Freemasons claim that Masonry is open to any one of any faith and that it is a brotherhood to help other Masons. This is used as a trap to entice new victims into their secret order. All Freemasons take a deadly oath for each degree up to the 33rd degree. They swear allegiance to Masonry above God and country and under pain of death, and swear never to reveal the secrets of Freemasonry - not even to their wives. Therefore no matter what a Mason claims about their supposed good works or good intentions, they cannot be believed. Their real purpose is to undermine the teachings of Christianity. They are the true masters of deceit. Specifically anti-Christian, Masonry is working for a secular-humanist new world order - a Masonic Republic. At Catholic University, in Washington, D.C., on June 30, 1990, in a speech to the World Apostolate of Fatima, Father Robert J. Bradley, S.J., stated, "Masonry is Secular Humanism incarnate. Masonry is also Satanism incarnate." The official position of American Freemasonry has been outlined in their publication The New Age. The September 1950 issue describes "God's Plan in America" (according to the distorted view of Masonry) and asserts that Masonry is God's plan for America and that Christianity is in opposition to this plan of God. Masons freely invoke the name of "God" but their god is not the God of the Bible. Even some Catholics condemn this occult society, in 1829, Pope Pius VIII warned Catholics concerning Masonry, "Their law is untruth; their God is the devil; and their cult is turpitude." In other reports, they describe some of the past Masonic successes in starting wars, spawning revolutions, causing assassinations and overthrowing organizations and even governments. Their diabolical activities in America and their plans "for a new world Masonic Order" will be revealed; and their promotion of the deadly heresy of indifferentism (which maintains that all religions are of equal value) will be discussed. As a Mason works his way up through the 33 degrees of the Scottish Rite, he is promised that he will attain the secret knowledge of the "ancients" - secrets available only to the illuminated or Gnostic adepts. Masonry is a pagan religion which adopts various religious symbols to deceive the unwary, as in the case of the letter "G" which is often used within the two other Masonic symbols, the square and the compass. Many uninformed Christians assume that this "G" stands for the Trinitarian God, when it actually represents the Masonic gnosis or generation. The Ancient Plan of Secret Societies (Huntington House 1990) asserts, "Though few Masons know it, the god of Masonry is Lucifer. What's the difference between (worship of) Lucifer and Satan? Luciferians think they are doing good." This is the "ultimate" secret of Masonry and of similar secret quasi-Masonic societies - the worship of Lucifer. William T. Still writes that "Masons believe Lucifer never fell to earth; that Lucifer is really God, and has been since the dawn of creation." Adonay is their blasphemous term for the one true God of Christendom, whom Luciferians denounce as the god of evil. Masonry's god is "the devil." Lower degree Freemasons are not told of this secret and higher degree Freemasons will never admit it for the oaths forbid them to divulge Masonic secrets. Masons take blood oaths in which they swear undivided primary allegiance to Masonry - over Christ, over country, and over their wives and family under pain of a violent death. A third Masonic evil is their promotion of the idea that all religions are equal. This is the heresy of Indifferentism, that would equate Christianity with Hinduism, with Buddhism, with aboriginal pantheism. However their unconstrained hatred of Christianity belies this feigned equality. Unfortunately, the ethnic and religious diversity in America subtly indoctrinates the unsuspecting Christians.

This “stupendous ethnography of female Freemasonry in Italy” reveals the fascinating paradox of elitism and exclusion experienced by “female brothers” (Michael Herzfeld, author of Evicted from Eternity). From its cryptic images on the dollar bill to Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol, the Freemasons have long been one of the most romanticized secret societies in the world. But a simple fact escapes most depictions of this elite brotherhood: there are also female members. In this groundbreaking ethnography, Lilith Mahmud takes readers inside Masonic lodges of contemporary Italy, where she observes the ritualistic and fraternal bonds forged among Freemason women. Offering a tantalizing look behind lodge doors, The Brotherhood of Freemason Sisters unveils a complex culture of discretion in which Freemasons reveal some truths and hide others. Female initiates—one of Freemasonry’s best-kept secrets—are often upper class and highly educated, yet avowedly antifeminist. Their self-cultivation through the Masonic path is an effort to embrace the deeply gendered ideals of fraternity. In this lively investigation, Mahmud unravels the contradictions at the heart of Freemasonry: an organization responsible for many of the egalitarian concepts of the Enlightenment and yet one that has always been, and in Italy still remains, extremely exclusive. The result is not only a thrilling look at a surprisingly influential world, but a reevaluation of the modern values we now take for granted

