 "Photo: Collegian Staff")
If you have ever read "The Da Vinci Code" or seen "National Treasure," you have, most likely, heard of the Freemasons.
In recent years, they have become a popular topic among film and print media, having been portrayed historically as iconic and devious.
What many don't realize, however, is that Freemasonry is not a simply a mysterious fraternity of ages past.
It is alive and well in Massachusetts, and its real nature of the organization may come as a surprise.
Simply put, Freemasonry is the world's largest fraternity.
It is open to all men over the age of 18, and active lodges can be found on countries, worldwide. Membership is granted regardless of race, religion or socioeconomic status, with the intent of "making good men better."
Masonry, as it is often called, is believed to have originated in Scotland over four hundred years ago, where it began as an association of stonemasons and builders.
Handshakes and passwords were invented to help keep trade secrets within the group, lest they be out of a job. Over time, non-craftsmen were allowed to join, and eventually, the focus on actual construction faded away.
Freemasonry is still named as such because it uses the tools of the craft as symbols, representing the building of a life upon a stone structure. The signs and emblems that many interpret as cryptic messages are actually symbols of morality, honesty and friendship.
The group is best known as a secret society, but that is only half true.
While its meetings are held behind closed doors, little of what goes on is closely guarded.
Over the past two hundred years, the symbols and teachings of the fraternity have become more and more public, and today they aptly refer to themselves as an "open society with secrets."
The "secrets" so often referred to are mainly ceremonial, such as the handshakes and gestures that members use to identify one another.
Members of Greek life may be surprised to learn that many of their rituals and rites are rooted in a Masonic lodge.
Being the oldest fraternal organization in the country, Masonry has served as a template for many other groups, such as Greek frats and sororities, the Elks and the Knights of Columbus.
Despite the myth, Freemasonry is not a religion. While a belief in a higher power is a prerequisite for membership, the group has no religious doctrines of its own. No specific deities are worshiped, and no one faith is ever excluded.
In the past, allegations have been made that the fraternity was formed in opposition to the Catholic Church, but further investigation proves that that is simply not the case.
They do not try to control the media or the government either. Such claims often show up in texts which conclude that the organization consorts with aliens.
One of the biggest aspects of the organization is charity work, and as a whole, freemasons in North America give over two million dollars to charity every day.
They are the largest single group of blood donors in the U.S., with most lodges hosting blood drives multiple times a year.
Different branches of the fraternity also operate separate charitable funds and institutions.
For example, the Shriners, best known for their fez hats and tiny parade cars, operate a series of specialty hospitals which offer free treatment to burn victims.
Aside from the secrecy and the charity, Masonry is, at its heart, a fraternity.
Much of what they do revolves around the brothers, with such events as state-wide fairs, lodge dinners, and costume parties.
Not many students would recognize Amherst center's Pacific Lodge at first glance, but they should not be surprised if they know one of its brothers. Membership includes UMass professors, staff, and students, as well as several members of the Amherst Police Department and University of Massachusetts Police Department.
"We're very well involved in the Amherst community," said Jacob Descheneaux, a UMass undergraduate and master Mason.
"We host many social functions throughout the year. We do a pig roast in November, and we're expecting a very large crowd for that," Descheneaux said.
"One of the things we are brining back is the Red Cross blood drives that we host down in our big hall," Descheneaux said, adding that their recent resurgence in membership has allowed the lodge to expand and become more active.
This Saturday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., Pacific Lodge will open its doors in celebration of Square and Compass Day.
Though not an actual holiday, Square and Compass Day is a statewide event in that lodges across Massachusetts and hosts open houses.
"We will give public tours of the building and public tours of the lodge-room," Descheneaux said. "We'll answer any questions regarding Freemasonry, and we'll have applications available for any potential new members."
Anyone who still believes in myths such that the Freemasons are brainwashing our children and putting kittens into trees should sit down and talk with one. They would probably love to set the record straight, and chances are, you already know one.
Andrew Sheridan can be reached at asher1@student.umass.edu.
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