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Christianity and Freemasonry have had a mixed relationship, with various Christian denominations banning or discouraging members from being Freemasons. Freemasonry has at times and in certain places been heavily Christianised, while in other times and places been thoroughly anti-clerical"The Church had placed itself in opposition to the Craft. The manner in which it was done fostered a virulent anticlericalism within Italian and French Masonry." The Miter and The Trowel by William Madison, Albert Pike (Masonic) Lodge #1169. ALLEGATIONS OF DEISM One of the persistent Christian criticisms of Freemasonry is that it advocates a that arose in the Enlightenment Deism , in the European Enlightenment Glossary. Freemasons - especially Christian Freemasons - deny this claim. A specific charge made in the Catholic Encyclopedia Masonry (Freemasonry) against Freemasonry is that the introduction of speculative Masonry in the early eighteenth century specifically aimed at dechristianising the old operative masonry lodges. Whereas the constitutions of previous lodges of operative Masonry stated that "''The first charge is this that you be true to God and Holy Church and use no error or heresy''"Quote from The Builders by Joseph Fort Newton, 1914 in 1723 the constitution of the Grand Lodge of EnglandArticle I of The Ancient Charges of a Freemason , James Anderson, 1723: A Mason is obliged by his Tenure, to obey the moral law; and if he rightly understands the Art, he will never be a stupid Atheist nor an irreligious Libertine. But though in ancient Times Masons were charged in every Country to be of the Religion of that Country or Nation, whatever it was, yet 'tis now thought more expedient only to oblige them to that Religion in which all Men agree, leaving their particular Opinions to themselves; that is, to be good Men and true, or Men of Honour and Honesty, by whatever Denominations or Persuasions they may be distinguished; whereby Masonry becomes the Centre of Union, and the Means of conciliating true Friendship among Persons that must have remained at a perpetual Distance. This change is seen as moving towards a Deist view."The nature of the Masonic God is best seen in their favorite title for him: the Supreme Architect. The Masonic God is first of all a deistic God, who is found at the top of the ladder of Masonic wisdom", Jolicoeur and Knowles, pp. 14-15 cited in THE PASTORAL PROBLEM OF MASONIC MEMBERSHIP, sent out as a part of the Letter of April 19, 1985 to U.S. Bishops Concerning Masonry by Cardinal Bernard Law CLASH WITH THE CATHOLIC CHURCH See Also: Catholicism and Freemasonry The most persistent criticThe Catholic Church has continually prohibited members from being Freemasons since In Eminenti Secula in 1739 of Freemasonry has been the Catholic Church, which bans members from becoming Freemasons. The Church argues that Freemasonry's theology discourages Christian dogmatism and that it is at many times and places anti-clerical in intent. It further argues that some of the ceremonial is anti-Catholic. NON-CATHOLIC DISCOURAGEMENT OF FREEMASONRY A number of Protestant and Eastern Orthodox denominations discourage their congregants from joining Masonic lodges, although this differs in intensity according to the denomination. Churches that, in some form or other, discourage membership of Freemasons include:
August 5-10, 1997, Section 4: Membership in Secret Orders, quoted in the Saints Alive website
The Church Of Scotland does not ban congregants from becoming Freemasons, but in 1989 the general assembly said there were "very real theological difficulties" with Church of Scotland members being Freemasons Many Kirk members still Masons despite earlier call to 'think again' Saturday 15 Feb 2003. The 1985 Methodist Conference in England said that Freemasonry competed with Christian beliefs"It is clear that Freemasonry may compete strongly with Christianity. There is a great danger that the Christian who becomes a Freemason will find himself compromising his Christian beliefs or his allegiance to Christ, perhaps without realizing what he is doing.", Methodist Conference Faith and Order committee, quoted in the Daily Telegraph 17 June 1985, quoted in turn in The Angelus, August 1985 , asking Methodist Freemasons to reconsider their membership, and that Masonic meetings be banned from Methodist premises. It refused to call for a ban on