Mythology of Freemasons
Modern Freemasonry is believed to be the world's oldest fraternal organization. Its roots can be traced back to 1717, born out of group of medieval stonemasons, and it has been plagued by untruths and myths since its formation.
In the United States, anti-Masonic activities peaked in the late 1820's, while in Europe, Mason-bashing has existed for over 200 years.
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The Europeans often linked Masonic propaganda with anti-Semitic rhetoric.
The popularity of the Internet, and Hollywood filmmaker's fascination with Freemasonry, has given rise to the rebirth of Masonic myths once again, in the 21st century.
SOME COMMON MYTHS, THEIR ORIGINS, AND WHY THEY ARE UNFOUNDED
* Religious Myths = Freemasonry is a religion, a cult, is anti-Christian, or practices Satanism.
Origins and Truth:
Freemasonry is NOT a religion. They do not offer their members any of the attributes of a specific religious affiliation; worship, salvation, etc. The confusion seems to stem from their requirement of members, not unlike the Boy Scouts of America, to believe in God.
Members are allowed to follow their chosen faith, and membership does not interfere with their personal, religious practices. The Masonic teachings are supportive of all religions and encourage placing duty to God above all endeavors. Freemasonry is a quest for knowledge, not a promise of salvation or a required adherence to a specific doctrine.
Freemasonry is NOT a cult. Cults tend to begin with a single individual whose teachings and beliefs offer alternatives to accepted Holy writings and theologies, or profess to be superior to them. Cult members are usually brainwashed and not allowed to have contact with family or friends who are not of the same belief system.
Freemasons are NOT Satanists. They are non-denominational, but not without faith. Their ceremonies teach moral values and character building, not satanic beliefs or rituals.
* Symbol Myths = the "lodge goat," the "all-seeing eye" and unfinished pyramid, especially on the back of the U.S. $1 bill, and the 5-pointed star.
Origins and Truth:
Since the Middle Ages, the goat has been associated with the Devil and, it was believed, that when witches called upon Satan to take part in their rituals, he rode into town on goat. The Freemasons were often accused of witchcraft and it lead to the notion that new members were required to ride a goat as part of their initiation.
The 1800's gave rise to the formation of hundreds of other fraternal organizations. Old fraternal supply catalogs sold rudimentary "mechanical goats" and "fun degrees" that were NOT used by the Masons but it didn't stop the continuing myths.
Another fact that didn't help quell this myth involved the Freemason's early use of the acronym, G.O.A.T, which stood for their belief in the "God Of All Things." Obviously, it was changed, and is now, G.O.A.T.U.,
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which stands for the "Grand Architect Of The Universe."
There is no "lodge goat" in Freemasonry, and any degrees offered by the Masons are serious matters.
Throughout the Renaissance period, an eye within a triangle represented God, and it was used prior to the creation of Freemasonry. The 3-sides of the triangle represented the Christian's Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). The symbol was not linked to the Freemasons until 1797, 80 years after they were first founded.
This symbol has been linked to the Freemasons and the belief that they are the architects for a "New World Order." It is said to have "occult" connotations, when, in reality, the symbol has been used since the 1600's in Christian art.
The Latin phrase beneath the pyramid, "novus ordo seclorum," means, "a new order of the ages," not a "New World order," and the words, "annuit coeptis," means, "He (God) favors our undertakings."
The eye, and unfinished pyramid, first appeared on the back of the U.S. $1 bill in 1935. The only Freemason, on the original 1776 design committee, was Benjamin Franklin. None of the actual designers of the "Great Seal of the United States" belonged to the Freemasons.
The 13 rows of stones on the unfinished pyramid stood for the original 13 colonies, and symbolized the strength of the newly formed nation that evolved into the United States of America.
The movie, "National Treasure," and its subsequent sequels, managed to resurrect these age-old myths surrounding the proposed influence that Freemasonry had in controlling the U.S. government's functions and promoting their supposed "New World Order" agenda.
The 5-pointed star, also known as, "the Eastern star," was an early Scottish symbol used to display God's blazing glory filling the universe. In Freemasonry, the 5-pointed star represents man, with the head at the top-most point, followed by the hands and feet, on either side. It has no satanic meaning among the Freemasons.
* Secrecy Myths = it is a secret society, a Masonic (Satanic) Bible is used in their secret ceremonies and they protect a secret, hidden treasure under the Trinity Church.
Origins and Truths:
There have been times in history, like during the Nazi rule in Germany, that Freemasons have had to keep hidden to avoid persecution, but they are not a secret society. All of their lodge proceedings are recorded and are available to the general public. Freemasons wear their compass and square emblems proudly, for the world to see.
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If Freemasonry were truly a secret organization, how do people know it even exists and, why have thousands of books been written about it, TV documentaries explored and displayed its activities, and its workings been made available on the Internet?
