The Freemasons are one of the most secretive and controversial religious groups in the world. Masons have existed for centuries – and if we are to believe their claims, they've existed covertly for even longer. Whatever their history, speculation has always been an enjoyable pastime – and this is especially true in the case of the Masons. Their secrecy fuels the speculation and the few things that are known add fuel. Having passed down traditions and secrets from one generation of initiates to the next, they make it difficult to know what's outdated and what's still practiced. Connecting this thread to another current thread:
Speculation at the time was that Freemasons were behind the series of attacks attributed to Jack the Ripper. The Rippers' mutilation of his victims was supposed to represent the symbolic penalties imposed on a Brother who revealed the secrets of the Lodge. According to people like Stephen Knight and Walter Sickert, it was a plot devised by Sir William Gull to cover up the fact that Edward, Duke of Clarence and heir to the throne had secretly married a prostitute and fathered a child. (In fact, Sir William Gull was not even a Freemason, but this does not discourage the story.) Even the mysterious message left behind by the Ripper, "The Juwes Are The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing" was supposed to be masonic, with "the Juwes" referring to the 3 masons of masonic ritual who murdered Hiram Abif: Jubela, Jubelo and Jubelum.
Consider these ten masonic activities as possible facts.
1. Freemasons are commanded not to testify truthfully when another Mason is on trial if that truth would harm their brother. They admit that it may be perjury, but to them, it is a far greater sin to not protect one of their own.
2. Though some members deny it to the public, the Freemasons have at least one secret masonic handshake. Supposedly, there are even phrases a Freemason can utter when facing grave danger – causing other members to rush to their aid. The founder of Mormonism, Joseph Smith, is said to have uttered this phrase in the last moments before his death.
3. The Masons have a secret password. This is one of the best-known facts about the Masons, but the general perception is that they have just one password. In fact, there are several passwords for various occasions and reasons. As the one person with the final syllable for the ultimate secret word was murdered, they substituted "mor-bon-zi" for this word, and only very few people know the actual secret word. This secret word is used only for ceremonies: "tu-bal-cain" is the more common secret password, on the tip of every Freemason tongue.
4. The initiation rituals- though described by Masons as beautiful ceremonies – include a noose. It's hard to tell whether this is meant as a threat, a call to maintain silence, or simply as the symbol of an umbilical cord (as they claim), but in any case: the initiate is blindfolded, with his left trouser leg rolled up to the knee and his shirt partially unbuttoned to expose his left nipple, and a noose is placed around his neck. The new member must promise to uphold Masonic traditions and not divulge any of the society's secrets. Traditionally, this promise was accompanied by various bloodthirsty punishments (such as having your tongue torn out and being buried alive below the high water mark), however, in deference to modern sensibilities these lines have now been largely excised or euphemistically referred to as the "traditional penalties."
5. Freemasons believe that the east symbolizes rebirth. They sing the sun in its flight – marvelling at its passage through the sky. Masonic lodges tend to be built in the east and in the west, as an attempt to control solar power for their own purposes.
6. It's impossible to become a Freemason if you're an atheist. The first requirement is that potential members must believe in a higher power of some sort. They claim not to care what higher power that is, but you must define it for yourself. You can lie about it, but religion seems to be a point of honor among them. On the other hand, traditionally excluded groups – such as gay men – are included in Masonry, so long as they behave in the same moral manner as other groups. The temple still excludes women, but some groups are currently challenging that fact.
7. The official corruption of Masonry is well-documented, but often covered up. Half a million Masons in England are disproportionately involved in banking, politics, and government. Even hospitals and universities are often controlled by the Masons
8. If you've ever looked closely at the US dollar bill, you've probably seen the All-Seeing Eye above the pyramid. This symbol is a Freemason symbol, and the Latin underneath is a Freemason motto, meaning "new world order". Many say that the decision to include this masonic symbol was not influenced by Freemasons – Benjamin Franklin being the only Mason on the design committee – but the coincidence remains fascinating all the same.
9. Breivik – responsible for the 2011 mass murder in Norway – was a member of the Lodge of St. Olaf in Oslo. He was promptly excluded – but his degree of involvement within the organization is open for debate.
That a Mason did this DOES NOT reflect on Masons as a group. Timothy McVeigh was raised Catholic and before his execution accepted the Catholic sacrament.
10. Some say that Masons have an agenda to take over the world – but some Masons seem to have their sights set on the moon. Astronauts in the Apollo program – including Buzz Aldrin – were self-professed Masons. Their rite flags have been to the moon and back, and Aldrin seems to have claimed the moon for his Masonic lodge in Texas.
Mike: Where do you get your information ?? Oh, BTW, I am a Master Master... over 35 years since I opened the door to the "west gate"
Let's tale your numbered items, above:
1. B.S. News to me. A Mason is always encouraged to tell the truth. Years ago I was a witness as a Masonic Trial. The man accused was a Past Master and the charges were gambling or causing a gambling enterprise in the Lodge. He was found guilty and expelled from the Masons.
2. This is true. You have to remember, the Masons are not a 'secret society', but a society with secrets.
3. Partially true. There is a password for each of the three degrees in the "blue lodge" "mor-bon-zi" ???
Never heard of it.
4. There is no place in a lodge for a noose ! In the initiation ceremony, a "cable-tow" is placed very loosely around the candidate's neck. Supposedly, if the candidate refuses to participate in the ceremony, he could be dragged from the Lodge. Never seen it happen.
5. Not sure what you are trying to say, here. Masonic lodges are built so the sun never shines into it's North.
6. Partially true. You must believe in "a supreme being" regardless of what you call him. I was at an initiation, years ago, where the candidate was asked in whom he put his trust. His answer was "Jehovah". The Master of the Lodge continued on with the initiation. Gay men are welcomed in any of the four Va. Beach Lodged I attend.
7. The only hospital in the U.S.A that is
possibly controlled by Masons is The Shriner's Hospital for Children. Shriners Hospitals for Children is a network of 22 medical facilities across North America. Children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patients' ability to pay.
Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, the hospitals, known as "The World's Greatest Philanthropy," are owned and operated by Shriners International, formerly known as the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, a Freemasonry-related organization simply known today as the Shriners. Patients must be minors under the age of 18 and are not required to have any familial affiliation with the Shriners order nor Freemasonry.
As it sez it para 1, no child's parents have ever been asked to pay for services. FYI, the Shriners give away $1 million dollars a day, every day of the year !!
8. Partially true. I've never heard of "a new world order".
9. Never heard this one.
10. Pure B.S.
Just in case my Masonic Brother, Chris, seems to think I've given away the farm, I assure you I have not said anything that is not written. If it's written, it's not secret.
As for you, Mike, I suggest you do some more research.
Charles
Lynnhaven Lodge #220
Va. Beach, VA.