John K. Young - The Everything Freemasons Book: Unlock the Secrets of This Ancient And Mysterious Society!

The
EVERYTHING
Freemasons Book

Dear Reader,

To anyone who knows me, it comes as no surprise that I remain intrigued by all things mysterious. Add in a bit of history and controversy and I'm all over it. It should be said up front that I'm not a member of any Masonic organization, and therefore have no bias toward the Masons or to any historical, anti-Masonic, or conspiratorial information. I'm simply a career journalist and writer who on any given day is caught between Spock-like logic and Emily Dickinson perceptions. In this case, that served me well.

A study of Freemasonry is right up my alley and, as it turns out, it is an alley that has splintered into many more alleys filled with ritual, allegory, symbolism, history, and controversy. No matter your opinions on Freemasonry, you can't help but admire a group that has managed to cultivate so many strong and motivated individuals while at the same time enduring a load of adversity. My sincerest hope is that you'll find this subject, as I did, to be utterly engaging, from its rich history to its alleged conspiracies, and that in doing so you gain a much better understanding of the fascinating world of Freemasonry.

Barb Karg and
John K. Young, Ph.D.

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THE

EVERYTHING

FREEMASONS
BOOK

Unlock the secrets of this ancient and mysterious society

John K. Young, Ph.D., and Barb Karg

Adams Media
Avon, Massachusetts

Copyright 2006, F+W Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced
in any form without permission from the publisher; exceptions
are made for brief excerpts used in published reviews.

An Everything Series Book.
Everything and everything.com are registered trademarks of F+W Media, Inc.

Published by Adams Media, a division of F+W Media, Inc.
57 Littlefield Street, Avon, MA 02322 U.S.A.
www.adamsmedia.com

ISBN 10: 1-59869-059-0
ISBN 13: 978-1-59869-059-0
Printed in the United States of America.

J I H G F E D C B

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
available from the publisher.

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.

From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations

Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book and Adams Media was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed with initial capital letters.

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For my touchstones
Ma, Pop, Chrissy, the Blonde Bombshell, Jeans, and especially Rick. And to all Freemasons who strive to make themselves and the world a better place.B.K.

Contents

A cknowledgments

Many stellar individuals contributed to the making of this book. I'd like to thank the consummate professionals at Adams Media, Inc., especially Acquisitions Editor Paula Munier whom I adore, and Development Editor Rachel Engelson who was seriously on the ball. You gals are the bomb! I'd also like to thank Laura Daly, Brett Palana-Shanahan, Sue Beale, Kate Powers, Andrea Norville, and Holly Curtis. Thanks as well to John Young for his contributions to the book.

I'd also like to thank George and Trudi Karg and my sister Chrissy for their support, Jeans for all her help, Ellen and Jim, Dale, Anne and Terry, Kathy, Jim S., Jim K, Jim V., Karla, and my beloved Scribe Tribe. I love y'all way more than chocolate.

Most especially, I'd like to express my thanks and love to my better half, Rick Sutherland, who, two hours after this book was completed and sent, survived a horrific car accident. The research he did for the book, especially Chapter 16, was nothing short of astounding. And also to my dear Pop who in the same week survived his own harrowing medical ordeal. Amazing men, both of you.

Barb Karg

Top Ten Things You'll Learn about Freemasons Through Reading This Book

Freemasonry is the largest and oldest fraternal organization in the world and has many famous members.

The true origins of Freemasonry are a mystery Are they evolved from Solomon's Temple, the Knights Templar, or Medieval Masonic Guilds?

Freemasonry isn't just for men; thousands of women and young adults belong to Masonic organizations.

During World War II Freemasons all over Europe were persecuted and killed, their Temples pillaged, and their fraternal order banished.

Anti-Masons speculate that Freemasons are Satanists and Luciferians, but that has now been disproven.

The Masonic family of organizations give over two million dollars a day to charities all over the world.

Freemasonry is not a religion or a religious cult, but their common belief in a Supreme Being has bound brothers together for centuries.

Many Freemasons took part in the American Revolution, including patriots, statesmen, and founding fathers.

The eye and the broken pyramid on the American dollar bill are not related to Masonry, but the Brotherhood is replete with all kinds of symbols, including many tools of the ancient stonemasons.

Many of the practices that Masons have been accused of are the result of misinterpretations.

Foreword

Being a Freemason is an honor, not only because it's the world's oldest and largest fraternal organizationone that has for centuries attracted many famous membersbut because it helps individuals grow by seeking knowledge, personal fulfillment, and spiritual enlightenment. Masons are individuals from all walks of life who are devoted to their families and communities and dedicated to the Craft they spend their lifetime studying.

According to its classic definition, Masonry is a system of morality, veiled in allegory, and illustrated by symbols. To non-Masons that may sound confusing, but in reality it translates to a group of benevolent individuals who get together for social and charitable events while at the same time learning about the true spirit and history of the fraternity.