Common Questions After the release of the Book "The Lost Symbol"
(Provided by the California Freemason magazine Dec/Jan 2010.)
Q. What do Masons believe?
A. Freemasonry is based on the belief that each man can make a difference in the world by improving himself and taking active role in
his community. It is a charitable, benevolent, educational fraternity. The only spiritual requirement is that Masons believe in a
Supreme Being. The nature of that belief is entirely up to the individual.
Q. What do Masons do?
A.Charity is the heart of most Masonic activities. Each year, California Masons donate millions of dollars and thousands of hours to
both small and large philanthropic causes. Masons were instrumental in establishing the public education system in the United States
and also have an ongoing commitment to public schools. The California Masonic Foundation has awarded more than $5 million in scholarships
the past four years.
Q. What happens in the degree rituals? Is there really a "death ritual"?
A. Masons promise not to discuss the specifics of contemporary Masonic ritual outside the fraternity. In general, though, the rituals
described in "The Lost Symbol" are not accurate. Dan Brown appears to have drawn his content from various anti-masonic exposes from the
18th and 19th century, which were originally published to cast the fraternity in a negative light.
Q. Is there a worldwide governing body in charge of all Masons?
A. No. Freemasonry is a universal brotherhood in that Masons share the same ideals, ,but there is not universal governing body for
Freemasonry. In the United States, each state has a grand lodge that oversees all the Masonic lodges in the state. there is no higher
authority than the grand lodge of a state and ther is no national headquarters. Outside the united States, there are one or more
grand lodges in virtually every country, which operate as independent and soverign organizations. While all lodges follow the same
principles of Freemasonry, ther is no international governing body.
Q. Are Masons the keepers of the "ancient mysteries" discussed in "The Lost Symbol"?
A. No. The ancient mysteries generally refer to a series of religious practices conducted by religioius fraternities in the lands
around the Mediterranean Sea. Although some people theorize that Freemasonry grew out of these fraternities, there is no known
historical connection.
Q. Were Freemasons involved in the formation of Washington, D.C.?
A. Yes, Individual Freemasons were involved in designing and building the new city. Pierre L'Enfant, the architect of the city, was
a Mason. George Washington wore his Masonic apron while laying the cornerstone of the U.S. Capital in 1793, and local Masonic lodges
laid the cornerstones at other important buildings such as the Washington Monument and the White House.
Q. What is Masonry's history in California?
A. Some of California's first Masonic lodges were established in mining towns during the Gold Rush. Over the years, the Masons have
played a key role in shaping the history of California. To date, 19 California governors have been Masons, and at least four California
Masons have been elected to the U.S. Senate. today, the Grand Lodge of California has more than 62,000 members and abut 340 lodges
locted throughout the state, making it one of the largest grand lodges in the world.
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