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Masonic Code Book

Neither does the fraternity wish to limit a Mason’s understanding about who, or what is, or may become a despot. Heads of state, religious leaders, proponents of a particular school of philosophical thought, or even the bully down the street may fit the Masonic definition of a despot.

The Masonic principles of positive thinking and positive emotion are more often Masonry’s recommended weapons as opposed to guns and bullets. Freemasonry holds that one of the worst personifications of the principle of evil is despotism.

Although vile immorality imposed upon humanity by certain governmental leaders is worthy of hostile actions, the Craft does not intend that Masons should rise in armed conflict every time a despot emerges.

That contention is held so strongly that our Scottish Rite Masons eventually vow eternal hostility to tyranny, which is nothing more than the imposition of the selfish desires of one man upon man’s natural-born spirit of freedom.

Masonry defines the despot as a criminal against the laws of nature who reduces the lives of many to his own will, replacing himself for the state and the voice of the people. Though the individual despot may vary from head of state to the bully down the street, it is not difficult to discern the character traits common to all despots.

The tyrannical ruler of nations has left his indelible mark upon the pages of history: the people he or she governed suffered repression of freedoms, humiliation, outrage and often became the victims of murderous rages.

The religious despot has also littered the historical landscape with such obscenities as warfare waged against innocent human beings in the name of God. Philosophical tyrants frequently have resorted to the demeaning tactic of unfairly marginalizing thought that differs in any material respect with the thought promoted by a particular philosophy.

Equally agonizing, the bully down the street threatens to physically beat anyone who does not pay him or her the respect he or she demands. Revolutions have been fought to stop some of these examples of despotic power.

Yet, in the long term it is neither war nor revolution that will prevent the future emergence of other despots. If freedom is to permanently replace repression, the principles of Freemasonry must be put into practice by people and nations. In other words, as with most other matters upon which Masonry weighs in, it is more important that each individual is armed with the tools necessary to resist arbitrary power and rule than it is to arm the masses with weapons of human destruction.

http://www.MasonicBooks.Heisner.info/ Masonry teaches that it is impossible for man to act in the in the best interest of others when he first insists upon protecting his own interest

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Here, Masons learn that knowledge is the gift of God and that the benefits we receive from knowledge are to be shared with every man, woman and child with whom they come into contact.  That is so, because Divine Wisdom is at the root of all we can ever hope to learn and know, the comforts from which are not be denied any of God’s creatures.

Albert Pike wrote Masonic Books about how essential it is for man to embrace virtue and honor in their lives. He wrote that good men were made better by so doing and that others around them also greatly benefited from the resulting acts of kindness, charity and goodwill. He also wrote about how quickly virtue and honor vanish when fear is allowed to creep into man’s consciousness. A kind word is often quickly and irrationally replaced with an unwarranted harsh criticism. The helping hand is suddenly withdrawn replaced with a vacant uncaring air. Those who ordinarily rushed to instill harmony where bickering once reigned now look over their shoulders to see who is spying on them and who will report them to those who can harm them.

In the First Degree, the candidate is released to the custody of a person whom MasonicBooks.Heisner.info/he cannot see and in a sightless condition is caused to be led in paths he has never before traveled.

His conductor is merely identified to him as a true and trusty friend upon whose fidelity he can, with the utmost confidence, rely.  The candidate is taught a most important lesson about Freemasonry – it is safe to trust a brother Mason; as safe as trusting in God.

During the Second Degree, the candidate is taught the importance of the symbolic Middle Chamber of King Solomons Temple, which he may only enter by demonstrating his worthiness and knowledge. 

Yet, it is during the Third Degree that the candidate learns how to rely upon God – how to fear not what man can do unto him.  During the ritual, the candidate learns that he will no longer have someone to pray for him.  He must do so by himself.  The true and trusty brother who had previously served as his guide is replaced with the invisible presence of the Deity.  Here, Masons are prepared for traveling abroad, or in the social and professional circles in his life outside of a Masonic Lodge.