The Freemasons What They Are What They Do What They Are Aiming At

Book: The Freemasons What They Are What They Do What They Are Aiming At by Louis Gaston De Segur

It is important to remember that this book was written in France in the year 1869. The author, Louis Gaston de Segur (1820-1881) was a French Bishop and French apologist. He dedicated himself to the evangelization of the people in Paris; the children, the poor, the imprisoned soldiers to whom he was the volunteer and gratuitous chaplain. Besides his apostleship and ministry he was also engaged in writing. Some of his writings were destined to make known or defend Catholic ideas concerning questions which occupied public attention; others to extend or to confirm his apostolate of preaching. The author intended his apologetic books for the people and for all who ignored religion. They were mostly brief pamphlets vigilant, full of vivacity and spirit, written with a frankness wholly French in a popular style, sprinkled with caustic irony. His zeal was crowned with success, his little books attained numerous editions. This book is a spirited, caustic, and very frank look at Freemasonry in 1869.

Contents:

The Name Freemason ---- There is Freemason and Freemason ---- What is the Secret of the Customary Recruiting of Freemasonry? ---- With what Ceremonies one is made a Freemason ---- First and Terrible Trial of the Apprentice Mason ---- The Three Journeys; a Second Trial of the Apprentice Mason ---- The Final Trials ---- The Oath ---- Of the Degree of Companion, the Second Masonic Degree ---- Of the Third Degree, the Degree of Master Mason ---- Of the High Degrees of Freemasonry ---- Of the High Degree of Judge-Philosopher-Grand-Commander-Unknown ---- Of the High Degree Knight Kadosch ---- Of the High Degree of Rosicrucian ---- Of True Freemasonry, which is Occult, and all Secret ---- Horrible Excesses Practiced by the Masons of the Back Lodges ---- What the Brothers of the Back Lodges Think and Say of, and Expect to do with, their Dear Brothers of the Exterior Lodges ---- How the Masons of the Back Lodges make use of, and Manage the Princes and Noblemen who Join Freemasonry ---- Does Masonry Love the Poor as it would have us Believe? ---- That Freemasonry is, in spite of its Sayings, Essentially Impious, Anti-Christian and Atheist ---- About Adoption by Freemasonry, otherwise Female Freemasonry ---- How Masonry Finds its Happiness in the worship of the Sun ---- The Masonic Press ---- That Freemasonry is Beginning to lay Hold on Youth by Means of Instruction and Education...

Buy Louis Gaston De Segur's book: The Freemasons What They Are What They Do What They Are Aiming At

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Does Freemasonry Promote Ecumenism Or Syncreticism

No.

Ecumenism is defined as a Perspective representing the whole Christian world or seeking world-wide Christian unity. Syncretism is an attempt to unify or reconcile differing schools of thought or theology.

Freemasonry does not view itself as qualified to hold or promote any opinion on the beliefs of Christianity or any religion. Freemasonry requires its members to respect different religious views, not necessarily to accept them. It makes no attempt to reconcile differences of religion and belief, only to promote an Understanding of similarities.

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Freemasons For Dummies

Book: Freemasons For Dummies by Christopher Hodapp

Freemasons for Dummies is an excellent introduction to the mysteries of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. If you know nothing about Masonry and are perhaps curious about this ancient fraternity, Freemasons for Dummies will answer most of your questions. Even if you were made a Mason long ago and have many years of experience in the Craft, you will still likely find a thing or two of interest in the pages of this book.

Freemasons For Dummies is the internationally best-selling introduction to the Masons, the oldest and largest "secret society" in the world. This balanced, eye-opening guide demystifies Freemasonry, explaining everything from its elaborate rituals and cryptic rites, to its curious symbols and their meanings. Find out what goes on in a Masonic meeting. You'll understand the true purposes of Masonic "secrecy" and philosophy, meet famous Masons throughout history, and discover related organizations like the Knights Templar, the Scottish Rite, Order of the Eastern Star, and the Shriners. Explore the controversies and conspiracy theories that swirl around this organization at the center of Dan Brown's novel The Lost Symbol, and discover the changes coming to the Craft.

Freemasons for Dummies is written by Chris Hodapp, a Past Master of Masonic Lodges in Indiana, and a member of the Royal Arch Masons, Cryptic Masons, and the Knights Templar, along with many other accomplishments in Masonry. Chris Hodapp is certainly well qualified and knowledgeable about Masonry, and shares this knowledge in an enjoyable, easy to read writing style, that makes Freemasons for Dummies both informative and fun to read.

