An oft asked question is what is at the core of Freemasonry? More
than a fraternity of men who meet on common principals, Freemasonry
is a moral system of allegory and symbol arranged in peculiar
fashion to convey its unique message of brotherly love, relief,
and truth. At the simplest of definitions resides the uniting
idea of a faith in the divine founded in the certitude in something
greater than the self. General Freemasonry explores these ideas
through art, rhetoric, and poetry.
The term esoteric is defined as knowledge intended for, or understood
by, a few. In that light, Esoteric Masonry is even perceived
as meant for even fewer. Masonic Esoterica is an often-debatable
vein
of Freemasonry that many traditionalists argue as fuel to the
mythic origins of the fraternity. Many modern books, including
the Da
Vinci code and Holy Blood Holy Grail have turned that Hiram Key
into their plots further adding to the confusion of the meaning
of Masonry. All said, Masonic Esoterica exists mystical or not,
and some Freemasons believe that the fraternity is undoubtedly
tied to these philosophies. This section strives to explore these
ideas and illuminate some of its ideas.
Modern Freemasonry has an astute and linear beginning that can
be traced with near precision to 1717. Beyond that point opens
a field of inquiry and speculation with nearly as many suppositions
as there have been members in the craft. The question most often
asked then is where did Freemasonry originate and why did it
come about? The answers to these mysteries, sadly, hide buried
in the
sands of time. There are, however, a few fragments that masonry
can look at to shaping some hypotheses and draw some conclusions.
Whether its origins go back to the Halliwell poem or the ancient
mystery schools of Egypt, this section strives to look at that
history and find some degree of clarity from whence Freemasonry
came.
Men are not famous for being Freemasons, as the fraternity is
not a thing to produce stardom. It does attract men of greatness
and
inspiration which often leads them to great acts. The subject
of Freemasonry is an inspiring subject whose philosophy has
been employed
to promote Progress, Democracy, Responsibility, Motivation, and
Education. Each of these ideas contributes to the hallmarks of
great men. Some past great men of Masonry include
Anti Masonry exists, without a doubt. Despite the arguments
made against the Fraternity of Freemasonry this segment is
not presented
in a way to argue or confront its detractors. Instead it is intended
to project some light on the negativity and hostility that exists
towards the gentle craft. Many web sites specifically target
Freemasonry with the agenda of demonizing the fraternity
for their own political,
social, personal or congregational reasons. Hate sells, and as
many of the sites listed in this section talk about the evils
of Freemasonry, they just as quickly want to sell you their
pamphlets
and books "exposing" the secrets.
The modern art of our age is the Cinema, and as Freemasonry is
a part of the material culture, it has quietly worked it way
into this new medium. And, as Masonry has entered into the
modern age
art form, it has also awoken into the new medium of the digital
age. Both in celluloid and silicon, Freemasonry is a permanent
part of the material culture.
The strongest assets of Freemasonry
are its written word. Many great works of Masonic knowledge have
come pen to paper in the last 200 years, and it is within these
works that we can examine and contemplate the deeper mysteries
of Freemasonry. This collection is a small volume of wisdom and
will progressively grow to include more Masonic texts.
