Cracking the Freemason's Code [antikvár]

INTRODUCTION What is Freemasonry? I've lost count of the number of times I've been asked that question. I've also lost count of the number of times that I've jokingly replied: 'I'm sorry, I can't tell you - it's a secret!' It's not a secret, but the question - simple though it seems - is actually a very difficult one to answer. This book will reveal that Freemasonry is not as secretive as it might first appear by explaining the history, heritage and ethos of the Craft (as it is often called). In so doing, it will become clear why there is no single answer to that oft-repeated question. When it comes to defining Freemasonry, the essential difficulty lies in the fact that no one person or group of people can speak for the Craft. Certainly people who are very involved in Freemasonry, such as me, can offer their views and opinions as to what it is, what it does and what it means. But these are all personal, and other Freemasons - quite a number, I am sure - would disagree. I don't mind that at all. Indeed, one of the attractions of Freemasonry is that it can mean many things to many men. It is also one of the root causes for the confusion that surrounds the Craft today, so let me emphasize the point in another way. Because Freemasonry is a fragmented organization in the sense that it does not have a single 'head office' and has nothing in its structure akin to bishops or pastors, or even a CEO at an international level, there is no one person, or even group of people, who can speak for Freemasonry in its entirety. Confused? Well, aren't we all - and I'm not just talking about non-Freemasons! The purpose of this book is therefore to give some insight into the world of Freemasonry primarily from a personal point of view, but with a strong emphasis on its history. Whilst I offer this personal