On the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the Masonic organization, Sputnik interviewed Peter Doderer, vice president of the German organization, about the history and modern activity of Freemasons in the German country, which today has around 15,000 members.
It is known that on June 24, 1717, free masons founded the first Grand Lodge in London. As they did not belong to any particular guild, they could work all over Europe. For the most part, they were dedicated to the construction of cathedrals. In this period appeared two important symbols of Freemasonry: the compass and the square.
Today, after three centuries, the number of members of the secret society ranges between 2.6 and 5 million worldwide, according to various estimates. In Germany there are around 15,000 free masons. One of them is Peter Doderer, deputy director of the German masonic lodge, in charge of public relations. Sputnik asked how he reconciles his position with the secrecy that is supposed to Freemasonry. "This is our problem, Freemasonry was not created to have publicity," acknowledges Doderer.
"Freemasonry was born at the time of the Enlightenment, at that time, it was a correct step: not to speak publicly about certain things and maintain a narrow internal circle, in fact, the diffusion of revolutionary ideas, such as freedom, equality and abolition of servitude, they were not supported by either the church or the rulers, "he explained.
Secrets and exclusivity
Today, after three centuries, the number of members of the secret society ranges between 2.6 and 5 million worldwide, according to various estimates. In Germany there are around 15,000 free masons. One of them is Peter Doderer, deputy director of the German masonic lodge, in charge of public relations. Sputnik asked how he reconciles his position with the secrecy that is supposed to Freemasonry. "This is our problem, Freemasonry was not created to have publicity," acknowledges Doderer.
"Freemasonry was born at the time of the Enlightenment, at that time, it was a correct step: not to speak publicly about certain things and maintain a narrow internal circle, in fact, the diffusion of revolutionary ideas, such as freedom, equality and abolition of servitude, they were not supported by either the church or the rulers, "he explained.
Secrets and exclusivity
First the masons joined the representatives of the Third Estate and the nobility, said Doderer. Then came the thinkers and the artists. The most famous of them in the German-speaking territory were Mozart and Goethe. "Belonging to this circle was a sign of some kind of exclusivity," said the interlocutor of the agency.
The poet Lessing described the meetings of the Freemasons as "thinking aloud together with a friend," Doderer recalled. Thoughts are free. But to be internally free, you have to keep your mouth shut.
Therefore, today, freemasons also follow the rule of keeping the names of members secret, but they can reveal their own, Doderer explained.
Three other things remain classified until today: the signal, the word and the handshake.
"It is a certain sign, a password and a special handshake, that only members of society know and serve as a sign of identification, Freemasons do not like these things to be made public."
A long time ago, Freemasons introduced pensions for members of the families of their deceased companions. In addition, they collaborate with charities.
Doderer points out that only men can join the ranks of Freemasonry. But there are also exclusive women's lodges.
Black and white balls decide if someone will be a Mason
The poet Lessing described the meetings of the Freemasons as "thinking aloud together with a friend," Doderer recalled. Thoughts are free. But to be internally free, you have to keep your mouth shut.
Therefore, today, freemasons also follow the rule of keeping the names of members secret, but they can reveal their own, Doderer explained.
Three other things remain classified until today: the signal, the word and the handshake.
"It is a certain sign, a password and a special handshake, that only members of society know and serve as a sign of identification, Freemasons do not like these things to be made public."
A long time ago, Freemasons introduced pensions for members of the families of their deceased companions. In addition, they collaborate with charities.
Doderer points out that only men can join the ranks of Freemasonry. But there are also exclusive women's lodges.
Black and white balls decide if someone will be a Mason
One can not become a Mason in one night. "It's a long process, it took me four years to become a member," Doderer said. "For three years I was there as a guest, then I asked to be a member of the society, the present members decide on the admission of the candidate with the help of black and white balls, if the number of black balls exceeds a certain amount, the decision on the appointment of the applicant is postponed for one year ".
Doderer became a Mason almost 20 years ago. "These years have taught me one thing: Freemasonry is rather integrated into genes, it can not be learned."
The freemason qualifies what happens in the meetings of the society as something "exciting".
"When a person refuses to serve in the Army, but a general, commander of an Army corps, is present in the same place, it is interesting that these two people maintain a discussion and in the spiritual sense are in the same level generates an exciting experience. " Freemasonry is a school of life, Doderer concluded.
Doderer became a Mason almost 20 years ago. "These years have taught me one thing: Freemasonry is rather integrated into genes, it can not be learned."
The freemason qualifies what happens in the meetings of the society as something "exciting".
"When a person refuses to serve in the Army, but a general, commander of an Army corps, is present in the same place, it is interesting that these two people maintain a discussion and in the spiritual sense are in the same level generates an exciting experience. " Freemasonry is a school of life, Doderer concluded.