Take the mystery out of the Freemasons Fascinated by Freemasons? Freemasons For Dummies is the internationally bestselling introduction to the Masons, the oldest and largest "secret society" in the world. This balanced, eye-opening guide demystifies Freemasonry, explaining everything from its elaborate rituals and cryptic rites, to its curious symbols and their meanings. With new and improved content, including updated examples and references throughout, this new edition of Freemasons For Dummies provides the most straightforward, non-intimidating guide to the subject on the market. Updated expert coverage of the basic beliefs and philosophy behind Freemasonry Revised information on the history of the society, including updates concerning its founding, famous historical members, and pivotal events New coverage devoted to the recent influx of younger membership The latest and ongoing controversies and myths surrounding Freemasonry The role of women in a Masonic organization, including opportunities for women to participate in Freemasonry The effects cultural and political changes and worldwide events are having on the organization If you're intrigued by the mystery that surrounds the Masons, get ready to learn the facts about this ancient order in Freemasons For Dummies.

The first in-depth account of an African American institution that spans the history of the American Republic.

Famous American Freemasons is a collection of stories about some of the Masons from America's past. Through little-known stories of some of the fraternity's most influential members, Todd E. Creason shows the amazing range of contributions Masons have made to the causes of freedom, politics, philosophy, scientific discovery, and the arts-contributions that have helped to define the nation. In Famous American Freemasons, author and Freemason Todd E. Creason also gives unique insight into the history and philosophy of Freemasonry in America while debunking common myths and misconceptions about the world's largest and oldest fraternal organization. These famous American men came from all walks of life with different religious beliefs as well as educational, cultural, economic, and career backgrounds. They became patriots, Presidents, military leaders, entertainers, and American legends-and one and all were Freemasons.

The first in-depth study of the Freemasons during the Civil War From first-person accounts culled from regimental histories, diaries, and letters, Michael A. Halleran has constructed an overview of 19th-century American freemasonry. The author examines carefully the major Masonic stories from the Civil War, in particular the myth that Confederate Lewis A. Armistead made the Masonic sign of distress as he lay dying at the high-water mark of Pickett's charge at Gettysburg.

Unravel the mysteries of the Masons All the myths and rumors about Masonic organizations probably have you wondering "what do Masons really do?" Questions like this one are a natural by-product of being the oldest and largest "secret society" in the world. This book is an ideal starting place to find answers to your questions about the secret and not-so-secret things about Freemasonry. Now in its third edition, this international best-seller peeks behind the door of your local Masonic lodge and explains the meanings behind the rituals, rites, and symbols of the organization. Along the way the book covers nearly 3,000 years of Masonic history, introduces you to some famous Freemasons you already know from history books, and explains the relationship with related groups like Knights Templar, Scottish Rite, Order of Eastern Star, and the beloved fez-wearing Shriners. Look inside the book to learn: What it takes to become a member of the Freemasons, and what you can expect when you join How Lodges are organized and what really goes on during Masonic ceremonies The basic beliefs and philosophies of Freemasonry, including how Masons contribute to charity, and society in general The origins behind some of the wild myths and conspiracy theories surrounding Freemasonry and how to debunk (most of) them Written by a 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason and the Public Relations and Marketing Director for the Grand Lodge F&AM of Indiana, Freemasons For Dummies is a must-read guide for anyone interested in this ancient fraternal order, whether you're looking to join or are just curious about some of the more mysterious aspects of Freemasonry.