Freemasons For Dummies

Introduction 1Part I: What Is Freemasonry? 9Chapter 1: Lodges, Aprons, and Funny Handshakes: Freemasonry 101 11Chapter 2: From Cathedrals to Lodge Rooms: A History of the Freemasons 21Chapter 3: The Philosophy of Freemasonry 55Chapter 4: Politics, Religion, and Freemasons: They Don't Mix 63Part II: The Inner Workings of Freemasonry 89Chapter 5: How the Freemasons Are Organized: Who Does What and Why 91Chapter 6: The Ceremonies of Freemasons 115Chapter 7: The Symbols of Freemasonry 129Chapter 8: Myths and Misconceptions about Masons 151Part III: When One Lodge Isn't Enough: The Appendant Bodies 163Chapter 9: Introducing the Appendant Bodies: Who's Who, and Who Isn't 165Chapter 10: The York Rite 181Chapter 11: The Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite 203Chapter 12: Shriners International 221Chapter 13: The Extended Masonic Family 231Part IV: Freemasonry Today and Tomorrow 249Chapter 14: So Is It Still Relevant? 251Chapter 15: Freemasons and the Future 259Chapter 16: So You Want to Become a Freemason 267Part V: The Part of Tens 279Chapter 17: Ten Groups of Famous Masons 281Chapter 18: Ten Amazing Conspiracies, Anti-Masons, and Hoaxes 289Chapter 19: Ten Cool Masonic Places 301Part VI: Appendixes 305Appendix A: The Regius Manuscript 307Appendix B: Anderson's Constitutions 329Appendix C: Finding a Lodge 335Index 347

Christopher Hodapp has been an active Freemason and board member in his home state of Indiana for many years and holds memberships in several national Masonic organizations. He has written numerous articles and has contributed to several documentaries about Masonry. He is editor of the Journal of the Masonic Society and has authored and co-authored several books on the topic including The Templar Code For Dummies and Conspiracy Theories & Secret Societies For Dummies.