|
Introduction: In a world gone crazy even normal English words are given new meanings. A few years ago, the word tolerance had a completely different definition. Tolerance is a word that applies to how we treat people we disagree with, not how we treat ideas we think false. To argue that some views are false, incompatible with Christianity, or just plain silly does not violate any meaningful standard of tolerance and does NOT constitute an ‘attack’. To trash every one that has raised any objection against Masonry, is juvenile to say the least and certainly seems to set at naught the very ideals you say you stand for... A Mason “.. endeavours to oppose errors without arrogance” and “Every true Freemason will show tolerance and respect for the opinions of others and behave with kindness and understanding to his fellow creatures”. Your words, not mine. Sources [1] and [2]. While I would like to know if there are any factual mistakes in this article I will not accept any e-mails from any one other than a “true Freemason”. Also See A Note to Christian Masons [below]
ON THIS PAGE
What is Freemasonry?
Overview
Degrees
Autonomy
Purpose
A Secret Society?
Humanitarianism
Whats all the Hoopla About?
The History and Origins of Freemasonry
The Charges Against Freemasonry
Assorted Charges
The Oaths
The Name of God and The Equilateral Triangle
Freemasonry and the Occult
Kaballah
The Letter G
Paganism
Deeper Significance
The Legend of Hiram
Albert Pike
Morals and Dogma [You Can’t Have It Both Ways]
Albert Pike And The Scottish Rite
About The The Scottish Rite
Connections to Ancient Egyptian Mythology & Islam
Symbolism of Various Degrees
The Daughters of Isis
The Shriners.. Introduction
Excerpts from the Ritual of The Shriners
Daughters of the Nile
Ancient Arabic Order of Daughters of the Sphinx
The Order of the Rainbow
Freemasonry and God
Belief In God
Is Masonry a Religion?
Is Freemasonry Compatible With Christianity?
I Am
Salvation
Born Again?
The Lambskin
The Death of a Mason
The Masonic Jesus
The Volume of The Sacred Law... The Bible?
Christian Lodges
Christian Lodges?
Conclusion
A Word to Christian Masons
What is Freemasonry?
With close to 34,000 lodges around the globe and a membership numbering upwards of 6 million, it the Encyclopedia Britannica calls Freemasonry the largest world-wide ‘secret’ society. Masons themselves refer to their organization as a Fraternity: [from the Latin words frater or brother] a group of people sharing a common profession or interests:
Overview: Biblical Discernment Ministries presents this overview of the actual organization ...
“Masons have no national headquarters as such, but the largest regional is the Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction (35 Southern states), which is headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia. U.S. membership is claimed at about 3.5 million, with about five million worldwide. The basic unit of Freemasonry is the lodge, which exists under a charter issued by a grand lodge exercising administrative powers. The lodges are linked together informally by a system of mutual recognition between lodges that meet the Masonic requirements. The lodge confers three degrees: Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason. Additional degrees are conferred by two groups of advanced Freemasonry: the York Rite, which awards 12 degrees; and the Scottish Rite, which awards 30 higher degrees. In the United States and Canada, members have formed a large number of groups to enable them to expand their social and charitable activities. The best known of these groups is the Shriners (official name: "Ancient Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine"), who hold festive parades and support hospitals for crippled and burned children. (To be a Shriner, one must be a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, or its equivalent in the York Rite [Knights Templar]). [The 33rd degree is an honorary degree bestowed upon especially worthy masons who have accomplished outstanding work in such fields as religion and politics.]” (http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/Cults/masons.htm) [TOP OF PAGE]
The Degrees.. The first three are the Entered Apprentice, FellowCraft, and Master Mason, all of which require the candidate to participate in an enacted drama and
“are a system of initiation that allows men to become familiar with the august and ancient history and principles of Masonry at a comfortable pace. Proceeding from Entered Apprentice to Master Mason in the US can take as little as three months, while in England, the degrees are spaced apart by a year's interval.” [You Think You Know Masonry? http://www.calodges.org/no51/mission.html#top]
After completing the three degrees of Symbolic or Craft Masonry, a Master Mason can proceed down one of two branches… The Scottish Rite or the York Rite [consisting of Royal Arch Masons, Cryptic Masons, and Knights Templar]. The Scottish Rite includes the degrees from the 4° to the 32° and should be called additional degrees, rather than higher degrees. [TOP OF PAGE]
Autonomy: Masonic Lodges are largely autonomous with no central, unified authority
“Masonic lodges still retain autonomy over their finances, activities, officer election, fundraising,
and joining ceremonies. But administratively, each State or Province has a Grand Lodge which co-ordinates activities, serves as a central source of record keeping, and performs other administrative and policy functions for the fraternity. The state president is called the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge. He has broad powers in overseeing the progress of the fraternity and while there is no national spokesperson for the fraternity, within his own state (Jurisdiction) he is the chief spokesman”. [http://www.msana.com/organization.asp]
Purpose: For a little more about what they do, we turn to an official description...
Freemasonry is one of the world's oldest secular fraternal societies, a society of men concerned
with moral and spiritual values, which does not solicit members. It is an organization of men bound together with a philosophy of moral standards, mutual understanding and brotherhood in which all men are on a level and equal. Its members are taught its precepts by a series of ritual dramas, which follow ancient forms, and use stonemasons' customs and tools as allegorical guides. The purpose of Freemasonry is to enable men to meet in harmony, to promote friendship, and to be charitable. Its basic ideals are that all persons are the children of one God, that all persons are related to each other, and that the best way to worship God is to be of service to people. Membership is open to men of any race or religion who can fulfill this essential qualification and who are of good repute. The essential qualification for admission into and continuing membership is a belief in a Supreme Being. Freemasonry is non-political, and the discussion of politics at Masonic meetings is forbidden (as is any discussion about religion on Masonic premises). Freemasonry has been and is concerned with the care of orphans, the sick and the aged. Additionally, large sums
are given to national and local charities. For many years Freemasons have followed three great principles: Brotherly Love, Relief (for the community as a whole), and Truth (requiring high moral standards). (Portions of this paragraph adapted from Grand Lodge of England’s official web site)
The Grand Lodge of Arizona says
“One modern definition is: Freemasonry is an organized society of men, symbolically applying the principle of Operative Masonry and architecture to the science and art of character building. In other words, Masonry uses ageless methods and lessons to make each of us a better person”. [http://www.azmasons.org/masonic_info/purpose.asp] [TOP OF PAGE]
A Secret Society? Not really.
