PATCHOGUE, N.Y.  — A man was killed during a Masonic initiation ceremony when another member fired a gun loaded with real bullets instead of the expected blanks and shot him in the face, police said Tuesday.

Anglican churchmen who are Freemasons have come out in firm defence against charges that they are involved in a 'secret and satanic' operation.

The Sydney Anglican Synod has called on all Christian members of Masonic lodges to withdraw their membership and for church facilities not to be used for activities linked with Freemasonry.

Freemasons - Brotherly organization or bizarre secret society? You decide.

Until the recent effort by Freemasons to increase public awareness about their organization, not much has been known about the Masonic lifestyle. In fact, the general perception non-Masons have about the group can be divided into two separate categories:

20,000 brightly colored creatures flock to Downtown this weekend. Here's how to decipher their habits.

Canadian Press, June 21, 2003

The Telegraph (England), Feb. 19, 2003

Freemasonry: Dr Rowan Williams reveals his concerns over a secret society he believes is incompatible with the Christian faith

Independent (England), Nov. 15, 2002

The Malta Independent, Nov. 3, 2002

BBC, Oct. 30, 2002