Masons

[Happy Sunday]

Not sure where to put this question! What exactly is it that Mason's set out to achieve and what is it they believe in?

[-=BigD=-]

I believe they were set up to protect the knowledge of the master builders of Europe's grand gothic cathedrals. The architecture was so cutting edge that its knowledge was kept very secret and the Masons were an organisation design to keep it mum. Its changed now (not much demand giant gothic cathedrals nowadays!) there are LOADS of conspiracy theories involving them and a few suspected members. But unsure of any religious affiliation, more like a private members club.

[-=BigD=-]

Moving with the times!!!

The English Grand Lodge has a website!!!

http://www.grandlodge-england.org/

[jake-the-peg]

Free-masonry has been knocking around for about 500 years they'll tell you that they derive from the building of the temple of Solomon but the first real mention is about 500 yeas ago with it all taking off 1717 when the first "Grand Lodge" was formed.

It's basically a club for like-minded people all dressed up with esoteric ritual. They get accused of everything from devil worship to secretly running the world but they're probably too busy being accountants :c)

In it's hay-day in the eighteenth century it was a great way for the nobility to mix and do business with the middle classes who they normally wouldn't be seen dead with. These days they do a lot of charity work.

Oh and you'll find a lot of masonic symbols on the dollar bill, pyramids all-seeing eyes - do a search and you'll see what I mean - just don't believe half of what you read about them!

[LazyGun]

They were set up to be the secret rulers of the world, and they believe in controlling everything.. everything, I tell you.

>goes off and gibbers in a corner<

[Hammond Egg]

Aha, Jakethepeg, but which half should we believe?

And would the Masonic conspirators tell us the right half? Eh?

>Looks for the corner LazyGun is in for a spot of two-handed gibbering<

[jake-the-peg]

The half that's in accordance with what I've just said of course!

Honestly some people!

[Sundance]

I would say that Masons strive to make good men better, and they do this through their belief in deity, and their practice of brotherly love.

They use symbolism and allegory as a method to express and teach moral principles, secretly, to men who have the hearts and minds to grasp those concepts. Men of sound mind and moral character are tested and selected to continue the work. Reprobates are rejected.

It's all a matter of common sense; because a recipe to be any good must contain good ingredients, and that is true whether it be a recipe for character and noble causes, or a culinary delight.

Those rejected by the Masons, and those shunned by the Masons, have one or more tragic flaws in their character making them unfit for the work.

[Hammond Egg]

Masons presumably have flawless characters, then?

[Sundance]

It would be hard for me to answer that, Hammond Egg. The term "flawless characters" is a glittering generality. I don't know what it means.

One can say that there are certain "Universal Ethical Principles" that most people from all cultures and societies agree. The Masons select candidates that all of the lodge brothers believe most closely follow those principles. As I said, the goal is to make good men better. It is not the policy of the Masonic Lodge to rehabilitate reprobates.

I'm not sure I understood the tone of your last post. Did I detect a note of sarcasm in it?

[Hammond Egg]

"Those rejected by the Masons, and those shunned by them, have one or more tragic flaws in their character . . ."

Your words, Sundance. From which I infer that you believe that Masons don't have such flaws.

[Sundance]

They don't, but you'll never know, Hammond Egg; that's why it's a secret society.

[annietrinder]

Thought it started with the 'Knights Templars' as in King Richards Crusades and his attempt to change the world,as usual,his world. As a newcomer to this game I think its great,even if the answer is wrong.