What is Freemasonry and how-thick. Ten Myths About Modern Freemasonry

Based on the book by Y. Vorobyevsky and E. Soboleva "The Fifth Angel Sounded His Trumpet". Freemasonry in modern Russia. M: 2002.-500 p.

In terms of popularizing the brotherhood of free masons, L. Tolstoy's epic War and Peace did, probably, no less than all historical literature, and made it so that the intelligentsia loved and appreciated the old Russian Freemasonry. The reader could always understand that Pierre's throwings and disappointments were connected with his personal drama, that he himself was partly to blame for the failures and blows of fate he experienced. And more than once, as the author testifies, Freemasonry was not only a source of consolation for his hero, but also made it possible to rise to a great spiritual height. And these pages were written by Tolstoy with such brilliance and persuasiveness that the impression of them does not fade, despite subsequent hesitation and doubts.

Leo Tolstoy is a cult character of the Russian intelligentsia.

At the age of 12, one of the authors was taken to Yamnaya Polyana to bow to the grave of the great writer. This grave, a mound without a cross, made a depressing impression. Of course, the pioneer did not know then that Tolstoy himself bequeathed to bury himself without "so-called worship, but to bury the body so that it does not stink." So they buried it. Like a dog. And, as if over suicide, they did not put the cross.

Well, he was a spiritual suicide. The grave became, of course, a place of worship. Discovered all the signs of a religious monument. Soon after the death of the count, on August 28, 1911, his faithful student Biryukov and his comrades came here. They laid flowers. Biryukov's ten-year-old son bent down to correct them, and suddenly screamed loudly. The father saw with horror that the child's right arm was entwined with a viper that bit the boy ... Vipers were not seen in these places, an investigation was established, and the appearance of a gray snake three-quarters of an arshin long is a mystery. At the same time, a snake hole was discovered in the grave of the writer.

The creepy "wisdom" of this sinner will sting for a long time even from the grave. No, it was not for nothing that Lenin almost affectionately called Tolstoy the mirror of the Russian revolution. In general, there is a curious connection between these two characters, woven from a whole series of coincidences (?). In Anna Karenina, the prototype of revolutionary demons, the “new man,” an intellectual prone to suicide, who finds the “anchor of salvation” in the revolution, bears the surname Levin. This was one of Lenin's first pseudonyms. Too frank, pointing to Levitical roots (like the name of K, Marx - Levi). In the early version of the novel, this Levin called Nikolai Lenin. This, as you know, is the next pseudonym of the "leader of the world proletariat" and the future "cadaver".

In school and college programs, it was always silent that Tolstoy was not just a writer. After all, he was aiming at creating his own religion. Ostensibly Christian, but without Christ. What is the volume of various "teachings" collected by him - from all religious traditions and from all kinds of philosophers. In these quite ecumenical "chetya menaia" it is prescribed what "wisdom" should be read on this or that day of the year. And here is an entry in the writer's diary dated April 20, 1889: “A new world outlook and movement is ripening in the world, and it seems that participation is required of me - its proclamation. Precisely for this purpose I was deliberately made what I am with my reputation - made by the bell ”.

Truly messianic ambitions! They were developed in Tolstoy by a certain voice. Here is an entry dated May 25 of the same year: “At night I heard a voice demanding exposure of the errors of the world. Tonight a voice told me that it was time to expose the evil of the world ... We must not hesitate and postpone. There is nothing to be afraid of, nothing to think about, how and what to say. "

The blasphemer rode around the Yasnaya Polyana suburbs on a bay stallion, which he named Bes. And an invisible demon sat behind the count's back. As in the ancient seal of the Templar Knights - two riders on one horse. Well, the ancient ancestor of the writer and belonged to the Templar family. Sharahnuvshis from the fire of the Inquisition, he arrived in the XIV century in Russia. And the terrible cry of Jacques de Molay, his cry from the flame: "Vengeance, Adonai, vengeance!", - centuries later sounded in the soul of the Templar descendant.

By the beginning of the twentieth century, Lev Nikolaevich received specific intellectual training. It began with his desire to learn Hebrew. The teacher was the Moscow rabbi Solomon Moiseevich Minor (real name Zalkind).

