John Dickie, author of ‘The Order’, debunks the myths surrounding the lodges, stating that their secrets are extremely banal
Historian and journalist John Dickie could talk about Freemasonry for years and still have things to say. Dickie is fascinated by the future of secret societies, although he could not belong to any of them because he is an atheist and his misogyny disgusts him. This did not prevent him from passionately devoting himself to writing a monumental work, ‘The Order’. A Global History of Freemasons’ Power (Debate), in which he examines the circumstances of this phenomenon, one of Britain’s most successful cultural exports, comparable only to tennis, football and golf.
Dickie, who made his name through his bestselling books about the mafia, this time delves into the history of the ultimate secret organization, the cradle of endless conspiracies, some true and some untruthful. Founded in London in 1717 as ‘brothermen’, Dickie argues that rituals, including the tearing of clothes and oaths, should not be taken literally, just as in Catholicism no one interprets literally. “Then we must conclude that the community of Catholics is cannibalism.”
The Scottish writer argues that the confrontation between the Catholic Church and the Freemasons dates back to the 18th century, a time of bitter religious strife. «To understand Freemasonry, it must be regarded as a religion of the second order, because its members can follow any creed. Atheism is not allowed. Death is a fundamental element of religions and Masonic rituals include its symbols, as well as those of the Resurrection». There are many historical figures who succumbed to the charms of secret brotherhoods. Five kings of England, fourteen presidents of the United States, Goethe, the Duke of Wellington, Churchill, Disney, Mozart, Kipling, Buffalo Bill and even astronaut Buzz Aldrin himself, man who walked on the moon and the halls of the Texas Freemasons, they were seduced by the dream of the brotherhood of Freemasonry.
Nobody really knows what Freemasonry still has in the world with six million people among its members. Demystifying the guiding principles that inspire Freemasons, Dickie believes that other top-secret organizations owe a lot to these kinds of entities. “Freemasonry is the organization that has influenced the Mafia the most, not ideologically, but because of its organizational structures. Both the Sicilian mafia and the Ku Klux Klan share important aspects of Freemasonry’s DNA,” said the historian.
There are as many adepts who swear allegiance to the Order as there are enemies who curse it. Mussolini, Hitler and Franco were suspicious of the Freemasons as conspirators and criminals, despicable creatures to be exterminated. The communists always saw in the great lodges a bourgeois and evil cast. Secret societies are banned in China, and the same is true in the Muslim world. If Freemasonry has aroused mistrust among the common mortals, the sense of hostility has been far more bitter in the Catholic Church, which always saw in the brethren a nest of heretics.
Secrecy has drawn millions of men to the bosom of Freemasonry, but if you dig a little, as Dickie has, the great mystery you wish to keep hidden will be emptied. “Those secrets are very banal. I, who am not a Freemason and can quote them, have been reduced to a nice guy; trying to understand the world and, most importantly, death is serious.”
Today, Freemasonry is in deep decline. In earlier times, Masonic lodges were formidable means of gaining contacts and influence, something that is acquired in other ways in modernity. “If you want to make contacts, it’s better to go to Oxford, Cambridge or a private school than to a lodge.”
Source: La Verdad
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
