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blowback
Nothing to lose,nothing to gein.


Registered: 06/03/03
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Who the fuck are the freemasons?
#5385370 - 03/10/06 12:26 PM (17 years, 10 months ago) |
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Can anyone really explain this to me? My grandfather was a decon, but I can't really recall any information on what exactly it is that these people do?
Is it a secret society? I understand the do charity work and stuff like that but the more I research this group the more I find that they are like a Satanic cult or something.
Anyone care to enlighten me as to what these Freemasons really do?
-------------------- "Daddy, what's the difference between ignorance and apathy?" "Son, I don't know, and I don't care"
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Silversoul
Rhizome


Registered: 01/01/05
Posts: 23,576
Loc: The Barricades
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Re: Who the fuck are the freemasons? [Re: blowback]
#5385426 - 03/10/06 12:41 PM (17 years, 10 months ago) |
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Yes, it's a secret society. The fact that they are secret has led to innumerable conspiracy theories about them, which really have no merit.
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Taco Chef
I found dead John Cheever


Registered: 03/03/06
Posts: 33,222
Loc: the city of dis
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Re: Who the fuck are the freemasons? [Re: Silversoul]
#5385487 - 03/10/06 12:57 PM (17 years, 10 months ago) |
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masons are a secret society dedicated to improving mankind in the individual and in the general sense.
a mason goes through a series of degrees, each with its own ititiation. these initiations are symbolic rituals designed to impart symbolic information to the aspirant on how to develop the self and society.
the freemasons had a very positive impact on history by helping to develop and spread things like the enlightenment,democracy, universal brotherhood.
there are esoteric and purely secular branches.
the right wing fundies dislike the masons b/c historically the masons have helped to break the power of the theocrats.
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unbeliever
Yo Daddy!

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Re: Who the fuck are the freemasons? [Re: Taco Chef]
#5385701 - 03/10/06 01:49 PM (17 years, 10 months ago) |
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Also, Joseph Smith (founder of the Mormon church), was a mason and a lot of the temple (and other) rituals were taken from masonic practices.
-------------------- Happiness is a warm gun...
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MisterKite
Stranger


