Post by Tamrin on Aug 3, 2009 11:43:07 GMT 10
Freemasonry and the Mystery Religions
[Excerpts - Article by C. Bruce Hunter, first published The Plumbline, Winter 2006,
via The Ashlar, Issue 30, pp.38/42]
[Excerpts - Article by C. Bruce Hunter, first published The Plumbline, Winter 2006,
via The Ashlar, Issue 30, pp.38/42]
The relationship between Freemasonry and the mystery religions has been debated for most of the fraternity's modern history, and over time the balance of opinion has changed considerably.
During the early years of the Grand Lodge period it was widely believed that the fraternity had at least some historic connections with the mystery religions (sometimes called "mysteries' for short). Today almost everyone agrees that such a connection never existed. In other words, the modern fraternity did not descend from the mysteries. But this doesn't mean there wasn't any connection.
The very name "mystery religion" demands a closer look, because in religious circles the word "mystery" is defined as "a hidden reality or secret". This is precisely what the masonic lodge offers its members, which in itself suggests something worth investigating.
Moreover, the mere fact that early masonic historians were convinced of a connection suggests that something was afoot. And a closer look at the "inner workings" of the masonic lodge and the mystery religions does reveal quite a few similarities. For example, the mysteries dealt with religious subjects, although they were not part of mainstream religion. Members had to be initiated. The initiation consisted of an elaborate, highly symbolic ritual, which included a drama dealing with death and resurrection. Members were sworn to secrecy, And the mysteries claimed to reveal "holy things" to their initiates. This could easily be a description of the lodge, which is why the Craft's early historians believed it was a direct descendant of the mysteries. And while almost everyone has now abandoned that theory, it's why we still have reason to believe the similarities are more than coincidental
During the early years of the Grand Lodge period it was widely believed that the fraternity had at least some historic connections with the mystery religions (sometimes called "mysteries' for short). Today almost everyone agrees that such a connection never existed. In other words, the modern fraternity did not descend from the mysteries. But this doesn't mean there wasn't any connection.
The very name "mystery religion" demands a closer look, because in religious circles the word "mystery" is defined as "a hidden reality or secret". This is precisely what the masonic lodge offers its members, which in itself suggests something worth investigating.
Moreover, the mere fact that early masonic historians were convinced of a connection suggests that something was afoot. And a closer look at the "inner workings" of the masonic lodge and the mystery religions does reveal quite a few similarities. For example, the mysteries dealt with religious subjects, although they were not part of mainstream religion. Members had to be initiated. The initiation consisted of an elaborate, highly symbolic ritual, which included a drama dealing with death and resurrection. Members were sworn to secrecy, And the mysteries claimed to reveal "holy things" to their initiates. This could easily be a description of the lodge, which is why the Craft's early historians believed it was a direct descendant of the mysteries. And while almost everyone has now abandoned that theory, it's why we still have reason to believe the similarities are more than coincidental
When the gentlemen Masons of the 18th century put their new ritual together, they were dealing with the same age-old questions the mystery religions had dealt with. And they chose to answer them in a similar way.Their ritual is merely a retelling of the same [theme] that lies at the heart of the mystery religions.
But why such a strong affinity between the ritual and the ancient mysteries? In the final analysis, it was the unique nature of th mysteries that made them an ideal model. While the mainstream religions of the modern world — Judaism, Islam and Christianity — rely on exegesis (i.e., explaining and interpreting the "truth"), Greek religious thought was always based on myth (i.e., dramatizing the "truth"). In other words, it used allegory to give meaning to elusive truths that cannot be fully explained in more straightforward ways. And one peculiar outgrowth of Greek religious thought, the mysteries, treated the most central and universal truths in a way that was tailor made for the kind of ritual the gentlemen Masons were creating at the dawn of the 18th century.
While there is no reason to believe th lodge actually descended from the mystery religions, the men who created Freemasonry were certainly aware of the mysteries. They were certainly dealing with the same themes. And while these themes are universal and the Masons could have produced their versions independently, it is much more likely that they had at least one eye on the mysteries when they fashioned the modern ritual.
But why such a strong affinity between the ritual and the ancient mysteries? In the final analysis, it was the unique nature of th mysteries that made them an ideal model. While the mainstream religions of the modern world — Judaism, Islam and Christianity — rely on exegesis (i.e., explaining and interpreting the "truth"), Greek religious thought was always based on myth (i.e., dramatizing the "truth"). In other words, it used allegory to give meaning to elusive truths that cannot be fully explained in more straightforward ways. And one peculiar outgrowth of Greek religious thought, the mysteries, treated the most central and universal truths in a way that was tailor made for the kind of ritual the gentlemen Masons were creating at the dawn of the 18th century.
While there is no reason to believe th lodge actually descended from the mystery religions, the men who created Freemasonry were certainly aware of the mysteries. They were certainly dealing with the same themes. And while these themes are universal and the Masons could have produced their versions independently, it is much more likely that they had at least one eye on the mysteries when they fashioned the modern ritual.
