In the new book “The Lost Symbol,” by Dan Brown (“The Da Vinci Code,” “Angels & Demons”), Freemasonry plays a prominent role in the storyline–symbologist Robert Langdon is asked to help find a Masonic treasure.
As expected, the book has stirred up curiosity about the mysterious organization. Author and practicing Mason Jay Kinney clears up some of the misconceptions about Freemasonry, including whether all U.S. presidents are members, whether the group is a cult, and what the deal is with all those weird symbols on the dollar bill.
Check out 10 Myths About Freemasonry on Beliefnet.