Tolstoy, the founder of the family of which is considered the knight-templar Count Henri de Mons, archetypically accurately reproduced the Templar appeal for "wisdom" to Judaism. After some time of study, Minor stated: “He) Tolstoy) also knows the Talmud. In his stormy pursuit of truth, almost every lesson he asked me about the moral views of the Talmud, about the interpretation of biblical legends by the Talmudists, and, in addition, he also drew his information from the book "The Worldview of the Talmudists" written in Russian.

Teacher clues are heard in many of Tolstoy's texts. For example, that it is not Christianity that truly lives, but "socialism, communism, political and economic theories, utilitarianism." The spirit of Talmudic Christian hatred, down-to-earth practicalism, disguised as the communism of the Jewish messianism, is so high over these words.

About the demons of the future revolution, the murderers of Alexander II, Tolstoy speaks as follows: "the best, highly moral, selfless, kind people, what were Perovskaya, Osinsky, Lizogub and many others." About Freemasonry: "I have great respect for this organization and I believe that Frank-Freemasonry has done a lot of good for humanity." But about the "persecuted people": From a letter to V.S. Express my thoughts and feelings, because the basis of our aversion to the measures of oppression of the Jewish nationality is the same: the consciousness of fraternal ties with all peoples and even more so with the Jews, among whom Christ was born and who suffered so much and continue to suffer from pagan ignorance so called Christians. "

And more quotes:

- "The fact that I reject the incomprehensible trinity and ... the blasphemous theory of a god, born of a virgin, redeeming the human race, it is absolutely true." - “Look at the activities of the clergy among the people, and you will see that one idolatry is preached and intensively introduced: the raising of icons, the consecration of water, the wearing of miraculous icons at home, the glorification of relics, the wearing of crosses, etc.”.

- “In sanctification of oil, just as in chrismation, I see the technique of crude witchcraft, as in the veneration of icons and relics, as in all those rituals, prayers, and spells.”

All this he considered "the evil of the world." With the hand of hearing the "voice" Tolstoy saw, apparently, the same character that at one time and with the hand of the Chief Prosecutor of the Synod Melissino, and later Lenin. The count wrote terrible words about God. But what were the intonations! What the annoyance with which all this was said! What were the eyes! In the memoirs of contemporaries, a truly inhuman malice appears before us.

Talmudic wisdom is the main thing in Lev Nikolaevich's attitude to sacred texts. "The method of creating heresy is perfectly shown in his article" How to read the Gospel. " He advises to pick up a blue and red pencil and cross out the places with which you disagree with blue, and underline the ones that you like in red. The personal gospel thus compiled is to be lived.

Tolstoy himself cut off the beginning and end of the Gospel (Incarnation and Resurrection). And in the middle, Christ was compelled to humbly ask the permission of the Yasnaya Polyana teacher of all mankind at his every word. Everything - including Jesus, whom Tolstoy essentially takes as his disciple. Lev Nikolaevich forbade Jesus to create miracles.

Why are all of them - from Tolstoy to Melissino - so infuriated by the very fact of God's miracle? Because they themselves are not involved in it? Because it is not subject to a proud human will? It is strange that Tolstoy, who asserted universal human solidarity in issues of ethics, who insisted that a person closed in his individualism is flawed, persistently wrote that one must agree with the best moral thoughts expressed by the teachers of all mankind and all peoples, did not extend this solidarity to the area of ​​faith. ... He could not trust the religious experience of people - even those people whom he included among his teachers - he could not.

Once Tolstoy came to Optina Pustyn, but, due to his pride, he never crossed the threshold of the elder's cell. After the death of the blasphemer, Rabbi Ya. I. Maze said: "We will pray for Tolstoy as for a Jewish righteous man." Kagal did not forget the Count's words: “A Jew is a holy being who got eternal fire from heaven and enlightened the earth and those living on it with it. He is the spring and the source from which all other peoples have drawn their religions and beliefs ...

