The Fear Associated with Freemasonry
The fear associated with Masonic symbolism arises primarily from a lack of understanding, secrecy, and misinterpretation of its emblems, which are often viewed with suspicion by religious institutions or secular society.
These symbols, inspired by construction tools and spiritual elements, aim at ethical and moral instruction, not hidden or malicious purposes.
Aspects that generate fear or distrust:
Secrecy and Rituals:
The initiatory nature and the secrecy surrounding its ceremonies have generated myths about a supposed hidden influence.
Decontextualized Iconography:
Symbols such as the All-Seeing Eye (Great Architect of the Universe), the skull, or the square and compass can be interpreted out of context as something esoteric or contrary to religious dogma, when in reality they symbolize morality, justice, and the pursuit of truth.
Historical Anticlericalism:
In some periods and contexts, Freemasonry positioned itself against religious prejudices, which generated hostility, especially from the Catholic Church.
Real Meaning of the Symbolism:
Construction Tools:
The square (morality), the compass (individual-society relationship), the plumb line (justice/rectitude), and the level (equality) are used as metaphors for personal improvement, not for feared rituals.
Ashlars:
The rough ashlar represents the uneducated man, and the perfect ashlar represents the educated and moral man.
Educational Purpose:
Every symbol in the lodge is designed for ethical instruction, fraternity, and the spiritual development of the Freemason.
The fear is, therefore, more a product of a misunderstanding that Freemasonry functions as an experiential and symbolic school focused on the active psychology of the soul and human perfection, rather than an esoteric cult.
Freemasons use metaphors of geometry and masonry to inform their continuous pursuit of knowledge, ethics, and leadership skills, as well as identification among their peers worldwide.
Lincoln Alayo
Building the Royal Art
6026 A.L.