The Freemason's do have secrets but they only involve member recognition methods, the specifics of their degree attainment procedures, and the ability to keep a confidence.
A few of their "secrets" include:
* Ask for God's assistance when faced with an enormous task or burden.
* Treat your fellow human, as you would hope to be treated.
* Continually strive to be a better person and good citizen.
Pretty benign in the grand scheme of internal organizational secrets, considering the fact that most Masons are respected members of their communities who openly donate time and money to various charitable causes.
There is no Masonic or Satanic Bible. In Christian lodges, especially in the United States, an heirloom, 1611 version, of the King James Bible is used for Masonic ceremonies. The Muslim lodges use the Koran, the Hebrew's use the Tanach, the Hindus use the Veda, etc. All Freemasons are encouraged to perform their duties to God, family, and all who depend on them. Not very satanic, is it?
Though the Masons do not have a "special" or "different" Bible, they do have what is called a "Volume of Sacred Law" that is referenced in lodge meetings. The Volume used depends upon the location of the lodge, and is the book considered sacred to the members in that specific region of the world.
The treasure that is supposedly hidden under the Trinity Church, and being protected by the Freemasons, is nothing more than a great Hollywood storyline. The movies offered from the "Nation Treasure" series are responsible for this
fictious fabrication. The Freemasons only wish it were true!
* There are numerous other myths that have arisen over the years involving:
Racism:
The truth= Men of all color, nationalities and religions belong to Masonic Lodges, worldwide.
Sexism:
The truth = Feminine Freemasonry in England has over 60,000 members.
Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry were Freemasons:
The truth = neither man has been found to have a member of the fraternal organization. Jefferson may have praised the Freemasons, but he has never been found to be a member.
George Washington's generals were ALL Masons:
The truth = Only 33 of the generals involved in the American War for Independence were affiliated with the Masons.
Freemasonry is not a religion, not a cult, does not worship the Devil, does not use satanic symbols, and has had no control over world events, influenced leaders, or has a New World Order agenda.
Information on the Freemasons is readily available and offers plausible and provable explanations for every myth that has surfaced since their inception.
The organization's core teachings deal with the belief in a Supreme Being (God), the enrichment of the member and society, the achievement of higher levels of faith, personal character building, participation in charitable endeavors, and sustaining basic moral concepts.
Masons strive to be people of higher thoughts and nobler deeds. They do not believe in gossip, and neither should we.
By Dawn R. Cole
In the United States, anti-Masonic activities peaked in the late 1820's, while in Europe, Mason-bashing has existed for over 200 years.
Ads by Google
The Europeans often linked Masonic propaganda with anti-Semitic rhetoric.
The popularity of the Internet, and Hollywood filmmaker's fascination with Freemasonry, has given rise to the rebirth of Masonic myths once again, in the 21st century.
SOME COMMON MYTHS, THEIR ORIGINS, AND WHY THEY ARE UNFOUNDED
* Religious Myths = Freemasonry is a religion, a cult, is anti-Christian, or practices Satanism.
Origins and Truth:
Freemasonry is NOT a religion. They do not offer their members any of the attributes of a specific religious affiliation; worship, salvation, etc. The confusion seems to stem from their requirement of members, not unlike the Boy Scouts of America, to believe in God.
Members are allowed to follow their chosen faith, and membership does not interfere with their personal, religious practices. The Masonic teachings are supportive of all religions and encourage placing duty to God above all endeavors. Freemasonry is a quest for knowledge, not a promise of salvation or a required adherence to a specific doctrine.
Freemasonry is NOT a cult. Cults tend to begin with a single individual whose teachings and beliefs offer alternatives to accepted Holy writings and theologies, or profess to be superior to them. Cult members are usually brainwashed and not allowed to have contact with family or friends who are not of the same belief system.
Freemasons are NOT Satanists. They are non-denominational, but not without faith. Their ceremonies teach moral values and character building, not satanic beliefs or rituals.
* Symbol Myths = the "lodge goat," the "all-seeing eye" and unfinished pyramid, especially on the back of the U.S. $1 bill, and the 5-pointed star.
Origins and Truth:
Since the Middle Ages, the goat has been associated with the Devil and, it was believed, that when witches called upon Satan to take part in their rituals, he rode into town on goat. The Freemasons were often accused of witchcraft and it lead to the notion that new members were required to ride a goat as part of their initiation.
The 1800's gave rise to the formation of hundreds of other fraternal organizations. Old fraternal supply catalogs sold rudimentary "mechanical goats" and "fun degrees" that were NOT used by the Masons but it didn't stop the continuing myths.
