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Unravel the mysteries of the Masons All the myths and rumors about Masonic organizations probably have you wondering "what do Masons really do?" Questions like this one are a natural by-product of being the oldest and largest "secret society" in the world. This book is an ideal starting place to find answers to your questions about the secret and not-so-secret things about Freemasonry.
Now in its third edition, this international best-seller peeks behind the door of your local Masonic lodge and explains the meanings behind the rituals, rites, and symbols of the organization. Along the way the book covers nearly 3,000 years of Masonic history, introduces you to some famous Freemasons you already know from history books, and explains the relationship with related groups like Knights Templar, Scottish Rite, Order of Eastern Star, and the beloved fez-wearing Shriners.
Look inside the book to learn:
The origins behind some of the wild myths and conspiracy theories surrounding Freemasonry and how to debunk (most of) them
Written by a 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason and the Public Relations and Marketing Director for the Grand Lodge F&AM of Indiana, Freemasons For Dummies is a must-read guide for anyone interested in this ancient fraternal order, whether you're looking to join or are just curious about some of the more mysterious aspects of Freemasonry.
Auteur
Christopher Hodapp 33° has spent most of his adult life as a member of the Freemasons, rising to the status of 33rd degree in the Scottish Rite. His long list of authoring credits includes several books on Freemasonry as well as RVs & Campers For Dummies. He has appeared as an expert on Freemasonry on several shows on the History Channel, Discovery Channel, TruTV, and American Heroes Channel.
Texte du rabat
Peek behind the door of your local Mason Lodge
Who are the Freemasons? The list includes at least fourteen U.S. Presidents, five English kings, famous businessmen and entertainers, and probably a few of your family members, neighbors, or colleagues. Even with so many Freemasons in our daily lives and history books, the organization remains shrouded in mystery to those not part of the group. This book helps demystify the rituals, rites, and symbols of the centuries-old organization. It's an ideal guide for anyone interested in joining a Lodge or those simply curious about what Freemasonry is all about. Inside
Contenu
Introduction 1
About This Book 2
Foolish Assumptions 4
Icons Used in This Book 5
Beyond the Book 6
Where to Go from Here 6
Part 1: What is Freemasonry? 7
Chapter 1: Lodges, Aprons, and Funny Handshakes: Freemasonry 101 9
What Is Freemasonry? 11
What Do Masons Do? 12
Conferring the three degrees 12
Meeting in lodges, blue lodges, craft lodges, and more 13
Wearing aprons (Real men do it!) 14
Keeping secrets 15
Performing public ceremonies 16
Providing something for everyone 17
Are [Fill in the Blank] Freemasons, Too? 17
Chapter 2: From Cathedrals to Lodge Rooms: A History of the Freemasons 21
Turning Stonecutters into Gentlemen: Freemasonry before 1700 22
Operative Masons: The great builders 22
Speculative Masons and the big change 29
Building Men: The 1700s 32
Founding the first Grand Lodge 32
Establishing Masonry in America 39
Finding favor and persecution during and after the French Revolution 44
Growing, Changing, and Branching Out: The 1800s 45
Reuniting Antients and Moderns 46
Spreading throughout America 46
Surviving and Surging: The 1900s 52
Relieving social concerns in the early 1900s 53
Being cast as villains and heroes in World War II 53
Growing again post-war 54
Declining in the '60s 54
Experiencing the 21st Century: More Changes on the Way 55
The Internet 56
Masonic podcasts 56
Popular culture 57
Changes in Masonic practices 57
Traditional Observance lodges 58
University lodges 58
What's next? 59
Chapter 3: The Philosophy of Freemasonry 61
Defining What Masons Believe In 62
Promoting brotherly love, relief, and truth 62
Adhering to basic principles 64
Establishing a New World Order? 67
Experiencing Mystic Masonry 68
Connecting members through a mystic tie 69
Expressing concepts through symbolism 69
Chapter 4: Politics, Religion, and Freemasons: They Don't Mix 71
Exploring the History of Religion and the Masons 72
Bringing limited religion into the lodge 73
Examining the history of Freemasonry and Catholicism 75
Pairing Freemasons and Protestants peacefully (mostly) 79
Bridging great divides: Freemasonry and Judaism 81
Finding conflict between Freemasonry and Islam (where none exists) 84
Refusing to Play Politics 86
Placing Freemasonry amid the political turmoil of 18th-century Europe 87
Sparking anarchy in French lodges 87
Surviving the revolution 89
Enduring the rule of dictators 92
Continuing to weather distrust 95
Maintaining brotherhood during war 96
Part 2: The Inner Workings of Freemasonry 99
Chapter 5: How the Freemasons Are Organized: Who Does What and Why 101
What's Inside the Lodge? 102
Examining the lodge room 103
Meeting and eating at the lodge 104
Who's in Charge around Here? 105
Officers in the progressive line 106
Officers not in the progressive line 111
What Makes a Grand Lodge So, Well, Grand? 116
The Grand Master 117
The rules 118
What Is a Regular, Recognized Lodge? 119
Which one's legit? Sorting through multiple Grand Lodges 120
Irregular, unrecognized, and all over the place: Lodges out of the mainstream 123
Chapter 6: The Ceremonies of Freemasons 131
Understanding Where Masonic Ritual Comes From 132
The historical medieval guild rituals 133 The written a...