and Secrecy : The Latter-day Saints and Masons
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Policy Studies Journal
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2003
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31
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no.4
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669-678
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The authors characterize the Masons and Mormons as "secretive groups." They note that while the Masons are gradually moving away from their secretive aspects, secret temple rituals remain a cornerstone of the Mormon faith. They contend that "secrecy today is a public relations problem for any organization that wishes to grow in a twenty-first century environment of full disclosure and exposure." This article addresses the question of what public policy should be towards secretive groups. In a pluralistic and open society, secret societies raise suspicions and uncertainties. In balance, the authors note that some of the positive human aspects of secrecy are not all negative and that "policies supporting secrecy are not always a bad thing." It is possible that Mormonism and Masonry "have been criticised too much for their secrecy." They note some of the similarities in the rituals of the Masons and Mormons and the contention between the two groups centered around those rites. They briefly quote from the Mormon temple ceremony to point out "Masonic affinities." They affirm the right of academics to investigate religion and any attendant secret elements "in a scholarly way."