Freemasonry

From The Red Pill

The Masonic Order has roots from antiquity. Members of the Order are joined together by shared ideals of both a moral and metaphysical nature and by a common belief in a Supreme Being (the Great Architect of the Universe). Despite what many believe, Freemasonry is not a religion or an occult group, but it is a spiritual organization. Freemasonry uses an initiatory system of degrees to explore ethical and philosophical issues. The square and compass is the most prevalent symbol of Freemasonry.

Contents 1 Connection to the Knights Templar 2 The Religious Right and its opposition to Freemasonry 3 Popular culture 4 Masonic organizations that are limited to Freemasons 5 Masonic organizations that are not limited to Freemasons 6 Books 7 See also 8 References

Connection to the Knights Templar

Some historians and authors have tried to draw a link from Freemasonry and its many branches to the Knights Templar, with some Masonic groups claiming a direct descent from them. This alleged link remains a point of debate among scholars, although John J. Robinson makes a very strong case for the Templar/Freemason connection in his book 'Born in Blood: The Lost Secrets of Freemasonry.'

The Religious Right and its opposition to Freemasonry

There have also been attacks against Freemasonry by certain members of the religious right. One of the most vehement has been by the televangelist, Pat Robertson. Robertson's attacks are ironic in that he claims to be an ultra patriot and yet there is no doubt that Freemasonry played a major role in the founding of the United States, with many Founding Fathers being Freemasons, including such notables as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. The cornerstone to the U.S. Capitol was even laid by Washington in a Masonic ceremony. These assaults on Freemasonry are responded to in 'A Pilgrim's Path: Freemasonry and the Religious Right,' also by John J. Robinson.

Popular culture

Freemasonry is featured in the following literature and movies:

• Dune

• The Man Who Would Be King

• National Treasure

Masonic organizations that are limited to Freemasons

• Masonic Lodge (Blue Lodge)
• Scottish Rite
• York Rite
  • Knights Templar
• Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Shriners)
• Ancient Egyptian Order of Sciots
• National Sojourners
• The Philalethes Society
• Tall Cedars of Lebanon

Masonic organizations that are not limited to Freemasons

• Daughters of the Nile
• DeMolay International
• International Order of the Rainbow for Girls
• Job's Daughters International
• Ladies Oriental Shrine of North America
• Order of the Eastern Star

Books

• The Guide to Dan Brown's The Solomon Key by Greg Taylor. (2005). ISBN 978-0875168166

See also

• Holy Grail
• Knights Templar
• The Solomon Key

References

• Hal Siemer (2005), Freemasonry: An Introduction to the Masonic Order, Quest Magazine