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
Back off on the tinfoil Israeli conspiracy stuff.
I've held my tongue and ignored that obscene BS from you so far, but now...
Well, I'm leaving before I lose my temper here.
Every link on that page, you will notice, contradicts every claim you have made.
I will disagree with your claim of modern Catholic Churches following a Masonic pattern. They are following a pattern more like mainstream Protestant denominations.
Bless you, Sir. No thanks necessary. I'm honored to be on your side.
'Night. : )
The Pope is a liberal responsible for some of the most heinous appointments of bishops and Cardinals the world has ever seen. Having attended a Papal Mass in Kyiv, I can vouch for the fact it is a profoundly moving experience, but a Pope who asks the youth at one of his youth masses to "sing it in Latin" is clearly out of touch with the reality that he and his fellows have wrought.
No one knows the Latin anymore. What was he thinking?
My primary beef with this Pope is his evident inability to stem the nonsense surrounding alleged apparitions of our Blessed Mother ... Medjugorje being the worst of the lot. His faith is far greater than mine if he believes that Ivan (the most celebrated of the alleged visionairies) has managed to marry a former Miss Masschusetts, start a family, tour the world and still hear a nightly message from the Virgin Mary each evening at 5:00 (which messages he still requires an "interpreter" to convey since he apparently cannot appear on his own without a handler).
This degradation of the Cult of Mary was reflected, IMHO, by the Monsignor. I found it very strange of him to speak of being "in love" with Mary as a tack toward restoring the priesthood when -- taking a page from your Dad or St. John of the Cross -- it's Christ with whom we are in love. Mary's place is strictly that of our Mother.
He -- like so many others including Archbishop Hannan, architect of the CHD funding scheme -- also intimated that the Pope somehow personally approves of Medjugorje by virtue of his "wishing he were going too" when the Monsignor told him they were en route to the shrine.
Unacceptable. As has been the Vatican's handling of the clerical crisis in AmChurch. It's beyond understanding to me why someone like Cardinal Law now enjoys the plum spot at St. Mary in Rome. If this be the Pope's "sending a message" ... I'm not impressed.
Either he is a pious man with no control whatsoever of the machinations of his Vatican (not entirely out of the question, btw), or he is complicit and perhaps even directing such inexplicable acts even as he remains derelict in his duty to discipline those who have lost their way and risk taking others with them ... like the Cardinal Mahoney he appointed.
It's serious stuff. I find his kissing the Koran as if the ramblings of Mohammed rose to the level of Scripture unsettling as the next guy. But it's his appointments, his silence, his liberal record and his leaving good Catholics twisting in the wind worldwide even as he hosts the likes of Gorbachev that leave me wondering what he's about.
It's not as if the murder of his predecessor after a 33-day reign wasn't the equivalent of having a fish wrapped in newspaper on his doorstep. Something's just not quite right with the whole picture. But the Church has weathered worse, I know.
==== You were the one accusing me of feeling morally superior to my father simply because I am not as sure of the Bible story as he is.
"The Bible Story"?
I suspect you find yourself intellectually superior. I'd never accuse you of being morally superior to anyone who, upon reading "The Bible Story," wasn't himself in love with Christ.
That's your schtick, not mine.
WHY ARE YOU LYING SO MUCH?
The reason that membership is down for ALL fraternal organizations and female social charity organizations as well,stems from the fact that 1)the hippy generation made them all seem to be outdated and unhip 2)the Baby Boomers and GenXers,for the most part are far too selfish,self-absorbed,and uninterested in doing good works,socializing in that kind of a group,can't be bothered to memorize all that stuff,and stay at home to watch T.V. and/or use their computers,instead of socializing in person
But evidently,unlike your Catholic brothers,some younger men of other religions,are now slowly joining Freemasonry;ac cording to a poster here.
I'll ask you again,since you did NOT answer the query...WHERE IS THE PLACEMENT OF THE BIBLE AND THE CANDLES IN A MASONIC HALL? And how do you know how any room in any Masonic temple is arranged?
