A Masonic Question

A while ago, I mentioned on a newsgroup that I was a Freemason. The thread had to do with conspiracies and such, particularly, the Apollo Moon Landing hoax. A reader of the newsgroup emailed me later and asked to know a little about Freemasonry, what it is and why it's disliked by some. Answering his email gave me the opportunity to examine the craft a bit and organize my thoughts on the subject. Below is the answer I sent him.

Freemasonry is a fraternity. It claims a tradition extending to Biblical times. Scholars can trace the organization to the builders of the medieval cathedrals. Freemasons are linked together by three primary beliefs: the brotherhood of man, the fatherhood of God and the immortality of the soul. You can not be an atheist and be a Freemason, but you don't have to be Christian. In my Lodge we had a Bible and a Koran open on our altar.

To become a Mason, you have to ask one. We are not allowed to recruit. There are 3 degrees to become a Master Mason (the term getting the "third degree" is of Masonic origin). Each degree is a stylized ritual designed to teach the spirit and consciousness certain lessons and codes. At the most rudimentary, the degrees teach recognition symbols (the secret hand shakes, etc.) These means of recognition are standard throughout the world, so a brother from Oregon can be welcomed to a Lodge in Bangladesh, Cairo or California.

There are organizations which grew out of the basic Blue Lodge, as it's called. Within the body of the Blue Lodge, you receive the first three degrees. Several "Rites" have evolved which offer degrees up to the 33rd. Scottish Rite and York Rite are the most prevalent and bring additional rituals, lessons and traditions. You have to be a Master Mason (3rd degree) to petition these other bodies, otherwise, it wouldn't be Masonry. Though these Rites have international bodies, only the Blue Lodges are universally held to be Masonic. The Shrine is another Masonic organization also American. Though there's been some political posturing to move it outside the Masonic fabric, last time I checked you have to be a 32nd degree Mason to join it. There are other bodies affiliated with Masonry: Demoley, a young men's organization, Job's Daughters, a young women's organization and Easter Star, an organization for both men and women. Each is a part of the greater institution of Masonry.

Blue Lodges are organized and ruled by a Grand Lodge. Each jurisdiction is independent. There is no national or international Grand Lodge. The same cannot be said of the Rites or the Shrine. The Grand Lodges recognize other jurisdictions and respect each other sovereignty and together maintain the integrity of the work.

Likewise, each Lodge is independent. The laws and traditions of "The Craft" are ancient and most issues of governance revolve around economic issues or membership. Occasionally a Masonic trial takes place when a brother does something unethical. If found guilty, he's out. If a lodge does something wrong, such as accepting a woman (yes woman are currently not allowed to join. I hope we fix that) that lodge would be named clandestine and all it's brethren would have to flee the lodge or lose their membership by decree of the Grand Lodge. If a Grand Lodge does something like that the other Grand Lodges would treat them similarly.

The membership of the lodge can be divided into two groups: officers and members. The officers run the lodge. There are many offices within the lodge. Each is elected or appointed annually by a majority vote of the brethren. The leader of the lodge is called the Worshipful Master. I have had the honor to have elected to this position twice in my life.

The officers are responsible for conducting the degrees, receiving the Grand Lodge officers and keeping the Lodge together for the next term. The Officers also conduct funerals and represent the Lodge in public.

To become a member, you have to ask a member to sponsor you. That brother will give you a petition and then he or you will need to get two other Masons to vouch for you and your morals. At the heart of Masonry is a rigid moral code which I think the world would do well to revisit. Once you've petitioned, the Worshipful Master will send three men to visit with you and follow up. Upon their report back, the lodge will vote on your petition. A single "black ball" will prevent you from joining. That's another common phrase derived from Masonry.

Okay, that's kind of an overview. What makes it so scary? It's a secret organization and membership isn't guaranteed. Masons on the whole don't advertise their membership. Further within the rituals are certain secrets which our membership is sworn never to divulge. Each brother is sworn to look after his brothers. There are penalties, some of the gravest nature, should a brother betray this trust. The organization is sound, strong and international. Since no one outside of the brotherhood is privy to what happens at meetings, paranoia can easily arise.

Also since Masonry stresses - no, demands - strong moral fiber, certain type of men have been attracted to it. Such men are often successful outside of the Lodge. Statesmen and other men of power are commonly members. This connection makes people believe there might a conspiracy to get Masons in high places. It's a side effect of virtue, but President Jackson was nearly impeached for his membership and had to run against a candidate from the "Anti-Masonic" party. 80% of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were Masons. The King who read it was too. In some countries, such as England, membership was reserved to the upper classes only. That's changing now, but there is still a solid connection between European royalty and Freemasonry. I think being the Grand Master of England is part of being the Earl or York or something. Also, any organization which has been around for a few centuries is bound to have a bit of wealth.

If Masons got together and wanted something to happen, chances are it would happen. That's just the power of people. The Christian right has done more damage, er, I mean, had more influence in modern times than the Masons.

Even though they took oaths not to, some brethren have told and published the secrets of Masonry. It isn't hard to find a written copy, or even a tape, of the entire Masonic experience (if you entertain any idea of joining - don't look; let the experience be fresh the way it was intended.) Much of the ritual is ancient and occult references abound. What came first, the occult reference of Masonic symbol is up to scholar. I think Masonry grew out of certain cults around certain religions and inherited or invented the most potent symbols available for their work. Anything less wouldn't be Truth, but "Truth-lite." The publicity of these symbols have led many people to believe that Masonry is evil or demonic. Remember that Masonry isn't necessarily Christian, so intolerant Christians fear and ridicule it. Masonry strives to be tolerant of all and so is tolerated by few.

Today Masonry struggles with the problems of involvement. Masonic membership is down to nearly critical levels in many places. There are other reasons for this, but I think people aren't "joiners" anymore. I think people are so disconnected that they don't consider, let alone act to become part of something greater than what they are. The height of Masonic membership was after WWII, I'm sure you might have some ideas as to why. In most lodges today, the membership age averages in the 60's. New blood is coming up all the time, but it's still a shrinking organization.

I have been a Mason since I was 18. I'm 34 now and though my activity is at an all time low while I'm raising my boys, I'm still proud to be a Mason.

I hope this is shines some light on the subject for you. Thanks for asking. It was good to put this down; it's been a while since I've had to answer this question.

Peace,

Johnny E. Worthen, PM