There is no doubt that the principles of Freemasonry are completely laudable, but it is the practice that in many cases gives pause for concern. It is often described not as a corrupt organisation, but an corrupting one.
There is no doubt that many Freemasons give their fellow masons unfair advantage, try being a Glasgow policeman or lawyer and not being a mason and see what I mean, and I must take issue with a previous post in this thread, Scottish masons are not open, in fact are much more secret (should I say discreet) than anything I have experienced in England.
I cannot recall ever seeing Scottish Freemasons in open parade in the streets. Perhaps there is a confusion between them and the Orange Lodge organisation, but that is a thread for another occasion......