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Re: Who the fuck are the freemasons? [Re: unbeliever]
#5385761 - 03/10/06 02:04 PM (17 years, 10 months ago) |
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_masons
Some believe they are connected to the Illuminati, an anicent race of lizard men who subsist off human fear, control all major politicians, have sex with young virgins, and smoke very potent narcotics.
Personally, i think that's looking a bit too deep into it.
-------------------- "But for the sake of some little mouthful of flesh we deprive a soul of the sun and light, and of that proportion of life and time it had been born into the world to enjoy."
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kotik
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Re: Who the fuck are the freemasons? [Re: MisterKite]
#5385916 - 03/10/06 02:48 PM (17 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
Some believe they are connected to the Illuminati, an anicent race of lizard men who subsist off human fear, control all major politicians, have sex with young virgins, and smoke very potent narcotics.
you know none of its really that far-fetched aside from the whole lizard thing.
This is an awesome post I had bookmarked on a realistic look at Freemasons.
Quote:
Quote: Originally Posted by artissues Amadeus, so what is the truth?
What is a freemason?
A Mason is a member of a fraternal organization known as Freemasonry, which is actually the world's oldest and largest fraternity. It was founded in Great Britain in the early middle ages as a guild of stonemasons, and evolved into its modern form as a fraternal order in the late 1600's and early 1700's.
Quote: What is their purpose?
The original purpose of the fraternity was to preserve the craft of stonemasons, and to transmit knowledge of masonry to apprentices. In the 1600's, it began to lose its character as a guild, and men began joining for social reasons, out of interest in the craft's history, and, at least on the continent, because they wished to unite with other Protestants in an effort to combat what was viewed as oppression by the Roman Catholic Church.
From this time onward, even though the fraternity remained in large part a gentleman's cigar and brandy club, it also began to take on philosophical aspects, highly influenced by the Enlightenment. Many of the greatest and most eloquent thinkers of the Enlightenment became Masons, such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Goethe, Mozart, Voltaire, Paul Revere, and Frederick the Great.
Therefore, modern Freemasonry is a fraternity founded upon an interest in philosophy, and, over time, became also a charitable institution.
Quote: Are there women masons?
No. Freemasonry is a fraternity, and admits only men, in much the same way as sororities admit only women. However, additional organizations have been founded by Masons which admit both Masons and their female relatives.
Quote: Can anyone attend their meetings?
As is the case with all fraternal organizations, most meetings are for members only. There are, however, exceptions, which include installation of officers for the Lodge, ladies night banquets, fundraisers for charity, etc., which are all open to the general public.
I would like to add here, that Freemasons were infact the first Scientists, when Science and Religion were one. There are other theories that tie the Freemasons into the Knights Templar, which makes it an even older organization.
Honestly, unless you are a 3rd degree Mason, you dont even know what its all about, and the 3rd degree oath states:
Quote:
I, _________, of my own free will and accord, in the presence of Almighty God, and this Worshipful Lodge, erected to Him and dedicated to the holy St. John, do hereby and hereon most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, that I will hail, ever conceal, and never reveal any of the secrets, arts, parts, point or points, of the Master Mason's Degree, to any person or persons whomsoever, except that it be a true and lawful brother of this Degree, or in a regularly constituted Lodge of Master Masons, nor unto him, or them, until by strict trial, due examination, or lawful information, I shall have found him, or them, as lawfully entitled to the same as I am myself.
I furthermore promise and swear, that I will stand to and abide by all laws, rules, and regulations of the Master Masons Degree, and of the Lodge of which I may hereafter become a member, as far as the same shall come to my knowledge; and that I will ever maintain and support the Constitution, laws, and edicts of the Grand Lodge under which the same shall be holden. Further, that I will acknowledge and obey all due signs and summons sent to me from a Master Masons' Lodge, or given me by a brother of that Degree, if within the length of my cable tow.
Further, that I will always aid and assist all poor, distressed, worthy Master Masons, their widows and orphans, knowing them to be such, as far as their necessities may require, and my ability permit, without material injury to myself and family. Further, that I will keep a worthy brother Master Mason's secrets inviolable, when communicated to and received by me as such, murder and treason excepted.
Further, that I will not aid, nor be present at, the initiation, passing, or raising of a woman, an old man in his dotage, a young man in his nonage, an atheist, a madman, or fool, knowing them to be such. Further, that I will not sit in a Lodge of Clandestine-made Masons, nor converse on the subject of Masonry with a clandestine-made Mason, nor one who has been expelled or suspended from a Lodge, while under that sentence, knowing him or them to be such. Further, I will not cheat, wrong, nor defraud a Master Masons' Lodge, nor a brother of this Degree, knowingly, nor supplant him in any of his laudable undertakings, but will give him due and timely notice, that he may ward off all danger.
Further, that I will not knowingly strike a brother Master Mason, or otherwise do him personal violence in anger, except in the necessary defense of my family or property. Further, that I will not have illegal carnal intercourse with a Master Mason's wife, his mother, sister, or daughter knowing them to be such, nor suffer the same to be done by others, if in my power to prevent. Further, that I will not give the Grand Masonic word, in any other manner or form than that in which I shall receive it, and then in a low breath. Further, that I will not give the Grand Hailing Sign of distress except in case of the most imminent danger, in a just and lawful Lodge, or for the benefit of instruction; and if ever I should see it given, or hear the words accompanying it, by a worthy brother in distress, I will fly to his relief, if there is a greater probability of saving his life than losing my own.
All this I most solemnly, sincerely promise and swear, with a firm and steady resolution to perform the same, without any hesitation, myself, under no less penalty than that of having my body severed in two, my bowels taken from thence and burned to ashes, the ashes scattered before the four winds of heaven, that no more remembrance might be had of so vile and wicked a wretch as I would be, should I ever, knowingly, violate this my Master Mason's obligation. So help me God, and keep me steadfast in the due performance of the same.
Taken by 3rd Degree Freemasons ? (New Catholic Encyclopedia, 1964 A.D.)
-------------------- No statements made in any post or message by myself should be construed to mean that I am now, or have ever been, participating in or considering participation in any activities in violation of any local, state, or federal laws. All posts are works of fiction.
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psilomonkey
Twisted brainwrong of a oneoff man mental

Registered: 08/08/03
Posts: 812
Loc: Airstrip One
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Re: Who the fuck are the freemasons? [Re: Taco Chef]
#5385994 - 03/10/06 03:04 PM (17 years, 10 months ago) |
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The Freemasons go back a long way. My uninitiated layman's interpretation is this.
Their rituals go back to ancient stonemason and builders pay rituals. In the days before book-keeping and accountants a skilled labourer would receive his pay from a number of paymasters, to receive his pay he would have to answer a series of coded challenges before he was recognized as entitled to receive pay. The coded rituals determined which paymasters would pay you, and your position on the payroll.
Freemasons were deemed heretics by the Catholic Church, which at the time maintained a monopoly on skilled labour. They were in a way the one of the first trade unions.
Today they exist as a social society, now freelance builders now tend to use the pub rather than the temple to arrange work, but the idea of a group of skilled individuals working for their mutual good and the good of society is still is the central theme.
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LeastResistance
Camp Pink Onion


