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Originally posted by sacerd
Again I ask, how did the masons influence the founding of the U.S.? I mean that does sound like a conspiracy theory LOL.
Everybody's got secrets. Would you post your ATS password in open forum? No. Why? Because it's a secret. If I gave you my ATS password via U2U, what would you do with it? If I gave it to you in confidence, then I've placed my trust in you that you wouldn't misuse it or otherwise make it public. Would my trust be well founded? If you were a brother Mason, then you would be bound by the obligation to keep my secret. Does that make it evil? It's only an ATS password. You might be uncomfortable being entrusted with it, but ultimately when it is your choice as to how to dispose of such information, it is your honor that is being tested. Because you kept that secret, would others mistrust you for being a secret-keeper? That's what you seem to be implying about public mistrust of Masons. But who among us doesn't have secrets? From their parents, their spouses, their bosses or coworkers. I maintain that the ability to keep a secret is a virtue.
Originally posted by sacerd
People don't like secrets, and tend to distrust people who keep them, for good or ill. People as general rule only like secrets when they hold the answer.
Originally posted by sacerd
Again I ask, how did the masons influence the founding of the U.S.? I mean that does sound like a conspiracy theory LOL.
How is this relevant to paranoid people making paranoid conclusions?
Again I stress I am answering the question in the title of this thread nothing more and nothing less. We spoke at length about the all seeing eye for example. You said that it is not masonic because the masons did not create the image. I contend that that is irrelevent because it was latter used and adopted by the Freemasons of certain lodges and that is the reasons why people call it masonic.
That is true but the sad fact of reality is that people tend to focus more on paying the bills than researching the motivations and means of the local masonic lodge, and so they rely on popular media to tell them what to think.
I don't like it anymore than you do.
Don't forget we live in a world where Hollywood tells us who the good guys are and who the bad guys are, and if Nick Cage tells us that the Masons are a secret society in "National Treasure" then by God the masons are a secret society.
If Dan Brown Says that the Opius Day hires assassins to keep holy grail secrets then that is what people will believe.
Again I have done my own research you are preaching to the choir at this point.
You Are right I can technically only speak for myself, So why do you think that people assign symbols to the masons when they are not inherently masonic?
Can I guess at your answer? Because they have not done the research right?
Well if you think that might be the answer than why are you asking the question?
Were you expecting another answer?
Did you even want an answer to the question?
If you would like to continue this discussion pm me and I will give you my home number because I apparently cannot convey my message to you in text for whatever reason.
Originally posted by sacerd
I believe that as I had said previously, that it is not a uniquely masonic symbol but it is still indeed masonic due to later adoption by the masons.
As far as using websites to research the Masons is concerned, well that is hardly the best source of information, and not one I would condone for anyone truly wishing any information about about the masons or any other topic. As I see it there is a reason that websites cannot be sited in the VAST majority of college assigned reports and essays.
And to be honest I don't think that the wealth of articles would support your position, as their are many theories but only one truth.
I would love to agree with you, but lets try to remember that we are on a CONSPIRACY website. I love this place, I really do, but the fact as I see it is simply this...
I would venture 75-80% of the people who come to these boards do not come to rational conclusions even when given ration explanations.
...and that the U.N. has far from the worlds best interest at heart.
Originally posted by raknjak
Well, they are when masons adopt them and start reusing them. I understand your point but you are dodging the bullets fired at you in an inconsistent and in my opinion misleading way.
The Five-Pointed Star
In masonry this is called the Blazing Star. I don't agree with your seperation between the pentagram and the five-pointed star because in masonry both are considered the same and used as a representation of the five points of fellowship.
The Obelisk
The obelisk is an ancient Egyptian phallic symbol and the ones you find outside Egypt most probably have masonic and/or occult roots....This is a very important but lesser known masonic symbol.
The All-Seeing Eye
Definitely a Masonic representation of The Great Architect of the Universe.
Pike himself writes that the sun represents the all-seeing eye in all the lodges.
There are numerous orders using it in their seals and symbols.
Regarding the Great Seal there is speculation, I've read about Haym Solomon but I'm not sure what to believe here, the Illuminati sure seem to hold him in a high place.
What I do know is that the back of the seal only came into play under Roosevelt, who was a mason.
The Pyramid
If the pyramid on the One Dollar bill is not a masonic symbol, then what is it? Does this not represent the whole philosophy of the people who set up this mechanism to begin with?
The Bicephalous (Double-Headed) Eagle
I agree here that it's more of a symbol of power then one specifically for freemasonry. It is a symbol of divinity and I guess by the time you get to degree 33 you're practically a demi-god anyway.
I recognize that masons did not invent these symbols and am not trying to kick shins here but they are used extensively (and I love discussing this stuff).
I'm quite sure a few masons will find your view on things rather black and white.
I agree that mostly uninformed people shouldn't stick labels on everything they see but actually go digg deeper to find what the real meaning(s) could be and go from there but most of the time when someone assumes they are seeing a masonic symbol I have to say they are correct.
And it's no surprise because masonry has defined our history for so long, it's only normal that we are surrounded by their symbols.
It's like looking at the bars of your jail cell imo.
I would be likely to concur with your statement if the Eye of Providence was not also being employed contemporaneously by other groups or orginizations. While I agree with you that the emblem is not uniquely Masonic the incorporation of the symbol does not necessarily cause the Eye of Providence to become Masonic as it is not even mentioned in some jurisdictions.
