Freemasons and Dan Brown  Tags: mason masonic_symbols freemasonry  

Teachings and practices of the fraternal order of Free and Accepted Masons, the largest worldwide secret society. Originating with the guilds of medieval stonemasons, the organization became an honorary society in the 17th and 18th century, adopting the rites and trappings of ancient religious orders and chivalric brotherhoods.

The first association of lodges, the Grand Lodge, was founded in England in 1717, and Freemasonry soon spread to other countries in the British Empire. Freemasons took an active role in the American Revolution and later in U.S. politics, and in the 19th century popular fears of their influence led to the Anti-Masonic movement.

Membership is extended only to adult males willing to express belief in a Supreme Being and the immortality of the soul. In Latin countries, the lodges have often attracted freethinkers and anticlerical types; in Anglo-Saxon nations, membership has mostly been drawn from white Protestants. Freemasonry has also given rise to social organizations such as the Ancient Arabic Order of the Noble Mystic Shrine, or Shriners.

For more information on Freemasonry, visit Britannica. Galileo database

Free masons http://freemasonry.org/

Famous masons http://www.masonicinfo.com/famous.htm

Mason newsletter http://www.freemasonrywatch.org/

History of this society http://science.howstuffworks.com/freemason.htm

Blog by periodical editor http://freemasonsfordummies.blogspot.com/

8 myths decoded

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/09/090915-lost-symbol-dan-brown-freemasons-book.html

The author states that U.S. currency such as the $1, $5, and $10 dollar bills are covered with anachronistic and illegible Masonic markings and designs. Bierut, Redesign the dollar. Atlantic Monthly (10727825); Jul/Aug2009, Vol. 304 Issue 1, p64-64, 1/5p Galileo. Academic Search Complete.  November 5, 2009.

Masonic references in cinema http://www.freemasonry.bcy.ca/fiction/cinema.html

National Treasure - Nicholas Cage http://www.masonicinfo.com/nationaltreasure.htm

Angels, Demons and Free Masons http://www.jaman.com/movie/Angels-Demons-Freemasons/0FXds1sTomW8/