Hi Smetters,

> I tend to agree with Alatariel who said that Freemasons are a
> body who come together regardless of religious belief and
> views and I don’t think that they are into Lucifer.

Most Freemasons don't know or understand what the inner beliefs are of Freemasonry:

"Freemasonry is a fraternity within a fraternity - an outer organization concealing an inner brotherhood of the elect ... it is necessary to establish the existence of these two separate and yet interdependent orders, the one visible and the other invisible. The visible society is a splendid camaraderie of 'free and accepted' men enjoined to devote themselves to ethical, educational, fraternal, patriotic, and humanitarian concerns. The invisible society is a secret and most August (defined as 'of majestic dignity, grandeur') fraternity whose members are dedicated to the service of a mysterious Arcanum (defined as 'a secret, a mystery')." - Manly P. Hall, "Lectures on Ancient Philosophy" (contained in The Secret Teachings of All Ages)

"A Spirit that loves wisdom and contemplates the Truth close at hand, is forced to disguise it, to induce the multitudes [that is you] to accept it... Fictions are necessary to the people, and the Truth becomes deadly to those who are not strong enough to contemplate it in all its brilliance. In fact, what can there be in common between the vile multitude and sublime wisdom? The truth must be kept secret, and the masses need a teaching proportioned to their imperfect reason." [Albert Pike - Morals and Dogma, p. 103]

As I said to Magdalen, it's often said that Freemasonry has to safeguard its secrets because we, who are part of the "vile multitude", as Pike so charmingly called us, are unworthy to learn the inner truths of Freemasonry but the problem is, in recent times, these inner "truths" have become exposed and, IMO, they are highly controversial and more to do with power and control over the "vile multitude", rather than uplifitng it. Secret handshakes and codes are also part of this secret knowledge.

Lucifer

Manly P. Hall confirms the doctine of Lucifer in his book, "The Lost Keys to Freemasonry":

"The day has come when Fellow Craftsman must know and apply their knowledge. The lost key to their grade is the mastery of emotion, which places the energy of the universe at their disposal. Man can only expect to be entrusted with great power by proving his ability to use it constructively and selflessly. When the Mason learns that the key to the warrior on the block is the proper application of the dynamo of living power, he has learned the mystery of his Craft. The seething energies of Lucifer are in his hands, and before he may step onward and upward, he must prove his ability to properly apply energy. He must follow in the footsteps of his forefather, Tubal-Cain, who with the mighty strength of the war god hammered his sword into a plowshare." - The Lost Keys to Freemasonry, Manly P. Hall, published by the Macoy Publishing and Masonic Supply Company, Inc., Richmond, Virginia, 1976, p. 48

As I said in earlier post to Alatariel, I don't equate Lucifer technically with Satan. The latin word is only mentioned in the Bible once and that is in reference to a Babylonian king. Osiris and all his sons and their sons were also known as "light bearers", including Horus. The obleisk, of course, is the phallus of Osiris and represents on one level the divine right to rule and that is why the obelisk is such an impotant symbol in Freemasonry and why Freemasons commisioned the Washington Monument, the famous obelisk that stands before the White House in Washington DC.

> Saying
> that however I also think that there are Freemasons and
> Freemasons, if you know what I mean. I just can’t see the
> local lodge where my Mum lives plotting to take over the
> world – it would interfere with the Parent Teachers
> Association and dinner with the Banbury’s on a Saturday for a
> start! I also knew a high level mason who was a God fearing
> man and who was involved in helping under privileged children
> get a good education. In fact his Charity helped a friend of
> mine when he was a kid after his mother died and his Dad was
> left with 3 children under 10.

I agree with you that Freemasons in the lower degrees are innocent of ny plot to take over the world. However, the real power in Freemasonry is reserved for the "Princes" of Freemasonry.

Below is the text of the back cover of a book written by the eminent Freemason Manly P. Hall that alludes to the agenda of Freemasonry:

"Back in print at last, America's place in the essential progress of civilisation is emphasized as the story unfolds of how our continent was set aside for the great experiment of enlightened self-government. Drawing upon often neglected fragments of history, evidence is presented which indicates that the seeds of this plan for the founding of America were planted one thousand before the beginning of the Christian era... It shows how the brilliant plan of the ancients, concealed from the common view, has survived to the present day and will continue to function until the great work is accomplished." - Manly P. Hall, "Secret Destiny of America - The Epic of the Founding of America"

> There comes a time though where the murky world of conspiracy
> theory raises its head and those local lodges maybe part of a
> much bigger thing that they really have no idea about. It is
> all a little scary if you ask me.

Well said!

regards
Rob