membership.The Committee report presented to the 1985 Methodist Conference was inaccurate and intellectually shabby. Rather than addressing the question of compatibility it dealt with public misconceptions of Freemasonry. It acknowledged that many fine men were members of Freemasonry and that it did a great deal of good work in the field of charity. Nevertheless, the report criticized the Craft for not mentioning the name of Jesus Christ and, without providing evidence, claimed that there was a possibility a Methodist could compromise his religious beliefs by being a Freemason. The committee, however, did not have the courage of its convictions and refused to call for an outright ban on Masonic membership. Rather it simply asked Methodists who were Freemasons to reconsider their membership and suggested that anyone thinking of joining the Order should think very carefully before doing so. We would all expect a prospective candidate to do that in any event. Almost as a gesture to the anti-Masons within the church they recommended a ban on all Masonic meetings on Methodist premises. This was a somewhat hollow gesture since no English lodge meets in Methodist premises." CONTEMPORARY ANTI-FREEMASONRY by John Hamill, Grand Librarian and Curator of the United Grand Lodge of England CHURCH OF THE LATTER DAY SAINTS The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints (also known as Mormons) lifted a ban on members becoming Freemasons in 1984"In 1984, President Spencer W. Kimball removed the prohibition against Latter-day Saints becoming Freemasons" from An Introduction to Mormonism and Freemasonry by Nicholas S. Literski. Some Masonic lodges also banned Mormons from joining "In time, not only did the Utah lodges prohibit Mormons, but Mormons prohibited Masons from holding priesthood leadership positions in the Latter-day Saint Church." from An Introduction to Mormonism and Freemasonry by Nicholas S. Literski. There are claimed to be close links between Masonic and Mormon beliefs. Mormon Endowment and Masonry from an anti-Mormon site SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE Freemasons are consistent advocates of the . This separation of church and state is seen, especially by the Roman Catholic church, as a veiled attack on its place in public life. Pope Leo XIII ETSI NOS (On Conditions in Italy) , Item 2 The Roman Catholic Church also saw this separation of the state from the church as manifesting a "Religious Indifferentism" which did not accept any religion as true or revealed."If the Bloc has been established, this is owing to Freemasonry and to the discipline learned in the lodges. The measures we have now to urge are the separation of Church and State and a law concerning instruction. Let us put our trust in the word of our Bro. Combes" from quoted as footnote 158 in the article Masonry (Freemasonry) in the Catholic Encyclopedia Some specific areas which freemasons were accused of aiming for a democratic separation of church and state were:
ALLEGATIONS THAT FREEMASONRY IS A NEW RELIGION Freemasonry explicitly and openly states that it is not a religion, nor a substitute for religion For example, this is stated in exactly these words on the web site of the United Grand Lodge of England . There is no separate "Masonic" God. Also from United Grand Lodge of England . Nor is there a separate proper name for a deity in any branch of Freemasonry. United Grand Lodge of England An article From Masonic Quarterly Magazine. There is no general interpretation for any of the symbols. another article from Masonic Quarterly Magazine In keeping with the geometrical and architectural theme of Freemasonry, the Supreme Being is referred to in Masonic ritual by the attributes of ''Great Architect of the Universe'' (G.A.O.T.U.), ''Grand Geometer'' or similar. Freemasons use these variety of forms of address to God to make clear that the reference is generic, not about any one religion's particular God or God-like concept. However, since it is not a religion, Freemasonry is Non-dogmatic and Constitutionally governed. Nevertheless, Freemasonry is seen as encouraging of Religious Indifferentism "The peculiar, "unsectarian" (in truth, anti-Catholic and anti-Christian) naturalistic character of Freemasonry, by which theoretically and practically it undermines the Catholic and Christian faith, first in its members and through them in the rest of society, creating religious indifferentism and contempt for orthodoxy and ecclesiastical authority." From Masonry (Freemasonry) in the Catholic Encyclopedia., it is said to show many characteristics of a separate religion:
