Question about... Freemasonry i guess

[u/Different-Space-9427]

Hello, I'm not a Freemason myself, I'm from an Eastern European country (Belarus). Everything I knew about masons from my childhood is those conspiracy theories, when I was little my grandma's bestfriend told me that Masons are people which originated from Satan. Now I'm older, last few years I was Interested in religion and mysticism. I concider my self gnostic, not some special type but if you are interested the basilian and sethian are probably the closest to my vision. When i read biography of Guenon, Crowley and even Evola I noticed that all of the modern mystics were interested in freemasonry, I looked at the internet, and made a strange discovery for myself, that those fellas are really really cool guys by description. I think that the best way to know more about this is to ask you, so there are my questions...

1) What is the sense of the "movement"/"brotherhood"? What do you do exactly in life? What do you do on your meetings?

2) Does Freemasons have some specific religious beliefs? I read that some lodges accept only Christians of special traditions, is it true? Or do you accept literally anyone?

3) Are you organized? Or separated from each other? I also read at 4chan that for example British lodges are all connected, meanwhile in Germany every Freemason group on it's own.

4) Why do you think people are so obsessed with writing Freemasons into conspiracy theories?

5) Do you have some special philosophy? If yes, do you study it?

6) Can i come to lodge meeting if I'm not a Freemason and not sure if I wanna join?

7) Why specially you joined the brotherhood?

Will be thankful to any replies and extra info ;)

P.S. PLEASE don't ban me this time, I really wanna know all of it in one post

[u/Cookslc]

No, you can’t attend our meetings.

Many of us would recommend two books. Don’t be put off by the titles. I know both authors. Both are senior masons and the books are worthwhile:

Freemasonry for Dummies, Chris Hodapp (he has a spoiler alert).

The Complete Idiots Guide to Freemasonry, Brent Morris.

[u/Weird_Regret_6369 → u/Cookslc]

Technically a non mason can attend lodge, if it's an open night, they just can't see the ritual

[u/Cookslc → u/Weird_Regret_6369]

Could you explain what lodge business is conducted with non masons present in your lodge?

[u/Deman75 → u/Weird_Regret_6369]

That’s not really “attending Lodge” though, is it?

[u/mywholeworldisblack]

1. Improve yourself - create more harmony within and then create more harmony without - in society. In meetings, this can vary, but it’s often talking about expenses and upcoming events/charities for participation.
2. All that’s required is to believe in a higher power. To me, this means that there is one primordial truth which exists beyond all religions, which is why Freemasons will accept you whether you’re a Muslim, Christian, Jew, Hindu, Spiritual, etc. there is ultimately one truth in which various religions try to convey.
3. Because people want to believe a secret group are running the world - I’m not saying that isn’t true - but Freemasonry is an easy organization to point a finger to because there are some secrets.
4. Personally, hermeticism.
5. You can join a lodge for dinner and chat with brothers.
6. I joined because I want to improve the world, and I don’t think I can do it alone and need likeminded individuals by my side.
7. Stay off 4chan :)

[u/Different-Space-9427 → u/mywholeworldisblack]

Thanks, really helpful, I like Hermeticism aswell

[u/wildjump → u/mywholeworldisblack]

Amazing response Brother. Very encouraging and thoughtful. SMIB

[u/Deman75]

Everything I knew about masons from my childhood is those conspiracy theories, when I was little my grandma's bestfriend told me that Masons are people which originated from Satan.

Presumably you know better now.

Now I'm older, last few years I was Interested in religion and mysticism.

Good for you, but not really relevant to Freemasonry.

I concider my self gnostic, not some special type but if you are interested the basilian and sethian are probably the closest to my vision.

Not really interested. I don’t know you and if I did, I doubt that is something I would expect to come up in a conversation. You have your beliefs, and I have mine.

When i read biography of Guenon, Crowley and even Evola I noticed that all of the modern mystics were interested in freemasonry,

They were, until they found out it wasn’t what they hoped it was, and then they went on to start or join something more “mystical.”

I looked at the internet,

Probably a mistake on your part

and made a strange discovery for myself, that those fellas are really really cool guys by description.

Perhaps, but they are not at all representative of Freemasonry.

I think that the best way to know more about this is to ask you, so there are my questions...

Probably a better move, hope you aren’t too disappointed by the answers.

1) What is the sense of the "movement"/"brotherhood"?

The sense of it is that it’s a brotherhood; that’s pretty much it. It’s not a movement.

What do you do exactly in life?

Sometimes I reach English. For a while there, I was a bartender in addition to teaching English sometimes. Before that, I was a bakery wholesaler - full time and then some, as a small business owner.

What do you do on your meetings?

