The Masons?

Question

Does anyone know the real story about whether they're like a cult? My dad was joining them once and had this secret handbook that he never let me see,i was always suspicious

Answer 1

Hi, lots of people answer these questions from second hand knowledge and the best of intentions. I hope to shed more light and less heat to this.

I am a Master Mason and a Mark Mason in the more esoteric Order of Freemasons called American Co-Masonry. We admit women and men of all races, of good character, who believe in a Supreme Being, who are tolerant of all religions and races, and want to improve the world by improving themselves.

Granted that some of the Orders of Freemasonry are just social clubs of just men. In that they still do great charity work. Ever hear of Shriners' Hospitals? Those are Masons and no child is ever turned away from them. No child!

Co-Masonry does its best to be the heir to the ancient mystery schools of Greece and Egypt. We aid the member in working symbolically to change the rough stone of their being into a smooth and well-fitting one. We work to practice Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth, not just to each other but to the entire world.

Cults have a charismatic leader, cut you off from contact from non-members, demand lots of your time and money. Freemasonry elects their own leaders for one year terms. Insists that your family and job and country obligations are more important than Masonry. If you are a bad father, mom, or daughter, odds are you are not a good Mason either. Our dues are minimal (my yearly dues are about $40 per Lodge). So, I think I can say that we are definitely not a cult.

We are not a religion. We are a system of morality: that is, we study how best to act in the here and now. Some criticize us for our good works, saying that it will not get us into Heaven. Sounds like those folks have not read the parable of the Good Samaritan. Anyway, we are Christians, Jews, Baha'is, Moslems, Buddhists, Taoists, Hindus, Wiccans, Gnostics, Deists, Universalists, etc. We do not discuss religion.

Last Lodge I read aloud from the New Testament, BTW, since I was Orator. Titus 1:15. I think it is worth everyone's time reading: "Unto the pure, all is pure. Unto the unclean, nothing is clean."

If I can be of service, please feel free to write me. You might get some more information at the link below. It is my Order.

A Master Mason
American Co-Masonry

Hiram Lodge (Santa Cruz, CA)
Amon Ra Lodge (Los Angeles, CA)
Sapientia Lodge of Research (Larkspur, CO)
Adamant Mark Lodge (Santa Cruz, CA)

Answer 2

The "secret handbook" is called a Ritual, and it's basically just a set of guidelines for different organizational things (I'm a woman but I know this because I'm a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, the Masonic counterpart for women and we have the same type of thing.) Non-members are not allowed to see the Ritual because then they would know exactly how our organizations are run (and where's the fun in belonging to an organization like that?) Really, the Masons and Stars are just Christian service organizations that go on trips, help care for the community, and give out scholarships. If you're curious about the Masonic tradition, why not join? You can ask your dad about it; their policy about joining is "to be one, ask one." Good luck!

Answer 3

Supposedly, there's no way for your dad to know the 'true' meaning behind the Masons. Only the highest ranking members are said to know that stuff. It's supposedly about Satan, the Illuminati and possible lizard people (I wish I was joking). My grandfather and his father, etc. were all Masons and Odd Fellows and I know they went along with the whole 'secret' thing but they didn't worship Satan. My great grandmother was in the Order of the Eastern Star (Mason affiliated) and she wasn't evil either although it was all secretive.

Answer 4

Many gnostics and occultists have been attracted to masonry overtime. Many people have believed Masonry to be esoteric in nature and hiding its knowledge in symbols and or allegory. I have seen Masons and non Masons debate this. The MAsonic lodge does not claim to be religion and doesn't allow religion or political converse to take place for reasons of arguements and outside views etc.

Answer 5

Read "God Makers" the book is very insightful into Mormonism and the Masons.

The Mormons copied alot of the Masons rituals and beliefs.

Answer 6

if you google freemason or free masons, you will get lots of info on them
They are more of a secret society - once you get to a certain degree (I think it's the 5th degree) there are certain criteria you have to live by. And they do keep it secret. From what I've heard - it's not pretty.

Answer 7

define cult

anyway more peopl surround the true knowledge of masonry relativeto the ancient mysteries. Gnosis of the highest truth etc.

Uncommon knowledge.

Answer 8

they are a cult all of the revolutionist were a part of the free masons. inculding george washington hope this helps and its reallly private

Answer 9

for the most part, it is a simple fraternal order.

some branches of it do seem conspiracy-minded; but how far its roots extend into mainstram Masonry remains a question.

Answer 10

depends on who you believe.

they are a benign organization that does good or they are totally evil underground organization who want one world government and to enslave the population