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RELIGIOUS INDIFFERENTISM Christian critics of Freemasonry allege that it refuses to see one faith as being superior to any others, while at the same time contains religious-type rituals that are said to inculcate an indifference to religion."The March 11, 1985, issue of L'Osservatore Romano carried an article titled "Irreconcilability Between Christian Faith and Freemasonry" as a comment on the Nov. 26, 1983, declaration. In part the Vatican newspaper said a Christian "cannot cultivate relations of two types with God nor express his relation with the Creator through symbolic forms of two types." Quoted in the THE PASTORAL PROBLEM OF MASONIC MEMBERSHIP in the Letter of April 19, 1985 to U.S. Bishops Concerning Masonry by Cardinal Bernard Law"The truth of the matter is, Freemasonry espouses universalism, embraces religious pluralism and has effectively created a unique syncretistic religion." Order of Former Freemasons Freemasonic behaviour is seen as a denial of the truth of Christian revelation"No one can come to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). The Masonic author Mackey called Freemasonry "a science which is engaged in the search after the divine truth"Mackey, Symbolism of Freemasonry, 1869, 303, Cited in the article Masonry (Freemasonry) from the Catholic Encyclopedia which is seen by religious anti-masons as contradicting the Christian idea that the divine truth has already been revealed. Anderson's ''Ancient Charges of a Freemason'', 1723, says of Freemasons, that it is "expedient only to oblige them to that Religion in which all Men agree, leaving their particular Opinions to themselves".Article I of The Ancient Charges of a Freemason , James Anderson, 1723. This is understood to mean that Freemasons are not to discuss their personal beliefs in the lodge so as to not lead to argument with those who hold different beliefs. This ban on religious discussion was especially important in Eighteenth Century England where a Civil War , in part caused by religious conflict, had only recently ended. USE OF BIBLICAL IMAGERY The use of Biblical imagery is seen by some Christian critics For example "ammends the infallible teaching of the New Testament by foolishly removing the matchless NAME of the Lord Jesus Christ from His own Word, thus corrupting the infallible teaching of God's holy unchanging Word and denying the only Saviour of mankind in the most blatant manner possible" from the Evangelical Truth website and as being done in such a way as to deny the revalation of Christianity."In the text of 1738 particular stress is laid on "freedom of conscience" and the universal, non-Christian character of Masonry is emphasized. The Mason is called a "true Noahida", i.e. an adherent of the pre-Christian and pre-Mosaic system of undivided mankind." From Masonry (Freemasonry) in the Catholic Encyclopedia. Sons of Noah Noah is referred to in the Twenty-first Degree - Noachite, or Prussian Knight from the Scottish Rite , an appendant body which requires candidates to be Master Masons. It is suggested that in the early years of speculative Masonry the central legendary figure of many lodges was Noah"Although it is less discussed in Freemasonry today, in the 1700s and early 1800s there was a strong Masonic tradition which placed Noah as one of the Craft's major patrons involved with the preservation of the knowledge of antediluvian arts and sciences during the Flood and its transmittal to the generations which followed. Some systems went so far as to make Noah the central legendary figure rather than Hiram." from Twenty-first Degree - Noachite, or Prussian Knight from the Scottish Rite Journal. This is seen as placing all Freemasonry in a pre-Christian ethic, "In the text of 1738 particular stress is laid on "freedom of conscience" and the universal, non-Christian character of Masonry is emphasized. The Mason is called a "true Noahida", i.e. an adherent of the pre-Christian and pre-Mosaic system of undivided mankind." From Masonry (Freemasonry) in the Catholic Encyclopedia though it is argued if a pre-Christian ethic applies anywere, it applies only to that Scottish Rite, since that is only were it is found. Hiram Abiff In Masonic myth, Hiram