Czechoslovakian Free Masons (1925‒1938) and the Evolutionary Origins of the Human Being Cover Image

Českoslovenští zednáři (1925‒1938) a evoluční vznik člověka
Czechoslovakian Free Masons (1925‒1938) and the Evolutionary Origins of the Human Being

Author(s): Ctirad Václav Pospíšil, Veronika Řeháková
Subject(s): Interwar Period (1920 - 1939), History of Religion
Published by: Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci
Keywords: Free Masons; Evolutionary Origins of the Human Being; Charles Darwin, Social Darwinism; T. G. Masaryk;

Summary/Abstract: Based on a critical analysis of the periodicals Svobodný zednář and Die drei Ringe, the authors of the article examine the attitudes of Czechoslovak Free Masons towards the question of the evolutionary origins of the human being and towards Darwinism in the period of 1925‒1938. Czech Free Masons had no interest in this issue. A clear rejection of Social Darwinism and racism can be found. German Free Masons, living in this country, consequently accepted the evolutionary origins of humans and naturally stood up against Social Darwinism, especially from 1933 on. The Darwinist concept of human origins was not used in even one case against the Bible, Christianity, or the Catholic Church. Taking into account the faith of regular Free Masons in God the Creator – the Great Architect and in the immortality of the human soul, one can quite easily speculate as to their closeness to the theistic interpretation of the evolutionary origins of humans which is typical for Christian thinkers.

  • Issue Year: XXIV/2022
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 145-155
  • Page Count: 11
  • Language: Czech