“Freemasonry can’t be called a "secret society" in a literal sense. A truly secret society forbids its members to disclose that they belong to the organization, or that it even exists. Much of the Masonic ritual is in books called "Monitors" that are widely available, even in public libraries. Most Freemasons wear rings and lapel pins which clearly identify them as members of the fraternity. Masonic lodges are listed in public phone books, Masonic buildings are clearly marked, and in many areas of the country Masonic lodges place signs on the roads leading into town, along with civic organizations, showing the time and place of meetings.” [http://www.msana.com/secrecy.asp]
The mission of Freemasonry in North Carolina states
"Masonry is not a secret society, it is a society with secrets." Freemasonry does have some secrets it attempts to preserve. It has secret modes of recognition, which enable its members to quickly recognize each other as Masons upon their first meeting. The value of these secrets to members away from home is fairly obvious and it does not seem unnatural that the fraternity should wish to preserve them.
And Masonry has its secret ritual, its mode of instructing new members in the three symbolic degrees. This ritual originated, in large part, with the old cathedral builders earlier mentioned and has been handed down over the centuries. Most of the secret rituals are based upon writings in the Holy Bible and the writings of other great philosophers, so they are secret only in their unique adaptation and presentation. This ritualistic mode of instruction has proven remarkably effective over the centuries and its use, being peculiar to Freemasonry, has kept the fraternity apart from those that would imitate it.” [http://www.grandlodge-nc.org/freemasonryrevealed/secrets.htm] [TOP OF PAGE]
Humanitarianism: In addition the Masonic Lodge is known it’s philanthropy. Among much else, they sponsor an extensive program of Dentistry for Children with Special Needs, centers to help children with dyslexia and run the Scottish Rite Children’s Medical Center. They give
“... almost $1.5 million each day to causes that range from operating children’s hospitals, providing treatment for childhood language disorders, treating eye diseases, funding medical research, contributing to local community service, and providing care to Masons and their families at Masonic Homes. [http://www.msana.com/historyfm.asp] [TOP OF PAGE]
All this sounds pretty good so
What’s All The Hoopla About?
Among other acts of opposition Freemasonry has been attacked by the Catholic Church, Masonic lodges were shut down after the Russian revolution, and the group was banned by the Nazis shortly after Adolph Hitler’s rise to power (He called them servants of the Jews).. From the 1820's through the 1840's there was an official political party in the United States called the Anti-Masonic Party, which existed for the primary purpose of trying to eliminate Freemasonry in America. In fact, for what it’s worth, the Ayatollah Khomeini apparently wasn’t too impressed either.
It is difficult to equate Christianity with some of the often nasty, semi-hysterical charges I have seen leveled at Freemasonry. [Many Christian sites seem carry similar information, with nothing new to add]... but on the other hand the hyperbole is not limited to ‘anti-Masons’. I have read sadly biased and some very odious statements on Masonic sites... from referring to Christians as bigots, to denigrating the
Born Again experience, with plenty in between. For example I recently read the following.
“It was also pointed out that many religious extremist groups had very high hopes for a major catastrophic event to occur at the beginning of the new millennium. When nothing they had anticipated occurred, their anger, frustration, and disappointment were unleashed in the form of attacks on groups they label as anti-Christian or involved in a "worldwide conspiracy" to take over the world. When this happens, Freemasonry is almost always at the top of their "enemies" list”.
[The Masonic Information Center. http://www.msana.com/micantimasonry.asp ]
Good Grief! In the first place there was no ‘anger’ and ‘frustration’ at the turn of the century and one would have to be nuts to be “disappointed” that a catastrophic event had not occurred. Secondly Freemasonry has been opposed by the church for a LONG time now, not just for the last eight years,
Third there is no “enemies list” and even if there were one, Freemasonry would not be anywhere near the top. Lastly you really do not know the difference between being opposed to the practices of a group and an “attack”. The above words are juvenile in the extreme.
Certainly neither camp is doing very much to promote a civil exchange, leave alone ‘brotherly love’. The truth is the truth and Scripture provides the only guidelines to all things spiritual. Hopefully a measure of common sense supplies the rest.
By the way [IPS] is not a profit-making businesses masquerading as a ministry. We are not influenced by any one’s opinion, have no axe to grind, nothing to sell and nothing to gain except the "well done"
bit. We certainly do not make a penny off this web site.
Masons will all too often quote positive statements made about Masonry by famous Masons [including Christian pastors and ministers of different denominations] seemingly to declare that if it was good enough for Benjamin Franklin, Thurgood Marshall, Jimmy Carter, Bob Dole and a pastor from the United Methodist church, it’s good enough for me. This is a very dangerous game for the Christian to play... There have been many oft quoted minds throughout the course of Christian history from Calvin and Luther to C.S. Lewis and Jonathan Edwards, but every one’s words have to pass the test of compatibility with Scripture.c The words of Ben F. were simply his opinion and little more. In this day and age when apostasy runs virtually unchallenged through the church, with too many feel good/wishy washy [if not downright heretical] messages, emanating from the pulpit... even the words of a pastor have to be examined
through Scripture’s glasses.
Trying to tread a sane path through this quagmire is not easy and the fact that the Masons have no unified, central authority makes it just that much more difficult.
Sadly I was recently asked [by a past Grand Bible Bearer and a Christian to boot] how the Fraternity conducts its affairs was even any of my business, unless I was considering joining “this distinguished group of dedicated servants”. I was further told “The fact that millions of good, Christian men are now
and have been Freemasons speaks for itself”.
Unfortunately this is not quite the case. There are millions of good men [and women] who have been totally taken by many many other organizations, including the church of Rome, a fact that does not
make it any less of a cult [Defined as any major deviation from orthodox Christianity on many cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith].
I was also called a Neo-Fundamentalist for asking the the essential question, which is, and always will
be
Can a Christian can, in good conscience, become or remain a Mason..
Regardless of the fact that it is quite unlikely that satan bursts through the floor at Lodge meetings,
there are more than a few thoughts, ideas and practices behind Freemasonry that have to give the honest seeker much more than a moment of pause. [TOP OF PAGE]
The History and Origins of Freemasonry
Although the origins of Freemasonry is likely never going to be established with any degree of certainty, legend and story places the beginnings anywhere from the building of King Solomon's Temple to the mid-1600s (The first Grand Lodge was established in London in 1717). However the author and historian John Robertson, who had special interest in the Crusades and Medieval Britain made some interesting discoveries...
On a quest to understand certain aspects of the Peasants Revolution of 1381 which saw more than 100,000 men march on London, a revolt which showed many signs of being very well organized. But little was known about the force behind it. During his research into the history of the Knights Templar to examine whether there were any links between the suppressed Knights and the secret society behind the Peasants Revolt, Robinson did not initially realize how much he was going to turn up in the way of connections between the Knights Templar and the Free Masons. In a thoroughly believable book.. ‘Born In Blood The Lost Secrets Of Freemasonry’ one bit of evidence after another is soundly documented including plausible origins for many of the terms peculiar to The Masonic Lodge.
Why have I included this in a Christian site? Simply because if Freemasonry did indeed derive from The Knights Templar, many issues related to Masonry emerge from the shrouds of obscurity. For example, the Knights were not founded on Christianity, but were simply a secret society of former warrior monks, who, turned on by the Church and King, were dedicated to the very survival of their members. In this context the ‘secrecy’ and other mysterious aspects of the Lodge becomes understandable.