Abiff is a grand master of Masonry and master builder of Solomon's Temple The Legend of Hiram Abiff J Mason Allen, Grand Lodge of Scotland. The legend of the death and raising of Hiram Abiff is seen as being a mockery of the Christian belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ."Certainly, they would not explain the Masonic teaching they have embraced concerning the death, burial and resurrection of Hiram. That would cause others to doubt their Christianity." Who is Hiram Abiff? Some Christians maintain that the third degree in most Masonic rites involves a recitation of the death and resurrection of Hiram Abiff. Others have stated that the ritual tells of the murder, burial, and re-internment of Hiram Abiff, and does not mention anything about resurrection. John J. Robinson, A Pilgrim's Path, M. Evans and Co., Inc. New York, p.36 It has been alleged by Christian critics of freemasonry"The Grand Lodge of Kentucky provides unmistakable evidence that Freemasonry teaches, not only that there are many different saviors for various peoples, but that Hiram Abif is considered a savior for Freemasons." from Who is Hiram Abiff? that an American Grand Lodge has taught that Hiram Abiff was the direct Masonic equivalent of Jesus Christ."All believed in a future life, to be attained by purification and trials; in a state or successive states of reward and punishment; and in a Mediator or Redeemer, by whom the Evil Principle was to be overcome and the Supreme Deity reconciled to His creatures. The belief was general that He was to be born of a virgin and suffer a painful death. The Hindus called him Krishna; the Chinese, Kioun-tse; the Persians, Sosiosch; the Chaldeans, Dhouvanai; the Egyptians, Horus; Plato, Love; the Scandinavians, Balder; the Christians, Jesus; Masons, Hiram. It is interesting that the "small hill west of Mount Moriah" has been identified as Golgotha, or Mount Calvary." Pages xiv-xv KENTUCKY MONITOR Complete Monitorial Ceremonies of the Blue Lodge THIRTEENTH EDITION (PDF). This appears on an esoteric Christian website and not a Masonic source, so it may not be an original source. This appears on an esoteric Christian website and not a Masonic source, so it may not be an original source. The Crucifixion Catholic critics allege that Freemasonry treats the cross as a symbol of nature and eternal life, rather than solely of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ"The cross is merely a symbol of nature and eternal life, devoid of Christ's sacrifice for sin. INRI (For Christians, "Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum," i.e. Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews) means for Masons "Igne Natura Renovatur Integra" ("the fire of nature rejuvenates all) referring to the sacred fire's (truth and love) regeneration of mankind, just as the sun regenerates nature in the Spring." CATHOLICS AND THE FREEMASON 'RELIGION' by Fr. William Saunders. This allegation originates in the controversial work of Albert Pike , Morals And Dogma . The invocation "INRI" is said by Pike"To the word INRI, inscribed on the Crux Ansata over the Master's Seat, many meanings have been assigned. The Christian Initiate reverentially sees in it the initials of the inscription upon the cross on which Christ suffered--Jesus Nazarenus Rex Iudæorum. The sages of Antiquity connected it with one of the greatest secrets of Nature, that of universal regeneration. They interpreted it thus, Igne Natura renovator integra; nature is renovated by fire : The Alchemical or Hermetic Masons framed for it this aphorism, Igne nitrum roris invenitur. And the Jesuits are charged with having applied to it this odious axiom, Justum necare reges impios. The four letters are the initials of the Hebrew words that represent the four elements--Iammim, the seas or water; Nour, fire; Rouach, the air, and Iebeschah, the dry earth. How we read it, I need not repeat to you." XVIII. KNIGHT ROSE CROIX. (Prince Rose Croix.) , Albert Pike, Morals and Dogma to have been used by "the sages of Antiquity" to stand for "Igne Natura Renovatur Integra" ("the fire of nature rejuvenates all) as well as "Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum" (Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews). It is not clear if there is any truth in this claim. The invocation "INRI" or "Igne Natura Renovatur Integra", the fire of nature rejuvenates all, is said by Albert Pike in ''Morals