Yes, but I understand there are minor differences between North America and Europe. I haven't been able to afford to be current on my dues for awhile so I haven't been able to attend a Continental Blue Lodge, which is a shame since I live so near Goethe's Weimar.
does it have a global goal?
Yes, Fraternity in philanthropy, Morality and Brotherly Love examples include: Shriners Hospitals Dentistry for the Handicapped Scottish Rite Learning Centers Scottish Rite Children's Medical Center
does it dabble in occult stuff?
No, what is propagated by conspiracy loons has, as all propaganda, a kernal of truth. What they call the "occult" is actually the allegory and metaphor of Freemasonry and its Enlightenment principles taught through acting out, like a play. A lot of the allegory centers around the stone masons who built the Temple in Jerusalem. The other aspect is that it is open to all who believe in a Supreme being, so it accepts adherents to all major religions as equals. This tended to piss of the Jesuits and still pisses off the Christian fundies.
why is it different from rotary, elks, etc?
In many ways it is not, just that it is older, the first lodge opened in 1717, and more mystical in its allegorical rites.
is it just a scratch my back club?
Very likely that was an element at one time. It was also a communication venue during the US Revolution. The Green Dragon Tavern in Boston was also a Masonic Lodge and Paul Revere, Benjamin Rush and others had a lot to do with the Boston Tea Party using their Masonic connections. But not so much anymore, or at least I didn't get the memo...
does it have concrete benefits to you in life?
Only fraternity and brotherhood and a study of Enlightenment principles upon which to build personal character. There is no material benefits to becoming a Freemason
why is secrecy so important? what's to hide?
Benjamin Franklin once said, "The great secret of Freemasonry is that there is no secret at all." Others often say that it is a society with secrets not a secret society. Truthfully, there is nothing to hide and those secrets have been in the public domain for quite sometime, the Library of Congress, books on the matter, the internet. It's just tradition and an oath not to reveal them although they are already out there. "Schiller sprach zu Goethe, Steck in dem Arsch die Flöte! Goethe sagte zu Schiller, Mein Arsch ist kein Triller!"
