The Masonic society has grown to greater levels in the contemporary world such that it has attracted the attention of many researchers. Initially, it was a group of brothers, who eluded from the royal society, who had a deep and abiding desire to seek knowledge, debate philosophies, explore history and discover symbolism. It paved way for the development of what is commonly known as freemasonry in the contemporary society. Some books define it as a peculiar system of morality oblique in fable and exemplified by symbols (Jeffers, 98). It evolved from the discussion of ethics and morality that brought disagreement in the 1717 London society and four Lodges merged to form what is currently known as the Masonic society. This paper shall explore the Masonic society using the non-optional method where the axiomatic concepts, rites of passage, its operations and its luminal shall be elucidated.
The Masonic society gets its members from royal families or outstanding individuals in the society. One must be a man and above 21 years and have the ability to sustain your family. Each member has to pay $39 before being allowed to join the group and are also required to pay journal subscription fees of US$49.00/yr. all these activities of journal subscription and membership subscription are done during the Masonic meeting that is held once a year in a predetermined place. Membership is open to regular Master Masons in virtuous upright of steady, renowned grand lodges in virtuous standing with the forum of Grand Masters of Masons (Thaw, John & Kevin Whately, 24). After being a member, one is required to propagate the information about the society by publishing books, organized seminars, dinners and other gatherings. Those who win are normally awarded in annual First circle gatherings that are normally held at Alexandria every February. It encourages its members to work as brethren. Scholars, kings, religious figures and presidents are considered to be the most suitable persons for this society. This is due to the fact that they are the ones who are considered to be in a good position to easily meet the membership requirement.
In preparation for initiation, once bank balanced is of no relevance but the character of the individual must be outstanding (Jeffers, 54). Before initiation, one is deprived of all mental objects, provided with scandals, blindfolded, cable row placed round their neck and carry a spear or dagger. This preparation for initiation is done during Mason’s Guild Lodge. Additionally, one is required to be loyal to the Masonic constitution that was published in 1723 in London and Westminster (Thaw, John & Kevin Whately, 114). The induction and membership in freemason has a deceptive nature. When a member of the sect wants an individual to join the group, he is not allowed to ask the person but rather his wife does the same. The significance of this is that the process is undertaken as so in order to allow the devil have a legal to torment the person and his family. Once the person joins the lodge they undergo the initiation ceremony.
The initiate in the ceremony is normally bare-chested and blindfolded with a rope around rope around their neck. The initiate is taken outside the lodge where they knock on the door and they are asked what they want. The initiate responds with their desire to come out of the darkness and get into the light of freemasonry (Stephen, 32). The initiate is taken around the lodge three times and goes through the two doors at the pedestal of the two wardens. Though the lodge is said to have three doors, the initiate is supposed to go through the two doors because he already went through one of the doors through acceptance to join the group.
The steps in the initiation process are meant to inculcate the initiate into upright living and well-squared actions. However this can be refer to the position of the family. The initiation steps are symbolic of the erratic progress of those still in the darkness of ignorance. In the ceremony, the initiate after answering the question of his desire to join the group is brought into the lodge blind-folded and a dagger, sharp object or a sword is normally placed on bare-chest. The initiate swears the first of the very many blood oaths and curses over himself and their family. The initiate agrees to be murdered or mutilated if the pledge of the magnitude is desecrated(Stephen, 92). The fruits of asthma, allergies and other breathing disorders in the descendants of Freemason evidence the spirit of infirmity from the noose around the neck.
In a stating remark, being a Masonic member means that you have to adhere to their rules and regulations that governs their actions and movements. The members are restricted from quitting from this society to avoid leakage of confidential information to the non-members. The society is bound to their restricted rules and regulation (Gregory, 12). However, if a member wishes to withdraw from this society, he or she is allowed to do so but will under close observation to avoid the leakage. The member can therefore be given the freedom if he or she wishes to quit from the society. In addition, if a member wishes to affiliate and shift to another lodge, he or she is I willingly granted the request.
Moreover, if a member quits from Masonic society and wishes to rejoin the society, he or she is accepted back. However, there are some specific rules and conditions that the member has to adhere. First, the member will not be granted the second freedom to quit from the society. The members consider this action as illogical and unreasonable (Gregory 24). They argue that the first chance granted on a member gives him/her a chance to reflect on the significance of this society and hence the decision came from his/her deep inner conscience that governs the behaviors and thinking capability of an individual to distinguish the real definition of evil.
When a member rejoins the Masonic society, high levied fines may be imposed due to his previous decision to quit from the same. The dues may be tripled for disciplinary reasons towards the member that has rejoined the society (Gregory, 38). The Masonic society believes in spirit of reasoning and responsibility. In this view, members are encouraged to avoid quitting from the society and take responsibility in steering forward this secret society that has existed for centuries of years. Therefore, in a concluding remark, a member can be allowed to rejoin the society under strict conditions with imposition of heavy fines.
Despite the severe penalties that are put in place for the violation the group’s norms, values and the breach of the vows and oaths, there are many advantages that are available for the members. Among them include the material benefits and other advantages that one can gain from the charity work that the group operates. For example, the group provides charity for it members when in need of finances. Other advantages include promoting their happiness, raising their social status, increasing a person’s social network and other tangible and intangible benefits.
The freemasons believe that each degree obtained brings them closer to the light and enlightenment. However, their main ingredient is deception as even the initiates do not know the truth. This analysis helps us understand the doctrine and the culture of the group be clearly telling is how the processes of joining, the initiation and who is eligible in joining the group.
Works Cited
Jeffers, H P. Freemasons: A History and Exploration of the World's Oldest Secret Society. New York: Citadel Press, 2005. Print.
Stephen M. Osborn. "Rites of Passage, the Mysteries and Freemasonry."Esoterika Lodge No. 316. 15 July 2006. Web. 8 Dec. 2013.
Thaw, John, Kevin Whately, and Colin Dexter.Masonic Mysteries. Ontario, Canada Print.
Washington, Gregory. Rejoining Masonic society. 3rd ed. Kualar Lumpar, K-L: flame international publishers, 2007. Print.