and Dogma'' to be inscribed on the ''Crux Ansata''(or Egyptian ankh) over the Master's Seat in his comments on the Prince Rose Croix degree of the Scottish Rite in the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States. Pike says: "The Cross has been a sacred symbol from the earliest Antiquity. It is found upon all the enduring monuments of the world, in Egypt, in Assyria, in Hindostan, in Persia, and on the Buddhist towers of Ireland. Buddha was said to have died upon it. The Druids cut an oak into its shape and held it sacred, and built their temples in that form. Pointing to the four quarters of the world, it was the symbol of universal nature. It was on a cruciform tree, that Chrishna was said to have expired, pierced with arrows. It was revered in Mexico. But its peculiar meaning in this Degree, is that given to it by the Ancient Egyptians. Thoth or Phtha is represented on the oldest monuments carrying in his hand the Crux Ansata, or Ankh, Tau cross, with a ring or circle over it . He is so seen on the double tablet of Shufu and Noh Shufu, builders of the greatest of the Pyramids, at Wady Meghara, in the peninsula of Sinai. It was the hieroglyphic for life, and with a triangle prefixed meant life-giving. To us therefore it is the symbol of Life--of that life that emanated from the Deity, and of that Eternal Life for which we all hope; through our faith in God's infinite goodness." ... "To the word INRI, inscribed on the Crux Ansata over the Master's Seat, many meanings have been assigned. The Christian Initiate reverentially sees in it the initials of the inscription upon the cross on which Christ suffered--Jesus Nazarenus Rex Iudæorum. The sages of Antiquity connected it with one of the greatest secrets of Nature, that of universal regeneration. They interpreted it thus, Igne Natura renovator integra; nature is renovated by fire : The Alchemical or Hermetic Masons framed for it this aphorism, Igne nitrum roris invenitur. And the Jesuits are charged with having applied to it this odious axiom, Justum necare reges impios. The four letters are the initials of the Hebrew words that represent the four elements--Iammim, the seas or water; Nour, fire; Rouach, the air, and Iebeschah, the dry earth. How we read it, I need not repeat to you. The Cross, X, was the Sign of the Creative Wisdom or Logos, the Son of God. Plato says, "He expressed him upon the Universe in the figure of the letter X. The next Power to the Supreme God was decussated or figured in the shape of a Cross on the Universe." Mithras signed his soldiers on the forehead with a Cross." The relevance of Morals and Dogma is controversial. On the one hand it is stated that it is rarely read, while on the other it was given to all Scottish Rite Freemasons of the Southern Jurisdiction for sixty years and so found a wide circulation. The controversy is not helped by the verbose manner of the work. There is also a difference between " York Rite " and "Scottish Rite" Masonry, both being appendant to Craft Masonry, with Scottish Rite being far more likely to be open to heterodox interpretations of Christian symbolism."Moreover, the Scottish Rite had a tradition of reinterpreting Christian symbols which the York did not, giving them a Masonic gloss. For example, INRI stood not for the Latin inscription _Jesus Nazarenus Rex Iudoeorum_ but instead had a different and dual meaning, standing for the Hebrew words _iammim_ (water), _nour _ (fire), _rouach_ (air) and _iebeschah_ (dry earth) and as well for the Latin _Igne Natura Renovatur Integra_ (all of Nature is renovated by fire). The cross was reinterpreted as Drudic, Egyptian, and Indian symbolism." TOWARDS A REVISIONIST VIEW OF POINSETT: PROBLEMS IN THE HISTORIOGRAPHY OF MEXICAN FREEMASONRY, PART II by Paul Rich and Lic. Guillermo De Los Reyes, citing page 63, ''Secret Ritual and Manhood in Victorian America'' by Mark C. Carnes, Yale University Press, New Haven & London, 1989 The senior degrees of the York Rite are specificly Christian in nature and require an obligation to defend the faith. LINKS TO ESOTERICISM Certain types of Freemasonry, most notably the Swedish Rite , are said to be connected to Esoteric Christianity "In the Swedish system, practised by the German Country Grand Lodge, Christ is said to have taught besides the exoteric Christian doctrine, destined for the people and the duller mass of his disciples, an esoteric doctrine for his chosen disciples, such