Freemasonry

The Foundations of Freemasonry

  • Freemasonry, one of the world's oldest fraternal organizations, is built upon principles that guide its members towards personal growth and societal contribution.

    At its core, Masonry is founded on:

  • Brotherly Love: Fostering a spirit of unity and support among members

  • Relief: Extending a helping hand to those in need

  • Truth: Upholding honesty and integrity in all aspects of life

    Their tradition is conveyed through:

  • Symbolic teachings rooted in architectural allegories

  • Time-honored rituals that promote self-improvement

  • A commitment to moral and ethical development

Freemasonry embraces:

  • Religious tolerance while requiring belief in a Supreme Being

  • Civic responsibility and community engagement

  • The pursuit of knowledge and continuous learning

The Divine 9

While there are some similarities between the Divine 9 organizations and Freemasonry, it's not accurate to say that the Divine 9 is directly founded upon Masonic principles.

However, there are some interesting connections and influences worth noting:

  • Indirect influence: Some founders of Divine 9 organizations may have been influenced by Masonic principles, as Freemasonry was well-established and influential in American society at the time.

  • Structural similarities: Both use fraternal structures, rituals, and symbols, which were common in many organizations of the era.

  • Prince Hall Freemasonry: This branch of Freemasonry, founded by African Americans, predates the Divine 9 and may have had some influence on their formation and structure.

  • Shared values: Both emphasize brotherhood/sisterhood, community service, and personal development

  • Historical context: The Divine 9 organizations were formed during a time when fraternal and secret societies were popular in America, a trend largely influenced by Freemasonry.

Here are the differences in the two:

1. Distinct origins: The Divine 9 organizations were created specifically to address the needs and aspirations of African American college students in the early 20th century.

2. Unique purpose: They focus on Black empowerment, scholarship, and civil rights, which are not primary focuses of Freemasonry.

3. Independent development: While they may share some structural similarities with older fraternal organizations, the Divine 9 developed their own unique rituals, principles, and cultures.

4. Different membership base: The Divine 9 are closely tied to the African American community and higher education, while Freemasonry has a broader, more diverse membership base.

Though origin, purpose and membership base may vary, both the Divine 9 and Freemasons share many similarities.