The Jew is the discoverer of freedom. Even in those primitive times, when the people were divided into two classes, masters and slaves, the Mosaic teaching forbade keeping a person in slavery for more than six years.

The Jew is a symbol of civil and religious tolerance. In the matter of religious tolerance, the Jewish religion is far from not only recruiting adherents, but, on the contrary, the Talmud prescribes that if a non-Jew wants to convert to the Jewish faith, he must explain to him how hard it is to be a Jew, and that the righteous of other nations will also inherit the kingdom of heaven ... The Jew is eternal. He is the personification of eternity. " Oh, soon, very soon, the "eternal Jew" will show Russia both his holiness, and his culture, and his religious tolerance ...

Much has already been written about the brotherhood of free masons, its history and teachings, symbolism and rituals, and almost everything is known, despite the secret nature of the Masonic society. It is also not difficult to get information about modern Freemasonry as an organization, including in Russia, - the websites of all Russian Masonic lodges are presented on the Internet. Much more interesting are the Masons themselves - living people who, for some reason, decide to become part of one of the most mysterious and scandalous communities in world history. Who are they - Russian Masons? Why do they become members of this society? What are they waiting for and what are they looking for in Freemasonry? It is difficult to talk about all modern Russian Freemasons, so we decided to talk with one of the most active and creative Russian "brothers" Yevgeny Shchukin, a translator and historian who occupies an important place in Russian Freemasonry.

Eugene, what kind of Masonic organization do you represent at the moment?

I am a member of the "Imhotep" lodge, which works in the system of Egyptian Freemasonry under the "Memphis-Misraim" charter. Prior to that, he was a member of the Grand Lodge of Russia (VLR) and worked according to the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Charter (DPSHU), held rather high positions in VLR and DPSHU, in particular, the position of deputy secretary. In general, I have been in Freemasonry for 17 years, since 1993. Among my degrees of initiation: 32nd Scottish Rite, English Royal Code, 33rd Memphis-Misraim Rite, S.I. Ancient Martinist Order.

How did you first get acquainted with Masonic ideas?

Like many Russian brothers, I first got acquainted with the Masonic teaching through Tolstoy's "War and Peace", then went the Soviet agitprop - "Behind the facade of the Masonic temple" by Zamoysky, and then an independent search for more objective and complete information, and then I immediately stumbled upon Albert Pike. And I immediately drowned in him, because he was a genius human being, there is practically not a single topic that is spiritually significant for me that he would not reveal. In particular, it was through him that I decided on my religious position, which can be called universalism. He would not call it that, but in fact he formulated precisely the universalist position with his chased phrases, which determined a lot for me.

When a person enters Freemasonry, he is generally immediately warned that this is not a social insurance fund, that he will not receive any material aid, but will only pay, pay and pay - contributions, contributions and again contributions.

What attracted you to free masonry so much? Why did you choose Freemasonry from the multitude of esoteric teachings and organizations?

There were some external circumstances, for example, dissidence. I was and remain an ardent anti-Soviet, and since Freemasonry in the USSR was persecuted and ideologically stigmatized, I was doubly interested in it. I perceive the ROC exclusively as a Soviet bureaucratic product and for me it has never been a variant of a spiritual search. Besides, it is exotic. Virtually nothing was known about Freemasonry in Russia, we had no Masons alive, all this was surrounded by an atmosphere of mystery, scandal, exoticism. I remember what my surprise was when I came to the States, where I was initiated, for an internship in a small town of 30 thousand people on the border with Canada, and there the largest building was a Masonic temple of 8 floors. This struck me then: what was secret in the USSR was completely open and obvious there - the largest building in a small provincial town. Exotic, in a word.

But there are more important things, internal, let's say. Freemasonry attracts me in two aspects - vertical and horizontal. In the vertical plane, it offers an organic synthesis of all esoteric traditions of different eras and different cultures, accumulates knowledge about them, allows them to be studied and creates the right atmosphere to study them. And in the horizontal plane - I spoke about this on the radio "Echo of Moscow" - this is, among other things, a way of reviving and uniting the Russian intelligentsia, that is, intellectuals who, in addition to intellectual work, are also engaged in mental work. At the moment, Freemasonry seems to me to be the only organization capable of uniting the intelligentsia, and this is a very significant moment for me. That is, this union is based on both intellectual and spiritual. In particular, I adhere to the position that only religious people should be accepted into Freemasonry, although there are also disagreements on this issue in the Masonic environment. The fact that in Freemasonry traditions are associated with very beautiful rituals also adds to the attractiveness of Freemasonry.

