Da Vinci Code triggers rise in freemason membership
Da Vinci Code triggers rise in freemason membership
June 19, 2006
Mason mania
freemasons on the rise again. A 'Da Vinci Code' connection triggers interest in fraternal group.
Like many fraternal organizations, the Freemasons suffered from shrinking numbers for decades.
But a controversial novel has suddenly made one fraternal group hip -- and is bringing in some new members.
Dan Brown's book "The Da Vinci Code" was propelled by references to the Knights Templar -- a group Freemasons say has a connection to their group.
"The short version of the story is that the Knights of Templar were kicked out of France and went to England," says Brian Johnson, general lodge administrator in Burlington, N.J. "And there's no doubt there's a connection between the Knights of Templar and the Freemasons."
Some people are just curious about the Freemasons. But others who ask questions ultimately become Masons, Johnson said.
And that may increase next year when Dan Brown releases his follow-up to "The Da Vinci Code." It's reportedly a thriller centered around the Freemasons and is set in Washington, D.C.
American cornerstone
That's good news for the Freemasons who were once a cornerstone of American society, counting among their members nine signers of the Declaration of Independence, 14 presidents, and 42 U.S. Supreme Court justices.
The organization is a fraternity, social club and "brotherhood" that, using the ancient craft of stonecutting as a metaphor, seeks to instill morality and upright behavior in members.
But to be sure, Freemasonry is at a crossroads. Popular with the World War II generation, the Masons hit their peak in 1959, with more than 4 million U.S. members. Now, membership is about 1.5 million.
"Modern-day people, especially younger people, just don't have as much time to devote to social and fraternal organizations," said Ward Guffey, president of the Masonic Temple Corp., which owns the downtown Dallas temple.
At the same time, though, Masons do seem to be making a cultural splash. The release of the film version "The Da Vinci Code" has piqued interest in secret societies and ancient rituals.
Pop-culture connections
And "Da Vinci" author Dan Brown's next book, "The Solomon Key," is rumored to be about Masonry and the Founding Fathers. Masonry also figured prominently in the 2004 Nicolas Cage adventure film, "National Treasure" -- even with its Hollywood tinted plot.
"I thought it was pretty far-fetched, but it was fun and did get people asking questions," says Andrew Zellers-Frederick, executive director of the Masonic Library and Museum in Philadelphia.
Many Masonic leaders see the spike in interest as an opportunity to re-energize Freemasonry and its various subgroups -- which include, in addition to the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, the Order of the Eastern Star and the Shriners.
The fraternity has a lot of history on its side -- and legend, precisely the kind that is so fascinating to eager consumers of tales like "The Da Vinci Code."
"People are very interested in history, especially of historical figures like Benjamin Franklin, who was Grand Master of the Freemasons twice," Zellers-Frederick said.
There are different theories about the origins of the Masons. In the most popular narrative, the fraternity looks back on two historical moments in particular.
One is the building of King Solomon's Temple, which Masons say was completed in the 10th century B.C. by stonemasons of three skill levels -- entered apprentice, fellow craft and master mason.
The second dates to medieval times, when a group known as the Knights Templar, or the Poor Knights of Christ, was sent to protect Crusaders on their way to Jerusalem. Legend has it that the Knights were actually on a different mission, having learned that treasure had been buried by the builders of Solomon's Temple, which was destroyed in 587 B.C.
Scholars agree that around 1717 Freemasonry emerged in England as a fraternal order, distinct from the medieval craft guilds. Masonry arrived in America by 1730, when Benjamin Franklin became a member in Philadelphia.
Symbolic nature
Freemasons today view the tools of the Masonic craft as metaphors: They see their lives as "spiritual and moral edifices," and they try to fulfill the fraternity's motto, "We make good men better."
Masons advance through the ranks by "degrees." To move up, a participant must undergo a ritual in which he learns secret handshakes and words, as well as moral and ethical lessons.
Knights, secret rituals, and treasure aside, Masonry is, its leaders say, fundamentally about giving back to the community and being a force for good in the world.
Although Freemasonry requires a belief in God or some higher power, the fraternity is adamant that it is not a religion, and it welcomes members of all faiths.
However, some religious groups, leery of the Masons' focus on rites, vows and rituals, warn members to steer clear. In particular, the Roman Catholic Church has famously objected to Masonry since the 1730s.
No one, however, questions the Masons' devotion to charitable works. In most states, Masonic charities fund hospitals, old age homes, and other philanthropic activities.
The fraternity, charity and community the Masons represent will keep the group strong, said Frank Brown of Dallas.
