Masonic beliefs and philosophy
Masons are taught that man can become self-taught to the point of enlightenment. Also known as “enlightenment”, the new initiate must ascend through the 33 degrees of Freemasonry (Scottish Rite). Each Masonic degree reveals more secret mystical knowledge than the previous one. They use symbols to convey meaning through analogy.
Masons believe in a brotherhood among men, who are all under the sovereignty of a supreme creator. That said, they are not associated with any particular denomination or religious system. While they claim to be nothing more than a fraternal order that encourages philanthropy, their history of intrigues, conspiracies, assassinations, the evidence of their involvement in overthrowing governments and their banishment from certain countries screams that a deeper truth needs to be revealed. .
Masons believe in three fundamental principles: 1) Brotherly love, 2) Relief, 3) Truth.
What is the truth about Masonic beliefs?
One of the most basic and obvious beliefs of Freemasons is the concept of dualism. Dualism is the belief that the universe is made up of opposites; male and female, ying and yang, black and white, good and evil, but that these opposites, while sharing obvious differences, are equal to one another. Masons are taught to believe that opposites such as good and evil are complementary or codependent forces.
To put it another way, we know what is good only in contrast to what is bad, we know what is black only in contrast to what is white. But dualism goes one step further and teaches that the relationship between these opposites is secondary to the unitary or complementary character they share. The result of this can lead to the belief that bad acts are necessary to add emphasis to good acts or that the ‘end justifies the means’.
Do Freemasons believe in God?
In a word, yes (at least on the surface) this is one way in which membership is justified for men of all religions in the spirit of brotherhood. The only requirement for membership (besides being male!) is belief in an ultimate creator, they don’t care what form that creator takes. From this initial acceptance of a ‘creator supreme’, the Mason is trained and educated towards an understanding of the nature of the creator in the Mason’s eyes.
The ‘all seeing eye’ is used to symbolize the eye of god that sees all things in the universe. This symbol will always be found on the door of the Great Hall of any Freemason Lodge and faces the Grand Master and the gathering of Masons. Masons are taught that through knowledge they will become enlightened to the truth and become like gods. There are Freemasons who are also devout members of their respective religions and see no incompatibility.
Conclution
There has been a lot of speculation about what Freemasons really believe, and over the years, a lot of truth has been mixed with lies and misinformation. The true beliefs of the High Freemasons can be discovered and have been revealed by ex-members and diligent investigators, many of whom were killed or disappeared in the process. Websites have been known to shut down overnight without explanation. It seems that regardless of what Freemasons actually believe, some people don’t want the truth to come out.