as St. John, in which He denied that He was God." Findel, "Die Schule der Hierarchie, etc.", 1870, 15 sqq.; Schiffmann, "Die Entstehung der Rittergrade", 1882, 85, 92, 95 sq. Cited in Masonry (Freemasonry) , from the Catholic Encyclopedia, which holds that orthodox Christian doctrine is for the duller masses and that "real" Christianity holds to a secret denial of Christ as the Son of God. Influences from pre-Christian Paganism The ''Catholic Encyclopedia'' says that the Masonic authors ''Clavel, Ragnon, Pike'' and ''Mackey'' claim Masonic symbolism is rooted in the solar and phallic worship of pre-Christian mystery religion, particularly Egyptian religion.footnotes 113 and 114 in Masonry (Freemasonry) in the Catholic Encyclopedia Rosicrucian Influences See Also: Rosicrucian when an Alexandrian Gnostic sage named Ormus and his six followers were converted by one of Jesus ' disciples, Mark . From this conversion, Rosicrucianism was born by fusing early Christianity with Egyptian Mysteries . This is seen by the ''Catholic Encyclopedia'' as also being linked to the Templar origins"Soon after 1750, however, as occult sciences were ascribed to the Templars, their system was readily adaptable to all kinds of Rosicrucian purposes and to such practices as alchemy, magic, cabbala, spiritism, and necromancy." From Freemasonry (Masonry) in the Catholic Encyclopedia. According to Jean Pierre Bayard, two rites of Rosicrucian inspiration emerged from the end of 18th century. One was the Rectified Scottish Rite , which was widespread in Central Europe where there was a strong presence of the "Golden and Rosy Cross". The other was the Ancient And Accepted Scottish Rite , practiced in France . During the 18th century, there were several rites practiced in Freemasonry based on the Renaissance universe of Hermeticism and Alchemy , which was created by the Rosicrucians of 17th century or earlier. Rosicrucianism is seen as a big influence on the transition between "operative" and "speculative" Freemasonry. Elias Ashmole , the earliest recorded speculative Freemason was heavily involved in Rosicrucian propaganda. As for Robert Fludd , there is no documented evidence for Chistopher McIntosh 's speculation that Robert Fludd (1574-1637) may have been a Mason. Neither is there any documented evidence to suport Arthur Edward Waite (1857-1942) speculating that Fludd may have introduced a Rosicrucian influence into Freemasonry. Robert Vanloo states that earlier 17th century Rosicrucianism had a considerable influence on "Anglo-Saxon" Masonry. Hans Schick sees in the Rosicrucian works of Comenius (1592-1670), who was in England in 1641, the ideal of the newly born English Masonry before the foundation of the Grand Lodge in 1717. A point of similarity between the two groups, in continental Europe, is found during the 18th century. The Masonic circle "Gold und Rosenkreuzer" (Golden and Rosy Cross), published the ''Geheime Figuren'' or "The Secret Symbols of the 16th and 17th century Rosicrucians" in 1785 and 1788.. This circle, oriented by Hermann Fictuld from 1777 along Masonic lines., had important branches in Russia , which may have introduced Freemasonry and Martinism into that region.. A list of groups linked to both Freemasonry and Rosicrucianism include:
The Masonic author. . CLAIMS THAT FREEMASONRY WORSHIPS SATAN Many Christian critics of Freemasonry, especially some evangelical Christians, claim that Freemasonry is a religion whose purpose is the worship of Satan. This allegation is well represented on Anti-Masonic websites.The search satan worship masons showed 64,200 pages when searched on 4 March 2006 This has been confused with denunciations from mainstream Christian denominations, particularly the Roman Catholic Church that Freemasons serve "the kingdom of Satan" ( Humanum Genus ) or that Masonic Lodges are the "synagogue of Satan" ( Etsi Multa ). The Catholic Church does not believe that Masonic ceremonies are consciously Satanic, but rather that the aims of Freemasons - in that they are accused of aiming to weaken the role of the Church in society or the dogmatic exclusiveness of Christian salvation - are by definition acting against the "City of God" and so are acting for God's enemy. In addition, Catholics - and some Protestant groups such as the Methodist church and the synod of the Church of EnglandJohn Hamill, Grand Librarian and Curator of the United Grand Lodge of England, Contemporary