Another fact that didn't help quell this myth involved the Freemason's early use of the acronym, G.O.A.T, which stood for their belief in the "God Of All Things." Obviously, it was changed, and is now, G.O.A.T.U.,
Ads by Google
which stands for the "Grand Architect Of The Universe."
There is no "lodge goat" in Freemasonry, and any degrees offered by the Masons are serious matters.
Throughout the Renaissance period, an eye within a triangle represented God, and it was used prior to the creation of Freemasonry. The 3-sides of the triangle represented the Christian's Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). The symbol was not linked to the Freemasons until 1797, 80 years after they were first founded.
This symbol has been linked to the Freemasons and the belief that they are the architects for a "New World Order." It is said to have "occult" connotations, when, in reality, the symbol has been used since the 1600's in Christian art.
The Latin phrase beneath the pyramid, "novus ordo seclorum," means, "a new order of the ages," not a "New World order," and the words, "annuit coeptis," means, "He (God) favors our undertakings."
The eye, and unfinished pyramid, first appeared on the back of the U.S. $1 bill in 1935. The only Freemason, on the original 1776 design committee, was Benjamin Franklin. None of the actual designers of the "Great Seal of the United States" belonged to the Freemasons.
The 13 rows of stones on the unfinished pyramid stood for the original 13 colonies, and symbolized the strength of the newly formed nation that evolved into the United States of America.
The movie, "National Treasure," and its subsequent sequels, managed to resurrect these age-old myths surrounding the proposed influence that Freemasonry had in controlling the U.S. government's functions and promoting their supposed "New World Order" agenda.
The 5-pointed star, also known as, "the Eastern star," was an early Scottish symbol used to display God's blazing glory filling the universe. In Freemasonry, the 5-pointed star represents man, with the head at the top-most point, followed by the hands and feet, on either side. It has no satanic meaning among the Freemasons.
* Secrecy Myths = it is a secret society, a Masonic (Satanic) Bible is used in their secret ceremonies and they protect a secret, hidden treasure under the Trinity Church.
Origins and Truths:
There have been times in history, like during the Nazi rule in Germany, that Freemasons have had to keep hidden to avoid persecution, but they are not a secret society. All of their lodge proceedings are recorded and are available to the general public. Freemasons wear their compass and square emblems proudly, for the world to see.
Ads by Google
If Freemasonry were truly a secret organization, how do people know it even exists and, why have thousands of books been written about it, TV documentaries explored and displayed its activities, and its workings been made available on the Internet?
The Freemason's do have secrets but they only involve member recognition methods, the specifics of their degree attainment procedures, and the ability to keep a confidence.
A few of their "secrets" include:
* Ask for God's assistance when faced with an enormous task or burden.
* Treat your fellow human, as you would hope to be treated.
* Continually strive to be a better person and good citizen.
Pretty benign in the grand scheme of internal organizational secrets, considering the fact that most Masons are respected members of their communities who openly donate time and money to various charitable causes.
There is no Masonic or Satanic Bible. In Christian lodges, especially in the United States, an heirloom, 1611 version, of the King James Bible is used for Masonic ceremonies. The Muslim lodges use the Koran, the Hebrew's use the Tanach, the Hindus use the Veda, etc. All Freemasons are encouraged to perform their duties to God, family, and all who depend on them. Not very satanic, is it?
Though the Masons do not have a "special" or "different" Bible, they do have what is called a "Volume of Sacred Law" that is referenced in lodge meetings. The Volume used depends upon the location of the lodge, and is the book considered sacred to the members in that specific region of the world.
The treasure that is supposedly hidden under the Trinity Church, and being protected by the Freemasons, is nothing more than a great Hollywood storyline. The movies offered from the "Nation Treasure" series are responsible for this
fictious fabrication. The Freemasons only wish it were true!
* There are numerous other myths that have arisen over the years involving:
Racism:
The truth= Men of all color, nationalities and religions belong to Masonic Lodges, worldwide.
Sexism:
The truth = Feminine Freemasonry in England has over 60,000 members.
Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry were Freemasons:
The truth = neither man has been found to have a member of the fraternal organization. Jefferson may have praised the Freemasons, but he has never been found to be a member.
George Washington's generals were ALL Masons:
The truth = Only 33 of the generals involved in the American War for Independence were affiliated with the Masons.
Freemasonry is not a religion, not a cult, does not worship the Devil, does not use satanic symbols, and has had no control over world events, influenced leaders, or has a New World Order agenda.
Information on the Freemasons is readily available and offers plausible and provable explanations for every myth that has surfaced since their inception.
The organization's core teachings deal with the belief in a Supreme Being (God), the enrichment of the member and society, the achievement of higher levels of faith, personal character building, participation in charitable endeavors, and sustaining basic moral concepts.
Masons strive to be people of higher thoughts and nobler deeds. They do not believe in gossip, and neither should we.
By Dawn R. Cole
