Everywhere we look, in every corner, on every page, there are mysteries that few can hope to answer. Thus, when we live in a world that is confronted with so many anomalies and unknowns, if we are given the choice, why should we not at least attempt to pursue that which intrigues us? Strangely enough, it seems that some of the most compelling mysteries in every day life can often be the people that surround us. Of course we can analyze brain waves and patterns in society, but the most important part of being a human is far too often lost. It has always seemed that one of the most significant endeavors we could ever hope to embark upon would be to try and understand the many cultures that are everywhere around us.
From different religious groups to families and individuals that have come from another country or culture, simply by living in the United States, we are allowed an enormous opportunity to research and understand the myriad of cultures that are in existence all around us. However, perhaps an even stranger phenomenon than not knowing about different ways of life and living is when we completely misunderstand a culture or group. A great amount of ideas regarding false information that pertains to the way that different cultures and groups live and work run rampant around us. In terms of misunderstood and fantasized groups, however, it is doubtless that one of the most often over generalized organizations belongs to that of the Freemasons. Through a variety of movies, books and music present in popular culture, it is easy to get the idea that the Freemasons of North America are a secretive and shadowy group part of a large conspiracy. However, through field work and careful research, it becomes obvious that the truth about the Masons is far from such myths and rumors. The truth, however, regarding the Masons and their order is just as compelling as the fiction.
Interestingly enough, no information exists as to the exact origin of the Masons. Even those involved with the order are not exactly sure when the order known today as the “Freemasons” was first created. “Though its heritage in antiquity is unmistakable, modern speculative Freemasonry was founded more recently upon the structure, ceremonies, and symbolism of the lodge of operative or working freemen stonemasons, who built the magnificent Medieval Gothic structures throughout much of Europe and England” (Himes 2006). Indeed, most do trace the origins of the Masons to the middle ages. However, the group has evolved far from what its beginnings in crafting castles and other works of stone and mortar. Most place the origins of what the group is today as beginning in England, with the building of the Rosslyn Chapel near Edinburgh in England (King 2006). “In 1717, Masonry created a formal organization when four Lodges in London joined in forming England’s first Grand Lodge. By 1731, when Benjamin Franklin joined the Fraternity, there were already several Lodges in the Colonies, and in Canada the first Lodge was established in 1738” (Sana 2005). It is worth noting that up to thirteen of the original signers of the Constitution were Masons, and it is easy to see the influence of the order in America’s early patriots (Wilkins 1932). Still though, just understanding the history of the Masons does provide an explanation as to who and what they are today.
Daniel Caruth, of the Masonic Lodge located in Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania, states that “The Masons are an organization dedicated to brotherhood and unity, Masons strive to be upstanding members of their communities and our primary goal is one of service.” “Masons (also known as Freemasons) belong to the oldest and largest fraternal organization in the world. Today, there are more than two million Freemasons in North America” (Sana 2005). It is a truth that Masons represent nearly all walks of life, and the members of the organization come from countries across the world, representing people of every economic and cultural background. Interestingly enough, each and every Mason has volunteered to become part of the organization, it is against the Masonic Code of Conduct to invite or encourage anyone to become a member (Himes 2006). Caruth explains why, “Becoming a Mason is one of the most extraordinary commitments that a man can make, he must be sound of mind and body,” Caruth emphasizes that, “We want our brothers to be proud and willing, we want them to join of their own free will and the desire to good.” Perhaps it is the idea that only those who wish to become Masons do so that gives the brotherhood its special bond. However, of even greater consideration than who the Masons are is what exactly they do.