Unlike YOU,I have been in many a Masonic temple.Also,unlike YOU,,I know what I'm talking about!If you're ever in N.Y.C.,you can go on a tour of a very beautiful and still operative Masonic temple;the one which also house the museum,wherein the bible (it's a King James version)that George Washington and many presidents after him,swore their oath of office on,at their inaugurals.Once there,you will see that this building looks NOTHING at all like a Catholic church!
"The Protocols of the Elders of Zion" are on line.Does THAT ,inandofitself,make this vile piece of propaganda factual and true?
Like any other tinfoiler,liar,and bigot,you will believe,clasp to your bosom,anything and everything that will further your lies and biased beliefs. You'll do < B>ANYTHING,say ANYTGING,quote ANYTHING that will besmirch the people whom you so obviously fear and hate.Facts? Truth? You care for neither.
Tell me,Askel,do ONLY Catholics,who believe exactly the same things you do,go to heaven and everybody else,Catholic and Protestant (I doubt you think that Jews will go)alike go off to hell?
And what business is it of YOURS,that other people are Masons?
Those black helicopters just keep on circling and circling...don't they? But you really should take off all of that tinfoil,dear,it has obviously cut off the blood from your brain!
Nope. Members are, if I recall correctly, expected to profess a belief in God. But they do not need to be Christian.
Again, I'll ask the question: are homosexuals excluded from Masonry?
As I'm not a Mason, I haven't the slightest idea.
Good one;wish I had though that up! :-)
:o)
There are quite a number of American Masonic websites too, a great many of which have been linked to threads here.
You attempted to make it sound as though people in Israel knew more about Freemasonry and were making it all public,than American Masons.YOU ARE A LIAR AND a DEVIOUS FRAUD!
It's disappointing to read that you subscribe to that story.
A fundamental question, rarely asked, is the reason why our ancient Brethren, who developed the complicated symbolic structures of moral and philosophical teaching we now know as speculative Freemasonry, would choose to base their system on such modest materials as the builder's trade, his tools, and legends. Such activities as seafaring, metalworking, agriculture, and husbandry, among others, could have been used just as well in developing a 'peculiar system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols.' Indeed, they have been used for this purpose at one time or another, by various individual thinkers and organizations.However, the Stonemason's trade, and his material--stone--have such profound, far-reaching and universal significance and connotations that the choice was not only justified but inevitable.
Stone has been, since prehistoric times, the principal material used to build and adorn important structures, where solidity and permanence are the paramount considerations.
solidity and permanence are the paramount considerations ... of "speculative Freemasonry"?
Stone in Christian TraditionThe best example of the importance of stone in Christian teachings is, of course, the case of Simon the fisherman, called Peter (Petrus--the stone) by Jesus: 'I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church' (Matthew 16:18).
The Pope, as linear successor to Peter, is called Holy Father. The connection between Pater (father) and Petrus (stone) is obvious. In the Hebrew language as well, the same letters forming the word 'father' (av: alef-beth) appear in the word for 'stone' (even: alef-beth-noon).
In another instance, Christ himself is compared to a rock (I Corinthians 10:4).
....
After completion of the initiation ceremony, the new Brother is placed in a particular position within the Lodge and is usually told that he represents the cornerstone on which Freemasonry's spiritual Temple must be built.
....
The Mason himself, as we have noted, is likened to a stone. In Robert Samber's dedicatory Preface to Long Livers, (London, 1722), we find this pithy definition: 'Ye are living stones, built up a spiritual House, who believe and rely on the chief Lapis Angularis, which the refractory and disobedient Builders disallowed ...' In conclusion, the deep and various meanings of stone as a physical object and as allegory make it easy to understand why the art of the builder should have been selected as the appropriate vehicle to convey the philosophical and mystical teachings of speculative Freemasonry in its different manifestations.
The Symbolism of Stone by Leon Zeldis.
