why do freemasons keep secrets - gulf beach lodge · 2018-07-30 · freemasonry and enlightenment...

Why Do Freemasons Keep Why Do Freemasons Keep

Secrets?Secrets?

Brother Steve FethermanBrother Steve Fetherman

3232ºº Master MasonMaster Mason

Gulf Beach Lodge No. 291Gulf Beach Lodge No. 291

In the Beautiful City of Madeira In the Beautiful City of Madeira Beach,Beach, FloridaFlorida

6 February 20146 February 2014

Why do Freemasons Keep Secrets?Why do Freemasons Keep Secrets?

�� For Many years I pondered the question: For Many years I pondered the question: ““Why do Free Why do Free Masons keep Secrets?Masons keep Secrets?””�� When I became a Demolay in November 1967, I asked my Father When I became a Demolay in November 1967, I asked my Father

why we Masons kept secrets. His answer why we Masons kept secrets. His answer ““Ancient and Ancient and Honorable traditions...Honorable traditions...””

�� When I was first initiated an Enter Apprentice in September When I was first initiated an Enter Apprentice in September 1980, I asked why we Masons keep secrets? Their answer 1980, I asked why we Masons keep secrets? Their answer ““Ancient and Honorable traditions...Ancient and Honorable traditions...””

�� I have been asked many times why in this day and age, I have been asked many times why in this day and age, what are Free Masons trying to hide? what are Free Masons trying to hide? �� “…“…Ancient and Honorable traditions...Ancient and Honorable traditions...”” and Nothing at alland Nothing at all

�� We are in the White Pages, have websites, write books, wear pinsWe are in the White Pages, have websites, write books, wear pinson our coats, bumper sticker on our cars, rings on our fingers, on our coats, bumper sticker on our cars, rings on our fingers, and even produce high end videos about Freemasonry.and even produce high end videos about Freemasonry.

�� So Why All the Secrecy? So Why All the Secrecy?

Answer

It all gets down to history.It all gets down to history.

Historical Context

� Nuvus Ordo Seclorum!

� Who knows what this means?

� Where does this come from?

� Where is it Found today?

� Who put it there?

Answer

� It is Latin and Means “A New Order of the Ages.”

� It is part of the 1st Century Roman Poet Virgil’s Fourth Eclogue

� Today it is Found on $1 USD note, in the tape under the unfinished pyramid

� It was put there in 1782 by Rep. Charles Thomson (PA) First Congress of these United States of America as a member of “The Great Seal Committee.”

Historical Context

� It Does Not Mean “New World Order!”

� New World Order: a conspiracy theory in which a secret elite is conspiring to rule the world via world government and globalization

� I do not care what the History Channel and Dan Brown say.

Question

“A New Order of the Ages” can Easily be Confused with “New World Order,” Why?

Answer

� “A New Order of the Ages” can Easily be Confused with “New World Order” Because:� In the 21st Century Democracy is the Norm not the Exception

� Nuvus Ordo Seclorum is scrutinized from a 21st Century Perspective

� Let’s Look at this in the Historical Context of 1782 or better 4 July 1776.� People were Subjects not Citizens

� “You Belonged” to the Preordained “Church” of the Country

� A Democracy did not exist anywhere on the planet

� A Constitutional Republic was a fledgling thought

� The Bill of Rights has not been drafted

Question

These Precepts came from Someone or

Somewhere. But Where and Whom?

Historical Context

� European Governments of the late 18th Century (1700’s)

�� Monarchy: people are governed by a King or QueenMonarchy: people are governed by a King or Queen

�� Oligarchy: people are governed by a select few or a class of Oligarchy: people are governed by a select few or a class of

peoplepeople

�� Theocracy: people are governed by a religious figure Theocracy: people are governed by a religious figure

�� People were Subjects, not CitizensPeople were Subjects, not Citizens

�� Everyone and Everything was property of the KingEveryone and Everything was property of the King

�� Your Beliefs and Religion were Dictated by the ChurchYour Beliefs and Religion were Dictated by the Church

�� The Ruler had the First, the Last, and the Only Word in The Ruler had the First, the Last, and the Only Word in

everything.everything.

�� Conflicting with the Rights of the King (GodConflicting with the Rights of the King (God’’s s

Representative on Earth) or the ChurchRepresentative on Earth) or the Church’’s Edicts Meant s Edicts Meant

Torture and DeathTorture and Death

Questions?

� How did the Precepts of “New Order of the Ages” Evolve?

� How and Why is this Important to Free Masons?

