FOR decades Freemasonry has been shrouded in mystery, giving rise to numerous myths associating it with evil, which members of Lodge St John in Jamaica wish to debunk.

Last Monday, Lodge St John hosted an open forum at the masonic temple at McGregor Square in St Andrew, where members of the fraternity attempted to demystify Freemasonry. Among the topics discussed were an overview of Freemasonry, the role of the chaplain in Freemasonry, as well as inconsistencies associated with Freemasonry, family and religion.

Taking aim at the people who criticise Freemasonry without carrying out research was Lloyd Barnett Jr who said that “the first form of ignorance is when you reject something you don’t know anything about”.

Barnett Jr made it clear that Freemasons must believe in God.

After making those pronouncements Barnett Jr delved into explaining that Freemasonry is a system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols such as the compass and the square.

“Freemasonry could be explained as a collective system of moral lessons taught by symbolic stories, and when applied to its membership [it] causes correct moral conduct. It evolved from stone masons — that is why we say it is one of the oldest, largest, non religious, non-political fraternities and charitable organisations. It is a fraternity that tries to make good men better,” he said.

Barnett Jr went on to share that Freemasonry started in 1717 with the formation of the first Grand Lodge in the United Kingdom (UK). Many years later, Scottish and Irish masons emerged.

“From the beginning we know that Genesis 11 verses 1-4 said there was an attempt to reach heaven by building a tower of Babel by brick and mortar. Freemasonry as practised today emanated from ancient stone masons. It was indicated to us that from the beginning of the scriptures, masons were around. In those days we were operative, meaning we worked with our hands. Over time, as with every other industry, there was a decline in construction. Masons who worked with their hands invited the gentry, or men of statute, to join the organisation and that eventually caused a transition from masons working with their hands to masons working with their brains,” Barnett said.

“Freemasonry has fittingly been described as one of the world’s oldest, secular fraternal societies. We are a society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values whose members are taught precepts by a series of ritual drama. We use the oldest tools of antiquity, square and compasses figuratively, to regulate our lives and actions. The fraternity seeks to make good men better and to make them more extensively serviceable to their fellow citizens by using metaphoric demonstrations for character building,” he added.

Politics and religion are barred from discussions, according to Barnett Jr, who said that as a fraternity, Freemasonry provides the opportunity for men of all persuasions to meet and enjoy friendly camaraderie in a spirit of helpfulness and brotherly love that is guided by strict moral principles, encouraging good will towards all.

“These are men who have joined the fraternity to share fellowship, form enduring friendships, and improve their knowledge, and associate themselves with men of integrity and honour. Masons are obliged to practise self control, treat people around them with respect, love their families, exhibit kindness to others, practise charity, and try to achieve a higher moral standard of living. The word Lodgemen covers a wide umbrella of persons. We are just one set of Lodgemen.”

It is the hope of Professor Ivor Crandon that an end be brought to the confusion that has been created and spread in the public about Freemasonry.

He said some of the questions that are frequently asked of Freemasons include: Who do you worship? And do you make the dead walk? Other questions include whether or not Freemasons are allowed to look behind them.

He added that a common misconception is that Freemasons worship any one of a number of beasts, figures and statues. He said that people often ask if Freemasons go to church, because they do not understand the relationship between Freemasonry and religion.

“They ask why does it go up to 33 degrees and do you have involvement with animals, particularly goats? I would like to explain how Freemasonry is organised, because it is the root of the confusion in the minds of some of the people who are not Freemasons. In this room we practise Scottish Freemasonry, by and large. I am a member of Lodge St John, which is a Scottish masonic lodge. Its headquarters are at the Grand Lodge of Scotland which is located in Edinburgh. From the Grand Lodge of Scotland, Freemasonry is administered worldwide through various subdivisions and various bodies. The District Grand Lodge is one such subdivision.

“Within Scotland there are 32 provinces. These are subdivisions, areas which are under the ambit of a particular lodge or a group of lodges.

“Outside of Scotland, the word used is district. There are 26 Scottish districts worldwide and the District Grand Lodge of Jamaica is one of them. The District Grand Lodge itself is composed of individual lodges like the building you are in now. The District Grand Lodge has 22 lodges in its jurisdiction. Each of the 22 Scottish lodges in Jamaica is headed by a master. The master of this lodge is brother Leighton McKnight. At the district level the master of all of the Scottish lodges in Jamaica is Dr Courtney King Palmer. In Scotland the grandmaster is in overall charge,” Professor Crandon said.

He said similar to the Grand Lodge of Scotland, there is a United Grand Lodge of England. There is also the Grand Lodge of Ireland.

“The English Freemasons and Irish Freemasons have the same organisational structure, so there is the District Grand Lodge of Jamaica English Constitution.

“Freemasonry may be Scottish, English and Irish. The important thing to realise is that there is considerable interchange between these three. We recognise and enjoy a harmonious relationship,” he continued.