Al-Khabar Lebanese News
In short, the answer is yes, but there are also clandestine and probably pseudo Freemasonry too. Freemasonry is an international fraternity of men and women, although meeting separately as well as combined, and not all recognised by one another. There are many, and some quite ridiculous, stories from those that believe they fully understand Freemasonry, but few contain whole truths, and some are total lies or misunderstandings; but when a society meets in secret rumours are sure to follow. Therefore it is not at all surprising that many find Freemasonry mysterious, maybe even a little frightening, or believe them to be a group of ‘privileged people’ who can ‘open doors;’ or believe those conspiracy theories like ’33° Scottish Rite Freemasons rule the worlds rulers!’ It is therefore difficult for the non-Freemasons to fully understand our philosophy and separate the truth from these conspiracy theories, myths and other tall tales.
In the most commonly used terms, Freemasonry is described as a “system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols” – whatever that means? OK, what that basically means is that Freemasonry is a series of morality plays which are illustrated using symbols, and these symbols are mostly the working tools of operative mason’s. It’s main ancient landmarks are “brotherly love, relief (charity) and truth, and above all a belief in God.”Freemasonry’s aim is to make its members better people through this series of rituals – morality plays – one for every single degree, with its members taking the ‘acting’ roles in these plays.
Let’s begin these articles on Freemasonry by explaining that there are only two groups whose timeline goes all the way back to the very first acknowledged Grand Lodge of London and Westminster, England; this was founded in 1717. One of these groups is known as ‘regular’ Freemasonry, as this group has maintained all the principles and Landmarks of the Order, the other, known as ‘irregular’ Freemasons, has veered from this path. Then there are those who are known as ‘clandestine,’ these are Lodges of Freemasons that don’t fall under any Grand Lodge to oversee that they remain within the principles and landmarks of the order.
Finally there are also those known as ‘pseudo’ Freemasons, not to be confused with ‘clandestine’ Freemasons, as these are groups that are completely bogus and are often businesses, often insurance companies, some even criminal, all hiding behind the mask of Freemasonry in order to benefit from Freemasonry’s good name. So let’s begin our story with an explanation of each.
Basically, ‘regular’ Freemasonry is the group of Freemasons associated with Grand Lodges in amity with The Grand Lodges of England, Ireland and Scotland where Freemasonry is deemed to have first evolved and, of course, in amity with each other; these form the majority of Freemasons around the world. ‘Regular’ Freemasons Lodges were forming in the very late 16th century and the first acknowledged Grand Lodge was formed. These, along with ‘irregular’ Freemasons, those in amity with the Grand Orient of France, can map their heritage back to 1717 and earlier. Freemasonry began when the companies, guilds and Lodges of operative masons began accepting non operative masons into their societies. The earliest records of these ‘accepted’ men joining these Lodges come from Scotland in the very late part of the 16th century, with one Scottish Lodge, the Lodge of Scoon and Perth No 3, having a record of King James VI joining in 1600, in their own old Scottish words:
“King James VI [he would be 34 at this time] by his own desire was entered ffrieman, measone, and Fellow of Craft of the Lodge.” Also seen in this document is the remark “during all his lyfetime he mantayned the same as ane member of the Lodge of Scoon, so that this Lodge is the most famous Lodge (iff weill ordered) within the Kingdome.”
Many have noted that Elias Ashmole was the first recorded Freemason in England, but others have cited another. From the ‘Square Magazine:’
In fact, the first documented Freemasonic initiation on English soil happened in 1641, at Newcastle, and that Freemason was Bro Sir Robert Moray.
Apparently the ‘Square Magazine’ (October 2021 edition) didn’t think very highly of Elias Ashmole. Ashmole was an avid diarist but there are only two mentions of Freemasonry recorded, that of his initiation in 1646 – again in the words of the day (e.g. mafon = mason):
Octob. 16. 4 Hor. 30 minutes poft merid. I was made a Free-Mafon at Warrington in Lancafhire, with Colonel Henry Mainwaring of Karticham in Chefhire; the names of thofe that were then at the lodge, Mr. Richard Penket Warden, Mr. James Collier, Mr. Richard Sankey, Henry Littler, John Ellam, and Hugh Brewer.
It is not recorded if those ‘that were then at the lodge’ were operative masons or ‘accepted’ masons. Another entry from Ashmole’s diary of March 10, 1682, 5 hours past meridian (mid-day) reads:
- Mar. 10. About 5 Hor. poft merid. I received a fummons, to appear at a lodge to be held the next day at Mafons- Hall in London.
The following day, 11 March 1682, he wrote:
Accordingly I went, & about Noone were admitted into the Fellowship of Free Masons. I was the Senior Fellow among them (it being 35 years since I was admitted) … We all dynerd at the Half Moon Tavern in Cheapside, at a Noble Dinner prepared at the charge of the New-accepted Masons.