Also many of Freemasons unique terms come only make sense when traced back to medieval French (which is what the Knights Templar spoke). How many realize that our tennis term ‘love’ originated as ‘oeuf’, the French term for egg. Similarly Masonic meeting are protected by a ‘Tyler’ who protects from “Cowans and Eavesdropers’. the word couenne in French (koo-WAHN) means ‘igmoramus’, which makes perfect sense.. The Lodge was being protected from ignoramus’. These words have largely been handed down orally which makes subtle changes to the pronunciation inevitable..
Whether the author was a Mason or not is beside the point.. It is a book well worth reading if you are a Mason, interested in the origins of Freemasonry or simply a history buff. [TOP OF PAGE]
The Charges Against Freemasonry
Assorted Charges
In the 21st century the charges brought against Freemasonry are many and varied...
From The Far Out ...The ultimate god of Freemasonry is satan himself ... something dark and sinister goes on inside of Masonic lodges... Freemasons are involved in a conspiracy to bring about an atheistic one-world government.. The Ku Klux Klan are related to Freemasonry (Many founding members of the KKK were supposed to be Masons who used their knowledge to develop an infrastructure for the KKK using secret hand grips, signals etc).
The eye in the pyramid (inscribed on the dollar bill) is often cited as ‘proof’ that Masons are somehow involved in a gigantic conspiracy to impose a new world order. However the pyramid is not a Masonic symbol and the eye is an ancient symbol of the "Eye of Providence" occasionally found on very old cathedrals such as The Aachen Cathedral in Germany, constructed more than a thousand years ago. The words "Annuit Coeptis" found on the dollar bill is translated by the U.S. State Department as He has favored our undertakings. The Lodge does use the symbol of an eye in a triangle, called the All-Seeing Eye.
To The Ridiculous... Jack the Ripper was a Mason (Ummm! we have not been able to even identify Jack the Ripper, far less state what fraternity he belonged to)
To The Far Less Colourful, but Undoubtedly Serious ... Freemasonry is a religion... Freemasonry derives from ancient pagan religions and preaches a different Gospel... Freemasonry is Cabalistic [Has a secret or hidden meaning] ...Freemasonry has ties to the occult.
Pentagrams and Worshipful Masters. People have pointed fingers at the so called secret rituals and the fact that the ‘pentagram’ is found in some Grand Lodge seals and on the collar of office worn by the Masters of lodges and Grand Masters of Grand Lodges. (This ‘pentagram’ is conspicuous by it’s absence in the ritual and lessons of Freemasonry) and that the ‘Master’ of the Lodge is
called ‘The Worshipful Master’. First it is unlikely that "Worshipful" is any more than an English term of respect which has the same meaning as "Honorable." [We do have "Concert Masters" after all]. And not all stars are pentagrams. I believe the star in question is called the Eastern Star, with
symbolism other than that of Satanic associations.
It is also said that Masons
“conceal each other's crimes”,
“deliver each other from difficulty, whether right or wrong”,
“unduly favor Masonry in political action and in business matters” and
“Freemasonry is a virtual conspiracy against both Church and State”.
As best I can tell.. most of these ‘conspiracy’ allegations are made without any accompanying evidence. However The Royal Arch Ritual does include the words [Emphasis Added]
“I Furthermore Promise and Swear, That I will assist a Companion Royal Arch Mason when I see him engaged in any difficulty, and will espouse his cause whether he be right or wrong.”
On the other hand the Entered Apprentice is charged..
"to be exemplary in the discharge of your civil duties, by never proposing or countenancing any act which may have a tendency to subvert the peace and good order of society; by paying due obedience to the laws under whose protection you live, and by never losing sight of the allegiance due to your country... to practice the domestic and public virtues. Let Temperance chasten, Fortitude support, and Prudence direct you, and let Justice be the guide of all your actions. Be especially careful to maintain, in their fullest splendor, those truly Masonic ornaments, Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth." In the charge given to all Masons at the close of the meetings, it is emphasized again: "These generous principles extend further, for every human being has a claim upon your kind offices. Do good unto all." [David S. Julian. [Past Grand Bible Bearer, Past Grand Organist, Past Deputy of the Grand Master in District #5, Free & Accepted Masons of Washington. .http://www.masonicinfo.com/stevens.htm] [TOP OF PAGE]
The Oaths
Much has also been said about the admittedly gruesome oaths taken as part of the Masonic initiation ceremonies, some of which are sworn “in the presence of God”. In the Ritual of the 18th Degree. the candidate says...
I, ..., in the presence of God, Creator of the universe, and calling upon these my brethren as witnesses, do upon this sacred book, most solemnly and sincerely promise that I will never illegally reveal any or either of the secrets or mysteries of or belonging to the several degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Rite from the first to the seventeenth both inclusive, which heretofore have been known by me, shall now, or may at any future time be communicated to me. [ http://www.stichtingargus.nl/vrijmetselarij/ovoo_r18e.html]
Certainly no Mason swears to inflict the penalties himself, but calls them down on his own head should he break his solemn promises. There is absolutely no indication as to who is supposed to carry out the dreadful punishments, nor is there any indication that the punishments are self inflicted. It is also entirely possible that Masons of previous centuries believed that God Himself decreed disemboweling as punishment for betrayal as in the case of Judas.
Additionally if, as it seems extremely likely, some aspects of Freemasonry originated with the Knights Templar (See Origins of Freemasonry above) it is entirely understandable as to why the penalties for betrayal of another Knight were so severe. The betrayed Knight(s) suffered far worse consequences. Having one’s tongue torn out may be beyond the furtherest dimensions that our minds are capable of reaching but this, and worse, was not unknown to the 14th Century Christian. In fact during the ‘Black Death’ the third offense for blasphemy was the loss of the tongue... (You had already lost your lips).
For Templars in hiding the violent penalties for breaking the oath made very good sense as it provided a measure of security in the fact that a person was willing (in the presence of God) be dealt with so cruelly rather than give up a brother, who would have possibly faced a worse fate..
So why, in this day and age, are the ancient oaths still kept alive especially since no modern day Mason can possibly believe that any of the ghastly retribution will ever fall on his head. (The worst that can happen today is expulsion from The Lodge) The only answer is tradition.. A tradition, the origins of which are shrouded in the mists of antiquity, is mysterious, dramatic and, lets face it, contributes towards the feeling that one is a member of a very special group.