Registered: 09/27/04
Posts: 808
Loc: Dairyland
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Re: Who the fuck are the freemasons? [Re: psilomonkey]
#5387997 - 03/11/06 12:59 AM (17 years, 10 months ago) |
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actually there is a seperate order for women and children the order of the eastern star.
-------------------- "Weaving Spiders Come Not Here"
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zorbman
blarrr


Registered: 06/04/04
Posts: 5,952
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Re: Who the fuck are the freemasons? [Re: blowback]
#5390343 - 03/11/06 08:44 PM (17 years, 10 months ago) |
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It's basically a scheme to make old people seem cool.
-------------------- “The crisis takes a much longer time coming than you think, and then it happens much faster than you would have thought.” -- Rudiger Dornbusch
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zorbman
blarrr


Registered: 06/04/04
Posts: 5,952
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Re: Who the fuck are the freemasons? [Re: MisterKite]
#5390347 - 03/11/06 08:46 PM (17 years, 10 months ago) |
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they are connected to the Illuminati, an anicent race of lizard men who subsist off human fear, control all major politicians, have sex with young virgins, and smoke very potent narcotics.
Where do I sign up?
-------------------- “The crisis takes a much longer time coming than you think, and then it happens much faster than you would have thought.” -- Rudiger Dornbusch
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Koala Koolio
TTAGGGTTAGGGTTAGGGTTAGGG

Registered: 01/07/04
Posts: 7,752
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Re: Who the fuck are the freemasons? [Re: zorbman]
#5390571 - 03/11/06 10:31 PM (17 years, 10 months ago) |
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At a creepy high security location in northern california, with a giant owl statue.
The lizard shit is stupid. But damn... there really is a giant owl statue, and a yearly festival where they burn pretend bodies and shit. And so many US presidents were members... Nixon had a quote confirming that he was one. Regan, Bush SR, and a number of the Deomcrats. Oh, and Cheney.
So what if there's no true evil lizard significance. The fact that, while this would be an extremely odd thing to explain to the public if the mainstream media dared report about it (to the point where it would even be damaging)... just the fact that theres a god damn giant owl statue, people in KKK resembling hoods, and "body" burning, but they STILL remain members? There's got to be a damn good reason.
Stonecutters, unite!
-------------------- You're not like the others. You like the same things I do. Wax paper, boiled football leather... dog breath. We're not hitch-hiking anymore, we're riding!
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mack_tasticlies
Stranger

Registered: 02/25/06
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Re: Who the fuck are the freemasons? [Re: MisterKite]
#5391584 - 03/12/06 11:00 AM (17 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
MisterKite said: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_masons
Some believe they are connected to the Illuminati, an anicent race of lizard men who subsist off human fear, control all major politicians, have sex with young virgins, and smoke very potent narcotics.
Personally, i think that's looking a bit too deep into it.
They manipulated primates, combing their cerebral cortex(reptilian complex) part of the brain with monkies more adept motor centers, thus creating the perfect mining machines.
My favorite theory is the theory of tyhe Anu Naki.
Truth is often stranger than fiction, ya dig?
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mack_tasticlies
Stranger

Registered: 02/25/06
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The masons date back much further than the middle ages. The order was created to preserve the art of the arch, and the keystone. The stone most important in distributing weight evenly around the arch thus creating superior strength. It dates back to the Egyptians, the first major mathematicians and stonemasons. The first scientists. So many of the symbols of masonry are derived of Eastern symbols.
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mack_tasticlies
Stranger