While the goals of Masonry are varied and depend on individual lodges, there are certain universal principles and goals, which each and every Mason strives to accomplish. “Freemasonry has been characterized as a fraternity devoted to high ideals and admirable benevolence. Community service and charitable work are, in fact, principal Masonic activities” (Himes 2006). Of most Masons that were talked to throughout this study, they all seem to confer some basic beliefs about the true goals and aspirations of a mason. One member, whose first name is Thomas, states that, “To be a Mason is to take a genuine interest in the world around you and the people who live in it, we’re not an idle organization, and I think that anyone can see that through the activities and services that we provide.” In fact, many may not be aware that one of the world’s largest single charitable organizations, the Shriners’ Hospital for Crippled Children and burns Institute, is sponsored entirely by Masonic donations. Caruth says that, “Unknown to most, Masonic activities require about two million dollars a day. But the money for our charities and organizations comes directly from our members and supporters, we give this money regardless of what the recipients may look like or what their beliefs may entail, Masonic service is really about equality.” It may very well be the doctrine, which states that all Masons are completely equal, as are normal people, regardless of any other factor that allows the fraternity to operate in such complete peace and servitude. Caruth feels that, “Freemasonry is also about self improvement, and, really, that is one of the most important parts of our organization. Masons strive to better themselves, slowly becoming the people that they want to be. It has often been described as ‘turning vices into virtues'”.
However, of all the interesting aspects of Masonry that study could be conducted upon, one of the most interesting details surrounding the Masons, and the detail that this study focuses on, is the specific role of religion within the order. David Smith, a Mason with the lodge in Pen Argyl is adamant in that, “[Masonry] is often thought to be a religion in and of itself. This is simply a false idea, we take in members from every religion, there is no requirement or doctrine of beliefs that ones needs to accept in order to be considered a mason.” However, it would be false to say that religion plays no role in Masonic society. According to official doctrines and documents, the only necessary component with regards to religion in becoming a Mason is the belief in one true God. Masons are completely free to follow whichever belief system they so choose; it is a matter of choice and not of restriction. Thomas Labagh, the Lodge Leader in Elizabethtown, and an essential part of this study, talked about brotherhood in the following way, “Well, let’s look at it this way– where does the concept of brotherhood come from? Are you and I related? Not directly, but if we can agree on the concept of the Fatherhood of God, then we can all be His sons, and if we are his sons, then we are also brothers regardless of nationality, race or religious creed. It is a simple concept, and a very powerful one.” Still though, if one closely looks at several Masonic practices, the role of religion may seem to be a bit questionable, or at least confusing to those who are unaware of it.
Perhaps the idea that needs the most clarification is that of the “Volume of Sacred Law” that is on display in all Masonic Lodges. For most Masonic lodges in North America, that volume is the King James Version of the Bible. Yet, if Masonry makes no specific connection with Christianity, how is this possible? “Some of the most common questions that we get deal with our affiliation with religion,” explains Caruth, “The best place to start with explaining the Volume of Sacred Law is that it is a holy book. We do not ask our members to subscribe to Christianity. But, we do accept the sacred laws of religion, and although that’s a long topic to get into, the easiest and most correct way to think of Volume of Sacred Law is that it is representational. A Mason may mentally place which volume he so chooses onto the pedestal. It does not imply a literal connection to anything, but rather represents the connection that a man has between himself and his religion. We believe that religion, and the belief in one Supreme Being is an incredibly important and essential part of being a Mason is the acceptance of a supreme power, but that is not to say that any particular religion or holy book is wrong”. It is worth noting that the Volume of Sacred Law resides at the center of many lodges. Regardless though, it is incredibly important to remember that there is no “Masonic Bible” in any shape or form, nor has there ever been. Caruth clarifies, “The Masons do not, nor have we ever, put out or enforced any kind of religious text. It’s one of the things that we often hear from our detractors, but it is simply not true in any way”.
Even though the matter of the Volume of Sacred Law can be easily understood when critically analyzed, a deeper question does reside in terms of Masonry and the connection to religion. That question lies in the idea of the “Grand Architect of the Universe”. Many who are aware of any aspect of Masonic life are aware that the title is used often during meetings and has become a critical component of many Masonic meetings. However, if Masons do not subscribe to any religion, and are not a religion themselves, than we can understood that the “Grand Architect of the Universe is something completely different indeed. Many of the societies detractors have claimed that the GAOTU is actually a Masonic god of some kind. Much like the Volume of Sacred Law, however, this idea is also misleading and false. Caruth explains, “The term ‘Grand Architect of the Universe is once again symbolic. As I said before, we encourage our members to follow their own faith and their own ideals; we use the GAOTU as a phrase to symbolize ‘a’ greater power. We do not make mention or specify any God specifically in name. When praying, our members are free too, and nearly all do, substitute the name of their own God instead of using the term GAOTU”. However, it is easy to see how some groups. Especially those of Christian background may find a great amount of offense with this idea. If one looks at the doctrine of Christianity that states that, in essence, a prayer that is not specifically offered to Jesus or God in name is invalid, then it does represent a problematic nature for the Masonic Order. As one source outlines out, Masons, “point out that if a Mason believes that every prayer should be addressed to Jesus, Mary, Allah, or in some other way as represented by his religion, he is free to do so. The Grand Architect of the Universe is God and to claim that Masons somehow worship someone or something else is obfuscation at best and a heinous lie at worst” (Masonic religion).
