FREEMASONRY UNDERGROUND

 'Where the light is brightest, the shadows are deepest'- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

In his day, Goethe's thought about the work of that other genius, Issac Newton and some of it made him angry.  It was because of the assumptions that were suggested by Newton, particularly the conviction that this was the defining, absolute science. In a way, this was saying  there was no other 'plan B'. Goethe made this clearer for us by saying Newtons work  denied shadows power. He went on to illustrate this in a story of a giant with no power whose shadow had great power. The giant was Newton of course.  It would be immodest of me to suggest it was genius reacting to genius so read it for yourself and decide. 

Genius often reveals what we  understand without knowing how we know it.  Similarly, do we know how radical ideas created Freemasonry?  We know the Hiram allegory was the product of careful observation and contemplation from a time when quoting the ideas of someone else was more highly valued that original thought.   We know the foundation of thought came well before governance and organization.  We know also, that it reflects the stages of cultural and intellectual change. History teaches us about  The Age of Enlightenment, The Reformation, and the Renaissance. As we study freemasonry, we begin to understand in time past, when orthodoxy was a matter of life or death, it was best for men to kept liberal thoughts underground.   We  trace the It was produced by serious thought and had a purpose for man. There were always men thinking beyond the control of church and state. Adherence to church doctrine  and swearing fidelity to the King was a sensible way to live. It took us many generations to carry on the right to probe darkness.