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FREEMASONS have been at the heart of high society for centuries but their ways remained mysterious – until an insider spoke candidly in a tell-all documentary.
By Matthew Kirkham
The Freemasons have roots dating back to medieval trade guilds.
Secret handshakes, code words and symbols helped foster mutual trust among members – and gave freemasonry an aura of mystery that it retains today.
Amazon Prime documentary "Inside The Freemasons" sheds light on the society, with insider John Hamill explaining what it takes to join. Freemasonry.
“Like all membership associations, you are proposed by two members who know you into a lodge," he explained.
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John adds people also come in through friends or work colleagues, or people can get in touch via the website.
A key requirement is the belief in God as that is what links members together.
The interviewer raises the question on the misconception that the Freemasons form a “secret society”.
Mr Hamill explains “there are certain aspects, particularly in the ritual, which we would regard as private, rather than secret".
(Image: Amazon Prime)
Masonic ritual refers to the scripted words and actions that are spoken or performed during the degree work in a Masonic Lodge.
In the language of the ritual, they are described as the secrets of Masonry but Mr Hamill insists that they are “a very open organisation”.
There are traditional modes of recognition when it comes to recognising a Freemason.
The handshake, signs and passwords are used in a Masonic context as these signals are a way of proving that you are a Freemason.
A diagram illustrating the various handshakes used by Freemasons (Image: Getty)
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The recognition that comes with a Masonic greeting is a mutual experience between Masons, and it cannot be faked or learned casually.
The general perception is that they have just one password. In fact, there are several passwords for various occasions and reasons.
Many people believe that possessing the Masonic passwords are the keys that will unlock all of the society's secrets.
However, in truth, these Masonic passwords can be likened more to an ancient formality which the Freemason fraternity strives to maintain.
Inside The Freemasons is available to watch on Amazon Prime now.
Symbols in the Masonic chart (Image: Getty)
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