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According to Horace Walpole, the members' "practice was rigorously pagan: Bacchus and Venus were the deities to whom they almost publicly sacrificed; and the nymphs and the hogsheads that were laid in against the festivals of this new church, sufficiently informed the neighborhood of the complexion of those hermits." Dashwood's garden at West Wycombe contained numerous statues and shrines to different gods; Daphne and Flora, Priapus and the previously mentioned Venus and Dionysus.[35] Meetings occurred twice a month, with an AGM lasting a week or more in June or September.[36] The members addressed each other as "Brothers" and the leader, which changed regularly, as "Abbot". During meetings members supposedly wore ritual clothing: white trousers, jacket and cap, while the "Abbot" wore a red ensemble of the same style.[37] Like Wharton's Club, rumours of Black Masses, orgies and Satan or demon Worship were well circulated during the time the Club was around. Other clubs, especially in Ireland and Scotland, were rumoured to take part in far more dubious activities. Rumours saw female "guests" (a euphemism for prostitutes) referred to as "Nuns". Dashwood's Club meetings often included mock rituals, items of a pornographic nature, much drinking, wenching and banqueting.[38]
en.wikipedia.org...
In addition to being a member of the Freemasons, an ancient fraternity linked to the occult, Franklin was also a member of "The Hellfire Club," when he lived in England. The Hellfire Club was an exclusive, English club that met sporadically during the mid 18th century. Its purpose, at best, was to mock traditional religion and conduct orgies. At worst, it involved the indulgence of satanic rites and sacrifices. The club to which Franklin belonged was established by Francis Dashwood, a member of Parliament and friend of Franklin. The club, which consisted of "The Superior Order," of 12 members, allegedly took part in basic forms of satanic worship. In addition to taking part in the occult, orgies and parties with prostitutes were also said to be the norm. It is said that all of the members of the society had political affiliations and political gossip was exchanged among the members as well as favors.
The motto of "The Hellfire Group" was, in Latin, "fay ce que voudrais," or, in English, "Do what you will."
In addition to promoting orgies and worshiping Satan, the members of the club, which was set up as a mock monastery, the members calling one another "Brother" and the prostitutes being referred to as "nuns," made public sacrifices to the deities Bacchus and Venus.
Originally posted by EasternShadow
My speculation is somehow, their pagan rituals and devils worshiping had cause trouble or went wrong, their spirits are now locked in Hellfire Caves.
Originally posted by woodwytch
Originally posted by EasternShadow
My speculation is somehow, their pagan rituals and devils worshiping had cause trouble or went wrong, their spirits are now locked in Hellfire Caves.
Always makes me smile that in this so-called 'Age of Enlightenment' we still continue to get people who think that Pagan Practices and Devil Worship are one and the same ... or at the very least inter-active.
Might I suggest a spot of research (easily done nowadays) before you tar all we Pagans with the same ill-informed brush ... there really is no excuse for holding such an archaic and ill-informed view, with the information access the internet availes to everyone in this day and age.
Sorry but if this sounds a little bit snappy but it's been a long day.
Woody
The original image size is 2592 x 1944 pixels (a fair size, 2.17mb if anyone wants/needs the original), horizontal & vertical resolution is 300 pixels, exposure was set at 1/30sec, ISO 200 & the equivalent 35mm focal depth is 26.
Originally posted by Extralien
Please do come on in and help to work this out.. Is it matrixing, a trick of the light OR are we looking at a genuine image of a departed soul?
Originally posted by EasternShadow
Originally posted by woodwytch
Originally posted by EasternShadow
My speculation is somehow, their pagan rituals and devils worshiping had cause trouble or went wrong, their spirits are now locked in Hellfire Caves.
Always makes me smile that in this so-called 'Age of Enlightenment' we still continue to get people who think that Pagan Practices and Devil Worship are one and the same ... or at the very least inter-active.
Might I suggest a spot of research (easily done nowadays) before you tar all we Pagans with the same ill-informed brush ... there really is no excuse for holding such an archaic and ill-informed view, with the information access the internet availes to everyone in this day and age.
Sorry but if this sounds a little bit snappy but it's been a long day.
Woody
My comment and speculation is limited to referring Sir Francis Dashwood and his monks' activities. Their main goal was to mock religion. Surely, you don't expect me to believe Pagan of 'Age of Enlightenment' would practice the same rituals or 'black masses' as Sir Francis Dashwood and his Hellfire club did, now do you?
Peace.
EDIT : Typing Error.
[edit on 11-8-2010 by EasternShadow]