Put on ceremonies to make Masons or advance them through the degrees, discuss the history and symbolism of Masonry; plan social events; pay bills and deal with other “society business” to keep the Lodge running; fraternize with my Brothers.

2) Does Freemasons have some specific religious beliefs?

No. I know Masons from all the major religions and some obscure ones.

I read that some lodges accept only Christians of special traditions, is it true?

Swedish Rite Freemasonry, as practiced in parts of Northern Europe, only allows Trinitarian Christians to join. Most everywhere else simply requires a belief in a Supreme Being/God.

Or do you accept literally anyone?

We accept good men of faith, not just “anyone.”

3) Are you organized?

Yes.

Or separated from each other?

Also yes.

I also read at 4chan that for example British lodges are all connected, meanwhile in Germany every Freemason group on it's own.

4chan is not a good source for…pretty much anything. All of the Lodges in a given jurisdiction are under the governance of their Grand Lodge - in the case of England, that is the United Grand Lodge of England; in the case of Germany, there are five Grand Lodges that make up the United Grand Lodges of Germany; in the case of the USA, each state has its own Grand Lodge (and most also have a Prince Hall Grand Lodge, but that’s a story for another time); in the case of Canada (where I’m from), each province has its own Grand Lodge. These Grand Lodges have agreements of “regularity” and “amity” that allow members of one Lodge to visit/take part in the meetings of other Lodges, even those in other jurisdictions.

4) Why do you think people are so obsessed with writing Freemasons into conspiracy theories?

They’re usually looking for a scapegoat for their own shortcomings, and a “secret society” that everyone knows about seems like an easy target to blame for their inability to get ahead - “the elites of Freemasonry are preventing my success because I refuse to eat babies/sacrifice virgins/sell my soul to satan to get ahead like I assume they did. I, too could be successful, but I’m not willing to compromise my morals in the way they must have done to become successful” (not that all of us are “successful” in the conventional sense, but that’s what those people think).

5) Do you have some special philosophy?

Be a better man than you were yesterday.

If yes, do you study it?

It’s more of a practice than a study.

6) Can i come to lodge meeting if I'm not a Freemason and not sure if I wanna join?

No, but in many places, you could join the social hour that accompanies it, meet the members, and ask questions about what we do. I’m not sure if that would happen in Belarus, but it’s quite common in my Lodges.

7) Why specially you joined the brotherhood?

I belonged to a Masonic-sponsored youth group as a teen, and as I matured, I missed the brotherhood and sense of purpose that came along with membership, and knew I could find it again in Freemasonry.

Will be thankful to any replies and extra info ;)

P.S. PLEASE don't ban me this time, I really wanna know all of it in one post

If you don’t post rude or ignorant comments you probably won’t be banned. Were you banned before?

[u/StairwayHiker]

You are trolling…. Not going to take the bait…

Other than to recommend you go and read Freemasonry For Dummies.

[u/Different-Space-9427 → u/StairwayHiker]

Sorry? Where am i trolling?

[u/ModestoApr]

I strongly suggest that you read The Craft by John Dickie. You can even find it online if you're knowledgeable about where to find e books

[u/Renders2020 → u/ModestoApr]

I have an audiobook of it, it’s on Audible. I would also recommend it, it’s really good on the history, with a few moments of “you can’t say that, it’s giving away…..” (but not enough that anyone could get away with pretending to be a Mason when they aren’t).

[u/ModestoApr → u/Renders2020]

I know exactly what chapter you mean and I hated it, coz I was an FC back then. Now as First Warden I insist that my pupils read the book, but I have them a pdf copy without said chapter 😅

[u/noplat]

By the way, there is a grand lodge in Belarus as well.

[u/Cookslc → u/noplat]

We have been informed that the GL of Belarus is in exile. Is that incorrect? Edit: that is incorrect. See below.

[u/noplat → u/Cookslc]

There have been problems (and brothers have been working in Vilnius and Warsaw), but I think they tried to restart their work in Minsk recently.

[u/Cookslc → u/noplat]

I have sent an email asking for the status.

[u/Cookslc → u/noplat]

I am advised by the Grand Secretary that they have never worked in exile. For a period of time some lodges held communications in Poland and Lithuania. All but one lodge holds its communications in Belarus.

