Freemasons – From Humble Beginnings to Suspicious Powerhouse
One of the most secretive organizations as well as one of the most well-renowned. Everyone has heard of the Freemasons, they’re active in most Western countries and by conservative estimates can boast somewhere in the region of 5 million members worldwide. Freemasons are typically pretty open about their membership and they are always taking new members. While some people may say this is not great, let’s look at why this society is high up there. The origins of Freemasonry is rooted in fairly innocent intentions.
The Freemasons began as a secret society of stonemasons, whose professional knowledge was required to be secret for their profession to exist. The masons in this society could not simply go out and share their secrets – anybody would be able to do their job. So that would be bad for business. So originally, the Freemasons were more likened to a union than a secret society. So when did that change? That’s when things get a bit sketchier. There were individual groups in the Mason organization like you’d see in various chapters today. During the early 18th century, their influence grew. Throughout Europe and the British Empire, their reputation morphed into one based on fear. Many believed that they were a separate religion – possibly even a Satanic organization. It is strange that there have been so many powerful figures from George Washington to John Hancock. The Catholic Church has even threatened excommunication to those who might join.