Freemasons For Dummies

Description

Unravel the mysteries of the Masons All the myths and rumors about Masonic organizations probably have you wondering "what do Masons really do?" Questions like this one are a natural by-product of being the oldest and largest "secret society" in the world. This book is an ideal starting place to find answers to your questions about the secret and not-so-secret things about Freemasonry. Now in its third edition, this international best-seller peeks behind the door of your local Masonic lodge and explains the meanings behind the rituals, rites, and symbols of the organization. Along the way the book covers nearly 3,000 years of Masonic history, introduces you to some famous Freemasons you already know from history books, and explains the relationship with related groups like Knights Templar, Scottish Rite, Order of Eastern Star, and the beloved fez-wearing Shriners. Look inside the book to learn: What it takes to become a member of the Freemasons, and what you can expect when you join How Lodges are organized and what really goes on during Masonic ceremonies The basic beliefs and philosophies of Freemasonry, including how Masons contribute to charity, and society in general The origins behind some of the wild myths and conspiracy theories surrounding Freemasonry and how to debunk (most of) them Written by a 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason and the Public Relations and Marketing Director for the Grand Lodge F&AM of Indiana, Freemasons For Dummies is a must-read guide for anyone interested in this ancient fraternal order, whether you're looking to join or are just curious about some of the more mysterious aspects of Freemasonry. Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Introduction About This Book Foolish Assumptions Icons Used in This Book Beyond the Book Where to Go from Here Part 1 What Is Freemasonry? Chapter 1 Lodges, Aprons, and Funny Handshakes: Freemasonry 101 What Is Freemasonry? What Do Masons Do? Conferring the three degrees Meeting in lodges, blue lodges, craft lodges, and more Wearing aprons (Real men do it!) Keeping “secrets” Performing public ceremonies Providing something for everyone Are [Fill in the Blank] Freemasons, Too? Chapter 2 From Cathedrals to Lodge Rooms: A History of the Freemasons Turning Stonecutters into Gentlemen: Freemasonry before 1700 Operative Masons: The great builders Speculative Masons and the big change Building Men: The 1700s Founding the first Grand Lodge Establishing Masonry in America Finding favor and persecution during and after the French Revolution Growing, Changing, and Branching Out: The 1800s Reuniting Antients and Moderns Spreading throughout America Surviving and Surging: The 1900s Relieving social concerns in the early 1900s Being cast as villains and heroes in World War II Growing again post-war Declining in the ’60s Experiencing the 21st Century: More Changes on the Way The Internet Masonic podcasts Popular culture Changes in Masonic practices Traditional Observance lodges University lodges What’s next? Chapter 3 The Philosophy of Freemasonry Defining What Masons Believe In Promoting brotherly love, relief, and truth Adhering to basic principles Establishing a New World Order? Experiencing Mystic Masonry Connecting members through a mystic tie Expressing concepts through symbolism Chapter 4 Politics, Religion, and Freemasons: They Don’t Mix Exploring the History of Religion and the Masons Bringing limited religion into the lodge Examining the history of Freemasonry and Catholicism Pairing Freemasons and Protestants peacefully (mostly) Bridging great divides: Freemasonry and Judaism Finding conflict between Freemasonry and Islam (where none exists) Refusing to Play Politics Placing Freemasonry amid the political turmoil of 18th-century Europe Sparking anarchy in French lodges Surviving the revolution Enduring the rule of dictators Continuing to weather distrust Maintaining brotherhood during war Part 2 The Inner Workings of Freemasonry Chapter 5 How the Freemasons Are Organized: Who Does What and Why What’s Inside the Lodge? Examining the lodge room Meeting and eating at the lodge Who’s in Charge around Here? Officers in the progressive line Officers not in the progressive line What Makes a Grand Lodge So, Well, Grand? The Grand Master The rules What Is a Regular, Recognized Lodge? Which one’s legit? Sorting through multiple Grand Lodges Irregular, unrecognized, and all over the place: Lodges out of the mainstream Chapter 6 The Ceremonies of Freemasons Understanding Where Masonic Ritual Comes From The historical medieval guild rituals The written account Performing the Rituals of the Modern Lodge Setting the stage for the ritual Entered Apprentice: Initiation and youth Fellow Craft: Passing through manhood Master Mason: Raising, age, and death Movin’ on up! Chapter 7 The Symbols of Freemasonry Symbolizing the Lessons of Freemasonry Deciphering the Key Masonic Ideas The number three Tracing boards: 18th-century PowerPoint Solomon’s Temple Square and compass(es) Explaining More Masonic Symbols Scythe and hourglass The 47th Problem of Euclid or the Pythagorean theorem Jacob’s ladder Anchor and ark Sun, eye, Moon, and stars Lamb and lambskin apron Slipper Point within a circle and parallel lines Pot of incense Beehive Plumb Level Letter G Five-pointed star Naked heart and sword Tyler’s sword and the Book of Constitutions Trowel Handshake Rough and perfect (or smooth) ashlars Pillars 24-inch gauge and the common gavel The shovel, setting maul, coffin, and sprig of acacia Chapter 8 Myths and Misconceptions about Masons Digging to the Root of Freemasonry Misunderstandings Debunking Common Myths about Freemasonry Riding the lodge goat Keeping an eye on you with the all-seeing eye and the U.S. $1 bill Reading a Masonic bible Worshipping