Freemasonry is a secret movement whose members live all over the world. This society of people exists by its own rules and laws. They are not trying to adapt to the world order, they create it. Changing the world and social relations, this secret organization controls all financial flows and the most important political decisions. At least, those who form their opinion from the yellow press and television rumors think so. You can find out what this organization represents, what goals it pursues and how they become Freemasons in this article.
History of Freemasonry
The emergence of this secret organization dates back to the late Middle Ages. In those distant times, guild masters were reluctant to share the secrets of their craft. One of the most closed societies was the builders' shop. They called themselves Masons. In translation, this word means "masons, builders." By the end of the sixteenth century, there were fewer and fewer professional builders in the ranks of Freemasons, and aristocrats and big bourgeois came to their place. From the old guild workers they inheriteda whole system of secret symbols and signs by which they could identify their brothers in the organization. Keeping the secret nature of their society, the Freemasons tried to support and help each other out.
First Masonic lodge
In 1717, the first society of Freemasons officially announced itself, forming a grand lodge in Great Britain. The influence and we alth of this organization was very great. In this regard, many were interested in how one becomes a Freemason. Multiple branches of the organization emerged on all continents, penetrating the economic, political and cultural life of society. The worldwide Masonic organization currently has about 8 million members.
Movement organization
The main goal of any Masonic society echoes the ideas of the French Revolution. Freedom, equality, fraternity - these are the three main goals of this movement. The main task is to change the world for the better. This organization does not discriminate on national or racial grounds. There is no single center for coordinating this movement. The governing body is the Grand Masonic Lodge, which is located in every major country in the world. The Grand Lodges recognize each other, as they adhere to common rules and principles, the effect of which is calculated for centuries. These rules are called Landmarks. Each Grand Lodge operating under Landmarks is called a Regular Lodge. There are also associations of liberal Freemasonry, in which the list of goals and priorities is slightly different from the generally accepted ones. ATthe Masonic lodge mainly recruits men, but there are also mixed and purely female types of these organizations.
Principles of the Masonic movement
The basic principles of this worldwide secret brotherhood are set forth in the book of sacred laws, which must be present at every meeting of the brotherhood. Its main points are as follows:
- the grand lodge is an association of all the lodges of the state that share the general rules of this brotherhood;
- all persons who are interested in how they become Freemasons, in order to enter this fraternity, must be of age, we althy, free people of liberal views;
- discussion of political and religious issues between members of society is prohibited;
- each member of the secret brotherhood should not put the ideas of the Masonic movement above their duties towards God, family and state.
Initiation into Masons
A lot of assumptions and evidence of so-called eyewitnesses have been written about how one becomes a Freemason. Those who wish to join this brotherhood undergo several types of tests, each subsequent one of which is harder than the previous one. The full cycle of initiation includes 33 steps, but few reach the pinnacle of brotherhood.
All Masonic rituals and initiations take place in a gloomy and oppressive environment. The dark halls of the lodges are covered with black curtains, human skeletons, skulls are located in the corners, the walls are painted with symbolic images of the apocalypse andThe Last Judgment. Coffins, incense burners, urns with ashes, bloody swords and rusty armor are indispensable attributes of initiation. A candidate for Masonic or wishing to receive the next Masonic degree is led to the senior members of the lodge blindfolded. After a list of questions and a series of tests that should test the physical strength, endurance and strong spirit of the initiate, the elders make their decision.
From all of the above, it follows that the numerous secrets of Masons are typical for religious and public organizations. The religious character of the society is also emphasized by its own ideology, which members of the brotherhood must share and spread.
The vast majority of Christian movements do not share the principles of the Masonic movement and urge believers not to join secret societies.
