My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Dan Brown's Lost Symbol

Scotty32

Registered User
Yes I brought it up tonight at our stated meeting and we discussed some of the possible reactions, telling our guys how to handle the questions and reminded them of the EA charge.

Thats a very good idea JBD!
 

nightjmper

Registered User
The book was released in China today. It sold out in both the English and Chinese. I am not sure how many copies were received, but i was not surprised. I managed to get a copy and plan on reading it tonight.

SV
 

ljlinson1206

Premium Member
Premium Member
Just bought the last copy that Hastings in Bryan had. Not through the first chapter yet, but seems to be in the same Dan Brown fashion as the other two. In a good way.
 

nightjmper

Registered User
Well I just finished the book, and I am torn. I really enjoyed the book as a quasi-historical mystery / thriller. Dan Brown has a great ability to really get you thinking and questioning the nature of things.
My issue is that he does such a good job blending the facts and his “theory†into “New Factsâ€. While I don’t think the book portrayed the Masons or any of the other fraternal orders in a bad light, I do think that he makes some statements as fact, about our beliefs and possible motivations that could stir up groups.
As I person, I have never been one to judge or speculate on another’s beliefs. As an EA starting his journey into what I hope will be years of enlightening education, I do not assume to know what masonry is all about. I am just not confident most people are as non-judgmental.
I guess the real question is: Will this bring a flood of new people to our doors? And if so are the seeking brotherhood and knowledge, or intrigue and secrets?

Sorry if the thoughts are a little muddy...been a long day
 

daopqc

Registered User
wow I am reading the book now and its great. And so far its giving the masons a better out look then the usual books out there. It starts out clearing everything about what we are really about and not what people think we are. Dan Brown compares mason with coca cola.......to know the secret about coca cola and how to make it you must join coca cola. It clears up alot of questions the public has about freemasonry but one thing is clear Masons have a very important part in American history and future. One guy mad it clear to me on you tube when he said the 1st mason in the new world (13 colonies) did meet in secret in a pub (lodge) and plan rebellion and revolution and over throw the british it would not have happen because thoughts like then , out in the open would have had them be-headed.So if the masons didnt meet in secret non of it would have happen. So thank you For Fathers for that. And masonic thinking !
 

Gerald.Harris

Premium Member
Premium Member
Well I just finished the book, and I am torn. I really enjoyed the book as a quasi-historical mystery / thriller. Dan Brown has a great ability to really get you thinking and questioning the nature of things.
My issue is that he does such a good job blending the facts and his “theory†into “New Factsâ€. While I don’t think the book portrayed the Masons or any of the other fraternal orders in a bad light, I do think that he makes some statements as fact, about our beliefs and possible motivations that could stir up groups.
As I person, I have never been one to judge or speculate on another’s beliefs. As an EA starting his journey into what I hope will be years of enlightening education, I do not assume to know what masonry is all about. I am just not confident most people are as non-judgmental.
I guess the real question is: Will this bring a flood of new people to our doors? And if so are the seeking brotherhood and knowledge, or intrigue and secrets?

Sorry if the thoughts are a little muddy...been a long day

Thank you for looking at the mad rush as something that might not necessarily be a good thing. It will just be more important for each WM to be cautious and careful in his selection of an investigating committee, and for them to do a very thurough job while serving on the investigating committies.
 

TCShelton

Founding Member
Premium Member
I thought the book was awesome. I really like a lot of the concepts in it, especially the power of the mind and "god is within us all" stuff.
 

Scotty32

Registered User
I hope there is not a surge of petitions after everyone gets to read it, or if they make a movie from it.
I am sort of split on the issue. I always like to see new members, but at the same time it doesn't make sense to me to join because of a good novel you have read. That is a wrong reason to join in my opinion.
It makes as much sense as me wanting to convert to Catholicism after reading or watching Angels & Demons.
 

drapetomaniac

Premium Member
Premium Member
I don't know. I've heard people come for all sorts of reasons.

It would be worse if it was a Quentin Tarantino film with blood, goats and gore - as opposed to this, which gives a lot of detail on the thoughts and philosophies related to masonry.
 

TCShelton

Founding Member
Premium Member
I always like to see new members, but at the same time it doesn't make sense to me to join because of a good novel you have read. That is a wrong reason to join in my opinion.

Mmm, not quite the way I see it. This book/movie will be a lot of peoples' introductions to Masonry. It isn't that a ton of people will want to join because the book told them to, but that the book told them we exist.:beer:
 

rhitland

Founding Member
Premium Member
I hope there is not a surge of petitions after everyone gets to read it, or if they make a movie from it.
I am sort of split on the issue. I always like to see new members, but at the same time it doesn't make sense to me to join because of a good novel you have read. That is a wrong reason to join in my opinion.
It makes as much sense as me wanting to convert to Catholicism after reading or watching Angels & Demons.


not to sure I care what gets them to the door as long as they are good men wanting to be better. You do have to think though Brother Scotty that the book generates a ton of overflow buzz. i.e. knock off books, water cooler talk, magazine articles. I bet the history channel is light up with masonic stuff right now, I know the news is which in the end the book is responsible for it all in an indirect way or profit way $$$$$$. People have not seen the S & Q in the public in a long time and the buzz will remind alot of people their Grandpa's where Masons like George Washington. The west gate must remain gaurded though.
 

caeservi

Registered User
Just finished the book and was pleased with it. I was expecting the normal conspiracy crap that we have to deal with, but as mentioned numerous times in the previous posts, it actually portrays us in a good way and gives a good explanation of what we are all about. Of course it wouldn't be a Dan Brown book with some earth shattering secret, and it does promote the whole "most masons are kept in the dark about the true secrets of the craft, that are only revealed after the 33°" but, hey, I guess the man has to make it scintillating to sell the book.
 

TCShelton

Founding Member
Premium Member
...and it does promote the whole "most masons are kept in the dark about the true secrets of the craft, that are only revealed after the 33°" but, hey, I guess the man has to make it scintillating to sell the book.

+1. Lol.:beer:
 

Scotty32

Registered User
Mmm, not quite the way I see it. This book/movie will be a lot of peoples' introductions to Masonry. It isn't that a ton of people will want to join because the book told them to, but that the book told them we exist.

That is another part of it that I am hoping for. Well stated.
 

Gerald.Harris

Premium Member
Premium Member
That is another part of it that I am hoping for. Well stated.

I sure agree with that statement. I like the idea that a large number of guys found out about us, and now are curious enough to seek admission. If the investigation commities do their job, then we will only be admitting the ones who truly want to become masons for the right reasons.
 

Wingnut

Premium Member
I don't know. I've heard people come for all sorts of reasons.

It would be worse if it was a Quentin Tarantino film with blood, goats and gore - as opposed to this, which gives a lot of detail on the thoughts and philosophies related to masonry.


Hey! Carefull with the information about GOATS!
 

owls84

Moderator
Premium Member
Finished it last night. (Tom- I took my time on it) I loved it. I think that if someone read this book and is still curious to learn more about masonry I would be hard pressed to deny them (don't get me wrong there is more needed than reading a book). The theme in this book is a great one and the lessons greater.
 
Top