Masonic Influiencin American History (influence, Mexico, Washington, European)

[2nd trick op]

A recent thread, since closed, took note of the influence of the Masonic order in the writings and activities of some of the founding fathers and many of our Presidents. I'd like to see some further discussion of this subject. (For the record, I am not a Freemason, but spent much of my childhood under the tutelage of a career-educator relative who was.)

If our founding fathers were all christian, then why did they say this:

As a start, I want to recommend the book The Secret Architecture of Our Nation's Capital, by David Ovason. Pierre L'Enfant, who laid out the streets of our capital was a very committed Mason, and none of our Presidents was either more committed to Freemasonry, nor more aware of his legacy, than George Washington. Masonic rites played a part in the groundbreaking for both the Capitol and the Washington Monument, and reportedly, considerations with regard to the position of prominent stars, both present and future. was a consideration in the layout of many prominent D. C. streets.

http://www.mastermason.com/wilmettepark/pres.html

The number of U.S. Presidents who were identified with the Masonic Lodges has also been expanded in recent years; the reasoning behind it might be due in part to the institution's greater controversy in earlier times.

[diogenes2]

According to the following website few founding fathers were Masons: Founding Fathers
In fact, few of the founding fathers were orthodox Christians in the sense that we understand today. Several, like Franklin and Jefferson, were deistic in their thinking, having been influenced by the philosophical movement of the 18th century enlightenment.

[Snowball7]

Masonic thought and deed had a profound impact on not only the US but all of Europe,
indeed in some way all the world, with the exception of Latin America.

[2nd trick op]

Originally Posted by Snowball7

Masonic thought and deed had a profound impact on not only the US but all of Europe,
indeed in some way all the world, with the exception of Latin America.

The low incidence of Masonic influence in Latin America can be traced, in part, to the Catholic church's opposition to Freemasonry, but that might be about to mitigate itself, given the origins and apparent greater open-mindedness of the new Pope. In the community where I grew up, we had active chapters of both the Masons and the Knights of Columbus, but the differences died out about ten years ago and apparently, a lot of the Knights took an interest in Freemasonry, and were welcomed with little or no clerical opposition.

A little check of History will also reveal that strong Masonic influence has often been cited as a factor in the origins of Mexico's Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) -- the junta which brought stability to the nation after 25 years post-Diaz, and which was to rule uninterrupted for 72 years afterward.

I'd take exception, however, to the contention that Freemasonry had much influence in Asia, since most Asian theology doesn't subscribe to the concept of a single Deity.

Originally Posted by diogenes2

According to the following website few founding fathers were Masons: Founding Fathers
In fact, few of the founding fathers were orthodox Christians in the sense that we understand today. Several, like Franklin and Jefferson, were deistic in their thinking, having been influenced by the philosophical movement of the 18th century enlightenment.

So according to the link, Masons provided 16% of the signers of The Declaration of Independence, 13% of the Constitutional Convention, and nearly half (46%) of the leadership of the Continental Army. And to that can be added 31% of U S Presidents (14 of 45).

In a parliamentary democracy where 10% -- 15% of the population (a figure not far off-base for both African-Americans and Evangelical Christians) is viewed as holding substantial influence within a coalition, I believe the influence of what is, by nature, a well-organized and philosophically-rooted component tends to be understated.

[banjomike]

Originally Posted by Snowball7

Masonic thought and deed had a profound impact on not only the US but all of Europe,
indeed in some way all the world, with the exception of Latin America.

And even in South America, Masonic thought and principles played a large part in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, where many European Protestants settled. The Catholic church did not hold equal sway in all parts of the continent.

[BlackShoe]

Some conspiracy theories directed at the Masons. Masonic origins are reputed to go at least as far back as the Knights Templar.

[Little rook]

I have my great-great grandfather's apron and other Masonic items, as well as much of his writing, published and private. This thread is helping me better understand his beliefs and remarkable life. Thank you!