strange gods Pairing up Pike and Lucifer Taking over the world Breaking the law Part 3 When One Lodge Isn’t Enough: The Appendant Bodies Chapter 9 Introducing the Appendant Bodies: Who’s Who, and Who Isn’t What Are Appendant Bodies? Concordant bodies Appendant bodies What About These Other Groups? Animal lodges Service clubs Other unrelated fraternal groups Masonic-sounding groups Chapter 10 The York Rite The York Rite System Why York? How it’s organized Royal Arch Masonry Mark Master Past Master Most Excellent Master Royal Arch The Cryptic Rite Chivalric Masonry and the Knights Templar The chivalric orders A crash course in Templar history Other York Rite Bodies York Rite College Knight Masons Allied Masonic Degrees Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis (SRICF) Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests Knights of the York Cross of Honour Red Cross of Constantine St. Thomas of Acon The Operatives The Masonic Order of Athelstan in England, Wales, and Its Provinces Overseas York Rite Charities Chapter 11 The Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Surveying the Scottish Rite System Organization: Meeting the departments that confer degrees Membership: Earning degrees in the Scottish Rite Presentation: Raising the curtain and lighting the lights Tracing the Scottish Rite’s Origins France: Freemasonry’s foundry furnace The Americas: The Scottish Rite’s real home Introducing Albert Pike: Sage of the Scottish Rite Pike’s life outside of Masonry Discovering Freemasonry Writing and revising rituals, morals, and dogma Putting Pike in perspective Listing the Degrees of the Scottish Rite The Southern Jurisdiction degrees The Northern Masonic Jurisdiction degrees Serving Communities through Charitable Work Chapter 12 Shriners International Getting to Know the Shriners Tracing the History from Partiers to Philanthropists The Knickerbocker boys start the fun So why the goofy hats? The first growth of the Shrine Polio and the first Shrine hospital Depression and growth Greatest philanthropy in the world Putting a Little of the Boy Back in the Man Getting initiated Gathering at the oasis Forming units to suit every Shriner Having fun in little cars Considering the Shrine’s Place in Freemasonry Chapter 13 The Extended Masonic Family Bringing Women into the Lodge The Order of the Eastern Star The Order of the Amaranth The White Shrine of Jerusalem The Social Order of the Beauceant Not Just Kidding Around: The Youth Groups DeMolay International for boys The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls Job’s Daughters Checking Out Lesser-Known Masonic Groups The Mystic Order of the Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm of North America The Ancient Egyptian Order of SCIOTS The Tall Cedars of Lebanon of North America National Sojourners High Twelve International Widows Sons Investigating Masonic Research Societies Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076 Philalethes Society Phylaxis Society Scottish Rite Research Society The Masonic Society Lodges of research Part 4 Freemasonry Today and Tomorrow Chapter 14 Why Freemasonry Is Still Relevant A Breakdown in Community Isolating individuals Disconnecting from each other Getting shortchanged in social capital Where Freemasonry Fits In Making good men better ones Providing something for everybody Supporting brotherly love Involving people in charitable work Practicing religious tolerance Giving comfort through constancy Chapter 15 Freemasons and the Future Speculating on the Future of the Craft One-day classes Advertising and Masonry’s public image Paying your dues Going Back to the Future Reducing Masonic real estate Growing the Observant-style lodge movement Returning to old ways Exploring ancient lessons with new technology “Masoning” on the Internet Freemasonry online Blurring the concepts of recognition Contending with anti-social social media Chapter 16 So You Want to Become a Freemason Examining Why Men Become Masons What’s in it for you Hearing from Masons themselves Why I joined To Be One, Ask One Finding a Freemason Finding a lodge Joining a Lodge Qualifying for membership Petitioning to join the lodge Being investigated Balloting Scheduling your degree ceremonies Being welcomed as a Brother Part 5 The Part of Tens Chapter 17 Ten Groups of Famous Masons Founding Fathers Explorers and Adventurers Pioneers of Science and Medicine Actors and Entertainers Incredible Athletes Military Leaders Significant Businessmen Players in the World of Statecraft U.S. Civil Rights Leaders Men of Arts and Letters Chapter 18 Ten Amazing Conspiracies, Anti-Masons, and Hoaxes Leo Taxil and the Great Hoax! The Illuminati! Trilats, CFRs, and Bilderbergers, Oh My! The Secret 33rd Degree! Jack the Ripper: A Freemason! The Italian P2 Lodge Scandal! Washington, D.C., Is Satan’s Road Map! Aleister Crowley, Satanist and Freemason! Freemasons Founded the Nazis! Masonic Cops! Masonic Judges! Chapter 19 Ten Cool Masonic Places George Washington Masonic National Memorial (Alexandria, Virginia) House of the Temple (Washington, D.C.) Freemason’s Hall (Philadelphia) Masonic Temple (Detroit) Grand Lodge of New York Masonic Hall (New York City) Scottish Rite Cathedral (Indianapolis) Freemason Hall (London) Templar Church (London) Rosslyn Chapel (Roslin, Scotland) Musée de la Francmaçonnerie and other Masonic sites (Paris) Part 6 Appendixes Appendix A The Regius Manuscript A Poem of Moral Duties Appendix B Anderson’s Constitutions The Charges Of A Free Mason i. Concerning God And Religion ii. Of The Civil Magistrate Supreme And Subordinate iii. Of Lodges iv. Of Masters, Wardens, Fellows, And Apprentices v. Of The Management Of The Craft In Working vi. Of Behavior Appendix C Finding a Lodge Mainstream U.S. Grand Lodges Prince Hall Grand Lodges Canadian Grand Lodges Index EULA