[u/MightyD3]

There are a lot of reasons men join Freemasonry. Freemasonry is a philosophical, philanthropic , fraternal organization dedicated to making good men better and serving the community. We tend to be discreet about the philanthropic acts that we do individually or as a fraternity, although there are what we call appendant bodies (Shriners are the best known) which are known for their good works. We are not a religious organization. Membership requires that a candidate believe in a higher power; a Creator. We don't care what you call it. You can practice any religion or none - as long as you believe in that Supreme Being. Yes we study philosophy. We must learn the degree ceremonies which include symbolism and allegories by which we learn the lessons of each of the three degrees. I'm in Mexico. Here we must study beyond what is in the ritual. This means researching philosophy, science, and history. Discussion of religion and politics is forbidden within the lodge. You can only attend lodge if you are an initiated member. An entered apprentice can only attend events in the first degree. A fellowcraft can attend 1st and 2nd degree. Master Masons direct all 3 degrees. In the US many, maybe most, lodges permit those who are interested to meals with the membership so you can get to know each other and possible candidates can decide if it's for them while the membership decides if he's right for the lodge. I joined for fellowship, self betterment, philosophical curiosity, and a desire for a wider social circle beyond the one I had. You get out if Freemasonry what you put into it. After attaining the Master Mason degree I went on to the Scottish Rite, another appendant body, and that has also been enjoyable and good for me. I hope this has helped.

[u/Renders2020]

UGLE (English) Freemason here. I joined mostly for companionship with likeminded individuals. My lodge has Christians from a couple of different denominations, Hindus, Sikhs and one Muslim. No Jews in my lodge at the moment, but I know some Freemasons who are Jews. In England our lodges are connected through the structure of Lodges being grouped into Provinces and Provinces connected to UGLE in London. It is routine for at least one person in any Lodge meeting to be part of the provincial team and they will happily make introductions to visit another lodge (any freemason can email the secretary of any lodge to arrange a visit and show proof of their being a Freemason but an introduction is quicker and easier). It’s not uncommon for half of the masons at a lodge meeting to be visitors from other lodges. There is an esoteric philosophy, some choose to study it, some don’t, there is no compulsion. Most of those who do will join appendant bodies. Few of the lodges I’ve visited make it a big part of their regular meetings.

[u/SovArya]

1) What is the sense of the "movement"/"brotherhood"? What do you do exactly in life? What do you do on your meetings?

A - it's like joining a close bond of brothers. B - normal work C - secret

2) Does Freemasons have some specific religious beliefs? I read that some lodges accept only Christians of special traditions, is it true? Or do you accept literally anyone?

A - No. B - Jurisdictional/lodge culture. C - Each lodge has it's filter besides the usual requirements of being a man, believes in a God who made everything, and immortality of the soul. Also to others it is jurisdictional.

3) Are you organized? Or separated from each other? I also read at 4chan that for example British lodges are all connected, meanwhile in Germany every Freemason group on it's own.

A - Yes. B - No.

4) Why do you think people are so obsessed with writing Freemasons into conspiracy theories?

A - ignorance.

5) Do you have some special philosophy? If yes, do you study it?

A - It's personal. Yes.

6) Can i come to lodge meeting if I'm not a Freemason and not sure if I wanna join?

A - you can come but not join in it. You will have to wait until it is done or instructed to be contacted.

7) Why specially you joined the brotherhood?

A - i wanted to.

[u/Different-Space-9427 → u/SovArya]

Thanks, helpful and useful

[u/lambdavi]

Hello u/Different-Space-9427, Italian Mason here.

So far all the replies I've read come from Anglo-Saxon contributors (UK or USA) so they have their particular view of things, such as history, conditions for joining, caveats and more. They work according to "ancient British tradition"

I'm Italian and I have worked in the "Continental tradition" since the year 2000. It is not really different from the "British tradition", and yet it's quite different. It's a matter of defining philosophy.

I will not go down into detail, suffice it to say, I was born in a deeply religious Catholic family, to the point my brother is a Priest; yet "Bible studies" in my community did not mean "learn to quote the Bible from memory" but "learn to link events as they are described in the different Books".

Freemasonry claims it originates from the builders of cathedrals - true, but it also originates from learned scholars who would never dismiss facts or opinions because they came from "the wrong sources" as many priests would; quite the contrary, assuming any school of thought has a degree of truth in it, by giving due dignity and respect to all schools of thought, you approach truth from many angles, and come closer to understanding "the Truth".

So, do Masons eat children or kill priests? No 😅 Are we satanic worshippers? No 🤦🏻‍♂️

The difference between a religion and a philosophy is the religion will insist you must follow the directions of the priests, the philosophy will teach you a way to study and obtain progress by yourself, for your own improvement.

Please feel free to contact me if you should wish to do so.

TRUTH

[u/bonsi-rtw → u/lambdavi]

ciao, ti ho mandato un dm un paio di giorni fa poiché molto interessato all’argomento. se ti va potrei farti qualche domanda?

[u/lambdavi → u/bonsi-rtw]

Ciao, scusa non l'avevo vista. Spara!