North Quabbin Lodge officers (Massachusetts, USA, 2010. Photo: flickr.com/photos/usonian/)

It is widely believed that membership in a Masonic lodge provides some kind of special career opportunities, privileges, and income. Can you, knowing the situation from the inside, confirm or deny it?

This opinion is absolutely not true. Freemasonry generally allows only functionaries of an exclusively bureaucratic type to make money on themselves. That is, in the lodges there is only one paid post in general - the Secretary, who for all these torments with the paperwork receives some very low salary. And no one else makes money on this, except for some corruption schemes that were in the Great Lodge of Russia in the 90s, and now and there hardly anyone can get anything. It's just that when VLR was just beginning to form, there were material receipts from fraternal organizations abroad, and some amazing things happened to them, in the Russian tradition. When a person enters Freemasonry, he is generally immediately warned that this is not a social insurance fund, that he will not receive any material aid, but will only pay, pay and pay - contributions, contributions and again contributions.

How does your profane life compare with membership in a Masonic lodge? Does one interfere with the other?

Sometimes there are difficulties. For example, I gave an interview on the radio "Echo of Moscow", I could not give my real name, I also try to delimit Freemasonry from work in a narrow sense.

Why at the moment are you working according to the "Memphis-Misraim" charter, one of the most occult and esoteric? How do you personally feel about occult practices?

I do not approve of them, I do not appreciate them, I do not believe in the possibility of manipulating the divine will, and I perceive magical rituals only as such - as attempts to manipulate the divine will. Mentally, I can turn to God, but without specific formulations, rituals and other things.

However, despite this, Egyptian Freemasonry interests me for several reasons. Firstly, no one in the box is forcing anyone to anything, some generally accepted occult practices do not exist. This is just one of the areas of Freemasonry, which, yes, traditionally unites people who are deeply interested in some esoteric topics. And the history of esotericism, the history of occultism has always attracted and interested me very much, I am generally a historian by nature, although by education and by occupation I am a linguist and translator. In addition to the fact that Freemasonry gives me the opportunity to deeply study the history of esotericism of different centuries and countries, it also gives me the opportunity to communicate with those people who are intellectually close to me.

The ceremony of joining the Grand Lodge of France at the end of the 18th century. Illustration from "Historia General de la Masoneria" (G. Danton, Spain, 1882)

How do you understand Masonic initiation? What is Initiation in Freemasonry?

In Freemasonry, this is pretty much just giving out a piece of paper. But this should be complemented by personal conditions, and this already depends on the person. For many people, it is important to simply occupy different positions, influence, manage, but they have no desire for spiritual enlightenment. In fact, I consider initiation as structural points of the vector of spiritual development, as a way to improve oneself.

Can Masonic teachings be called religious, and Freemasonry itself a religion?

Masonic teaching can be called religious exactly to the extent that the philosophy of a religious person can be called a religious philosophy. Freemasonry itself is only a tool for the practical realization of the inner spiritual potential of a person, religious, moral, and even physical, if a person from all of Freemasonry suddenly suddenly chooses the idea of ​​construction and starts erecting buildings in the fresh air, and why not? After all, no one can forbid him to do this, if he "sees it this way."

What is your attitude as a Freemason towards traditional confessions?

Most of all I am not satisfied with Christianity. This is my subjective point of view, although based on the literature I read. I am very strongly against the institution of priesthood, i.e. mediation between man and god. I am convinced that if God needs it, he can communicate with a person directly, and an intermediary is not needed, so I deny both the sacraments and priests, etc. I do not see these minuses in Judaism, Islam, but there is a lot of other things there - excessive formalization, limitations invented by people that have nothing to do with God. And somehow I do not perceive at all non-monotheistic religions. Because I believe in a single creator, and I believe that everything else is human delusion. Moreover, I am a supporter of the theory that monotheism is the original religion of mankind and only half-educated, uneducated, stupid people can transform different symbols of a single deity into different gods.