Answer

� The Ideals and Principles of the Age of Enlightenment are:

�� Separation of Church and StateSeparation of Church and State

�� Individual FreedomsIndividual Freedoms

�� Rights of ManRights of Man

�� Freedom from State and Church abusesFreedom from State and Church abuses

�� PeoplePeople’’s Right to Self Determination (voting) s Right to Self Determination (voting)

�� Public EducationPublic Education

Evolved during The Age of Enlightenment or Age of ReasonEvolved during The Age of Enlightenment or Age of Reason

� These are the Precepts of Freemasonry

� Belief in Your Supreme Deity not Selected by Freemasonry

� Every Master Mason has a Vote

� Every Mason has the Right to Self Determination – participation and vote. We elect our “Government”

� We Require Every Mason to Learn and Read – Memory Work

� Democracy and Freemasonry Embrace Identical Ideals

� Did Modern Democracy Embrace Masonic Ideals or Vice Versa?

Freemasonry and Age of Reason

� As the Age of Enlightenment or Reason Grew so did Freemasonry.

� Let’s Examine the Time Lines of the Age of Enlightenment and Freemasonry.

Age of EnlightenmentAge of Enlightenment

�� The Age of Enlightenment or Reason was a Cultural Movement The Age of Enlightenment or Reason was a Cultural Movement predominately in the 18predominately in the 18thth Century (1650 Century (1650 –– 1800)1800)

�� It reformed society and advanced knowledge by promoting science It reformed society and advanced knowledge by promoting science and and intellectual interchange, and opposed superstition, intolerance,intellectual interchange, and opposed superstition, intolerance, and and abuses by church and state. abuses by church and state.

�� Originated in England and Scotland, and then spread to France, tOriginated in England and Scotland, and then spread to France, the he German States, Netherlands, Italy, Austria, Russia, and Spain.German States, Netherlands, Italy, Austria, Russia, and Spain.

�� With the establishment of the American Colonies by England and With the establishment of the American Colonies by England and France it quickly spread to North America.France it quickly spread to North America.

�� ““Public EducationPublic Education”” made the tenants of the Age of Enlightenment made the tenants of the Age of Enlightenment available to all men not just available to all men not just ““GodGod’’s Chosen Few.s Chosen Few.””

The Rise of FreemasonryThe Rise of Freemasonry

� Freemasonry Grew more Rapidly in the British Isles for these Reasons:� King Henry VIII Broke the Strength if the Roman Catholic Church in

Great Britain with a Series of Acts between 1534 and 1541 called the Monastery Suppression Acts

� By the Beginning of the Age of Reason or Enlightenment (1560), Great Britain had a Limited form of Representative Government.

� House of Lords� House of Commons

� Church of England Reformation (1540 – 1560) Limited the Power of the Church

� Commoners Upraises Against King Edward VI and His Lords over theAbuse of Public Lands and Rights (1547 – 1553)

� English Civil Wars (1642 – 1645 & 1647 – 1648) led by Oliver Cromwell� Establishment of the English Commonwealth (1649) by Cromwell

Solidified Free Trade

� These Acts and Rebellions led to the Erosion of Royal & Church Powers, Enabling the Thinkers of the Age of Enlightenment and Reason to more easily “Travel and Earn Master’s Wages.”

The Rise of Free MasonryThe Rise of Free Masonry

�� The Oldest known Freemasonry text is a poem The Oldest known Freemasonry text is a poem known as the known as the ““Regius ManuscriptRegius Manuscript”” or or ““Halliwell Halliwell ManuscriptManuscript”” of Freemasonry. This document has of Freemasonry. This document has been dated to the 1390been dated to the 1390’’s.s.

�� The Kilwinning Lodge has records dating back to The Kilwinning Lodge has records dating back to the late 1500the late 1500’’s and is the Mother Lodge No 0 of s and is the Mother Lodge No 0 of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, located at 99 the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, located at 99 Main Street, Kilwinning, Ayrshire, ScotlandMain Street, Kilwinning, Ayrshire, Scotland

�� The First Grand Lodge of England was established The First Grand Lodge of England was established in London on 24 June 1717in London on 24 June 1717

�� The Grand Lodge of Ireland was established in The Grand Lodge of Ireland was established in 1725.1725.

�� The Grand Lodge of France was established in The Grand Lodge of France was established in 1733.1733.

�� The Grand Lodge of Scotland was established in The Grand Lodge of Scotland was established in 17361736..