(Clearly, 33rd degree Masons make for much more interesting reading)
I don't subscribe to any stories. One minute we had a new pope, the next he was dead. That's all I know.
I figure it's a matter of public record how many days the man's tenure lasted. Should be easy enough to confirm.
As it happens, there was an article about one of their 'rituals' in my local paper today. Here is an excerpt:
Area families witness momentous event
KAUKAUNA -- Wearing an American Indian headdress and clothing, Chief James Converse of Boy Scout Troop 41 stood before a council fire Saturday night to welcome new members into its group.
"We honor you (Great Spirit) for the gift of life you have given us," Converse, 16, said during the cross-over ceremony that included four Cub Scouts from Packs 3041 and 3112, their parents and families at the 1000 Islands Environmental Center.
"Give us this day as we gather to mark the crossing of these young braves from youth to the beginnings of adulthood."
During the ceremony, the four braves, or Cub Scouts, were presented and blessed by their parents, and marked with colors representing the Hills of Life: yellow for infancy, orange for youth and red for adulthood.
Philip Davidson, 10, of Menasha, said the ceremony symbolized his climb in Scouting.
"It means that I'm moving on, that I'm going to be a Boy Scout," said Davidson of Pack 3112 in Darboy.
...
While the ceremony represents the growth of the boys, Pavek said it also carries a meaning for the parents. Boy Scout programs are more parents hands-off, he noted.
"The parents now have got to open their wings and allow him to fly," he said. "This is huge."
Linda Davidson said she was moved by the part of the ceremony that asked the parents to release their boy.
"It's a little scary when we had to hand him over," she said.
The horror! The horror!
Just admit it,you believe that "THE PROTOCOLS OF THE ELDERS OF ZION" is factual.
Do you go to confession? Have you confessed to your continually breaking at least one of the Ten Commandments? You know,the one about bearing false witness? If not,then your sins will not be purged.I understand that the Catholic church is selling indulgences again. Perhaps you need to buy bushel baskets of them.
When is the Catholic church going to purge homosexuals and pedophiles from the priesthood,instead of just paying off the victims and ignoring the problem?
Since that is all you know, then stating that he was murdered falls under the category of something that you don't know.
:-)
As a woman sympathetic to Masonry but excluded from this fraternal organization whose mission is "equal rights for all," perhaps you'll join Madonna in studying the Kabbalah?
G-d has an infinite will "to give" His infinite and absolute goodness to all His creation. G-d does not have a need or will "to receive." On the other opposite, all created beings have a will "to receive." Note the Hebrew verb "le-kabbel" (leh-kahbehl, 'to receive') and the noun "kabbalah" (kahbahlah, 'receipt'). If we only receive, we will always remain distant from G-d. Therefore, giving and doing good deeds to others bring us closer to G-d. For instance, educating ourselves is valuable, while education of others is even more so. To approach G-d, one should develop a will (Ratson) united (Yih'ud) with G-d to act according to the Sefirot and integrate them.The corresponding Moral Associations are basic moral principles (virtues) of everyday conduct, and therefore can be referred to as Moral Powers. As one attains these Moral Powers, one ascends a spiritual "Sulam" (Soolahm, 'Ladder') of self-perfection. These Moral Powers of Perfection became the basis for the degrees and teachings of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. The Kabbalah names "Or" (Ohr, 'Light') any energy received from G-d through the 10 channels of the Sefirot and apprehensible by humans. 'Faith in G-d' is the primary Moral Power corresponding to the first of the Sefirot, "Keter" (Kehtehr, 'G-d's Crown'). In the Kabbalah, 'Faith in G-d' is described as "Or EinSof" (Ohr AinSohf, 'G-d's Light') that fills all the senses of a person. Hence, the symbolic meaning of Masonic 'Light' is first of all 'Faith in G-d.' The human search for light begins within our own inner selves, since all have been "given" a seed of light. If we develop our faith in G-d and reveal moral conduct, these sprouts can now acquire more light.
Tree of Life of the Kabbalah and Morality by Daniel Farhey
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