Freemasons

Many of the men involved in establishing the United States were members of the Free Masons. George Washington was just one of those men who was a Mason. Once the states were established a Lodge was established in each.

By the very secret tenets of that society, it's unlikely whether that will ever be known conclusively.

No, they didn't. The Knights Templar were an order formed by the Catholic Church to help pilgrims to the Holy Land. They became quite wealthy, and were able to act as a kind of bank for travellers since it was dangerous to carry around a lot of cash. Their purpose for being became sort of lost when Palestine and the nearby islands were captured by the Muslims. But they were still rich and still acted as bankers. Philip the Fair, king of France, coveted their wealth, and for the purpose took over the Catholic Church and had his own French cardinals and Pope elected, moving the headquarters of the church from Rome to Avignon in France. He then had the church condemn the Order and arrested all the main members in France including the Grand Master. These people were tortured until they admitted all kinds of crazy things. Most of them recanted once the torture stopped. The idea that they worshipped Satan was one of those crazy things they were forced to confess to, but only a complete idiot believes that torture gives accurate information.

No. There is no record of it.

Al Sharpton is a Freemason (as is Jesse Jackson); and yes, several sources do list Rev. Sharpton as a Prince Hall Mason (a historically-black order of masons).

There is no information suggesting that John Smeaton was a Freemason in the 18th century. Nor was he associated with those who were.

Yes, several were. Washington was the Master of his lodge and had a Masonic funeral when he died.

It is hard to know for sure, unless they advise they are. It is doubtful though.

Unless a person specifically says that he is a member of the Freemasons, it is difficult to say one way or another whether he is.

Yes, He was a 32 Degree Scottish Rite and a Honorary 33 Degree mason.

The Illuminati do not exist. They were a short-lived, very small, and insignificant group who existed several centuries ago. The idea of a modern Illuminati group is fiction. Freemasonry does not interest itself in this fictional group at all, and the historical group is not of particular interest to Freemasons either.

There is not a public list of Freemasons, so there is no way to tell for sure unless they have a valid dues card.

Freemasonry is not about worship at all. Individual Freemasons worship God in their own individual ways. Chris may go to the church on Sunday, Moishe may go to synagogue on Saturday and Abdul may attend jumaa on Friday but they can all meet together in a Masonic Lodge because the Lodge is not about how they worship. It's no more a religious group than the Boy Scouts.

The owl is not a commonly accepted symbol within Freemasonry.

The uniform elements you describe seem to suggest the sisters of the Sacred Heart which may be an offshoot of the many Sisters of Charity orders. strictly speaking the masonic laws(as they were called) did not expell religious but did complicate matters, as many Nuns were in Missionary assignments they could be transferred to the various colonies of France and/Or Belgium which is half-French speaking, many such sisters served in the Belgian Congo and various other mission field posts. Indirectly the Masonic laws (opened up) opportunites in the Foreign mission field!

The one thing you must remember is that for all intents and purposes, Dan Brown writes FICTION. Dan Brown is masterful at taking little known historical facts and places and making them 'fit' into his story.

The Da Vinci Code does allude to Freemasonry but cleverly avoids drawing any direct lines into the theory.

The theories that were borne out in the Da Vinci Code have been thoroughly debunked and to most intelligent people, well just a good yarn.

The fact that some keep the idea alive just speaks volumes on how gullible some people can be.

Dan Brown want to separate your money from your wallet, nothing more nothing less. Judging by the sales of his book, I would say he succeeded.

There is not a public list of Freemasons, so there is no way to tell for sure unless they have a valid dues card.

M Night Shyamalan has 3 children

According to the related link, 180,000 Masons in Canada.

Kari Hilson is not a Freemason.

Highly unlikely. Although there are female Masonic groups, they are quite small.

Dr. Ray Haggins is not a member of the craft, however he does give some highly inciteful evidence as it relates to freemasonry and ancient Kemet(Egypt)

No, they were orthodox Trinitarian Catholics.

No. Women are not able to become legitimate Freemason but there have been some exceptions to the rule in earlier times.

*addition* - As a Master Mason, I can safely say there have never been exceptions made to this rule, Freemasonry is a fraternity, and only admits male members in good standing, there is a female side to the Masons called Eastern Star, however they have different rituals and Pink would have to be related to a Mason to join Eastern. Pink is on par here with Sinead O'Connor claiming to be a priest, just because you've gone through a couple of the steps does not make it so, and while beck in the 1700's some women were admitted and even a female lodge was set up, they have never been recognized by any of the Grand Lodges as being legitimate...she can go through the rituals if a clandestine lodge decides to admit her, but she would not be considered a Mason within any legitimate lodge and no true Mason would converse with her in such a manner.

See related link more information on women in Masonry throughout history and of course you will always be welcome to drop into your local Blue lodge and ask the members there for more information...most Masons will be happy to share their knowledge on the subject.

Freemasons must believe in the existence of a Supreme Being before being allowed to join the Lodge. Masonic Lodges do not attempt to impart any beliefs to people, but only to strengthen the ones they already have. Obviously the Masons in a Lodge can and do have a variety of different beliefs, which does not in the least impair their ability to get along with each other.