At the moment, a completely totalitarian sectarian structure is Bogdanov's Grand Lodge of Russia.

But after all, Freemasonry also has rituals, landmarks, i.e. some kind of limitation, what is the difference in your opinion?

The difference is that in Freemasonry there is no formalization and restrictions vertically, but only horizontally - the ritual is what connects people, to create a structure, the ritual is very useful, but for communication with God it is not needed.

What, in your opinion, is the role of Freemasonry in society, in particular, in modern Russia?

Initially, socially, Freemasonry was planned as a narrow spiritual center that would affect the society around it. But Freemasonry did not fulfill its task and is unlikely to ever fulfill it, because this is just a cut of society. At some point, it began to work in the opposite direction, like a vacuum cleaner, began to absorb the tendencies of society into itself, and due to this, there are financial crimes, and totalitarianism, and anything else. As far as I understand, at the moment, a completely totalitarian sectarian structure is Bogdanov's Grand Lodge of Russia. But in this they do not lag behind South America, for example, where Freemasonry is also very totalitarian, there they have such age-old traditions - a military dictatorship. And in Italian Freemasonry, for example, absolute anarchy and a mess reigns

What is Freemasonry in Russia in general? What is the approximate number of members of all Masonic lodges?

In Russia, Freemasonry is represented by several groups of people who, in a competitive struggle among themselves, are trying, first of all, to understand for themselves what Freemasonry is. And since at the same time they form Freemasonry in this country, it is here and it turns out so eternally unfinished, crumbling on the go and constantly changing its appearance - just like a sand castle. It does not play any role in the life of the surrounding Russian society and is completely closed on itself and foreign Masonic jurisdictions.

In general, there are slightly more than 600 Freemasons in Russia, about 250 in VLR, about 350 in OVLR, and about 50-60 more in other groups.

If a person applied and went through one interview, and found out that he does not want to become the governor of Kamchatka through Freemasonry, then this is enough, because it means that he is also bruised on the head.

What do you think, what are the general reasons why people join Masonic lodges in Russia?

Back in the mid-90s, one of our brothers, the strangest person in our Freemasonry, a former policeman and in general a very simple and straightforward person, formulated this in his own manner, saying that we will all be here forever and despite all our disagreements , we're not going anywhere from here, because we are all bruised over the head. I would describe it this way, because in the 17 years that I have been in Freemasonry, I have seen absolutely all types of people, and all of them are united by this. We have, for example, half-blessed people who have turned to esotericism, there are priests, representatives of official confessions, church people who are nevertheless interested in this. There are pragmatists, historians, for example, who study the material by immersing themselves in it from the inside. There are cynics who are looking for some material, social benefits for themselves, some think to find bloody orgies or the secret of the philosopher's stone in our country, then, of course, they are massively disappointed and leave. It is difficult to single out any common reasons. But we are all hurt. And I always put forward this argument in the lodge, when there is a vote on a new candidate, I always say the same phrase: a person has applied in the 21st century to join the Masonic lodge. What else do you want? Why torture him? Let's take it! I personally believe that if a person applied and passed one interview, and found out that he does not want to become the governor of Kamchatka through Freemasonry, then this is enough, because it means that he is also bruised on the head. And you don't need any three interviews, as we do it, no discussions, debates, votes, re-voting, you must immediately accept

What are the prospects for Freemasonry in Russia?

Well, we now have a very stormy, active life, we are developing our new obedience, in one year we have advanced very far. We started with a lodge of 7 people, and in a year we grew to 18, we have close contacts with the French center of our obedience, we gather 2 times a month with the full staff of the work in the lodge, and this shows that our group is precisely united, and this is what we were striving for. Freemasonry denies individual dedication, a person cannot be a Freemason outside the lodge, he must participate in its work constantly, and not for patents, but for an idea. This year has shown that we have great prospects, next year we will open another box, so everything is very rosy.

