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
I'm almost tempted,almost,to ask all of FR's Masons and relatives of Masons,to tell FR's KOOKS that yes,WE do rule the world and we're taking names. LOL
I'm sorry for your loss,but your family's reaction to your grandfather's death was/is an ill educated one.
Just did and I do hope that more men are joining.It would be a terrible loss,for the Masons and Shriners to just disappear.
The story about the fez did not originate with Mr. Decker or Mr. Carlson. Unfoturnately, when the person who presumably had the "documentation" for the fez story was asked about it, that person was unable to come up with the proof that he had been assured existed.
I have found that the best witness for a Christian concerning Freemasonry, is to simply show where ritual, on the blue lodge level, is incompatible with the Christian faith.
In Christ,
Duane Washum
Ex Masons For Jesus
In Search Of Light Ministries
So, Hey when I get corrected by a guy like this, I'll admit it to y'all, too.
EX-MASONS FOR JESUS They welcome all current and former Masons to partake in the site and there is a place for ALL to post comments.
That is good to hear! I haven't been involved in a couple years but still pay my dues.
Sounds just like Democrats. We might as well let them think we rule the world. They don't seem to be able to grasp the facts.
I beg to differ with you. I'm a native Texan and I've known many a fine, Christian, Texas man who was a mason.
"What is a cosmo-vision?"
Ask Topper!
LOL...that poster is probably too young to get the joke,but I'm not and that was brilliant! :-)
It was my favorite show when I was a preschooler ;)
It was one of my favorite shows,when I was a bitty girl. :-)
(whispered) "Tubal Cain"
>I'm sorry for
????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
>your loss, but your family's reaction to your grandfather's death was/iis an ill educated one.<
Thank you for your condolences, but my grandfather died of the flu which had nothing to do with the stroke he suffered when he became a master Mason. Your opinion of
our reaction is of no consequence to me.
ES, it looks like we are in a hot bed of Masons here. I asked a question earlier in the thread regarding the UK
"Bobbies" having to be Masons at one time. Is that still so? Can anyone elaborate? No one has addressed my question, leading me to think "they ain't talkin' about another of their own.
I also reiterate: Let the Christian beware. Heed not the scoffers. (And don't let 'em get to you, Sir.)
>as we both know only too well, their minds are cemented shut and facts don't matter to them<
And yours isn't?
And would you care to elaborate on that?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.