Many Christians claim that the Bible tells us not to swear at all.. However this is not exactly true. In the words of the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, often known as a standard by which other Biblical encyclopedias are measured
“The oath is the invoking of a curse upon one's self if one has not spoken the truth (Mat 26:74),
or if one fails to keep a promise (1 Samuel 19:6; 1 Samuel 20:17; 2 Samuel 15:21; 2 Samuel 19:23). It played a very important part, not only in lawsuits (Exodus 22:11; Leviticus 6:3, Leviticus 6:5)
and state affairs (Ant., XV, x, 4), but also in the dealings of everyday life (Genesis 24:37; Genesis 50:5; Judges 21:5; 1 Kings 18:10; Ezra 10:5). The Mosaic laws concerning oaths were not meant to limit the widespread custom of making oaths, so much as to impress upon the people the
sacredness of an oath, forbidding on the one hand swearing falsely (Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 19:12; Zechariah 8:17, etc.), and on the other swearing by false gods, which latter was considered to
be a very dark sin (Jeremiah 12:16; Amos 8:14)….. Swearing in the name of the Lord (Genesis 14:22; Deuteronomy 6:13; Judges 21:7; Ruth 1:17, etc.) was a sign of loyalty to Him
(Deuteronomy 10:20; I Samuel 48:11; Jeremiah 12:16).
That oaths are permissible to Christians is shown by the example of our Lord (Matthew 26:63 f),
and of Paul (2 Corinthians 1:23; Galatians 1:20) and even of God Himself (Hebrews 6:13-18). Consequently when Christ said, “Swear not at all” (Matthew 5:34), He was laying down the principle that the Christian must not have two standards of truth, but that his ordinary speech must be as sacredly true as his oath. In the kingdom of God, where that principle holds sway, oaths become unnecessary”.
The Zondervan Bible Dictionary says
“By the time of Christ the OT law regarding oaths (Exodus 22:11) was much perverted by the scribes, and Jesus therefore condemned indiscriminate and light taking of oaths. The lawfulness of oaths is recognized by the apostles, who called on God to witness to the truth of what they said (2 Cor 11:31; Gal 1:20).”
Additionally there are many oaths a Christian may be called on to make. Serving in the Armed Forces requires the soldier to be to swear he/she will support and defend the constitution, obey the President and all this according to the ‘regulations and uniform code of military justice. So help me God”. (doesn’t UCMJ mandate the death penalty for some offences?). Courts of law also requires a person to take the oath that they will “tell the truth, the whole truth .... SO HELP ME GOD”. God is called on to be a witness in both cases inspite of the fact that the military oath binds believer and non believer. All doctors take the Hippocratic oath. While ministers often believe that Christians are forbidden to take an oath under any circumstances they daily perform ceremonies in which the couple make their vows in the sight of God and man. Can a Christian who believes oaths are wrong refuse to take one in a court of law, after graduating medical school or boot camp? I believe not and certainly not many seem to make a point of it..
In any case we have at least two examples of oaths taken in the New Testament [Emphasis Added]
“Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie”. [Galatians 1:20]
“The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer, but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets”. [Revelation 10:5-7]
Now how likely is it that Paul and the angel didn’t know they were never supposed to swear at all? [TOP OF PAGE]
The Name of God
One of the more serious charges brought up against the Brotherhood lies in the Royal Arch ritual which is supposed to reveal the Supreme Being’s true name as Jahbulon (Yahbulon). The controversy has raged back and forth as to what this word means. (No one knows how the word Jahbulon was pronounced through many years of an oral tradition. The last syllable has been spelled on, om, or un).
Critics say It is a compound word in four languages [Chaldee, Hebrew, Syriac, and Egyptian] all meaning God. Others claim the name is an amalgam of three gods worshipped in the ancient Middle East,
Jah [Yahweh] the Hebrew name for God,
Bel [Ba’al] the Babylonian god
On thought to be Osiris the Egyptian god.
Incidentally Ba’al is a Hebrew word which means Lord, and is more of a title than a name. It is very unclear how many different deities in the Old Testament were referred to by this name.
The Equilateral Triangle is an important symbol of the Holy Royal Arch Degree. As the story goes, the secret name of God was inscribed on an equilateral triangle on a gold plate in a hidden vault.. [The jewel of the Knight on the Ninth or Royal Arch alludes to this plate]
The history of the degree reads as follows.[Insert in Italics Added]
“Enoch, [sixth in descent from Adam] had a vision in which “The Deity appeared to him in visible shape, and said to him “Enoch, thou hast longed to know my true name: arise and follow me, and thou shalt know it.”
“Enoch accepted “his vision as inspiration” and built in the land of Canaan a “modest temple” to the Grand Architect. “Upon a triangular plate of gold, inlaid with precious gems, he engraved the ineffable (too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words) name of God and sank the plate into one face of a cube of agate.” A brass column also built by him was later found by Moses who “engraved the ineffable name upon a plate of gold and deposited it in the ark of the covenant. [known only to Aaron, Joshua and the chief priests]. Later the Ark fell in a battle with the king of Syria, but the Israelites were led to it by a roaring lion with a “golden key in it’s mouth”. “Hence, upon the golden key worn by the treasurer, you see the initials of these words: “In arc leonis verbuminveni”. “In the lion’s mouth I found the word.”” [http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/AASR_1884_/13th_degree_royal_arch_of_enoch.htm.]
There are several references to the lost word in the ritual of the 18th degree. For example
"To respect the decrees of providence, to render worship to God alone, and with all humility and patience to endeavour to recover the Word."
[http://www.stichtingargus.nl/vrijmetselarij/ovoo_r18e.html]
In the final analysis there is absolutely no consensus even among Masonic researchers as to the meaning of the word or even the word itself. For example...
Early French versions of the Royal Arch degree relate a Masonic legend, or allegory, in which Jabulon was the name of an explorer, living in the time of Solomon, who discovered the ruins of an ancient temple. Within the ruins he found a gold plate upon which the name of God (Jehovah) was engraved. The context of these rituals makes it quite clear that the two names are never equated, and the name of God is always spoken in reverence, just as it is in the fictional works Ben Hur and The Robe. As there are variants of this ritual different forms of the explorer's name are also found (Jabulum, Guibulum, etc.). [www.srmason-sj.org/web/SRpublications/deHoyos-chapter3.htm#i4]
I also found a web site outlining the Ritual for Exaltation into Royal Arch Chapter, which says says the sacred name is Jehovah. They also state at the top of the page [in Dutch] that this ritual is most commonly used in England, with slight differences in the Netherlands. [www.stelling.nl/vrijmetselarij/ovokg_re.html]
Incidentally Jehovah is not, and never has been the name of God. the term "Jehovah" is actually a erroneous reading of the Hebrew pronunciation of God, or YAHWEH, which is a proposed English reading of the name of the God in the Hebrew Old Testament. Ancient Hebrew contained no written vowels as distinct letters. The Scribes knew what vowels to use in the pronunciation of the words by the construction of the consonants, the context, and memory. It was written this way until the fifth century when the Masoretes added the vowels under the consonants in their version of the Old Testament known as the Masoretic Text.
