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Freemasonry, the teachings and practices of Ancient,
Free and Accepted Masons, is perhaps better defined by what it is not.
There are many different Masonic orders worldwide, and much confusion has
arisen in the popular mind as to who Freemasons are, what they believe, and
what they do in lodge meetings. Freemasonry is not a religion, nor does it
teach a specific theological creed or impose a specific dogma; Freemasons are
encouraged to explore such issues for themselves. Freemasonry is not a
political organisation and will abstain from direct involvement in political
matters and from commenting on them. Freemasonry is more a system of morality
that is taught by using allegory, and based on symbols. This may be because it
is known from existing records that, in earlier times, stonemasons taught new
members morality without infringing on religious matters. In educating their
members in medieval times, they performed ritual 'plays' based on legends of
the origins of the craft of stone masonry.
The actual origins of Freemasonry is a complex topic that has been
researched by Masonic scholars for years and, according to the Grand Lodge of
England's website: "...the honest answers to the questions when, where and why
Freemasonry originated are that we simply do not know. Early evidence for
Freemasonry is very meagre and not enough has yet been discovered - if indeed
it even exists - to prove any theory. The general agreement amongst serious
Masonic historians and researchers is that Freemasonry has arisen, either
directly or indirectly, from the medieval stonemasons (or operative masons) who
built great cathedrals and castles." The early medieval craft guilds are thus
worthy of further study in this regard. Other legends central to Freemasonry,
such as that of Hiram Abiff, are related to particular sites like Rosslyn
Chapel and its symbolism, for instance.
The official beginning of the Grand Lodge of England was in 1717; the
Grand Lodge of Ireland, about 1725, followed by the Grand Lodge of Scotland in
1736, and many others after that. However, there is certainly evidence of
operative Scottish lodges before 1717, as exemplified by the interesting
research of Prof. David Stevenson of St. Andrews and others. Masonic historians
themselves are researching this complex topic and, in the coming years, may
find more documents and information about this subject. One of the major
worldwide Masonic research lodges is the Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076,
founded in London in 1886, for the purpose of further research, study, and
discussion of Masonic antiquities, history and doctrine. Many other Masonic
research lodges also exist worldwide. Another important contemporary centre for
further serious study and research is the Canonbury Masonic Research Centre in
London.
The three principles of Freemasonry are Brotherly Love, Relief
(Charity) and Truth. In lodges today, supporting charitable organisations in
the local community is seen as very important. A Freemason is encouraged,
according to literature from the Grand Lodge of England, "to do his duty first
to his God (by whatever name he is known) through his faith and religious
practice, and then, without detriment to his family and those dependent on him,
to his neighbour through charity and service".
 Freemasons state that
Freemasonry is not a 'secret society', but a society with secrets. They say
that, as Freemasons are not required to keep their membership a secret, as they
can tell anyone they wish, and that members of the public can now tour many
lodges and find Masonic books in public libraries, that it is not a secret
society per se; rather, it is like many other community organizations. In
recent years, Masonic lodges have tried to be more open to the public, for
example by being available for media interviews. Some tension has arisen in
recent times over a number of issues including alleged influence in the police
and judiciary, the exclusion of women from membership of most Masonic orders,
and the smaller number of men from ethnic minorities admitted. To their credit,
the Grand Lodge of England (among others) has responded since the mid-1980s
with a more open policy to the public about its beliefs and policies, in an
effort to answer some of these questions directly.
The debates will no doubt continue, and further research is being done
by Masonic scholars, academics in related disciplines, and members of the
public, to shed more light on Freemasonry, a fascinating subject of interest to
many today.
Dr Karen Ralls
2000-2008 |