�� These Masonic Events Occurred in the MIDDLE of the These Masonic Events Occurred in the MIDDLE of the Age of EnlightenmentAge of Enlightenment

�� This is no Accident of HistoryThis is no Accident of History

Birth of Freemasonry in AmericaBirth of Freemasonry in America

�� John Moore the Port of Pennsylvania Tariff John Moore the Port of Pennsylvania Tariff Collector wrote of attending Masonic Lodge Collector wrote of attending Masonic Lodge in Philadelphia in 1715, two years before the in Philadelphia in 1715, two years before the formation of the Grand Lodge of England formation of the Grand Lodge of England

�� The first Grand Lodge in US was established The first Grand Lodge in US was established at St Johnat St John’’s Lodge No 1 in Philadelphia in s Lodge No 1 in Philadelphia in 1731 at a water front tavern known as Tun 1731 at a water front tavern known as Tun Tavern. Tavern.

�� Benjamin Franklin was elected the third Benjamin Franklin was elected the third Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in 1754 at a meeting held in Pennsylvania in 1754 at a meeting held in Tun Tavern. Tun Tavern.

�� On 10 November 1775, in this same building, On 10 November 1775, in this same building, a Freemason of the St Johna Freemason of the St John’’s Lodge, Captain s Lodge, Captain Samuel Nichols, began recruiting for a little Samuel Nichols, began recruiting for a little known military organization now known as known military organization now known as the United States Marine Corps.the United States Marine Corps.

The Greatest Achievements of the Age of Enlightenment

� The American Revolution

� The American Experiment in Democracy

� The Declaration of Independence

� The Constitution of the United States of America

� The Bill of Rights

� Right of Self Determination

� Freedom from Religious Persecution

� Right to Bear Arms

� Right to an Education (Public Education)

� Public Libraries

Question

Who and Where did These Precepts Come From?

Answer

The Great Minds and Men of the Age of Enlightenment

Freemasonry and EnlightenmentFreemasonry and Enlightenment

�� Freemasonry, speculative masonry, arose from operative freemasonFreemasonry, speculative masonry, arose from operative freemasonry ry as the Precepts of the Age of Enlightenment Evolved.as the Precepts of the Age of Enlightenment Evolved.

�� Freemasonry was at the heart of the Age of Enlightenment.Freemasonry was at the heart of the Age of Enlightenment.

�� Freemasons were some of the greatest minds and men of the Age.Freemasons were some of the greatest minds and men of the Age.

Great Minds of the Age of EnlightenmentGreat Minds of the Age of Enlightenment

�� Baruch Spinoza (1632 Baruch Spinoza (1632 –– 1677) Persecuted Jewish Dutch 1677) Persecuted Jewish Dutch Ethics Philosopher whose theories were the basis of all Ethics Philosopher whose theories were the basis of all other Enlightenment philosophies. Many of his ideas are other Enlightenment philosophies. Many of his ideas are within the Masonic Moral Code.within the Masonic Moral Code.


�� John Locke (1632 John Locke (1632 –– 1704) English physician and 1704) English physician and philosopher, the Father of Enlightenment, and developed philosopher, the Father of Enlightenment, and developed the republican theory which the US Constitution is based the republican theory which the US Constitution is based upon. upon.


�� Pierre Bayle (1647 Pierre Bayle (1647 –– 1706) French philosopher whose works stressed 1706) French philosopher whose works stressed the separation of religious beliefs from government and religiouthe separation of religious beliefs from government and religious s tolerance. Our belief in religious tolerance and a single supretolerance. Our belief in religious tolerance and a single supreme me being to whom you swear yourself to secrecy.being to whom you swear yourself to secrecy.

Great Minds of the Age of EnlightenmentGreat Minds of the Age of Enlightenment�� Sir Isaac Newton (1643 Sir Isaac Newton (1643 –– 1727) English physicist, mathematician, 1727) English physicist, mathematician,

astronomer, naturalist, alchemist, and theologian, and who has bastronomer, naturalist, alchemist, and theologian, and who has been een considered by many to be the greatest and most influential scienconsidered by many to be the greatest and most influential scientist tist who ever lived. Epitomized and advanced many of the disciplineswho ever lived. Epitomized and advanced many of the disciplinescontained within seven steps of a Fellowcraftcontained within seven steps of a Fellowcraft……

Great Minds of the Age of EnlightenmentGreat Minds of the Age of Enlightenment� Voltaire (1694 – 1778) French philosopher known for his advocacy

of civil liberties to include freedom of religion, freedom of expression, free trade, and separation of church and state. Thephilosophy behind our Bill of Rights… Benjamin Franklin sponsored Voltaire as EA at the Lodge of the Nine Sisters when he was American Revolution Representative to the French Court


�� Benjamin Franklin: Philosopher, scientist, inventor, printer, auBenjamin Franklin: Philosopher, scientist, inventor, printer, author, thor, moralist, humorist, statesman, and helped Jefferson write the moralist, humorist, statesman, and helped Jefferson write the Declaration of Independence and participated in the ConstitutionDeclaration of Independence and participated in the Constitutional al Convention. Founder of the first Public Library in America and Convention. Founder of the first Public Library in America and along with George Washington Established the American System of along with George Washington Established the American System of Public Education.Public Education.


