Die Geschichte Der Freimaurerei

This documantary's aims were supposed to provide information and something original in an objective way. However, it seemed highly subjective, shallow and it didn't dig deeper at all. At the end of the documentary you will realize it was just a waste of time. They have some rituals? okay. They believe in fraternity , charity ect ? Okay. But it does not answer anything. It is far from being truthful. It looked as if they were just doing an ad to urge people to join them. It was also creepy a bit because in most of the episodes they talk about how much they are ordinary sweet human beings living in a positive pink-hued world.

This was a brave move by UGLE and in this age of instant gratification, will most likely illicit the "boring" response. But the more curious seeker may find that there's a philosophical journey to be had there, amidst the mirth and fellowship of a few good men. Hint - avoid the boring ones only interested in rank and title, and seek out the characters such as the Widows Son's bikers and the master of the new Football Lodge.

Anyone can join - but you have to ask first. That is the first stage of your journey. Wake up, do some work! Not everything can be bought or Googled. I think the reason UGLE left out the history and more esoteric side, is because these are personal interpretations that each Mason will discover along the way. Believe it or not, there is no definitive answer on the origins of the Craft.

My own historical version goes something like this.... On the immortality of the soul, Pythagorus and Thales were the first philosophers to move away from mysticism and towards abstract reasoning supported by facts, and sometimes illustrated by number. Masonry requires a belief in a Supreme Being (typically inferring immortality of the soul), but it also demands we learn about the hidden mysteries of Nature and Science. Hence it could be considered an early form of Science & Spirit. Furthermore, it is fiercely supportive of free will and independence. Later on, the Templars were behind Magna Carta, and after their excommunication they supported Robert de Brus in the Declaration of Arboath.

Much later on, the early Scottish Freemasons such as Robert Moray were instrumental in forming the Royal College (of science). Alchemy had become chemistry, conjuring had become mathematics, and astrology had become astronomy. Rosicrucianism ran with the hermetic side and the Illuminati ran with the pure science side. Both died out fairly quickly yet they live on in the minds of many dreamers and conspiracy theorists. Freemasonry chose the middle ground and thrived as the landed gentry, with time on their hands, could combine traditional club atmosphere with philosophical inquiry.

Much later on, American Independence (via the Templar's philosophical successor, the Freemasons) was modelled on the same spirit of egalite, fraternite and liberte. Indeed, Washington, Franklin and later Teddy Roosevelt are all descended from the same Templar ancestors as HM The Queen, Duke of Lancaster.

Unfortunately, like many ancient institutions, Freemasonry has become tired and over-run by those only interested in title and rank, with almost no interesting skid marks in their personal driveways. It still carries a lot of very respected tradition, especially from its early military days as a colonial force. And for those interested in more than the fellowship, social and charitable aspects, one can still discover some secrets, realising that of course the journey is a personal one.

Masonry is a system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols. As the experience is so personal, showing everything upfront would ruin it completely. Once again, any man (or woman) so interested will wake up and do the work, only realising later the subtle improvements in character and self-confidence. Audi, Vide, Tace.... Hear everything, see everything, and yet remain silent.

The documentary is maid out of 5 episodes, each almost an hour long. After 5h of watching time you would expect to actually understand very much about the club, but you have no idea at all. As for the information provided, the club is nothing more than a bunch of men wanting to spend time together, but instead of a pub, they do it in other rooms with a lot of ceremonies. There is no info how they gain ranks, why they are so exited about those ranks, what type of secrets each rank gets exposed to. Nothing was really said. Based on the information provided, there is nothing going on. And that is also how much interesting the documentary is: Nothing going on in there.

I have been a Freemason for several years. So I watched this documentary pure out of curiosity. It's not often you come across an honest depiction of what Freemasonry is all about. This documentary does something none other has ever done right, and it's actually there where they go completely wrong. When finishing this documentary you will have a pretty good feeling what it is to be a Freemason. But you will not know why you would even want to become a Freemason. They lack in providing you with some background history. I get it, this is not what the director was after. But being a Freemason is much more than what you see in this documentary. Sadly enough you cannot explain it by footage. It's something you have to experience. I would recommend conspiracy theorists to watch this documentary. So they finally can get a right picture about it. But for those who take an interest in Freemasonry, remember there is so much more to it.

As a member of a college fraternity that said it takes a lot after masonic tradition it was cool to see similarities and differences between us. I liked it a lot, and I was glad to see a Freemason documentary not focus on the BS conspiracy theories and instead look at reasons people join and what they have benefited from in their personal lives