Anyone who wants to join the Masonic lodge, I would advise you to think a hundred times. I always say: you need to be prepared for the fact that this will not change anything in life. Dedication takes place inside, and if it does not happen, then it is not destiny, then. It's like in "Foucault's Pendulum" in the chapter about the umband - the girlfriend of the protagonist is "covered", although she did not want it, and the Swede, dancing for 3 hours in the center of the hall, struggling to find unity with the spirits and writhing, gets nothing and nothing gets tired.

How does Tolstoy describe Freemasonry in War and Peace? and got the best answer

Answer from Alexey Khoroshev [guru]
Leo Tolstoy's novel War and Peace was published at a time when Masonic societies in Russia had long been banned. But the events of the novel take us back to the first decades of the 19th century, when Freemasonry flourished in Russia. It is known that Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov was a Freemason, he was looking in the brotherhood for an opportunity to comprehend and comprehend the world. His Masonic history begins in 1779: in the German city of Regensburg, he became involved in the sacraments of the order. Later, traveling across Europe, Kutuzov entered the lodges of Frankfurt and Berlin, and upon his return to Russia in 1783 he was recognized by the lodges of St. Petersburg and Moscow. Mikhail Illarionovich enjoyed great prestige among Masons of various degrees. Upon initiation into the seventh degree of Swedish Freemasonry, Kutuzov was given the order name Greening Laurel and the motto “Glorify yourself with victories”. The life of the commander fully corresponded to this motto.
Kutuzov gave more than 30 years to the brotherhood, it was he who stopped Napoleon, the demon of violence and lust for power in the understanding of free masons, thereby realizing the main goal of the order - the achievement of peace and tranquility. In Tolstoy's novel, Kutuzov is already a man with established convictions, he is not tormented by doubts the way it happens with Pierre Bezukhov, who is just worried about questions of moral self-improvement. The bearer of these ideas in the novel "War and Peace" is Iosif Alekseevich Bazdeev, who made a strong impression on Pierre with his passionate sermon. The image of Bazdeev was written from a real person - Joseph Alekseevich Pozdeev, very popular among Moscow masons. This circumstance, apparently, forced to leave the name and patronymic of the character unchanged and make minor changes to his last name.
Favorite heroes of L. N. Tolstoy go through a difficult spiritual path in a painful search for truth. They are carried away by false ideas, are deluded, change internally and eventually approach the ideal of simplicity.
Pierre Bezukhov's entry into the Masonic society falls on a difficult period of his life associated with his marriage to Helen Kuragina. He is tormented, realizing that not only was deceived, but also deceived others. He considered himself guilty that he had married without love - this plunges Pierre into a deep crisis. “What's wrong? What well? What should be loved, what should be hated? Why do I need to live and what am I? What is life, what is death? What is the power that controls everything? He asks himself. These reflections on the meaning of life are characteristic of Tolstoy's positive characters.
Pierre's coming to Freemasonry was an important event, as it will help find a way out for his inner rumblings. He "thought, thought, thought and thought," the author says. But the more he thought, the "darker, more confused and more hopeless the past, the future and, most importantly, the present seemed to him."
During such reflections, when Pierre was immersed in “the highest mindset that a person can reach,” a stranger entered the room at that moment. It was the old Freemason Bazdeev, who came to Pierre to convert him. He immediately began a conversation about Freemasonry, suggested introducing Pierre into the “brotherhood of free masons,” where he would find peace. Pierre "felt hope and reassurance in the piercing gaze of the Mason." A week later, Bezukhov was scheduled to be admitted to the St. Petersburg Lodge of the Northern Lights. Pierre was admitted to the box with the observance of all the rituals. New life inspired new strength in Pierre, and after his initiation into Masons he was "cheerful and restrained, as if making fun of the whole world, knowing the truth."
From the day of admission to the "brotherhood of Freemasons" for Pierre began "a new life - activity and self-satisfaction." Soon Pierre, supported by his brothers-Masons in his long-standing intentions, drove through the estates "with a very clearly defined goal: to bless his twenty thousand souls of the peasants."
Pierre finds the meaning of life in the philosophy of moral self-improvement as a means of eliminating evil in himself and in the world.

