Originally posted by RuneSpider
And, to add in, many Masons seems to have differing opinions as to the actual formation and history or Masonry. SOme, for instance, believe it is
directly tied to the Knights Templars, others pretty much accept what they learn from the books.
So, you'll probably get fdifferent ideas from folks for that reason as well.

yes there are many stories on the origins of modern masonry...however the allegorical and mythical start was with the Master Hiram that's all. what
transpired after or how it was dispersed until the Grand Lodge of England made it public this is the fun part of digging through documents and making
connections to the Templars and other crusaders and people involved there. It is fascinating stuff, but it is all shared and discussed in many books-
a good source of information, especially when written by Mason's themselves- which you will find more than one tale as you stated...I personally
feel that the Templar connection is the best as it connects DeMolay and lots of traditions we have now.
everyone is so obsessed withthe Scottish Rites 32 and 33rd degree- yet no one seeks any mystery in the York Rites top tier of Knights Templar a
continuation of the past maybe and the real answers might be there
not to be confused with the Knights of Columbus of course.