Anti-Freemasonry - have also objected to what they see as Freemasonry's ritual being a parody of Christian ceremony, and it has been alleged that it may include blasphemy. None of these criticisms should be confused with the idea that Freemasons, even higher level Freemasons, consciously worship Satan. Below are the some of some of the more common quotes used on the internet to substantiate the claim that Masons worship Satan, and some notes about them: Levi - Mysteries of Magic ''What is more absurd and more impious than to attribute the name of Lucifer to the devil, that is, to personified evil. The intellectual Lucifer is the spirit of intelligence and love; it is the paraclete, it is the Holy Spirit, while the physical Lucifer is the great agent of universal magnetism.''Eliphas Levi ''The Mysteries of Magic'' page 428 - as cited in John-Lee Ministries The Masonic Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon The lie of luciferianism , retrieved 2006 the title ''does'' appear - as a digest of Levi's collected writings with "a biographical and critical essay by A.E. Waite" (see below for Waite). Waite ''First Conjuration Addressed to Emperor Lucifer. Emperor Lucifer, Master and Prince of Rebellious Spirits, I adjure thee to leave thine abode, in what-ever quarter of the world it may be situated and come hither to communicate with me. I command and I conjure thee in the Name of the Mighty Living God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, to appear without noise and without ....''Arthur Edward Waite 33° ''The Book Of Black Magic'', page 244 - cited by Cephas Ministry This is also not a quote from a Masonic source. 2006 , but rather as an individual with an interest in the occult. Here again, there is no Masonic link whatsoever with this material other than a that a Mason wrote it. Furthermore, the book was written before Waite became a Mason. ''The Book Of Black Magic'' was published in 1898, four years before Waite was initiated as a Mason. According to the Masonic research document "The Lie of Luciferianism" The lie of luciferianism , retrieved 11 January 2006 Waite was not a 33rd degree Mason, because he never joined the Scottish Rite . Hall - The Secret Teachings of All Ages ''I hereby promise the Great Spirit Lucifer, Prince of Demons, that each year I will bring unto him a human soul to do with as it may please him, and in return Lucifer promises to bestow upon me the treasures of the earth and fulfil my every desire for the length of my natural life. If I fail to bring him each year the offering specified above, then my own soul shall be forfeit to him. Signed..... {Invocant signs pact with his own blood}''Manley Palmer Hall 33° ''The Secret Teachings of All Ages'', Page CIV - cited by Choosing Truth Ministries The author, Manley Palmer Hall, was also an occultist, and according to one source The Secret Teachings of All Ages , retrived 2006 , when he was 27. Hall - The Lost Keys of Freemasonry ''When The Mason learns that the Key to the warrior on the block is the proper application of the dynamo of living power, he has learned the Mystery of his Craft. The seething energies of Lucifer are in his hands and before he may step onward and upward, he must prove his ability to properly apply this energy.''Manley Palmer Hall 33° ''The Lost Keys Of Freemasonry'', Page 48 - cited by the http://www.plymouthbrethren.com/success.htm Plymouth Brethren] This quote is a legitimate quote. It appears in Chapter 4 (titled "The Fellowcraft") 'The Lost Keys of Freemasonry', chapter IV, by Manly P. Hall , retrieved 2006 . Blavatsky - The Secret Doctrine ''One of the most hidden secrets involves the so-called fall of Angels. Satan and his rebellious host will thus prove to have become the direct Saviours and Creators of divine man. Thus Satan, once he ceases to be viewed in the superstitious spirit of the church, grows into the grandiose image. It is Satan who is the God of our planet and the only God. Satan (or Lucifer) represents the Centrifugal Energy of the Universe, this ever-living symbol of self-sacrifice for the intellectual independence of humanity.''Helena Petrovna Blavatsky ''The Secret Doctrine'', pages 215, 216, 220, 245, 255, 533 - as cited by Freemasonrywatch.org This is a quote from 2006 . Furthermore, this is a non-contextual quote, as it is culled from six different pages which are widely spaced apart. Blavatsky - Ancient and Accepted