“The name of God in the Old Testament spelled YHWH, was considered holy, and was not to be read aloud. Instead, when the Hebrews came upon YHWH, they would say ADONAY, which means "Lord." In order to indicate this substitution, the Masoretes placed the vowels of ADONAY or the English equivalent of e, o, and a under the consonants of YHWH. Later Christian translators mistakenly combined the vowels of ADONAY with the consonants of YHWH producing the word "Jehovah." The term is recognized to be a late hybrid form never used by the Jews.” [Pat Zukeran. History And Beliefs of the Watch Tower]
A Description, Not A Name? Others contend that the words on the triangle are intended as a description of God, not His name, ie. a compound of three Hebrew terms: Yah, I AM, which indicates eternal existence, bul, on high, in heaven and on, strength; pronouncing three aspects or qualities of Deity... Eternal Existence, Transcendence, and Omnipotence. But, considering the history of this part of the ritual and that many printed rituals refer to the letters on the triangle as a name, this is questionable. Although..
“...there are many other rituals which stress that the circle contains the name of God, and the triangle contains descriptive words” [The Words On The Triangle - An Alternative View. An address to Grand Chapter on 13 November 1985 by E Comp the Revd Canon Richard Tydeman, Grand Superintendent in and over Suffolk. http://www.gkf.ic24.net/coe/apx9.htm]
So for the record ... In Holy Writ God called Himself by a number of titles and names, none of which were Jahbuhlon nor Jehovah. Nor is it even hinted at in the Bible that the Lord seeks to reveal His true name to only a chosen few. There is no ‘hidden knowledge in Christianity and no rites of passage to obtain knowledge more than ones peers, which is gnosticism not Christianity. [Gnostics believe that they have secret knowledge about God, humanity and the rest of the universe of which the general population is unaware]. [TOP OF PAGE]
Freemasonry and the Occult?
Manly P. Hall [1901-1990], a 33rd degree Mason [well known for his The Secret Teachings of All Ages: An Encyclopedic Outline of Masonic, Hermetic, Qabbalistic and Rosicrucian Symbolical Philosophy] was one of the early authors who claimed a pagan origin for Freemasonry. In his book entitled The Lost Keys of Freemasonry, he says that Freemasonry is not a material thing: it is a universal expression of the Divine Wisdom. [Emphasis Added]
"The Masonic order is not a mere social organization, but is composed of all those who have banded themselves together to learn and apply the principles of mysticism and the occult rites."
Masonicinfo [http://www.masonicinfo.com/authors.htm] says since Manly P. Hall wrote this book thirty one years before he became a Mason...
“.. it can easily be seen that the book represents merely the personal theories of a non-Mason”
he was a “self-avowed mystic and hardly a "leading authority" of Freemasonry”.
“his writings have not received official sanction by any Masonic body”
Official Sanction? I thought no Mason spoke for any other Mason or Lodge, and that there was no central or unified authority… Perhaps I missed something here. But it really does not matter since the Masonicinfo viewpoint is apparently not shared by other Masons unengaged in ‘defending the faith’ so to speak …
On Amazon.com a reviewer [a Mason in Fairfax, VA] addresses the fact that Hall was not a Mason when he wrote the book… He says
“…I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, because, Mr. Hall's explanation of the meaning of the degrees, and previous mystic experiences, is one that seems quite valid as an interpretation and really more than valid, even highly inspiring and noble.” [K. D Kirk]
Other reviewers state [All Emphasis Added]
“Manly P. Hall was not yet a Mason when he wrote this book, and yet he was able to clearly
see the very essence of the Craft, and what it has come to mean in modern times. This is a beautiful essay which has inspired me to go back to my lodge after many years. ”
[Scott Gaertner]
“It puts Freemasonry and the degrees in a light you probably won't get otherwise but every Master Mason should experience. ” [blind_abraxas']
“He details some of the spiritual aspects of the hidden meanings of Masonry and the ancient
origins from-which the modern fraternity receives it's wisdom. The Foreward is by Reynold E. Blight, 33rd degree, K.T. & the illustrations are by J. Augustus Knapp, 32nd degree.... Obviously, this man is viewed as a Great, within the ranks of the Fraternity”. [Graham Lincoln]
Interestingly the book was also read by someone who describes himself as a “Fundamentalist Christian”, who ‘willingly admits he is no fan of Freemasonry’ but who brings up the fact that Hall “didn’t see a need to change anything in the book after becoming a Freemason’ [a very telling point]. He goes on to say
“The book is considered today to be accurate, factual, and authoritative by many Masons to this day, even though a non-Mason (at the time) wrote it! The fact that his previous occult knowledge plus reading a few books on Masonry was enough background for him to write knowledgeably on the connection between Freemasonry and the occult mysteries should tell you something…”
Furthermore
In an article called Is Masonry Occultic? by Hank Hanegraaff he says [Emphasis Added]...
“Christian author John Weldon lists five ways in which Freemasonry fosters occultic involvement among its members: First, Freemasonry supports the now-popular New Age dictum that man houses within himself unlimited power that can be unlocked using specific procedures. Second, Freemasonry espouses a philosophy and a system of symbols which bear a striking resemblance to many of the occultic arts — for example kabbalism, Rosicrucianism, and hermetic philosophy. Third, Freemasonry encourages its members to discover the deeper significance (or “esoteric truths”) lying beneath its ceremonies and symbols. Fourth, Freemasonry promotes the development of altered states of consciousness, an exercise rooted in mysticism. Finally, a number of Masons regard their organization as the vehicle that will lead the world into an age of occultic enlightenment”.
“Why are so many Masons unaware of this side of Freemasonry?,” one may well ask. The reason is that a large portion of Masons seldom strive to advance beyond the initial ranks or degrees offered within their organization. But as one progresses to higher degrees, more and more details about the underlying foundations of Masonic ideology are gradually revealed, including its occultic dimensions. It is therefore imperative that we warn others about the dangers brewing beneath the surface of the Masonic Lodge”.
While it may not be possible to investigate all the charges listed above, the first, second and third seem far from baseless.
The first allegation is that that man houses within himself unlimited power. The Kentucky Monitor says...[Emphasis Added]
“The three really great rituals of the human race are the Prajapati ritual of ancient Hinduism, the Mass of the Christian [Roman Catholic] Church, and the Third Degree of Masonry. Together they testify to the profoundest insight of the human soul: that God becomes man that man may become God!” [Kentucky Monitor, p. XX. As quoted in Playing God, The Lust for Power—Part 4 by Dave Hunt]
The second charge is that Masonry bears a striking resemblance to Occult Arts...
Kaballah: is the name of an occult philosophy and theosophy that developed among Jews in Babylonia, and later Italy, Provence, and Spain, between the sixth and thirteenth centuries A.D. The word “Cabala” means “to receive,” and refers to heavenly revelation received by Jews and passed on to succeeding generations through oral tradition Details].