Registered: 02/25/06
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http://www.infidels.org/library/historical/thomas_paine/origin_free-masonry.html http://www.infidels.org/library/historical/thomas_paine/
An Essay by Thomas Paine. He wrote Common Sense.
He was a mason, and a constituent of Ben Franklins.
Another circumstance, which shows that Masonry is derived from some ancient system, prior to and unconnected with the christian religion, is the chronology, or method of counting time, used by the Masons in the records of their Lodges. They make no use of what is called the christian era; and they reckon their months numerically, as the ancient Egyptians did, and as the Quakers do now. I have by me, a record of a French Lodge, at the time the late Duke of Orleans, then Duke de Chartres, was Grand Master of Masonry in France. It begins as follows: "Le trentieme jour du sixieme mois de l'an de la V.L. cinq mille sept cent soixante treize;" that is, the thirteenth day of the sixth month of the year of the Venerable Lodge, five thousand seven hundred and seventy-three. By what I observe in English books of Masonry, the English Masons use the initials A.L. and not V.L. By A.L. they mean in the year of Light, as the Christians by A.D. mean in the year of our Lord. But A.L. like V.L. refers to the same chronological era, that is, to the supposed time of the creation. [NOTE: V.L. are the initials of Vraie Lumiere, true light; and A.L. of Anne Lucis, in the year of light. This and the three preceding sentences (of the text) are suppressed in Madame Bonneville's pamphlet, 1810. -- Editor.] In the chapter on the origin of the Christian religion, I have shown that the Cosmogony, that is, the account of the creation with which the book of Genesis opens, has been taken and mutilated from the Zend-Avesta of Zoroaster, and was fixed as a preface to the Bible after the Jews returned from captivity in Babylon, and that the Robbins of the Jews do not hold their account in Genesis to be a fact, but mere allegory. The six thousand years in the Zend-Avesta, is changed or interpolated into six days in the account of Genesis. The Masons appear to have chosen the same period, and perhaps to avoid the suspicion and persecution of the Church, have adopted the era of the world, as the era of Masonry. The V.L. of the French, and A.L. of the English Mason, answer to the A.M. Anno Mundi, or year of the world.
Though the Masons have taken many of their ceremonies and hieroglyphics from the ancient Egyptians, it is certain they have not taken their chronology from thence. If they had, the church would soon have sent them to the stake; as the chronology of the Egyptians, like that of the Chinese, goes many thousand years beyond the Bible chronology.
The religion of the Druids, as before said, was the same as the religion of the ancient Egyptians. The priests of Egypt were the professors and teachers of science, and were styled priests of Heliopolis, that is, of the City of the Sun. The Druids in Europe, who were the same order of men, have their name from the Teutonic or ancient German language; the German being anciently called Teutones. The word Druid signifies a wise man. [NOTE: German drud, wizard. Cf. Milton's line: "The star-led wizards haste with odours sweet." The word Druid has also been derived from Greek ####;, an oak; Celtic 'deru,' an oak and 'ndd,' lord; British 'deruidhon,' very wise men; Heb. 'derussim,' contemplators; etc. -- Editor.] In Persia they were called Magi, which signifies the same thing.
Egypt," says Smith, "from whence we derive many of our mysteries, has always borne a distinguished rank in history, and was once celebrated above all others for its antiquities, learning, opulence, and fertility. In their system, their principal hero- gods, Osiris and Isis, theologically represented the Supreme Being and universal Nature; and physically the two great celestial luminaries, the Sun and the Moon, by whose influence all nature was actuated." "The experienced brethren of the society, [says Smith in a note to this passage] are well informed what affinity these symbols bear to Masonry, and why they are used in all Masonic Lodges." In speaking of the apparel of the Masons in their Lodges, part of which, as we see in their public processions, is a white leather apron, he says, "the Druids were apparelled in white at the time of their sacrifices and solemn offices. The Egyptian priests of Osiris wore snow-white cotton. The Grecian and most other priests wore white garments. As Masons, we regard the principles of those 'who were the first worshipers of the true God,' imitate their apparel, and assume the badge of innocence."
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Drink_Punk_Soda
Now with ExtraVaganza!?

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Re: Who the fuck are the freemasons? [Re: Koala Koolio]
#7486828 - 10/04/07 11:00 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
Koala Koolio said: At a creepy high security location in northern california, with a giant owl statue.
You're thinking of Bohemian Grove, which has nothing to do with Masonry. What goes on there is more than a little disturbing though.
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Kumbayah my lord, Kumbayah...
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afoaf
CEO DBK?



Registered: 11/08/02
Posts: 32,665
Loc: Ripple's Heart
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it's not really that disturbing unless you buy Alex Jones' unfounded interpretations.
-------------------- All I know is The Growery is a place where losers who get banned here go.
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BrAiN
Art Fag

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Re: Who the fuck are the freemasons? [Re: zorbman]
#7487942 - 10/05/07 10:27 AM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
zorbman said: It's basically a scheme to make old people seem cool.
Agreed
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Drink_Punk_Soda
Now with ExtraVaganza!?

Registered: 06/14/02
Posts: 1,677
Loc: Nowhere fast
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Re: Who the fuck are the freemasons? [Re: BrAiN]
#7487965 - 10/05/07 10:36 AM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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If anything it's a pseudo-religious organization losely based on the Kaballah and the Occult. The purpose is to introduce morals and insight into an interpretation of the meaning and purpose of life. Beyond that, you're correct- it's a place for people with similar views (learned via the Craft or otherwise) to feel "cool" about participating in Rites and rituals.
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