Posted on 01/30/2005 7:07:08 PM PST by AncientAirs
Incompatible With Christian Religion, Says Historian
MADRID, Spain, JAN. 30, 2005 (Zenit.org).- To understand what is happening in Europe, the phenomenon of Masonry must be taken into account, says Protestant historian César Vidal.
The director of the program "La Linterna" of the Spanish bishops' COPE radio network, Vidal has just written a book, "Los Masones: La Historia de la Sociedad Secreta Más Poderosa" (The Freemasons: History of the Most Powerful Secret Society), published by Planeta.
Among other things, the book addresses the Masonic influence in the most important events of recent Spanish history, especially since the election last March of the Spanish Socialist Labor Party (PSOE).
Vidal says that "the secularist current promoted by the government headed by José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero shares more than enough Masonry's rank anti-clericalism."
The author explains that the Freemasons have an enormous role in the European Union and, by way of example, says that "the project of the European Constitution has been driven by a Freemason," Valéry Giscard D'Estaing, "who has excluded mention of the continent's Christian roots and, in addition, has insisted on the inclusion of an article that subjects the churches of the different nations but frees 'philosophical organizations' from that obligation."
Vidal has doctorates in history, philosophy and theology, and a law degree.
Q: Which outstanding personalities in Spain were and are Masons, a fact known by very few people?
Vidal: The list would be too long and some, only some, are mentioned in my book "The Freemasons." Suffice it to say by way of illustration that the Grand Master of the great Spanish east is Dr. Josep Corominas, PSOE deputy; that the special five-member commission that established Felipe González as the PSOE's secretary-general has three Masons among its members -- one of them the future president of the Senate -- and that Rodríguez Zapatero's grandfather was a Freemason.
Q: Can it be said that Masonry is behind the secularist current that is being witnessed in Spain?
Vidal: What can be said without danger of exaggeration is that the secularist current promoted by the government that José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero heads shares, more than enough, Masonry's rank anti-clericalism.
Q: What role does it have and might have in the European Union?
Vidal: Enormous if one takes into account that the project of the European Constitution has been promoted by a Freemason who has excluded mention of the continent's Christian roots and, in addition, has insisted on the inclusion of an article that subjects the Churches to the different nations but frees "philosophical organizations" from that obligation.
Q: In what way, over the last century, has Masonry been present in the history of Spain?
Vidal: Repeatedly and lamentably. A very important role must be attributed to Masonry in the pro-independence movements of Cuba and the Philippines, in anti-clerical and secularist campaigns, in the erosion of the parliamentary monarchy of the Restoration, going so far as to take recourse to terrorism, in the proclamation of the Second Republic and, very especially, in the redaction of a Republican Constitution which created a social break that led to the Civil War.
Q: Can you tell us about concrete events that prove its struggle against Catholicism?
Vidal: That is the history of Masonry since the 18th century, but suffice it to recall, by way of example, that Rodolfo Llopis, Freemason and Socialist, became secretary-general of the PSOE [and] promoted the anti-Christian educational legislation of the Second Republic; or scandals such as that of the Banca Ambrosiana which were linked directly to the Masons' action.
Q: What were Masonry's origins?
Vidal: The real origins of Masonry date back to the end of the 17th and early 18th centuries, when groups of individuals attracted by occult gnosis founded meeting places in which, supposedly, it was transmitted.
Of course, they talk about origins that refer to pagan religions, to gnosis, to a nonexistent personality of Solomon's time and also to the druids.
Q: What are its most characteristic features, objectives and present structure? Is it a religion?
Vidal: Though Freemasons deny it, the truth is that the Masonic cosmo-vision is not one proper to a philanthropic society as they often say, but that of a religion. That circumstance explains, precisely, the repeated condemnations of the Holy See and of the other Christian confessions, which consider membership in Masonry incompatible with Christianity.