The California Masons have a section on ‘Masonic Education’ on their site [freemason.org]. In the booklet for The Master Mason degree, a section entitled Kabbalistic Allusions Of The Third Degree [The Master Mason Degree] states [Emphasis Added]
“Traditional Jewish mysticism known as Kabbala, and particularly its use of Gematria, often provides interesting clues to the interpretation of passages of Scripture. Since much of our ritual is derived from Scripture, many Masonic scholars see various Kabbalistic allusions throughout the rituals of Freemasonry.” [Master Mason Handbook. Kabbalistic Allusions Of The Third Degree. http://www.freemason.org/documents/Master%20Mason_large.pdf.]
Mastermason.com talks about the Symbolism Of The Master Mason Degree [Emphasis Added]
“After ceremonies in the first section which seem quite familiar, the candidate partakes of the central Mystery Drama of our Fraternity. The very nature of participating in this rite and assuming the role of the Grand Master Hiram Abiff is to forge a link with the inner soul of our Fraternity. And as our legend is completely and absolutely consistent with some of the august
Mystery Schools of antiquity, we are communing with the archetypal forces that are the foundation of our tradition. And at least in some small way, we may momentarily forget who we were when we entered the Holy of Holies and realize who we really are”.
And goes on to speak of the “Qabalistic Allusions Of The Third Degree” [Emphasis Added]
“The system of Traditional Jewish Mysticism known as Qabalah often provides important clues to
the interpretation of passages of Scripture. Since much of our ritual is derived from Scripture, there
are certain very interesting Qabalistic allusions throughout the rituals of Freemasonry…. Using the Qabalistic discipline of gematria, the Hebrew spelling of Hiram Abiff equals the number 273. So does the Hebrew word for “Hidden Light”. And the phrase found in Psalms 118:22 “the stone refused by the builders” also adds up to 273. Sometimes Gematria can cross languages, too. For example, the Greek word athanasia, which means “immortality,” also equals 273. From the standpoint of gematria, the message could not be clearer”. [The Three Degrees of
Freemasonry http://mastermason.com/jjcrowder/threedegrees/threedegrees.htm]
And a paper presented to the Allied Masonic Degrees Britannia Lodge #303, on March 3, 1996 by Thomas Worrell says [Emphasis Added]..
A careful look at many of the rites and rituals of Freemasonry reveals that there is indeed much kabbalistic influence to be found there. Some of our rites have obvious kabbalistic influence, such as the 28th degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish rite which is called: "The Knight of the Sun". [Thomas D. Worrel. . [http://mill-valley.freemasonry.biz/worrel/kabbalah.htm] [TOP OF PAGE]
The Letter “G”
The reason that The letter “G” is so prominently displayed in Masonic lodges is revealed to the candidate In The Fellowcraft or second degree. They are told that “it is the initial of Geometry as well as the initial of the name of the Supreme Being”.
The obvious question, to which even Masonic historians do not have all the answers, is why Geometry is given such an important place. Several theories have been put forth in Mastermason.com [All Emphasis Added]
“…It is thought that the Egyptians became skilled at surveying because the annual flooding of the Nile obliterated boundary markers in their fields. They had to set out and calculate new boundaries each year. The Greeks named this skill Geometry, or “earth measurement…”
“Pythagoras and his Society, and later, Plato and his Academy, raised Geometry to a sacred science of discovering the nature of reality and through it the Deity. We have such statements from Plato as: “Geometry rightly treated is the knowledge of the eternal.”
And also: “Geometry must ever tend to draw the soul towards the truth.”
“There are some Masonic researchers who think that the letter “G” represents a little known method of Biblical interpretation known as gematria” [The Three Degrees of Freemasonry http://mastermason.com/jjcrowder/threedegrees/threedegrees.htm]. [TOP OF PAGE]
Paganism:
The Texas Monitor seems quite clear that Masonry is related to ancient paganism.. [Emphasis Added]
These [aspects and teachings of Masonry] were practiced from remote ages, in ancient temples of many nations....The most learned among Masonic scholars...conclude that Masonry is of very ancient origin, and is, in some aspects, the modern successor of, and heir to, the sublime Mysteries of the Temple of Solomon, and of the Temples of India, Chaldea, Egypt, Greece, and
Rome, as well as the basic doctrine of the Essenes, Gnostics and other mystic Orders. [Grand Lodge of Texas, Monitor of the Lodge: Monitorial Instructions in the Three Degrees of Symbolic Masonry (Waco, TX: Grand Lodge of Texas, A.F.&A.M., 1982), 13-14.]
And advises that
every candidate for the Mysteries of Masonry, at the proper time and in an appropriate manner, should be taught the truth that the rite of Initiation means much more than a formal ceremonial progress through the Degrees....Initiation is to be attained only after real labor, deep study, profound meditation, extensive research and a constant practice of those virtues which will open a true path to moral, intellectual, and spiritual illumination. [Ibid., xv, xvi]
Profound meditation? Spiritual illumination? That’s some fraternity!
Please Note: I have read that the monitors are “routinely revised to more clearly reflect the current beliefs of the jurisdiction” [David Vs. Goliath. David S. Julian. Past Grand Musician, Free & Accepted Masons of Washington]. Apparently the Washington Monitor and Freemason's Guide has ‘already been through 17 revisions since 1976’ [ibid.] However this does not hold true for others. In a private e-mail, the Worshipful Master of a Lodge in Arizona says that their Monitor “was compiled in 1717 by a Presbyterian Minister” and hasn’t had any significant modifications since.
Deeper Significance: The Third Charge is that Freemasonry encourages its members to discover the deeper significance (or “esoteric truths”) lying beneath its ceremonies and symbols.
The web site of the California Masons says the following...
“The search for “that which was lost” is not necessarily for a particular word. Our search is a symbol for our feeling of loss or self-imposed exile from the Divine. The search is ultimately for Divine truth…. In the Craft lodges, there is a substitute for the true Word. Each initiate must ultimately seek out and find the true Word for himself, through his own individual efforts. Some Masonic scholars speculate that the names of the three ruffians provide a hint at the lost Word. Indeed, there is an allusion to the sacred syllable of the Vedic texts found in these names. Either way, the true Word is a symbol, or manifestation, of that higher order that maintains the world.” Emphasis Added. [Master Mason Handbook. The Lost Word. http://www.freemason.org/documents/Master%20Mason_large.pdf.]
Further emphasized by
The Legend of Hiram Abiff
which comes into play in The Master Mason or third degree
In the legend Hiram Abiff, supposedly the principal architect of King Solomon's Temple, is unjustly murdered by fellow craftsmen [ruffians], buried and raised from the grave. [The story is said to have more in common with the mythological one of Osiris and Isis than with anything remotely Biblical]. Each man being initiated portrays Hiram in the ritual.
