Freemasons: a history and exploration of the world's oldest secret society iX-40

Summary: The book begins with an introduction of the author, H. Paul Jeffers. Jeffers says, in the introduction that he is not a Mason and does not have any affiliation with the masons. So what I want to know is, and probably you as well, how is he writing a book about a group he is not in? Jeffers talks a little about the masons as if he had joined them. Masonry, the oldest society in the world, is an international fraternity whose members are mostly men, but some admit women. Masonry is open to all people from different races and religion those who believe in immortality of the soul. At the head of the Masonry society is the Grand Lodge, a person who governs a particular place/country. People who are and were masons include presidents, kings, tycoons of industry, writers, composers, educators, generals, doctors, social and civil rights leaders. The origin of masonry has often been debated. Some argue that it began when King Solomon was building his temple; others date it way back to ancient Greece and Egypt. Free masonry was practiced in Europe and when colonies were established in the Americas, free masonry also establishes itself. Many of the U.S presidents were free masons and it is even said that the one dollar bill has some Masonic symbols. It is also said, or believed, that Congress was formed under Masonic beliefs. Masons are sworn to extreme secrecy and they look out for each other. Even though people believe Masonry is wrong, others believe it helps people express themselves. Chapter 1 and 2 both talk about the history of Free Masonry, which Jeffers believes, started with the building of King Solomon’s temple in the Holy Bible. Chapter 3, however, talks about Free Masonry and its relations to the…Knights…Templar? Huh?

Quote:

“He declares ‘Dues Vult’ (God wills it)” (Jeffers 13)

Reaction:
I found this quote to be quite humorous when I read it. Here is a society so secret and so…dedicated to things that most people believe are anti-Christianity, but one of its members is saying “God wills it”. What now they believe what they’re doing is what God told them to do, kind of like the idea of Manifest Destiny, when the pioneers traveled west spreading their democracy and said “It is God’s will”. Pfft, please.