Originally posted by andre18
1)How long do you have to be one to be able to speak on behalf of them?
Only the Grand Lodge can speak in behalf of the entire fraternity under its own jurisdiction, and then, only with the approval of the membership. Any individual Mason may offer his own opinions, but these are not binding upon other Masons.
2)Do any rituals involve sexual activity such as the movie ‘Eyes wide shut’
No.
3)Does the movie ‘Eyes wide shut’ have any accurate legitimacy to it?
Not in regards to Freemasonry. As to other societies, I have no idea, but have never heard of them. Even organizations based around sexuality, such as O.T.O., don't generally perform group sex rituals, but do so privately.
4)How can I join a Masonic lodge?
By requesting admission. This can be done in several ways. If you know a Mason, the easiest thing is just to ask him to sponsor you. If not, you can call or email your local Lodge or Grand Lodge, let them know you're interested in joining, and they'll have someone on the membership committee in your area contact you.
5)What ties does the Bavarian Illuminati have with Freemasonry?
The leaders of the Bavarian Illuminati became Masons in hopes of recruiting membership from Masonic Lodges. Eventually, when the Illuminati established its own degree system, it made the first three degrees of Masonry the 5th, 6th, and 7th degrees of the Illuminati. This was irregular because the Illuminati did not have a Masonic charter, and so had no authority to confer those degrees. The Illuminati thus became a clandestine (illegitimate) Rite.
6)Why in the beginning of the Freemason society did it have to be secret?
The history is extremely complex. Originally it was the English stonemasons guild in the middle ages. Like the other guilds during feudalism, it kept on monopoly on its own craft, and therefore held its own trade secrets. These secrets became public after the science of architecture began to be taught in universities, but other traditional secrets, such as passwords and handshakes, remained.
Also, the fraternity had to go underground in many places for a time due to perecution from the established governments/churches.
7)What has kept it from being secret now?
There is no longer any need for the organization to be secret in a free society. Indeed, here in the USA, the fraternity has never been a secret organization.
8)Do any rituals involve such things that may disturb children?
No, but children would not be able to understand the complex symbolism involved. As far as that goes, many adults have trouble understanding it too.
9)What may some routine rituals involve?
The fraternity's rituals are mostly "degrees", where a new member is being initiated. Although they slightly vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, they can be described in general as being composed of three sections. In the first section, the candidate is publicly vouched for and takes an obligation relating to the degree. In the second section, an allegorical drama, similar to a play, is reinacted in which the candidate plays a part. In the third section, a lecture is given that explains the ceremonies and the symbols shown to the candidate.
10)What happens when someone reaches 33? More authority etc….
The 33° is an honorary degree in the Scottish Rite of Masonry. It does not give the recipient any authority, but recognizes him to honor outstanding service to the Scottish Rite, to Masonry in general, or to the community. The 33° makes the recipient an honorary member of the Supreme Council (the governing administrative body of the Scottish Rite of Masonry).
11)Does someone have to believe in god to be a mason – to partake in Masonic activities?
Yes. Masonry is theistic in its teachings, and recognizes the existence of a Supreme Being. However, Freemasonry is non-sectarian and non-denominational.