Masonry might be described as a secret society, with an initiative structure, a gnostic cosmo-vision, and an existential manifestation which makes it easy for its members to help one another when it comes to occupying important posts in society.
Q: What percentage of Freemasons are there at present?
Vidal: Without a doubt, very small. In France it is said that they are not more than 0.6% of the population. However, that has not prevented their controlling the Socialist International or their spreading in the Right itself, through personalities such as Giscard D'Estaing.
Q: In what vital points of our society -- especially in economic, political and intellectual circles and the media -- are Freemasons present?
Vidal: There are sectors that have always been of interest to Freemasons. Needless to say, politics where they control the Socialist International and have entered powerfully in parties of the Right. No less is their weight in the world of communications and, very especially, their interest in education, justice and the armed forces.
In France, for example, the "affaire des fiches" revealed to what extent Masonic officers were promoted and Catholics, on the contrary, blocked from promotion. ZE05013020
Depends on who ya ask. ;-)
My instructor when I went through the three degrees was a retired Methodist minister, my sponsor for the recognition of the KCCH taught Sunday school in a Baptist Church for many years.
As you and I know, the Masons teach brotherhood, and ethical values.
Freemasonry is by no means a religion.
Perhaps our Catholic slammers need to read William Manchester's book a World Lit Only By Fire.
The SOB that stole from your family should have been expelled before being put in jail.
LOL! :-)
If the painting has nothing to do with Freemasonry, I'm wondering why it was posted. (Then again, it's late at night, and I'm headed for bed. G'nite all!)
Pleasant dreams.........................
One Shrine lodge is named MECCA and another is called MEDINA!
Are members of THE ODD FELLOWS queer?
Do THE MOOSE worship moose? maybe they eat cheese and bite their sisters...hunh?
What about THE ROTARY? Do they drive around in circles?
Hey...what about THE LIONS?
Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo...secret societies are soooooooooooooo scary and "evil",aren't they? ROTFLOL
I pity your students!No wonder so many of today's kids don't know history at all and are so open to believing propaganda.
If you teach world history,you need to learn some,before you step into the classroom again and post to FR! You've already been called on the carpet,on this thread,for misrepresenting historical facts.The depth of your knowledge isn't impressive at all. Are you tenured?
Long time no see,my FRiend. I hope that all is well with you and yours.
You Betcha.
BTTT
I have more friends here than you do!
Happy now,that we've played your childish game?
How,many people have YOU stalked?
You sound very paranoid,Ex.You threaten me,you try to shut me up,and now you think I'm going to follow you around FR? You're afraid of everything and everyone...aren't you? ROTFLMSOPIMP
I haven't ever "stalked" anyone here. And by all means,go hit that abuse button and see just how far that gets you. LOL
You're a sniveling coward,a liar,and now you want to just drop this (again [?]...you said good night quite a bit ago!),because you can't handle being refuted and not praised.
Now,just disappear;unless you want to keep getting taken to the woodshed. :-)
Pity that and in spades!
You impugn good men who honor God.
Every Shrine meeting I have been to, including initiation, has had prayer made in the name of Jesus Christ.
Muslims hate Freemasonry (as do all who defend tyranny whether in religion or the state). In fact, Islamists bombed a Masonic Lodge in Turkey not too long ago. Muslims hate the Shriners and believe it is a mockery of their religion.
... How could you have made solemn vows before and confessed faith and belief in God when by your own admission you were fleeing His presence? From your own testimony, it does sound like you were in a conflicted and confused spiritual condition which no doubt contributed to your later dramatic decisions.
Friend, I speak from my own experience as you do from yours - I have read widely in Masonic as well as anti-Masonic literature. I am a Freemason. I am a Shriner.I understand what orthodox Christian theology is and is not.
...
To care for widows and orphans and those in distress is the very definition of real and acceptable religion before God. Freemasonry supports all that the Church teaches are the duties of the confessing disciple of Jesus Christ.
Thank you, Mr oldtimer. You have my respects, sir.
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