Freemasonry's Influence in Europe

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."

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.

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.

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.

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

Dear Mr. PresbyRev are the Shinners a split or a schism type religion from Islam?

The Shrine is just what it describes itself as being; not a religion in any sense at all. It is not an "Islamic" denomination either by 'split' or 'schism.' The Shrine was founded in a tavern in New York City; not terribly Islamic.

Nor, as anti-Masons are wont to repeat, is the Shrine a degree or the capstone of Masonry. It is an organization open to men who are Master Masons.

It is dedicated to fellowship and fun. In the process, multiplied millions are raised for the Shriner's Childrens Hospitals.

Islam seems to me to be a death-cult (persecution of the Church; 9-11, Bosnia, Sudan, Indonesia, etc). On the other hand, the Shrine is a fellowship organization for Masons that works to raise funds to heal crippled and burned children, or at least ameliorate their suffering and give them the best quality of life possible. See the difference?

Trying googling up an Islamic evaluation or critique of the Shriners.

Find below what I copied/pasted from one such page. (It would seem that Islamists find themselves in agreement with Western anti-Masons). Invariably even 'Christian' anti-Masons degenerate into shrill attacks on the Lion's Club, Rotary, college fraternities, etc. - all seen as part of a global cabal. See below the standard erroneous charges not too different from your standard anti-Masonic charges:

Mustafa El-Amin, in his book, “Freemasonry, Ancient Egypt and the Islamic Destiny” compares the symbolism of the Ancient Egyptian mysteries and Islamic scriptures with those of the craft. According to El-Amin, although the Masonic rites and symbols are derived from Egypt, they have reached us through the Jews. Thus, the Jews had been operational in the ridiculization of the wisdom of Egypt in Masonic lodges. The writer says that the Shriners, with their fez and crescents are mocking the Islamic religion.

El – Azhar University in Cairo and the Islamic Jurisdictional College[3]

Possibly the most influential body in promulgating and interpreting Islamic Law is the Islamic Jurisdictional College (IJC)[4]. At its meeting on 15 July 1978, it issued an opinion concerning “The Freemasons’ Organization”.

The IJC declared: “After complete research concerning this organization, based on written accounts from many sources, we have determined that”[5]:

1.

Freemasonry is a clandestine organization, which conceals or reveals its system, depending on the circumstances. Its actual principles are hidden from members, except for chosen members of its higher degrees.
2.

The members of the organization, worldwide, are drawn from men without preference for their religion, faith or sect.
3.

The organization attracts members on the basis of providing personal benefits. It traps men into being politically active, and its aims are unjust.
4.

New members participate in ceremonies of different names and symbols, and are frightened from disobeying its regulations and orders.
5.

Members are free to practice their religion, but only members who are atheists are promoted to its higher degrees, based on how much they are willing to serve its dangerous principles and plans.
6.

It is a political organization. It has served all revolutions, military and political transformations. In all dangerous changes a relation to this organization appears either exposed or veiled.
7.

It is a Jewish Organization in its roots. Its secret higher international administrative board are Jews and it promotes Zionist activities.
8.

Its primary objectives are the distraction of all religions and it distracts Muslims from Islam.
9.

It tries to recruit influential financial, political, social, or scientific people to utilize them. It does not consider applicants it cannot utilize. It recruits kings, prime ministers, high government officials and similar individuals.
10.

It has branches under different names as a camouflage, so people cannot trace its activities, especially if the name of “Freemasonry” has opposition. These hidden branches are known as Lions, Rotary and others. They have wicked principles that completely contradict the rules of Islam. There is a clear relationship between Freemasonry, Judaism and International Zionism. It has controlled the activities of high Arab officials in the Palestinian problem. It has limited their duties, obligations and activities for the benefit of Judaism and International Zionism.

Given that Freemasonry involves itself in dangerous activities, it is a great hazard, with wicked objectives, the Jurisdictional Synod determines that Freemasonry is a dangerous, destructive organization. Any Muslim, who affiliates with it, knowing the truth of its objectives, is an infidel to Islam”

http://www.shrinershq.org/

Dont by into this grand conspiracy stuff, or soon you'll be talking about Masonic secret bases on the far side of the moon and ancestral spaceships from Antares!

WOW! Really, Masonic have a secret bases on the far side of the moon! Never heard of that one, thanks for the laugh.

So using Muslim symbols etc was not necessarily some embracement of Islam, but just a way to communicate in a largely illiterate world that your organization is somehow linked or studies ancient wisdom and lore.

I had a discussion yesterday about the largely illiterate world population up to the 1936-40 time frame.

Our conclusion was globally 100 million (ballpark) illiterate people were killed off by the intellects in the 20th century trying to changing the world for the good of the people.

Anyway, I understand your communicate design point.

Thanks...

Is this a rorschach test?

I see a nomad on a camel.

I see what look like Shriners in costume.

I see symbols from ancient Egypt that pre-date Islam.

I see symbols that Muslims use that have been appropriated for more noble purposes by the Shriners. (Much like we Christians appropriated the use of pagan rites, symbols or activities thereby reclaiming what pagans had misused, in light of the incarnation of Jesus Christ, and dedicating those things to the glory of God).

The star reminds me of the star that led the eastern pagan magi to Christ where they recognized his deity and offered worship. The star also reminds me of the stars on our own American flag. Are the stars on our flag satanic or Islamic? The communists were known to stick a star or two on their flags as well. Better consult Texxe Marrs or Jack Chick.

Symbols are just that and have no intrinsic meaning, but are assigned meaning by those who use them.

Shriner imagery represents a bunch of fine men working to help little children.

That's what I see at least. What do you see?

I'm a Roman Catholic, hardly a group given great favor by the Masons, but a close family friend gave me a book explaining Freemasonry as an institution, and I have to say that at least now, this stuff about them being secularist and anti religious is a bunch of bull*hit. At the lodge (per what I read in the book, and saw going one day to the lodge with my friend who does custodial work at the lodge in between hall rentals), they have a bible (KJV of course) opend up. they don't allow drinking during their meetings etc. I aked him about a ritual I read about in an anti-mason book saying they stomped on an effigy of the Papal tiara, and he said absolutely not. He said in fact they open and close their meetings with prayer. Some people who have done great wrongs in this country have been members of the lodge, but many persons throughout history that have done other wrongs have been Catholics also...

Also, at the root of it, they're a charitable organization, same as one I'm a member of as a Catholic (KofC). At the highest levels, they worked with us to get "under God" originally added to the pledge.

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