Primitive Rite ''Lucifer represents..Life..Thought..Progress..Civilization.. Liberty..Independence..Lucifer is the Logos..the Serpent, the Savior.'''Helena Petrovna Blavatsky 32°; Ancient and Accepted Primitive Rite; Grand Orient of France; pages 171, 225, 255 (Volume II) - cited by John-Lee Ministries ''It is Satan who is the God of our planet and the only God.''Helena Petrovna Blavatsky 32°; Ancient and Accepted Primitive Rite; Grand Orient of France, pages 215, 216, 220, 245, 255, 533, (Volume I) - cited by freemasonrywatch.org This is conflating two things: one, the Antient and Accepted Primitive Rite was started by John Yarker in the United States, and had nothing to do with the Grand Orient of France. Blavatsky did receive a certificate from Yarker that was not the result of any initiation The lie of luciferianism , retrieved 11 January 2006 . The second quote cites the same page numbers as in the quote from ''The Secret Doctrine''. Pike - Legendas ''Wherefore, as we have said before, the Universe is balanced by two forces, which maintain it in equilibrium; and the force which attracts, and that which repels. This is the equilibrium of the mountain of gold, which the Gods on one side, and the Demons on the other, hold tied by the symbolic Serpent of India; and its scientific reality is demonstrated by the phenomena of Polarity, and by the universal law of Sympathies and Antipathies....''Albert Pike 33° ''Legendas XIX° ~ XXX°'' pages 40-44 - cited by Freemasonrywatch.org ''Legendas'' was a work by the Masonic author Albert Pike . As with most of Pike's other works, ''Legendas'' draws on other sources, and the purpose of ''Legendas'' is to illustrate the sources of the material in the Scottish Rite degrees. This passage seems to be an expansion on a New Testament passage, reflecting on the balance of good and evil, and thereby speaks more to how good (the archangel Michael) prevents evil (Satan), and is in balance with it, than any other possible interpretation. Pike/Taxil - Instructions to the 23 Supreme Councils of the World ''Yes, Lucifer is God, and unfortunately Adonay is also God. For the eternal law is that there is no light without shade, no beauty without ugliness, no white without black, for the absolute can only exist as two Gods: darkness being necessary to light to serve as its foil as the pedestal is necessary to the statue, and the brake to the locomotive.'''Albert Pike 33° ''Instructions to the 23 Supreme Councils of the world'' Supposedly issued July 14 1889 ; A. C. De La Rive in ''La Femme et l'Enfant dans la Franc-Maconnerie Universelle'' (page 588) - cited by Learnthebible.org This passage was included in a letter which con artist Leo Taxil claimed was from Pike. letter was demonstrated to be a forgery. See Taxil Hoax . CONSPIRACY THEORIES Matthias Pöhlmann of the Protestant Centre for Religious and Ideological Issues of the : „Der Freimaurer-Verschwörungsmythos wurde in Deutschland aufgebracht.“ According to Pöhlmann, an anonymous written book in 1786 called ''Enthüllungen des Systems der Weltbürger-Politik'' (“Disclosure of the System of Cosmopolitan Politics”) was published. Its author was an employee of the Weimar government, Ernst August von Göchhausen (1740–1824). He described a horrorful image of a cosmopolitan conspiracy of Freemasons, Illuminati and Jesuits and predicts unavoidable revolutions to the world. This was three years before the French Revolution and seemed to confirm his prophecies, so the Anti-Masonic conspiracy became a powerful weapon of propaganda. Freemasons were accused to be the driving force of the destruction of the social system and the alliance between Throne and churchDr. Johannes Rogalla von Biberstein, historian and librarian of the University of Bielefeld: ''Die These von der Verschwörung 1776–1945. Philosophen, Freimaurer, Juden, Liberale und Sozialisten gegen die Sozialordnung'', Flensburg 1992. Supporters of the Anti-Masonic conspiracy theories were especially christian counterrevolutionaries who saw Freemasons behind every force against the social system. Their main goal of the defamation campaign against Freemasonry was the expansion of Liberalism ans Socialism, religious tolerance and the enlightening rationalism. Until the 19th century this affect dominated the Anti-Masonic publications. NOTES AND REFERENCES SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS
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