Secret societies have been present in American society throughout time, but their effects have gone unnoticed. The Freemasons, for example, were an ancient society that moved to the colonies from Europe before America even became a country. Their main role in each society was to cause “… destruction of the traditional social and political order based on an authoritarian philosophy and characterized by inequality and privilege.” (Carter). They wanted to make the world a more fair and just society. The Freemasons already developed their ideals and philosophy of equality, freedom and liberty, even before they assimilated themselves into the American society. Influential members such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and other Founding Fathers
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Almost half of the men that attended the Constitutional Convention were Masons. Of the thirty nine men that attended, thirteen of them were Masons sometime in their life. (Miner). These men were taught the teachings of Masonry and therefore their thoughts were influenced by the ideals and teachings of Masonry. A fundamental idea the Masons believed in that is seen in the Constitution is the separation of church and state. The Masons believed that .”…religious affiliation does not matter when it comes to being a Mason; the only requirement is faith in God.” (Jovicic 7). Therefore they kept religion out of Masonry, and felt it should be kept from government as well. Another similar idea is checks and balances as seen in the distribution of power for the three branches of government. This idea is similar to the line of the Masons, “…swaying back and forth as it seeks to find the true vertical.” (Jovicic 7). This quote is saying that the American government tried to find a point of compromise and therefore created the checks and balance system that reflects Masonry principles. The Masons implemented their ideas from their group’s Constitution into America’s Constitution, which eventually became the fundamental concepts of American democracy and
Almost half of the men that attended the Constitutional Convention were Masons. Of the thirty nine men that attended, thirteen of them were Masons sometime in their life. (Miner). These men were taught the teachings of Masonry and therefore their thoughts were influenced by the ideals and teachings of Masonry. A fundamental idea the Masons believed in that is seen in the Constitution is the separation of church and state. The Masons believed that .”…religious affiliation does not matter when it comes to being a Mason; the only requirement is faith in God.” (Jovicic 7). Therefore they kept religion out of Masonry, and felt it should be kept from government as well. Another similar idea is checks and balances as seen in the distribution of power for the three branches of government. This idea is similar to the line of the Masons, “…swaying back and forth as it seeks to find the true vertical.” (Jovicic 7). This quote is saying that the American government tried to find a point of compromise and therefore created the checks and balance system that reflects Masonry principles. The Masons implemented their ideas from their group’s Constitution into America’s Constitution, which eventually became the fundamental concepts of American democracy and