What do Masons believe?

Freemasonry is based on the belief that each man can make a difference in the world by improving himself and taking an 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.

What do Masons do?

Charity is at 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.

What happens in the degree rituals? Is there really a "death ritual" '

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 18 and 19 century, which were originally published to cast the fraternity in a negative light

Is there a worldwide governing body in charge of all Masons?

No. Freemasonry is a universal brotherhood in that Masons

Share the same ideals, but there

Is no 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 there is no national headquarters. Outside the United States, there are one or

More grand lodges in virtually every country, which operates as independent and sovereign organizations. While all

Lodges follow the same principles of Freemasonry; there is no international governing body

Are Masons the keepers of the "ancient mysteries" discussed in "The lost Symbol"?

No. The ancient mysteries generally refer to a series of religious practices conducted

By religious 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