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
"It's a CATHOLIC organization bad mouthing the Protestants, again. The Masons don't bad mouth the Knights of Columbus or make up such ridiculous lies but these Catholics go all
out."
Masonry doesn't equate with Protestantism and I find it offensive that you do substitute any form of Christianity for Masonry. They do not equate and there are plenty of Protestant Christians who are concerned about high level masonry in global politics.
There is no greater expert on the Bible and in using its wisdom for his own perverted agenda than the Prince of this World.
How can you be such a dolt. The oaths you swore were symbolic in context and not literal. Were you asked to swear upon anything other than a HOLY BIBLE?? You know as well as I that we do not ask any man his religion only that he believes in a Supreme Being. Sounds like youv'e gone off the deep end or were expelled for none payment of dues.
I do hope this Spanish SH___head is wearing a tie so someone can help him get his head out of his ASS.
bump
Et in Arcadia Ego
Thanks. You just put another jewel in my crown. As those who LOVE the Lord are themselves hated, they will join HIM in everlasting glory.
The oaths you swore were symbolic in context...
Perhaps, but the symbolism itself was evil.
were expelled for none payment of dues.
Funny you should mention it. My Lodge secretary said the only way to resign was to simply quit paying dues and face that penalty. When I explained to him the far deeper wounds I suffered at the lodge (which I decline to name here), he was so SHOCKED that he willingly agreed to simply strike my name from the rolls and said he'd fix things with the Grand Lodge. I had told him I would not like to be known as being expelled for monetary causes. As I said, he agreed.....
Strikes me as funny in this context.
Information here!
**the repeated condemnations of the Holy See and of the other Christian confessions,**
Says a lot, doesn't it?
**rantings of the uninformed.**
Why are you slamming the Catholic Church? It has been around a lot longer than the Masons.
And the Catholic Church had stood staunchly against abortion, euthanasia, birth control and many other things while the world went its merry way.
Just like the Beatitudes seem to have it backwards -- the world (including the Masons) has it backwards too.
What prayer?
**Perhaps they should try reading their Bibles **
Catholics read the Bible every day just like Protestants do. Why don't you check out the Daily Mass Readings some day?
Actually, in the case of Italian society, "secret organizations" similar to the Masons thrived long before the construction of the London Lodge in 1711(?). It is no surprise the Freemasonry has thrived in Italy, and much of Europe, as the lodges were the only place where men of different social classes could socialize and discuss issues outside of the eye of royal and clerical authorities.
Are you throwing stones?
Good for you and God Bless you.
Uh oh...
Here we go! Hold on everyone!
Who leaves Atlantis off the maps?
Who keeps the martians under wraps?
We do! We do!
Who holds back the electric car?
Who makes Steve Guttenberg a star?
We do! We do!
Who robs the cave fish of their sight?
Who rigs every Oscars night?
We do! We do!
ping for later
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