Masons & Freemasons
Secret Societies
Masons and Founding Fathers
Masons and Founding Fathers Founding Fathers that were Masons:
Signers of the Declaration of Independence:
Benjamin Franklin Signers of the U.S. Constitution:
Gunning Bradford, Jr. I would like to explain a little about the organization and
leadership of Masonry, as the comments on the list have disentegrated into here
say and paranoid propaganda.
In the United States, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons are
governed on two basic levels. The Grand Lodge is the highest "power" position
within the organization. Each grand Lodge acts seperately from one another and
without regard to other jurisdictions. That is to say, it doesn't matter what
the Grand Lodge of Texas does if you are a Mason living under the Grand Lodge of
New York. The only action that one Grand Lodge can take against another is to
resend recognition of that Grand Lodge, which classifies all Masons under that
jurisdiction as clandestine Masons (and you cannot have any Masonic contact with
them). Yes, it has happened. In the 1980's I think it was the Grand Lodge of
Mississippi that ceased to recognize Minnesota? (I can't remember the state for
sure) but he concept has been presented. The only way Masons as a whole in the
US could either control the craft as a whole, and have any hope to contribute to
a NWO would be for all 51 Grand Lodges to unanimously agree to take a course of
action. This would first have to be done by the Grand Masters as a group and
then get it voted in by all of their Grand Lodge members. It has never happened
before, and I do not foresee it ever happening. It would be like getting all of
the Governors of all the states to get together and agree on something, then go
back and convince each of their State Senates and Houses to pass the resolution.
Apart from the Grand Lodge, the only other "authority" is the
local Lodge, and specifically, the Worshipful Master. The WM is elected by their
lodge to serve a one year term as leader. Each lodge has their own WM and like
each Grand Lodge, each lodge works seperately and solely. The only restrictions
placed on the individual lodges are those of the Constitution and By-Laws under
which they are organized and authorized to meet. WM's have the freedom to make
decisions and take actions on their own, without regard to other lodges, as long
as they obey the Constitution and By-Laws of that jurisdiction.
It is very plain to see the formation of the United States
government, in the form of a Federal body and then a local, or State body, was
influenced by the Masonic tradition of democracy (along with Biblical precepts).
Each Grand Lodge is like a country of its own, and each lodge is
like a state. Unfortunately, with the US Government, the states have allowed
their power to be reduced and the Federal power consolidated. By the design of
its organization, this cannot happen with Freemasonry. Well, it could, but I
would have to have the support of all the individuals, the individual lodges,
and then all of the Grand Lodges; and it is very evident that just like with all
of the states and all of the countries of the world, this will not happen.
As for the "circles within circles," yes they do exist, but they
have no real power. These types of clubs within organizations are just designed
for people to find others interested in the same "hobbies" hat they are. What
must be understood about these "clubs" is the fact that they are permitted
formation and operate only on permission from the Grand Lodge. If a group
started to get too radical, the Grand Lodge (through proper procedure) can
dissolve the group and forbid its reformation. So yes, while I believe there are
power hungry Freemasons, as there are power hungry Elks, Sertoma, Rotary, and
even religious members, they are in the vast minority and have no course to see
their "dreams' fulfilled.
I have a BS in Comparative Religion, and I have studied occult,
mystery and mystical organization in great detail. I am writing a book on Jewish
Mysticism, from where much of Masonry gets its symbology. If you take a look at
some of the "great" Rosicrution (sp?) movements, like the Order of the Golden
Dawn, started my MacGreggor Mathers in the late 19th century, you will find a
strong Masonic influence. This is due to the fact that many of the founders of
these organizations, Mathers included, were Freemasons. Mathers relied heavily
on Masonic ritual to construct the Golden Dawn ritual work. This makes sense due
to the fact that as a Mason these rituals were known thoroughly by Mathers.
There were really no other organization with a strong basis in ritual in Europe
and America during this period of time.
Mathers wanted to start the Golden Dawn as a Masonic group and was
rejected by the Grand Lodge, so he went out on his own and formed the Golden
Dawn, which has survived to this day in some areas.
There are some "secrets" within the craft, but they are not great
mysteries, just passwords and the like. 90% of the ritual is readily available
to the public from Masonic lodges themselves, and if not then by the Grand
Lodges. One must remember that math (algebra, geometry etc.) were occult
subjects (and from my college experience it still is in my opinion). Only the
priests and other "special" people were allowed to know these systems, and
people were put to death for finding out to much. History is replete with occult
(hidden is all it means) knowledge that eventually become public information.
Masonry is no different. There are books that contain all of the secrets of
Freemasonry, probably in your local library. Other Grand Lodges have kicked
around the idea resending the order of secrecy. I imagine that someday it will
be done in some area, I hope it will not as to continue to provide a basis
bonding and comrodary. You see, it is not the actual secret knowledge that makes
the fraternity viable and lasting, it is the concept of special belonging and
personal integrity and self esteem (and even confidentiality) that comes from
being a member of a group that is not totally open to the public. It makes the
individual fee special and unique. The fact there is a secret has much more
power than any information that could ever be held secret.