While their a great variety of Masonic ideas that can be connected to religion, perhaps the more interesting end to pursue is how exactly the associations of religion within Masonic societies actually acts as a component to the order. Masonry is truly unique in that it is an organization with over two million members that manages to operate in a strangely complete and perpetual unity. One Mason, of the lodge located in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, whose first name is Andrew, offers his idea of an explanation, “When you talk about an organization as large as the Freemasons, you are talking about something that is all encompassing. It may seem miraculous to some that we can greet each other as brothers no matter where in the world that it may be, but, to me, it stands as a testament to the inherent goodness that is apparent in all of us, not simply in those who are members of the Masons.” While a large part of the universal brotherhood felt by Masons may very well be composed of such ideas, there can be no arguing that religion does not play some part in the matter.
“Religion has always acted as an element that can bind people together. Unfortunately, it is also all to often a force that can tear people and communities apart,” explains Caruth, “I feel that when we, as a society, embrace people of all religions, we can help to break apart those walls that keep everyone from experiencing the positive nature of most religious beliefs.” Therein lies what can be accepted as one of the most important aspects as Masonic tradition, the acceptance of the belief and connection of the individual with God. Labagh, “I think faith is a matter of personal opinion, but that to most Masons, it is also of great importance– which should tell you something about the type of man who is attracted to membership in Freemasonry, and the type of man we want to seek membership in the Fraternity. I respect another man who sincerely professes his belief in God, and who practices his religion both corporately, and individually. His choice of religion is of little concern to me– I am not one to try to convince a man of faith to believe what I believe. It’s not my nature. I’m just glad to know he is a man of faith. But I’ll gladly bring an un-churched person to Donegal Presbyterian Church any day he wants to come.”
“As open as we are with religious traditions, having faith is essential to Masons,” explains Caruth, “If we do not have faith in a higher power, if we do not believe that there is good in the world, and a power is working to create that, than its really nothing short of impossible for us to legitimately believe that the good we do is worth acting out.” Of course, religion is not the only thing that binds Masons as brothers, but the overall tolerance for all Masons to practice religion as they see fit is nothing short of essential for having a group of people that come together as brothers. “By eliminating reliance on specific religions, and not allowing the discussion of religion at our meetings, we’re really seeking to remove arguments and discussions about faith,” said Caruth, “if we bring in matters of one religion or another, than we could divide groups of people. It’s important to remember that Masons are unified by the belief of a higher power, we do everything possible to enjoy that aspect of our society, and to not allow it to harm us.”
While there are many unique and interesting groups in the world, there can be no doubt that the message and practices of the Masons set them apart from many others. In no other organization in the world can two million people be welcomed as brothers in every city and country and the world. Masons are truly brothers first, and they do everything in their power to prevent that connection from breaking. Masonry may very well be currently misrepresented in popular culture, and likely will be for a long time to come, but the truth of the Masons, and the good that they do for the communities and people around them should stand as a shining example to all. Despite the rumors and falsifications that surround their order, few groups or organizations do as much to help people as the Freemasons. It is truly an organization that is dedicated to peace and brotherhood, and the act of servitude and betterment in communities. However, among all the aspects that make Masonry so unique and different, perhaps religion does truly act as the most pronounced. Much could be learned in our current world today regarding the acts of tolerance and universal acceptance that are portrayed by the Masons. It is truly wonderful to find an organization that distances itself far from the realm of normal petty squabbles and arguments and instead choosing to focus on the most important aspects of life.