The ancient Landmarks and principles of the Freemasonry include a belief in God and the absence of any discussion related to religion and politics within the Lodge; such discussions can upset the harmony of the Lodge. Followers of all monotheistic religions are welcomed into Freemasonry, hence the ban on religious discussions at Lodge meetings. There is also Freemasonry for women – yes ‘regular’ Freemasons’ Lodges for women exist alongside the men’s Lodges, but note well though, unlike co-Freemasonry, neither gender can enter the others Lodge when the Lodge is closed tyled, i.e. opened for a regular meeting – but they usually share the same premises. Freemasonry for women entered England in 1902 as co-Freemasonry, and soon after two Grand Lodges were formed, eventually excluding men from both.
Irregular Freemasons are those Grand Lodges whose practice has become incompatible with the ancient landmarks and principles set in the ancient charges. This ‘irregularity’ began in 1877 when the Grand Orient of France allowed its Lodges to accept in non-believers alongside those who did believe in God, and later began to set themselves more into the betterment of society in general, whilst ‘regular’ Freemasonry seeks for the betterment of its individual members. Let’s hear their own words:
For Masons of the Grande Oriente de France, the pursuit of progress has always been at the forefront of their minds and deeds to the extent that makes this principle an integral part of the Tradition of the Order. We are the heirs of men and women who have endeavoured, in their own way, to improve Humanity,,, the Grande Oriente de France is a watchful defender of the principles embodied in its maxim which is also that of the French Republic: “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.”
As a result, the Grand Orient de France is bonded to the absolute freedom of conscience which is guaranteed by non-secular institutions. Accordingly, the Grand Orient de France is vehemently opposed to racism and the enemies of democracy.
However, this does not indicate that these French Grand Lodges do not follow the other landmarks and principles contained in the ancient charges. In fact, at one time these ‘irregular’ and ‘regular’ Grand Lodge began their lives in harmony with each other.
Then there is the third group, those considered ‘clandestine.’ The correct description of this group is simply a lodge that has not been constituted by a Grand Lodge, or belongs to a so called Grand Lodge not in amity with any of the ‘regular’ or ‘irregular’ Grand Lodge. They may follow the ancient Landmarks as they see them, but can’t be considered associated with Freemasonry of either kind already mentioned; why would they not do their utmost to become in amity with these Grand Lodges if they were legitimate? This name – ‘clandestine’ – came about as Freemasons’ Lodges were beginning to fall in line with this first Grand Lodge (1717), known as the ‘Moderns,’ and also those that fell in line with the second Grand Lodge in England – 1751 – known as the ‘Ancients.’ Those that remained outside of either of these groups were considered ‘clandestine’ as they remained independent of these Grand Lodges. Each of these Grand Lodges were forming Freemasonry in the way they believed it ought to be but they settled their differences and became ‘united’ in 1813, forming the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE). The same applied at this time to Grand Lodges that were formed in Ireland (1723) and Scotland (1738) during the 18th century as some of these Lodges stayed independent of these Grand Lodges also. Few, if any, ‘clandestine’ Lodges exist in the UK and Ireland today. In other jurisdictions ‘clandestine’ Lodges may still exist.
The fourth group are simple ‘pseudo’ or ‘quasi’ Freemasons, and some of these lodges may be criminal in nature, using the name of Freemasonry to hide their activities, others may operate insurance or pyramid schemes, and lure in unsuspecting men or women into these schemes believing they were joining Freemasonry, that’s why today’s true Freemasonry has become a little more open to the world. Therefore much caution must be taken when seeking to join the Ancient and Honourable Body of Freemasons, else you could end up lured into a completely bogus lodge.
There is, of course, another branch, that of co-Freemasonry, many of whom come under the banner of ‘Le Droit Humaine’ – the International Order of Freemasonry for Men and Women; I’ll delve deeper into this group in a later article. I’ll note here though that ‘regular’ and ‘irregular’ Freemasonry are not governed by any international body, each jurisdiction has its own, independent, Grand Lodge.
I expect to publish further articles on Freemasonry as were found on our previous, now fatally damaged, Al-Khabar site (with the extension of .co) in due course, but as a researcher into the history of Freemasonry and the conspiracy theories that have been formed since its beginning, and as I have been digging and delving for the past 3 years, I will need to edit each one to ensure each remains authentic.
We entitled this article ‘Is there Regular Freemasonry in Lebanon’ and it is wise to point out at this stage that there are many unrecognised and ‘clandestine’ lodges – maybe ‘pseudo’ Lodges too – in Lebanon, so beware. But there is good news too, there are also many ‘regular’ Grand Lodges in Lebanon, and these are easy to find on the Internet, just search here The District Grand Lodge of Lebanon and here Grand Lodge of State of New York, this will take you to the page of The District Grand Lodge of Lebanon and Syria or search here in this Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia page and scroll all the way down to Al Fanar; all Lebanese Lodges are listed and with the address of where in Lebanon they meet. Good, but cautious, hunting if you’re looking to become a Freemason, but you must ask and it is better, but not at all mandatory, if you already have a friend who’s already a Freemason of one of these ‘regular’ Lodges.
This article was written by W Bro Steve Froggatt PPDepGReg. They do not represent the view of any Grand/Provincial Grand Lodge.
© Copyright 2019 Al-Khabar/Stephen Froggatt all rights reserved
