Who are Freemasons?

Freemasons or masonry is a fraternal organization that began at the end of the 13th Century by a brotherhood of stonemasons. National organized Freemasonry began in 1717 with the establishment of the Grand Lodge, a Masonic lodge in England. However, Freemason societies have existed much long ago. The most popular theory is that Freemasons are the descendants of the builders of the Temple Of Solomon. Working stonemasons had lodges where they discussed their trade. Some of the operative lodges became “speculative” lodges, giving rise to symbolic Freemasonry. In the 17th and 18th centuries, these lodges adopted the symbols of their ancient religious orders. Freemasons have developed a history for their society, tracing their lineage back to the period of King Solomon. There are many rumors related to Freemasonry, many claims that freemasons are an offshoot of the Knight Templars or the branch of the Illuminati. There are many Rumors and conspiracies that we are going to bust today. So let’s look at some of the most famous conspiracies of the Freemasons.

• Conspiracy – Freemasons are related to Knight Templars?

Fact: No

• • One of the most controversial questions is the possible connections between the Knight Templars and the Freemasons. Freemasons were highly skilled men who were famous for building cathedrals and landmarks. They had lodged near the building sites for accommodation. Over the Centuries, the era of the Stonemasons started to diminish. Slowly the brotherhood began to assimilate distinguished people who were not stonecutters or builders. These members were known as “The Speculative Masons”. This began in 1717 when a group of London lodges gathered in a tavern to create their first “Grand Lodge”. Hold on! Where do the Templars come in?
  • The fall of Templars began with the mass carnage of French Templars on 13 October 1307, an infamous date that inspired the ‘Friday the 13th’ superstition. The knights were accused of their blasphemous rituals and sexual deviance, which made them arrested and they were scorched to death, including the Grand Master of the Templars was also burnt alive. The order was eventually extinguished in 1312 which was many, many generations before the Freemasons emerged as a secret society of thinkers and influencers.
  • However, there are many allegations that some of the Templars survived the mass arrests and lived in Scotland to create another brotherhood. Some believe that some of the members managed to slip away on ships and sought refuge in Scotland and during the 18th century they bring in a few Scottish people to pass on their treasure from the holy land secrets and ancient symbols.
  • Did Templars in Scotland create operative masons, to pass on their esoteric wisdom, secrets, and traditions to the earliest speculative Freemasons? It’s one of the great mysteries of the past which may never be solved. If any such connection even exists, may never be proven.

• Conspiracy – Freemasonry is a cult or a religion?

Fact: No

Freemasons are an organization that has no unique theology and does not represent a path for believers. Freemasonry will select a person if he believes in God (any god). Many people from Christians, Jews, Muslims, and others are associated with Masonic Circles. Some religious leaders believe that masonic rituals and beliefs constitute a different faith but the masons refuse such beliefs. Masons do not ban Catholics from joining if they wish to do so. They don’t discuss religion or politics    However, there are few lodges that have been charged with prejudice against Jews, Catholics, and nonwhites. Generally, Freemasonry in Latin countries has attracted those who question religious dogmas, whereas in the Anglo-Saxon countries the members are mostly white Protestants. Some claimed that the freemasons are an offshoot of The Shriners. The Shriners also known as the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles is a charity organization that is famous among the people. They run 22 children’s hospitals where the patient doesn’t have to pay a cent.

• Conspiracy – Famous personalities are members of Freemasons?

Fact: Yes

There were some most eminent personalities who became members of the Freemasons. We will name a few personalities who were well-known among the people and were members of the Freemasons.

• • • George Washington
    • Irving Berlin
    • Theodore Roosevelt
    • Louis Armstrong
    • Franklin D. Roosevelt
    • Ludwig van Beethoven
    • Harry S. Truman
    • Harry Houdini
    • Andrew Jackson
    • Mark Twain
    • Benjamin Franklin
    • Oscar Wilde
    • Norman Vincent Peale
    • Sir Alexander Fleming
    • Edwin E. “Buzz” Aldrin Jr.
    • Winston Churchill
    • John Jacob Astor
    • Edward VII, King of England
    • President of France John Wayne and
    • Peter the Great, Emperor of Russia
    • India’s first President Rajendra Prasad
    • First Vice-President S Radhakrishnan
    • Sir Phirozeshah Mehta
    • Rajagopalachari
    • Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy and
    • The Nawab Of Pataudi Mansur Ali Khan

• Conspiracy – Does Freemasonry still exist today?

Fact: Yes

• • Freemasonry remains the most popular organization in the British Isles along with countries that were originally within the British Empire for centuries. The worldwide membership of Freemasonry in the early 21st century was estimated from around two million to six million. Affirmation of a belief in a higher being / higher power is still a requirement to join Masonic lodges, though they have been met with criticism over the years for being an anti-religion organization that brainwashes and collects the best of the class men to create elitist men’s club. But, in reality, they are largely secular institutions that have served social purposes and often served as charitable donating organizations. Today there are separate Freemason lodges in Britain for women as well. Unfortunately, there are a number of groups prevalent in the United States which has no interest in standing for Freemasonry, but to draw the members from freemasons.

  • Freemasonry has evolved from the guilds of stonemasons and cathedral builders of the Middle Age to a fraternity of eminent and influential people. With the decline of the cathedral building, some lodges of operative (working) masons began to accept visionary and honorary members to bolster their declining brotherhood.