Mastermason says [Emphasis Added]
“Hiram Abiff is, in essence, identical with many of the Mystery School heroes. The drama of the Egyptian god Osiris began with his tragic death, the search for his body by Isis, its discovery and restoration. The Greek god Dionysus was attacked by the Titans. In the course of the fight he went through many transformations but was finally overcome. The Titans dismembered him, but in due time the goddess Rhea came to his aid and he rose glorious and entire. This formula is ancient. It is the concept of the sacred king, who in many instances is lame (which signifies his dedication), and is destined for sacrifice, that the earth might become regenerated and uplifted by divine power.”
Freemason.org talks of the experience [a rebirth] which makes the meaning of the mysteries clear. [All Emphasis Added]
“The Hiramic legend has at its heart the slaying and symbolic restoration of an ideal of purity and order. Because the legend of the Grand Master Hiram Abiff is consistent with the teachings and rites of the Ancient Mystery Schools, the participant of the Masonic rite communes with the archetypal forces that are the foundation of human spiritual tradition.
Initiation into the Ancient Mysteries was not simply a means of attaining intellectual knowledge, or “learning” (mathein in ancient Greek). Aristotle wrote that it was actually the “experience” (pathein), and not knowledge learned, that allowed the initiate to comprehend the secret meaning of the mysteries. This enlightening, transformative experience has generally been termed rebirth, or renatus in Latin, and appears to be the central theme of the most important rituals of almost all the Ancient Mystery Schools as well as modern initiatic organizations. [Master Mason Handbook. The Hiramic Legend And Rebirth”. [http://www.freemason.org/documents/Master%20Mason_large.pdf.]
And (The word Sublime was emphasized in the original. Other Emphasis Added)
“The Master Mason degree is the crown of the Ancient Craft lodge. It is the culmination of all that has been taught and revealed to the candidate in the two preceding degrees…. After having symbolically mastered the intellectual and philosophical arts and sciences and crossed the threshold from the outer to the inner, from the material to the spiritual, he became ready to be raised to the Sublime degree of Master Mason…. Being raised to the Sublime degree refers to being exalted or elevated. It also means to undergo sublimation that, like distillation, requires a volatilization of a substance that rises and re-forms at a higher level. The significance of this degree is the portrayal of the removal of everything that keeps us from rising to that state where the soul communes with the Divine. It also represents a symbolic rebirth into the spiritual world, the true abode of the soul.” [Master Mason Handbook. Introduction. http://www.freemason.org/documents/Master%20Mason_large.pdf]
And in describing the aim of the ritual of the Master Mason degree the Monitor of South Carolina states.. [All Emphasis Added]
“It was the single object of all the ancient rites and mysteries practiced in the very bosom of pagan darkness. . .to teach the immortality of the Soul. This is still the great design of the third degree of Masonry. This is the scope and aim of its ritual. The Master Mason represents man, when youth, manhood, old age, and life itself have passed away as fleeting shadows, yet raised from the grave of iniquity, and quickened into another and better existence. By its legend and all its ritual, it is implied that we have been redeemed from the death of sin and the sepulchre of pollution. . . .and the conclusion we arrive at is, that youth, properly directed, leads [us to the honorable and virtuous maturity, and that] the life of man, regulated by morality, faith, and justice, will be rewarded at its closing hour by the prospect of eternal bliss. . . The important design of the degree is to symbolize the great doctrines of the resurrection of the body and the immortality of the soul; and hence it has been remarked by a learned writer of our order, that the Master Mason represents a man saved from the grave of iniquity, and raised to the faith of salvation”. (Ahiman Rezon… Monitor of South Carolina. pages 141-2. 1947 Edition. as quoted in http://www.ephesians5-11.org/pdf/sc141-2.pdf)
The Lost Word
The focal point, around which this Degree’s allegory centers, is the legend of Hiram Abif. The lost word is perhaps the most important symbol of this allegory. A missing or lost word is a common motif in the histories of many ancient cultures, especially the ancient Hebrews. In Freemasonry the lost word has become a symbol of the never ending search for light, or truth, which is another way to say the search for unity or oneness with God. [The Master Mason Degree. http://www.freemason.com/education/MM_Script.pdf. All Emphasis Added] [TOP OF PAGE]
Albert Pike.. Morals and Dogma [You Can’t Have It Both Ways]
An oft-quoted Mason, Albert Pike was a student of Harvard and Brigadier-General in the Confederate Army (A rather large statue of him stands in Judiciary Square Washington, DC). He was also leader of the Scottish Rite in the southern United States and the author of Morals and Dogma (out of print) published in 1871. In quoting Pike many that are opposed to Masonry call Morals and Dogma the ‘Masonic Bible’, which leads one to believe that it forms the core of the beliefs of the Lodge or at least exerts significant influence over Freemasonry today.
However is this the case? While on the one hand, it is fairly apparent that many Masons have never heard of Pike, and very few have made their way through an obviously ponderous and very hefty (800+ pages) tome which, apparently rambles and is unlikely to be anyone’s idea of a spending a pleasant couple of hours on a rainy Saturday afternoon... (I have no idea whether Pike was a KKK member but this is beside the point). .
On the other hand The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in Jacksonville, Florida in talking about the book A Bridge to Light by Dr. Rex Hutchens seems quite clear that M & D is the cornerstone of Freemasonry. They state that Dr. Hutchens … [Emphasis Added]
“summarizes our Scottish Rite Degrees and assists in a ready understanding and appreciation of our Ritual. Also, it frequently returns to the great cornerstone of our Order, Albert Pike’s Morals and Dogma, by presenting eloquent quotations that clearly fix the meanings of each of the Degrees and places them within the context of the modern era… A copy of this book is provided to each new Fourteenth Degree initiate in the Southern Jurisdiction” [http://www.aasrvalleyofjax.org/what_is_scottish_rite.htm].
By the way, Pike says in M & D
The first Masonic Legislator whose memory is preserved to us by history, was Buddha, who, about a thousand years before the Christian era, reformed the religion of Manous. [Morals and Dogma. Xviii. Knight Rose Croix. p. 277] [TOP OF PAGE]
Albert Pike And The Scottish Rite
The heart of continuity for the Masonic Craft is centered in the Ritual, a series of progressive degrees that are conferred by various Masonic organizations or bodies, each of which operates under the control of its own central authority. Albert Pike was single handedly responsible for rewriting the Ritual of the Scottish Rite. Note that Morals and Dogma and Pike’s revision of the Scottish Rite are separate works.
While I reiterate that not many have ever read ‘Morals and Dogma’, many many Masons go through the rites shaped by Pike..
“The Supreme Council of the Southern Jurisdiction recognizes in its fraternal relations 40 Supreme Councils and four National Grand Lodges practicing the Rites that include the Scottish Rite, in different countries throughout the world” . [The Website Of Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Valley of saint Louis, Orient of Missouri. http://www.geocities.com/stlaasr/]
Perhaps the following incident will help illustrate the role (or importance) of the Pike Ritual..