The book is divided into six major sections:

1. What Is Freemasonry ~ a history of Masonry, along with its philosophy and a discussion of some of ceremonies.
2. The Mechanics Of Freemasonry ~ explaining how Freemasons are organized, more about ceremonies, and the symbols of Freemasonry, along with a discussion of the myths and misconceptions surrounding the Masons.
3. Knights, Swords, Fezzes, And Dresses ~ discussing the appendant bodies of Freemasonry, such as the York and Scottish Rites, the Mystic Shrine, and the extended Masonic family.
4. Freemasons Today And Tomorrow ~ Is Masonry still relevant today? What is the future of the Masons? And... how to become a Mason yourself - 2B1Ask1.
5. The Part Of Ten ~ This section discusses 10 groups of famous Masons, 10 anti-Mason hoaxes and conspiracies, and 10 places of Masonic excellence: including the Freemason's Hall in Philadelphia, the Templar Church in London, and Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland.
6. Appendixes ~ Here we find the "Regius Manuscript", Anderson's Constitutions, and a list of the Grand Lodges throughout the United States and Canada.

While there are certainly much grander tomes written about the Craft of Freemasonry and its mysteries, Freemasons for Dummies should not be discounted as a serious reference. Freemasons for Dummies is well-written, informative, and highly recommended for anyone interested in the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.

I wouldn't have thought the subject matter would fit the "For Dummies" format very well, but it does. Although the book is encyclopedic in its coverage, it's always clear and lively, and it never takes itself too seriously. It's a fun and informative read, as well as a reference to return to. I recommend it as the best introduction to Freemasonry I've found.

Buy Christopher Hodapp's book: Freemasons For Dummies

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Isaak Newton And Secret Societies

Isaac Newton has often been associated with various secret societies and fraternal orders throughout history. Due to the secretive nature of such organizations, lack of supportive publicized material, and dubious motives for claiming Newton's Participation in these groups, it is difficult to establish his actual membership in any specific organization.

Regardless of his own membership status, Newton was a known associate of many individuals who themselves have often been labeled as members of various esoteric groups. It is unclear if these associations were a result of being a well established and prominently publicized scholar, an early member and sitting President of The Royal Society (1703–1727), a prominent figure of State and Master of the Mint, a recognized Knight, or if Newton actually sought active membership within these esoteric organizations himself. Considering the nature and legality of Alchemical practices during his lifetime, as well as his possession of various materials and manuscripts Pertaining to alchemical research, Newton may very well have been a member of a group of like minded thinkers and colleagues. The organized level of this group (if in fact any existed), the level of their secrecy, as well as the depth of Newton's involvement within them, remains unclear.

Though Newton was largely considered a reclusive personality and not prone to socializing, during his lifetime being a member of "Societies" or "Clubs" was a very popular form of interpersonal networking. Considering his esteemed social status, it is probable that Newton would have had a least some contact with such groups at various levels. He was most certainly a member of The Royal Society of London for the Improvement of Natural Knowledge and the Spalding Gentlemen’s Society, however, these are considered learned societies, not esoteric societies. Newton's membership status within any particular secret society remains verifiably allusive and largely speculative, however, it still lends itself to popular sensationalism.

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What Is Jurisdiction

1. 1. Refers to the State. The Jurisdiction of Massachusetts-the Jurisdiction of Oregon-mean the Grand Lodges and all the individual lodges of those States.
2. 2. Refers to the power of the Grand Master. He has jurisdiction over all the Masons in his State whether they be members of his lodges or sojourning Masons from other Grand Lodges.
3. 3. Refers to the territory over which a lodge has control as far as applications are concerned. Often in rural districts, jurisdictional lines are tightly drawn, so that no lodge accepts applications from men who live within the territorial jurisdiction of another lodge. In cities, "concurrent jurisdiction" is usual, any man being free to apply to any lodge within the city limits.
4. 4. Refers to the power a lodge has over its rejected candidates; the right to give, or withhold, permission for rejected material to apply elsewhere. "Penal jurisdiction," as this is sometimes called, varies in different Grand Lodges. In some, it is perpetual, in others, it lapses after a certain length of time.

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The Shriners

The Shriners are an organization of 32nd degree or York Rite Masons who are best known for their red fezzes, little motor cars and circus parades. The Shrine is also known for its hospitals and other philanthropic activities. Masons call the Shrine the "playground of Freemasonry." Most of the public is unaware of the fact that all Shriners are Master Masons (but not all Masons are Shriners).

Like the previous Masonic degrees, candidates for the Shrine are Initiated with a solemn Religious ceremony at the local Mosque (the Islamic gathering place of the Shrine). All candidates, including Christians, must swear an oath to Allah on the Koran declaring that they would be worthy of having their eyeballs pierced to the center with a three-inch blade, their feet flayed, and forced to walk the hot sands of the sterile shores of the Red Sea, where the flaming sun shall strike them with a livid plague, rather than to violate their Shriner Masonic oath.

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Freemason Letter On Crowley Status

Book: Freemason Letter On Crowley Status by Aleister Crowley

Letter from the Supreme Council of Freemasonry about Crowley's supposed status in the Masonic Order.

Download Aleister Crowley's eBook: Freemason Letter On Crowley Status

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