To totally disregard a particular medium does not do justice to ones research. The internet can be carefully perused with germain and verifiable articles being culled to support or refute a claim. Furthermore, the abilty to review published works is enhanced as one might have never had the opportunity to otherwise view them.
Do you care to direct me to these articles you mentioned? If there are indeed a wealth of them pertaining to the topic I would appreciate you presenting them to support your position.
I tend to be more opptomistic in this regard, I feel that if your carefully and thoroughly explain a point or position an understanding can be achieved.
Originally posted by sacerd
Sure. Everyone paying attention to this thread do a google search. Type in "Masons symbols."
...exteremely consistent in my stance.
raknjak: The Five-Pointed Star ...
This is patently false as nowhere in Masonic ritual is a five-pointed star mentioned or depicted...
raknjak: The Obelisk ...
There is a rather long and contentious thread here that delves into obelisks and thier origins. Suffice to say that there was no evidence to support your claim of obelisks having Masonic pedigrees.
The All-Seeing Eye
While pike is often times cited as an 'authority' regarding Masonry is was one person offering is opinion and stated such. The Sun in Masonry represents the Worshipful Master and not the All Seeing Eye.
raknjak: Regarding the Great Seal there is speculation, I've read about Haym Solomon but I'm not sure what to believe here, the Illuminati sure seem to hold him in a high place.
The alleged rumor regarding Haym Solomon and the Great Seal involves the supposed placement of the Star of David shaped glory and not the Eye itself.
Pyramids are not Masonic symbols and make no appearence in Masonic ritual. The philosophy behind its incorporation into the Great Seal is to symbolize the unfinished state of the country.
... demi-godlike?
raknjak: I agree that mostly uninformed people shouldn't stick labels on everyt...
Asserting a point and proving a point are two very disparate things. You have done the former by have not offered evidence to support the latter.
While I heeded your suggestion to Google the phrase you mentioned, there is no way for me to determine what specific articles you encountered that you feel support your position. Once more, can you please direct me to the relevant information you have viewed that disproves my comments
Originally posted by raknjak
I have checked books written by masons and most of the time they do not make the distinction between a five-pointed star and a pentagram. Maybe they are incorrect but most of the time when several sources confirm the same thing I can assume it to be close to the truth.
www.mastermason.com...: on the top of this page there are 5 images which show me some of the symbols discussed here. I see a five-pointed star in the first...
this page shows you that a "Pentagram, or Blazing Star" is used in the 24th degree.
Well I read that thread before I posted here and here is an interesting piece from an insider:
www.huguenotlodge46fam.com....
Ah right I mixed it up. Regarding the pyramid on the dollar, the question I ask myself is: why a pyramid? why an all-seeing-eye within a triangle? Why Egyptian to begin with? Just a coincidence? Again? The official explanation does not answer these questions and any serious historian wouldn't be satisfied either. Furthermore there is evidence that the Greal Seal in fact IS a masonic symbol:
- quote from Manley P. Hall's "The Secret Teachings of All Ages": "Careful analysis of the seal discloses a mass of occult and masonic symbols chief among them, the so-called American Eagle. ... the American eagle upon the Great Seal is but a conventionalised phoenix..."
- image taken from an old Scottish Rite Journal:...
Well I think I made a pretty strong case using examples, I'm assuming you already know everything explained here and didn't think I would have to prove my point with extra articles or links.
Ah, I'm from Europe, and it has definitely defined us. And looking at the USA, well they were there, too, in very prominent places. Take the Revolution for instance: www.srmason-sj.org...: impressive list. I'm not saying every decisionmaker was a mason, I'm not generalizing but they did play a role in a great deal of events all over the world.
Yes, I'm intimidated by symbols of power used by some obscure fraternity especially when it's so strongly connected to the occult.
I guess my point is that these symbols all have esoteric meanings within masonry, so they become masonic symbols when used in their environment.
Originally posted by sacerd
I wonder who is a true spokesmen for the Masons. I mean I am not the spokesmen for all conspiracy theorist (thank God)
I mean which masons get to determine what is a masonic symbol and what is not?
Originally posted by AugustusMasonicus
The 24th degree is from the Scottish Rite, an appendant body. I am not a member of such and when I speak I do so from my position as a member of the Blue Lodge only.
Originally posted by raknjak
The obelisk in Central Park is masonic because it's put there by masons and has great symbolic value for them, the same goes for Cleopatra's needles or the Louvre Pyramid.
Originally posted by sacerd
You suggested that the internet is good source of information about the masons I contend that it is not.
While yes one can find worthwhile information on the internet you have to wade through an enormous amount of bias to get to the gold so to speak. When one is pressed for time, what with working full time jobs and being a parents I dont know that the time spent wading through the internet to prove or disprove anything that deals with the Masons/Aliens/FEMA camps or anything else "controversial" will truly help anyones case in that endeavor.
I wonder who is a true spokesmen for the Masons. I mean I am not the spokesmen for all conspiracy theorist (thank God)
I mean which masons get to determine what is a masonic symbol and what is not?
Originally posted by AugustusMasonicus
This is patently false as nowhere in Masonic ritual is a five-pointed star mentioned or depicted.
While pike is often times cited as an 'authority' regarding Masonry is was one person offering is opinion and stated such. The Sun in Masonry represents the Worshipful Master and not the All Seeing Eye.
How does receiving a honorary degree cause one to become demi-godlike?