Fred Kleinknecht who was active in the Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States as Grand Secretary for 18 years and as Sovereign Grand Commander for 18 years, presented a copy of the revised standard Pike ritual to the Supreme Councils of Prince Hall Scottish Rite Freemasonry” [http://www.libertyfunddc.org/FRED_Kleinknecht_TESTIMONY_NCMAC_FINAL_JUNE_25_06.pdf]
While these numbers may not be exact... U.S. membership of the Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction (35 Southern states, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia) is claimed at about 3.5 million, with about five million worldwide. That’s a lot of Masons. Numbers which could make Pike’s worldview very significant indeed.
The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in Jacksonville, Florida talks about Pike’s revision of the Scottish Rite, saying that he ...
“…. retained the original titles, substance, and sequence. Out of his own great scholarship and knowledge of ancient philosophies, he added new substance and significance to the Degrees, which enhanced their importance. The Southern Jurisdiction has continued to use the basic Albert Pike Rituals. While the Rubrics permit variations in the manner of their rendition, the Degrees have remained otherwise relatively unchanged. The Pike versions are also widely, although not exclusively, used elsewhere. [http://www.aasrvalleyofjax.org/what_is_scottish_rite.htm]
In fact, The Supreme Council and its Committee on Ritual and Ceremonial Forms has authorized Dr. Hutchens, 33°, Grand Cross,
“ to modernize the language, accent the significance, and enhance the dramatic performance of the Pike Degrees. The Revised Standard Ritual maintains the moral vision and philosophical integrity of the original Pike Degrees while making them more accessible to contemporary Brethren”. [http://www.aasrvalleyofjax.org/what_is_scottish_rite.htm]Also
Fred Kleinknecht who was active in the Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States as Grand Secretary for 18 years and as Sovereign Grand Commander for 18 years, presented a copy of the revised standard Pike ritual to the Supreme Councils of Prince Hall Scottish Rite Freemasonry” [http://www.libertyfunddc.org/FRED_Kleinknecht_TESTIMONY_NCMAC_FINAL_JUNE_25_06.pdf]
Pike certainly had some interesting things to say about the Scottish Rite.. In Transactions, 1870, p. 158, he stated: [Emphasis Added]
"Resorting to another method, I satisfied myself that many of the degrees were purposely constructed to conceal their meaning and the objects of those who used them as the means of union and organization Such, I believed, were the Fifteenth and Sixteenth, of the Knight of the East and princes of Jerusalem, but I could not fathom their meaning or detect the concealed allegory They seemed to teach nothing and almost to be nothing…
In the words of phoenixmasonry.org.. [Emphasis Added]
“He set himself to study the Order, his enthusiasm keeping pace with his curiosity, in search of the real origin and meaning of its symbols. At last he found that Freemasonry is the Ancient Great Mysteries in disguise, it's simple emblems the repository of the highest wisdom of the Ancient World, to rescue and expound which became more and more his desire and passion. Here his words: "It began to shape itself to my intellectual vision into something imposing and majestic, solemnly mysterious and grand. It seemed to me like the Pyramids in the grandeur and loneliness, in whose yet undiscovered chambers may be hidden, for the enlightenment of the coming generations, the sacred books of the Egyptians, so long lost to the World; like the Sphinx, half-buried in the sands. In essence, Freemasonry is more ancient than any of the world's living religions. So I came at last to see that its symbolism is its soul."
Words that certainly should not give any Christian a warm feeling. So, since symbolism is the soul of Freemasonry, let’s examine some of the symbolism in the Scottish Rite.... [TOP OF PAGE]
The Scottish Rite
The Jacksonville Scottish Rite Masonic Center makes two statements about the Rite. [All Emphasis Added]
“The Degrees of the Scottish Rite are one-act plays often staged with costume, scenery, special effects, and the full rigging of any production. Their purpose is to examine different philosophies, ancient religions, and systems of ethics. Through all of these, people have tried to answer certain universal questions. The Degrees of the [Scottish] Rite do not tell a person what he should think about these questions. Instead, they tell him about what great thinkers and civilizations of the past have thought, and they try to create a situation in which the candidate or Brother can gain insight.” . [Scottish Rite Bulletin of Freemasonry, Alexandria, Virginia (Feb. 2000) http://www.aasrvalleyofjax.org/scottish_rite_degrees.htm]
“The moral truths that prevailed in Jerusalem, Athens, and Rome are just as valid, just as imperative in the digital 21st century. In his confidence in the reality of these principles, man has built his faith in the permanent value of moral truth. Here is to be found the basis of optimism, of faith in the free institutions, and of confidence in a civilization resting on ethical principles. No man can witness the Degrees of the Scottish Rite and be either a cynic or a pessimist. They renew his faith in God, in man, and in the process of history”. [Scottish Rite Bulletin of Freemasonry, Alexandria, Virginia (Feb. 2000) http://www.aasrvalleyofjax.org/scottish_rite_degrees.htm]
While the the above high sounding rhetoric [defined as language designed to have a persuasive or impressive effect on its audience, but which is often regarded as lacking in sincerity or meaningful content] may impress the non-Christian, what is the world are different philosophies, ancient religions, and systems of ethics to do with the Christian? And what moral truths prevailed in the above mentioned civilizations? Lets talk about the latter days of the Roman Empire...
“Burdensome regulation and taxes made manufacturing and trade unprofitable. Families were locked into hereditary trades and vocations allowing little if any vocational choice. Eventually, children were seen as a needless burden and abortion and infanticide became commonplace. In some cases, children were sold into slavery. Manners and social life fell into debauchery. Under Justinian, entertainment grew bawdier and more bizarre. Orgies and love feasts were common. Homosexuality and bestiality were openly practiced. Under Nero, Christians were blamed for the great fire in Rome and horribly persecuted”. [When Nations Die. Kerby Anderson]
And the ONLY moral truth that existed in Jerusalem were The Scriptures which haven’t changed since.
Besides which a large portion of the symbolism has ...
Connections To Ancient Egyptian Mythology
The Jacksonville Scottish Rite Masonic Center takes the site visitor on a ‘trip thru the various degrees’ including a summary of the degrees and a short explanation of the symbolism employed by each one. Much of the symbolism is a noxious pot-pourri of Egyptian and Greek mythology, astrological symbolism and twisted Biblical references. [All Emphasis Added]
In the 6th Degree – “Intimate Secretary”
“The jewel is a triple-delta superimposed upon an equilateral triangle of gold. Each delta has a center design composed of one of the astrological signs for the Sun, Moon and Mercury. As explained in the degree summary, the form of the jewel is utterly derived from Pike's favorite source of Masonic Symbolism, the Pythagorean Tetractys.” [http://www.aasrvalleyofjax.org/sixth_degree.htm].
| 
Index To Section 10C 
