For generations, Freemasonry has faced opposition from the Christian church due to concerns about the organization's rites, rituals, and symbolism. In "Defending the Christian Freemason," the author offers counterarguments to these claims, uncovering the truth behind Masonic traditions and practices and pointing out the spiritually beneficial aspects of Masonry. Providing information and reconciliation is the goal of this book. It is hoped that it helps inform both Masons and non-Mason alike, so that a Christian Mason doesn't get cut-off from his faith but can enjoy the Brotherhood of Freemasonry and the true Christian faith together.

Freemasonry: A Philosophical Investigation By: Giuliano Di Bernardo The purpose of this investigation is to answer the following questions: Is there a philosophy of Freemasonry? And, if there is, what is the philosophy that characterizes Masonic thought? Is there a Masonic anthropology? What relationship can there be between it and the anthropologies that are based on other visions of life? In what documents is this anthropology codified? Masonic thought is not the expression of a philosophy, if by philosophy we mean a complete system containing the totality of the areas traditionally contemplated by philosophical reflection. However, Freemasonry is upheld by a specific practical philosophy that concerns man, his nature, and his purposes. This is why the essential core of practical Masonic philosophy is Masonic anthropology. During the course of Freemasonry, Masonic thought has also developed a discourse about man, even defining and codifying some of his essential characteristics, which can be grouped into the quintuple: Of these, freedom and transcendence are the two fundamental notions around which the entire Masonic anthropological system is centered. These theoretical conclusions are supported by historical sources of Freemasonry, formed by Anderson’s Constitutions and Declarations of the United Grand Lodge of England. In spite of the multiplicity of sources and the difficulties interpreting them, we can identify a stable and unitary Masonic thought. This provides an initial contribution to the philosophical interpretation of Freemasonry and its image of man.

This book provides a detailed defense of the principles and practices of Freemasonry, a fraternal organization that has been the subject of much speculation and conspiracy over the years. With thoughtful insights into the history and culture of Freemasonry, this book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of secret societies and fraternal organizations. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Freemasonry is the largest, oldest, and most influential secret society in the world. The Brill Handbook of Freemasonry is a pioneering work that brings together, for the first time, leading scholars on Freemasonry. The first section covers historical perspectives, such as the origins and early history of Freemasonry. The second deals with the relationship between Freemasonry and specific religious traditions such as the Catholic Church, Judaism, and Islam. In the third section, organisational themes, such as the use of rituals, are explored, while the fourth section deals with issues related to society and politics - women, blacks, colonialism, nationalism, and war. The fifth and final section is devoted to Freemasonry and culture, including music, literature, modern art, architecture and material culture.

Freemasonry was a major cultural and social phenomenon and a key element of the Enlightenment. It was to have an international influence across the globe. This primary resource collection charts a key period in the development of organized Freemasonry culminating in the formation of a single United Grand Lodge of England. The secrecy that has surrounded Freemasonry has made it difficult to access information and documents about the organization and its adherents in the past. This collection is the result of extensive archival research and transcription and highlights the most significant themes associated with Freemasonry. The documents are drawn from masonic collections, private archives and libraries worldwide. The majority of these texts have never before been republished. Documents include rituals (some written in code), funeral services, sermons, songs, certificates, an engraved list of lodges, letters, pamphlets, theatrical prologues and epilogues, and articles from newspapers and periodicals. This collection will enable researchers to identify many key masons for the first time. It will be of interest to students of Freemasonry, the Enlightenment and researchers in eighteenth-century studies.