Science and Freemasonry  

All Freemasons are told when they become Masons that they should study the arts and sciences. 

During recent times the arts and sciences are not usually taught at Masonic meetings, but the Mason is encouraged to study them on his own to attain more Knowledge.  Knowledge is almost always preferred over ignorance.  The Knowledge level of Freemasons is probably a lot higher than that of the general population.

At one time even a rudimentary Knowledge of science was not known by very many people.  If fact only a few hundred years ago a Knowledge of science was very dangerous as the Catholic Church somewhat frowned upon scientists, at least on those who shared their Knowledge with others.  Frowned upon may be too nice a term for what the Catholic Church did to scientists.  The Inquisition of the Catholic Church was sent to arrest, imprison, torture or murder those who spoke about anything that the Catholic Church did not approve of at that time. Just ask Galileo. At least he was not Burned at the Stake like many others.

It seems that the Freemasons of earlier times actually had the audacity to teach their members some Science that was not approved of by the Catholic Church.  It is said that the Freemasons actually taught the blasphemous idea that the Earth was a sphere that spun on its axis and that the Earth traveled on a path around the Sun.  This kind of blasphemous Knowledge had to be kept Secret or the Inquisition of the Catholic Church might arrest, torture, imprison or murder the person who held this Knowledge, by  Burning them at the Stake.  Perhaps such dangerous Knowledge led to the Secrecy practiced by Freemasonry.  Being Burned at the Stake was probably not a whole lot of fun, except perhaps for the priest who must have enjoyed watching the dangerous scholar slowly roast to death.  Perhaps it was a time to drink beer and thank God for allowing him the honor of doing something he thought would please God.  Hopefully that perverted priest burn in Hell forever, if Hell exists.

Perhaps the Catholic Church knew that Knowledge was power and wanted to keep such Knowledge to themselves.  I find it impossible to think of any other reason to prevent the masses from learning, unless they had some great secret to hide, or they simply wanted to control all Knowledge. Perhaps they even knew that Galileo was correct but did not want their followers to know.  

Perhaps this ancient teaching of the now known to be true so-called blasphemous Knowledge is the reason that the Catholic Church demonizes Freemasonry to this day.  Perhaps they are still upset  that the Freemasons were more correct than the Infallible Pope of the time.  The Freemasons still encourage people to be Freethinkers and to study to improve their Knowledge.  Think outside the box.  Just because someone tells you it is true does not make it so, even if that person happens to be your priest, preacher, friend, teacher or government leader.  Be one of the Freethinkers and try to think for yourself using the ideas of others merely as information, but do not consider the information to be a fact until you have proved it to yourself.

In modern times the Catholic Church is no longer Burning people at the Stake for their ideas about science, at least as far as I know.  They may still want to so do, but at least are no longer so doing.  The Catholic Church now has had some wonderful scientists, especially among the Jesuits and they have operated a great observatory for some time.