Many of us got an idea of ​​Freemasonry from historical and fiction literature. But is it true? There are many myths that actually have nothing to do with reality and only distort the impression about this rather ancient teaching.

The first myth. Freemasonry is a sect

Has very little to do with sects. Rather, it is an esoteric society whose members are engaged in a spiritual search. Outside the Masonic lodge, the life of its members is not controlled by anyone; a person can do anything, for example, go to church.

The second myth. It is known that many outstanding people belonged to Freemasonry, for example, Peter I and Pushkin

We will never know for sure. The lists of Freemasons are kept inside the lodges and are not made public. Therefore, we can only assume that this or that person was or is a Freemason ... By the way, the members of the lodges themselves are forbidden to talk about their comrades-in-arms.

The third myth. We are ruled by masons

Rumors of a "Masonic conspiracy" are complete nonsense. Freemasonry is not a political force and cannot influence the life of the state in any way. Also, there is no evidence that any representatives of the authorities are members of the Masonic lodges. Moreover, talking about politics is prohibited at meetings of Masonic lodges.

The fourth myth. Masons accept only the “chosen ones” - representatives of the elite and bohemian circles. For example, businessmen, lawyers, scientists, writers, artists

Freemasonry motto: "Freedom, equality, brotherhood." Therefore, theoretically anyone can become a Freemason, regardless of their social or professional affiliation. Another thing is that you have to be prepared for the fact that you will have to pay fees, as in every society, and they are not symbolic here ... And in order to take spiritual initiation, you need to have a certain level of development. Therefore, as a rule, more often people come to Freemasonry from certain social circles and with an appropriate level of material wealth.

The fifth myth. Masonic Lodge Membership Can Promote Career or Financial Benefits

Nothing of the sort happens. The Masonic organization is a secret order where people come for spiritual interests, and not a public structure. Therefore, membership in it does not give the right to any social status. Moreover, members of the order are generally not encouraged to talk about their affiliation with Freemasonry. Thus, it does not give any priorities.

To everyone who comes here,. If it turns out that a person came for any social or material benefit, he is immediately weeded out.

True, one of the main activities of the order is charity. An obligatory element of the ritual tradition is the so-called "Widow's Circle". This is a bag with which all members of the lodge are bypassed, and everyone has the right to put his donation there. Then these donations go to charity. Members of the order can also help their brothers in adversity.

The sixth myth. Freemasons single out "especially worthy" and invite them to join the order

In fact, direct campaigning is prohibited here. A member of the order can hint that he has an acquaintance in these circles, you can recommend a candidate. No more…

The seventh myth. Candidates go through complex rituals upon joining the order.

We mainly know about the introductory rituals of Freemasonry from Tolstoy's novel War and Peace, which describes the scene of Pierre Bezukhov's acceptance into Masons. In our time, they have also practically remained unchanged: interrogation under the bandage, tests by the elements ... But they are all symbolic.

The eighth myth. Women are not accepted as Masons, at least in Russia

Now in Russia there are mixed lodges, where women are also accepted. Although traditionally, only men were selected for Masonic organizations.

The fact is that there are a lot of so-called protective elements in Masonic rituals. For example, many of them are related to weapons. The box is entered under the arches of swords. The first thing that the initiate sees when the bandage is removed from him is a semicircle of people with swords in their hands pointed at his chest. This ritual semicircle symbolizes the rays of the sun ... To properly wield cold weapons, one must be a very prepared person. It seems that this is why women were not allowed into the order for a long time.

The ninth myth. Freemasons recognize each other by special signs

Oddly enough, this is true. Freemasons can recognize each other by a special handshake. There is also a specific word that is used by members of the lodge. But this is a rather archaic tradition.

The tenth myth. Freemasons are forbidden to talk about the activities of the order

This is also true. Otherwise, the existence of the order will not make any sense at all. The Masonic organization was closed from the very beginning, which means that the spiritual knowledge received by its members is not revealed to the uninitiated. Indeed, in order to perceive them, a person must have a certain level of spiritual development and preparation.