The Freemasons

[Cognisant]

A few weeks ago the local grand lodge had an open day and we got to have a look around inside, my grandfather lecturing proudly the entire time. However I couldn't help but notice how old everyone was and how decrepit this grand stone building was becoming, one person even mentioned that they didn't know how long they could afford to keep the place going.

Is it like this everywhere?

Once upon a time it seemed every man and his dog was a Freemason but these days recruiting has been reduced to word of mouth amoung the elderly and old men getting their middle aged sons involved, but it's not sustainable.

If you're wondering what Freemasonry is as I understand it they're all about secular humanism, there's a lot of religious themes but they're quick to downplay that, they're more focused on being productive members of society and leaving something behind for future generations which is ironic considering they seem to be letting the organisation die.

 

[The Grey Man]

If you're wondering what Freemasonry is as I understand it they're all about secular humanism, there's a lot of religious themes but they're quick to downplay that, they're more focused on being productive members of society and leaving something behind for future generations which is ironic considering they seem to be letting the organisation die.

That's the beauty of the Masonic concept of the supreme being. It is required that you believe in some preeminent thing or ideal (supreme being), which may or may not be, or derived from the Abrahamic or some other God. This criterion can be met by almost anyone. The real test seems to be compatibility with the Freemason brotherhood philosophy and its associated activities.

I can't really speak to the state of the organization as a whole, but I do know a Freemason who, on a rare occasion when the topic came up, did say that he hadn't participated in an organized event in a while.

 

[Cognisant]

It is required that you believe in some preeminent thing or ideal (supreme being), which may or may not be, or derived from the Abrahamic or some other God.

Yeah, not a fan of that.

I would like to start an existentialist equivalent or as a chapter of the Freemasons if they allowed it, although I suspect there would be a very vocal minority against it.

Y'see I really agree with the principles of it which is why it really pains me to see this grand old building falling into decrepitude, I see paint flaking off or plaster cracking and it baffles me how any Freemason wouldn't be immediately spurred into action by that, the whole basis of Freemasonry seems to be tradesmen contributing their time and their skills to the good of their community so how could they let their own grand lodge fall into disrepair?

 

[Pyropyro]

A few weeks ago the local grand lodge had an open day and we got to have a look around inside, my grandfather lecturing proudly the entire time. However I couldn't help but notice how old everyone was and how decrepit this grand stone building was becoming, one person even mentioned that they didn't know how long they could afford to keep the place going.

Perhaps they need to hire some free stone and brick masons to fix the building.

Spoiler

Ok, I'm stopping now

Is it like this everywhere?

Well I did see a Freemason building while going to a wedding here in the Philippines. I was unable to see the interior but the facade looks worn out.

 

[The Grey Man]

Yeah, not a fan of that.

I would like to start an existentialist equivalent or as a chapter of the Freemasons if they allowed it, although I suspect there would be a very vocal minority against it.

Y'see I really agree with the principles of it which is why it really pains me to see this grand old building falling into decrepitude, I see paint flaking off or plaster cracking and it baffles me how any Freemason wouldn't be immediately spurred into action by that, the whole basis of Freemasonry seems to be tradesmen contributing their time and their skills to the good of their community so how could they let their own grand lodge fall into disrepair?

Hopefully the state of the grand lodge belies the spiritual health of the organization. Still, the seeming decline in interest is worrying. They need some young blood.

EDIT: I just don't know how I could reconcile my unbelief with yearning for a spiritual journey...I got to thinking about the all-seeing eye of their insignia...accountability, brotherhood...

Y'know, your existentialist chapter concept is pretty interesting...but a contradiction? What is Freemasonry? Secular humanism, I suppose, as you say. How is this possible? Because all that God compels us to predates Him; He is a man-made instrument of unity (people listen to power).

What, then, unites the existentialist chapter? Collectivism? Recognition of the spatial illusion of the individual, and the common striving for contentment? Could it be that the organization's appreciation of brotherhood over divine authority is implicit in its religious diversity?

 

[Pizzabeak]

