Myths about the Freemasons
Its symbols are unmistakable: a distinctive square and compasses used by stonemasons. Freemasonry is a fraternal organization whose exact origin is unknown or at least obscure.
The order exists in various forms around the world, and its members number about 5 million. They share various moral and metaphysical beliefs. The link to stonemasons’ tools is often said to tie to an allegory about building King Solomon’s temple.
According to www.co-masonry.org, American Masonry distinguishes itself from other groups of Masons be admitting women in equal status with men versus admitting only male members. This site states that Freemasonry includes men and women of every race, religion and nationality.
However, Roman Catholics are taught that those who become Masons are in a state of grave, or mortal, sin and as such, are not supposed to partake of the Church’s sacraments.
A number of myths surround Freemasonry, according to www.freemasonhall.com. The site suggests that Masons teach lessons through the use of symbols and allegorical plays, some of which are based on myths. It states that one of the popular myths is that all of George Washington’s generals during the Revolutionary War were Freemasons. The site states that 33, not all, of his generals were Masons, and membership in the fraternity was not a requirement to serve under Washington.
A related myth is that the governors of the original 13 states were members of Freemasonry. According to freemasonhall.com, from the battle of Lexington to Washington’s inauguration as America’s first President, 10 of the 30 men who served as governors were Masons.
Another myth from the same period in history is that all signers of both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were members. However, only 9 or the 56 who signed the earlier document were indeed members. Thirteen of the 39 who signed the Constitution were Masons.
Flash forward to the 20th century for another myth. This one claims that the symbol on the back of a dollar bill is a Masonic “All Seeing Eye” floating over an unfinished pyramid. In fact, the image of the eye in the triangle is part of the Great Seal of the United States designed by four men in 1776. Of the four, only Benjamin Franklin, was a Mason.
This image, freemasonhall.com suggests, was frequently used during the Renaissance, and well before the beginnings of Freemasonry, as a symbol of God. The designers of the Great Seal were said to select that image to float over an unfinished pyramid to symbolize God looking out over the new nation. The 13 rows of stones symbolized the original 13 American colonies.
The site further states that on occasion, the Masons themselves keep these myths going as a joke on new members. One of the more popular ones says that initiates have to ride a goat into the Masonic Hall to become members. Legend treats the goat as symbolic of the devil, and witches were said to ride the animals into town. Speculation is that this myth was probably responsible for some of the accusations of the Masons practicing witchcraft.
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