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
What is a cosmo-vision?
These are just a few notable Masons from the site below. Note this is only the A's and B's of the Alphabet!
Aldrin, Edwin E. - Known as "Buzz" - American astronaut who as a crew member of Apollo 11 became the second human being to walk on the moon (July 20, 1969).
Arnold, General Henry "Hap" - Medal of Honor recipient and American general whose efforts helped establish what is now the U.S. Air Force. Commander, Army Air Force in World War II.
Astor, John Jacob - A German immigrant to the US, he at one point was considered the wealthiest man in America. He was Master of Holland Lodge in New York and served as Grand Treasurer for that Grand Lodge.
Audubon, John James - American ornithologist and artist known for his imposing works in full color of Birds of America. He referred to himself as a "Mason" and "Brother" in his diary but no proof has been found of his membership.
Autry, Gene - American actor who made some 90 movies from the 1930s through the 1950s, cowboy singer ("Back in the Saddle Again" and more), and professional sports team owner (original owner of the California Angels baseball team). Many young people today have grown up listening to his rendition of "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer". Brother Gene was a "true gentleman".
Berlin, Irving - Entertainer and songwriter who wrote more than 1,500 songs including "Alexander's Ragtime Band" (1911) and several musical comedies like Annie Get Your Gun (1946)
Boone, Daniel - Mythologized early U. S. pioneer responsible for the exploration of Kentucky. Although his Masonic membership is unprovable, here is what Nathan Boone had to say about his father's funeral: "Father's body was conveyed to Flanders Callaway's home at Charette, and there the funeral took place. There were no military or Masonic honors, the latter of which he was a member, as there were then but very few in that region of the country." (Hammon, Neal O. (ed.) "My Father, Daniel Boone- The Draper Interviews with Nathan Boone." Lexington, Kentucky: The University Press of Kentucky, 1999. p. 139.)
Borgnine, Ernest - Film and television actor. In 1955 received the Oscar as Best Actor for the film Marty. Known to a generation of television fans for his role as the Captain in McHale's Navy. He actively serves Freemasonry and is presently the Honorary Chairman of a program to support the Scottish Rite Childhood Language Center in Richmond.
Bowie, James - American-born Mexican colonist who joined the Texan forces during the struggle for independence from Mexico. He died during the defense of the Alamo.
Bradley, Omar N. - American general. Played a major part in the Allied victory in World War II.
Burns, Robert - The National Poet of Scotland. His lyrics, written in dialect and infused with humor, celebrate love, patriotism, and rustic life. Freemasonry was more important to him than any other institution in Scotland!
Byrd, Admiral Richard E. - American naval officer and explorer. He was the first to fly over the North Pole (with Floyd Bennet in 1926).
Byrd, Robert C. - The "Dean" of the US Senate.
http://www.masonicinfo.com/famous.htm
My secretary's husband is a mason. He belongs to the historically African-American lodge in DC. She says the average age for that lodge is somewhere in the upper- 60's.
The age problem is real accute all over. There simply will not be enough young people coming in to take their place.
Lodges have been combining memberships and consolidating into fewer and fewer lodges.
Even in places like DC, where the population is huge, the problem persists.
Thank you, ExSoldier, for your post 19. My Chrisitan grandfather reached the 33rd degree in Freemasonry in the early 20th century, where upon he promptly had a debilitating stroke and was never himself again. The family has always thought that learning the truth about Freemasonry killed his mind, then his body died in the influenza epidemic of 1918. Let the Christian beware.
Heed not the scoffer.
>How can you be such a dolt.<
The father of lies uses the Bible all the time. He also uses anything at hand, including rude and insolent people to further his dark goals. He is the Supreme Being of far too many on this earth.
Astrology was held in higher esteem 230 years ago than it is today.
I second that also. The best way for people to be informed is The Word of God. Layout the teachings of the so called "light" you recieve from masonry and it will not match what the Word tells us. Why would any professing Christian need any other light other than what the Holy Spirit Gives us?
The Masons are nothing compared to the Nine. Just ask Lord Grandith.
LOL, you're the 4th person in 4 years to understand.
So9
It seems to be a cyclical thing. Remember after the Morgan affair whole grand lodges closed down and Masonry almost died out in the U.S. But it had returned to its former levels by the 1870's. Membership was declining from the late 1920's until the end of WWII when returning men returning from the war swelled the ranks to the highest they've ever been. Those good men are now leaving this world faster than they can be replaced in the lodges. But there are signs this could be changing. There are Masonic forums scattered across the net (check out this one at www.thelodgeroom.com) and they are filled with new, younger members in the craft. And they are not alone. They're saying that many lodges are seeing an increase in petitions. Lodges are showing growth not only here in the states, but in Canada and Europe, as well. My small lodge in Northern Arizona has in the past two weeks initated two EA's to go with the two we already have and at the next meeting will read at least three petitions and vote on two more. It's starting to get to the point that at some meetings, we're wondering if we're going to need nextra chairs just to accomodate the bretheren.
We're coming back. Whether or not we'll reach the 4 million + members we had 40 years ago remains to be seen; but it looks like the Craft is making a comeback.
See my post #253.
Shhh. It's a secret.
And then only after you have:
1.)Mastered shape-shifting
2.)Completed your apprenticeship operating the weather generators at the H.A.A.R.P. facitlity.
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