The Freemasons were originally a worker's union of sorts, a guild for those competent in the discipline of stonemasonry to find steady employment. This was around the early 1700's. After the downfall of the Knights Templar (~ early 1300's) any remaining survivors were urged to join masonry lodges for protection (or, plausibly, the masonry lodges sprang from the remaining Templars themselves). The requirement for non-Atheism (or belief in a deity?) stems from the possibility of getting captured, in part. If any fugitive Templars were captured they would face torture and death, having all secrets of the organization expelled. To make oaths and swear it on a deity ensures at least some type of devotion - any oaths made by Atheists would be shoddy at best. This might also be where the notion of brotherhood comes from, as they essentially had to stick together to escape inquisition. Contacts were important in those days. The hierarchical structure of Freemasonry also probably came from the Knights Templar's organization.
In 1776 the Bavarian Illuminati came into existence with the goal of exterminating all religion and government from the land. The operation was quickly shut down no more than ten years later, although Weishaupt boasted that if the Illumanti were found and suppressed he would bring it back ten years later and stronger than ever. After this they infiltrated the Masonic Lodges for cover, and continued operations, eventually spreading out to Lodges of various countries. This was done in the form of book making and writing. They mostly just discussed philosophy but soon infiltrated the book presses and started publishing and distributing their works usually in the form of propaganda. In fact writing was so important to them they denied acceptance to prospective individuals if they didn't write enough, although they were still members of the Illuminati and thought they were of decent ranking but were not told of the higher rankings and that they didn't actually pass the test. Reading societies also occurred in which the Illuminati had control of, and this is where all sorts of people would want to join in order to become a learned person and keep up with all the latest information, for a fee. Whenever someone tried to publish a book that in one way or another opposed the Illuminati's goal, they (The Illuminati) would take it and pervert it, changing it drastically so as to be spurious. One instance, someone tried to stop the bad version from being pressed and managed to stop it and re-supply printers with a new, proper edition, but when his book was finally produced it was actually the Illuminati's version again.
It turns out the Illuminati was operating under a new alias, the German Union, in which their goal claimed to be to root out all superstition and prejudices, and to promote true Christianity. Compare this with the Illuminati's goal of removing all Christianity and promoting reason and morals. They would attempt to overthrow religion under the perhaps false pretense of reason and wanting what is best for their fellow man while those in opposition believed the then current paradigm is what was best for them. The German Union was only accessible from the reading societies and you had to make an oath and pass the test to join. They were under the impression they were fighting for a good cause. The Illuminati went on to entice the French Revolution.
I knew a guy who was invited to a Mason meeting not too long ago. He said it was mostly older guys stumbling around, discussing possible business ventures. Indeed Freemasonry nowadays is about being a good member of the community and helping out. This one Lodge boasts about one of their greatest feats - there was a massive conflagration and they helped their brothers and their families out by providing aid, shelter, and restoration services, all possible from member dues.
It's simple enough to duplicate their model. The real question is whether some of the powers of today are direct descendants of those Illuminati or separate people altogether; that doesn't matter either way since any group could pull off the same tactics. When people say "Illuminati" today they aren't necessarily referring to "The Illuminati", as you can see. It's just the Illuminati. That's what people do. In other words, 9/11 was plausibly an inside job and the USA was in cahoots with Israel.

 

[Cognisant]

Fascinating.

Are there any worthwhile currently operating anti-religious groups you know of?

 

[Sinny91]

The very word secrecy is repugnant in a free and open society - JFK.

My inescapable conclusion that the Freemasons are monsters:
http://www.thelivingmoon.com/forum2/index.php?topic=2440.0

I personally agree with JFK. We ain't got time for no silly little boys clubs, full of fat pompous business men looking to give his 'brother' the appropriate 'helping hand' in his business endeavors.

It's sexist, conspiratorial and fraudulent.
And to top it off they all get off 'Scott Free'.

Secret societies are ripe for infiltration and manipulation.
Best off without any. At least not on the scale of today's Freemasonry.

All the secret societies claim to be storing knowledge that would be disastrous if it were to get into the wrong hands...
HA! It all ready is, so now what?

 

[Cognisant]

I agree with you in principle however in practice my experience with and knowledge of the Freemasons suggests to me that you're either quite delusional or aimed for satire but fell short of funny.

 

[Pizzabeak]

Nope. It would be mildly pleasing to see what they would be up to nowadays. I wouldn't be so sure that there is any connection between them and overt anti-religious groups. Besides a few American bureaucracies and intelligence services as well as the corresponding international counterparts... I guess people aren't exactly sure where to look or who to blame. Jacobinism was one, on the other hand there is Zionism which gets a fair amount of press, although I will be the first to admit this religious-historico policy isn't really my area and there still is a fair amount of digging to do.

My inescapable conclusion that the Freemasons are monsters:
http://www.thelivingmoon.com/forum2/index.php?topic=2440.0

I personally agree with JFK. We ain't got time for no silly little boys clubs, full of fat pompous business men looking to give his 'brother' the appropriate 'helping hand' in his business endeavors.

What about Bohemian Grove? Most public accounts I have seen make it seem fairly neutral. That thread looks pretty large but I am interested in looking through it should I learn a thing or two..

 

[Sinny91]

British Royal Family and her Royal Evilness the Queen who heads Masonry on this side of the pond.

If those members are anything to go by, Freemasonry leaves a very bad after taste when spoken by the tongue.

Shall we start delving into their 'charitable nature' Prince Phillips activities with the WWF, or the conquests of the Queens empire perhaps.

 

[Sinny91]

Bump - I'm undecided where to place something... interesting, which I have found...

 

[EditorOne]

It seems to be, these days, much like Rotary or Kiwanis or even a business referral group with a good-works sub-agenda. Many of the members embrace stories of the old days when they had secret signs and whatnot, there's a story in Elkin, NC for instance about how in 1865 a Yankee cavalry colonel opted not to burn down the town's factories because the owner flashed him a sign that made him realize they were both brothers in Masonry. But there's so much hype and hooha going around - and most Masons I know are just, for better or worse, regular folks looking to earn some esteem and scratch the humans-must-work-in-groups gene while building social and business contacts.
The Odd Fellows, now, there's a group to keep an eye on.