"It's something I would recommend to anyone who is striving for relationships with people who they know they can trust -- and who they want to be trusted by," he said.
http://tinyurl.com/zgm6b
June 19, 2006
Mason mania
freemasons on the rise again. A 'Da Vinci Code' connection triggers interest in fraternal group.
Like many fraternal organizations, the Freemasons suffered from shrinking numbers for decades.
But a controversial novel has suddenly made one fraternal group hip -- and is bringing in some new members.
Dan Brown's book "The Da Vinci Code" was propelled by references to the Knights Templar -- a group Freemasons say has a connection to their group.
"The short version of the story is that the Knights of Templar were kicked out of France and went to England," says Brian Johnson, general lodge administrator in Burlington, N.J. "And there's no doubt there's a connection between the Knights of Templar and the Freemasons."
Some people are just curious about the Freemasons. But others who ask questions ultimately become Masons, Johnson said.
And that may increase next year when Dan Brown releases his follow-up to "The Da Vinci Code." It's reportedly a thriller centered around the Freemasons and is set in Washington, D.C.
American cornerstone
That's good news for the Freemasons who were once a cornerstone of American society, counting among their members nine signers of the Declaration of Independence, 14 presidents, and 42 U.S. Supreme Court justices.
The organization is a fraternity, social club and "brotherhood" that, using the ancient craft of stonecutting as a metaphor, seeks to instill morality and upright behavior in members.
But to be sure, Freemasonry is at a crossroads. Popular with the World War II generation, the Masons hit their peak in 1959, with more than 4 million U.S. members. Now, membership is about 1.5 million.
"Modern-day people, especially younger people, just don't have as much time to devote to social and fraternal organizations," said Ward Guffey, president of the Masonic Temple Corp., which owns the downtown Dallas temple.
At the same time, though, Masons do seem to be making a cultural splash. The release of the film version "The Da Vinci Code" has piqued interest in secret societies and ancient rituals.
Pop-culture connections
And "Da Vinci" author Dan Brown's next book, "The Solomon Key," is rumored to be about Masonry and the Founding Fathers. Masonry also figured prominently in the 2004 Nicolas Cage adventure film, "National Treasure" -- even with its Hollywood tinted plot.
"I thought it was pretty far-fetched, but it was fun and did get people asking questions," says Andrew Zellers-Frederick, executive director of the Masonic Library and Museum in Philadelphia.
Many Masonic leaders see the spike in interest as an opportunity to re-energize Freemasonry and its various subgroups -- which include, in addition to the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, the Order of the Eastern Star and the Shriners.
The fraternity has a lot of history on its side -- and legend, precisely the kind that is so fascinating to eager consumers of tales like "The Da Vinci Code."
"People are very interested in history, especially of historical figures like Benjamin Franklin, who was Grand Master of the Freemasons twice," Zellers-Frederick said.
There are different theories about the origins of the Masons. In the most popular narrative, the fraternity looks back on two historical moments in particular.
One is the building of King Solomon's Temple, which Masons say was completed in the 10th century B.C. by stonemasons of three skill levels -- entered apprentice, fellow craft and master mason.
The second dates to medieval times, when a group known as the Knights Templar, or the Poor Knights of Christ, was sent to protect Crusaders on their way to Jerusalem. Legend has it that the Knights were actually on a different mission, having learned that treasure had been buried by the builders of Solomon's Temple, which was destroyed in 587 B.C.
Scholars agree that around 1717 Freemasonry emerged in England as a fraternal order, distinct from the medieval craft guilds. Masonry arrived in America by 1730, when Benjamin Franklin became a member in Philadelphia.
Symbolic nature
Freemasons today view the tools of the Masonic craft as metaphors: They see their lives as "spiritual and moral edifices," and they try to fulfill the fraternity's motto, "We make good men better."
Masons advance through the ranks by "degrees." To move up, a participant must undergo a ritual in which he learns secret handshakes and words, as well as moral and ethical lessons.
Knights, secret rituals, and treasure aside, Masonry is, its leaders say, fundamentally about giving back to the community and being a force for good in the world.
Although Freemasonry requires a belief in God or some higher power, the fraternity is adamant that it is not a religion, and it welcomes members of all faiths.
However, some religious groups, leery of the Masons' focus on rites, vows and rituals, warn members to steer clear. In particular, the Roman Catholic Church has famously objected to Masonry since the 1730s.
No one, however, questions the Masons' devotion to charitable works. In most states, Masonic charities fund hospitals, old age homes, and other philanthropic activities.
The fraternity, charity and community the Masons represent will keep the group strong, said Frank Brown of Dallas.
"It's something I would recommend to anyone who is striving for relationships with people who they know they can trust -- and who they want to be trusted by," he said.
http://tinyurl.com/zgm6b
bin66 - 1. Jul, 01:41