�� Thomas Jefferson: Farmer, inventor, US President, Thomas Jefferson: Farmer, inventor, US President, Diplomat, and drafted the Declaration of IndependenceDiplomat, and drafted the Declaration of Independence..


�� James Madison: Helped Alexander Hamilton and John James Madison: Helped Alexander Hamilton and John Jay write the Federalist Papers, primary drafter of the US Jay write the Federalist Papers, primary drafter of the US Constitution, Father of the Bill of Rights, participated in Constitution, Father of the Bill of Rights, participated in the Constitutional Convention, and US President.the Constitutional Convention, and US President.

The Disciplines of the Age of Enlightenment and The Disciplines of the Age of Enlightenment and

FreemasonryFreemasonry�� The Age of Enlightenment stressed logic, reason, The Age of Enlightenment stressed logic, reason,

sciences, and mansciences, and man’’s individualism. The disciplines s individualism. The disciplines of Enlightenment were:of Enlightenment were:�� BiologyBiology�� PhysicsPhysics�� LogicLogic

�� MathematicsMathematics�� GeometryGeometry�� ReasonReason�� Astronomy Astronomy �� The liberal application of these disciplines to all men, The liberal application of these disciplines to all men,

regardless of stationregardless of station

�� The Seven Liberal Arts and Sciences of The Seven Liberal Arts and Sciences of Freemasonry:Freemasonry:�� GrammarGrammar�� RhetoricRhetoric�� LogicLogic�� ArithmeticArithmetic�� GeometryGeometry

�� MusicMusic�� AstronomyAstronomy

�� Freemasonry refers to these sciences as Freemasonry refers to these sciences as ““liberal,liberal,””meaning meaning ““freefree”” as in publicly availableas in publicly available

Question

How are these Men Pertinent to Freemasonry?

What is the Relationship?What is the Relationship?

�� Of these Men Who were Masons?Of these Men Who were Masons?�� Baruch Spinoza Baruch Spinoza -- YesYes

�� John Locke John Locke –– From all outward appearances probablyFrom all outward appearances probably

�� Pierre Bayle Pierre Bayle -- UnknownUnknown

�� Sir Isaac Newton Sir Isaac Newton –– YesYes

�� Voltaire Voltaire –– YesYes

�� Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson –– From all outward appearances probablyFrom all outward appearances probably

�� Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin –– YesYes

�� James Madison James Madison -- From all outward appearances probablyFrom all outward appearances probably

�� What did Operative Freemasonry Provide the Men of the What did Operative Freemasonry Provide the Men of the Age of Enlightenment that Other Secret Societies did not?Age of Enlightenment that Other Secret Societies did not?

Answer

�� Secrecy and Trust!Secrecy and Trust!

�� What was the need for Secrecy?What was the need for Secrecy?

�� Their LivesTheir Lives

�� The Ability to Travel Freely without Kingly InterferenceThe Ability to Travel Freely without Kingly Interference

�� Why their lives?Why their lives?

�� Sedition!Sedition!

�� There was no freedom of speech or expression. Speak against theThere was no freedom of speech or expression. Speak against the ruler ruler and lose your head!and lose your head!

�� Persecution!Persecution!

�� Speaking out against the Church, especially the Roman Catholic CSpeaking out against the Church, especially the Roman Catholic Church, hurch, meant torture, imprisonment, excommunication, and death.meant torture, imprisonment, excommunication, and death.

�� They Required a Place and Organization to Meet to Exchange IdeasThey Required a Place and Organization to Meet to Exchange Ideas without without Compromise.Compromise.

�� Within a Lodge of Freemasons and among Brothers, one knew that aWithin a Lodge of Freemasons and among Brothers, one knew that asecret within my heart was safe within the hearts of men of likesecret within my heart was safe within the hearts of men of likeminds, ideas, and morals. minds, ideas, and morals.

�� Because Because ““We must either hang together or we will surely hang We must either hang together or we will surely hang separately.separately.”” Right Worship Grand Master Benjamin FranklinRight Worship Grand Master Benjamin Franklin

The Final Question and Answer

�� Why does Freemasonry have Secrets?Why does Freemasonry have Secrets?

�� ““Ancient and Honorable traditions...Ancient and Honorable traditions...””

Questions?Questions?

why do freemasons keep secrets - gulf beach lodge · 2018-07-30 · freemasonry and enlightenment...

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