We explain what Masons are and at what levels their members are organized. Also, the symbols they use and their conspiracy theories.
What are Freemasons?
It is known as Freemasonry or Freemasonry to a organization international, discreet (if not secret), humanistic, hierarchical, philosophical and founded around a feeling of brotherhood among men.
Exists as a institution initiatory, that is, it reveals its secrets only to those who pass certain initiation rites and are part of successive and progressive rings of trust, in which the "search for truth" is promoted: the philosophical study of the human being, of the Sciences and the Arts, social progress and the moral and spiritual development of the individual.
Masons are identified by a series of symbols linked to masonry or in any case the Royal Art of Construction, as well as the acronym G. A. D. U., which means "Great Architect of the Universe", a Mason concept of utmost importance for its philosophy of life.
Freemasonry emerged in Europe in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, although its various mythologies of origin attribute its foundation to characters historical figures such as Hiram Abif, architect of the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem, or biblical figures such as Tubalcaín, Moses or Noah, if not the builders of the Egyptian pyramids, the CollegiaFabrorum Romans, or the various Christian knightly orders that existed in the medieval.
Today Freemasonry is sustained as a group promoting the values of the tolerance, the tradition, the liberal arts and sciences, or the spiritual quest. Therefore, they are considered an initiatory school apart from the state and of the Churches.
How are Freemasons organized?
Freemasonry is organized around two main currents:
- Regular Anglo-Saxon Freemasonry. Headed by the Grand Lodge of England, it has its largest area of influence in the British Commonwealth countries, the United States, Spain, Latin America and part of continental Europe. Its main characteristics are:
- The belief in a single great universal architect, a God much broader than that proposed by the Catholic religion.
- Their oaths are made on the bible or other sacred text, such as the Volume of the Sacred Law, their essential organizational text.
- Women are not accepted among its members and female initiation is not allowed.
- Discussions about politics Y religion, and the institution does not take any official position on such matters.
- Continental regular freemasonry. Known as the liberal or adogmatic current, it follows in the footsteps of the Grand Orient of France, and is the main current in France, Africa Francophone and some continental European countries. It allows the emergence of mixed or female Obediences (headquarters), and presents a greater diversity in terms of forms of organization. Its main characteristics are:
- They defend the Liberty absolute conscience, so they admit both believers and atheists, both men and women, either in a mixed way or separately.
- They take their oaths on the Book of the Law or on the Volume of the Sacred Law.
- Full and full discussion of ideas is encouraged Liberty, including religious and political issues, eventually being able to position the lodge regarding these issues.
In either of the two currents there are three degrees of Freemasonry, which represent three stages of personal development proposed by the lodge. These are:
- Apprentice. The degree of newcomers, whose task is to confront themselves and control their passions.
- Companion.Intermediate degree, in which Masons learn the philosophy of the sect and its relations with the outside world.
- Teacher. Those who reach the third place must participate in all the rites of the lodge and access the spiritual and arcane knowledge of the same, to face with them the death and to eternal life.
Masonic symbols
Freemasonry is mainly identified by two symbols of uncertain origin, but linked to masonry, construction and construction. architecture, science of mathematical precision: the compass and the square.
The latter would represent virtue, correctness, while the former represents the limits that every Mason imposes on others. These symbols are usually accompanied by the letters G and A, or by an open eye; the letters represent Great Architect (God), and the eye the awakening in front of "the truth".
Conspiracy theories and myths
The secrecy or discretion of Freemasonry has made them subjects of numerous myths, criticism and theories. Some have to do with the foundation of the lodge, as has been said, which can be attributed to the very Adam of the Bible, or who have been members of its ranks, such as the great army generals, the American liberators or the great thinkers. Renaissance.
The Catholic Church has repeatedly condemned membership in Freemasonry or similar lodges, as well as the Islam and Bahaism. Perhaps because they are attributed numerous practices and rituals linked to the occult, the supernatural, the alchemy or even Satanism and orgiastic.