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What Masonry means to people
Their thoughts on the Meaning of Masonry
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Turning The Hiram Key
Find out what Masonry means to Robert by reading his latest book,
Turning The Hiram Key.
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By Marc Antony |
Hi Robert. As a non-mason, I like a lot of people was previously caught up in hysteria surrounding the import of Masonic secrecy. As a sensitive, Catholic-raised person, I read the various conspiracy theories and thought could the horrible things such as mind-control, social engineering etc really be true. Now after reading your and Chris's book, The Hiram Key, a lot of myths were dispelled for me. I think a lot of the energies at this, the end of the Piscean era, are provoking people's worst fears and negative emotions. My perception of Freemasonry now lies between the two extremes of shadowy cabal and mystic transmitters of Egyptain wisdom, working towards a new age. I believe any and all of this could be true ~ for I believe that Masonry is what a Mason makes of it for himself. If a man becomes a Mason for beneficial purposes, then that is Masonry for him. If a man wants to enjoy the company of nobles at table, then that is Masonry for him.
Your book has helped me realise that Masonry is not all I had feared; that the sentiments behind many of the great figures of the Craft, such as Washington, Paine, Franklin and others, resonate very strongly with my own beliefs in justice, fairness and equality. And as you say, like any organisation it is composed of mere mortals! So as I say above it is only as good as the men who make it up, at any point in history.
Having said that I can see from your book The Hiram Key, which while it has its critics it is at the very least strongly internally consistent, that Freemasonry may well be the transmitter for certain Egyptian secrets. And while by definition those secrets are the substituted secrets, could it be that Masonry looks forward to the age predicted by Malachi, when the priesthood will no longer be needed and Humankind communes with heaven directly? Something I realised on re-reading the book is that at the Master Mason ceremony, the candidate is raised to the morning star just as the Horus-candidate was all those years ago. So therefore every Master Mason has been made a king, in the spirit of republicanism and in the spirit of the Aquarian Age where every man is sovereign.
I want to thank you and Chris for having the courage to include in the book details of the Masonic rituals. For some time I had a deep desire to understand more of Freemasonry, not that I am at all looking to join but I am a seeker after the mysteries. I just want to understand truth, to have a system of thought that illuminates where humankind has come from, why we are here and where we are going. I had read Mark Booth's Secret History of the World and gained one perspective from that; The Hiram Key was a lot harder-going in terms of how much it initially challenged the residual Christian beliefs in my psyche! Without overstating the case I feel liberated from the illusions of the past, and while I still believe in a reality that transcends this earthly one, I feel I am a lot clearer in my thinking.
I love the theory that Seqenenre Taa II is Hiram Abiff. As I say I find your book to be highly internally consistent, so while it may not necessarily gel with others' ways of thinking, it is a compelling and frankly exciting hypothesis. It makes sense out of a fictional character who is supposedly so important in Freemasonry ~ and what better candidate for the founder of Freemasonry than this King, because of whose bravery even to his own death the "substituted secrets" were created. I think yours and Chris' detective work is pretty impressive!
So that's just the tip of the iceberg in terms of my thoughts on Freemasonry; let me also say that I can see how Freemasonry has indeed been behind much of the social and political improvements of the last 1000 years. The French Revolution being a terrible departure from that but otherwise its all good. Could it be that certain French Masons had held a grudge against the French Monarchy all that time? I don't think so really, Illuminati infiltration is Mark Booth's theory and that seems right to me. But again thank you for such a great book, it is definitely one of those landmark books in the history of my reading, one that has changed my thinking for good. Here's to continuing to live "on the square". |
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By MJT |
I concur with Igor, the effects that Freemasonry has had on my life are ineffable, but I can only say that the feelings that were awoken within my core now soar within my heart as I strive to perfect myself. My actions were squared by me with the assistance of Freemasonry. It has changed me and my entire outlook on life as a whole. The more that I research the immense topic of Freemasony the more that I feel that it, Freemasonry, is the answer to why we are here and the more I drift away from the Church and orthodox religion and orthodox history in general. There is more to the meaning of life and history than can be learned from a text book. I can't wait to pass Freemasonry on to my two sons!!! I can only refer you to the following to express what Freemasonry "feels" like to me...
...If you see a man who quietly and modestly moves in the sphere of his life; who, without blemish, fulfils his duty as a man, a subject, a husband and a father; who is pious without hypocrisy, benevolent without ostentation, and aids his fellowman without self-interest; whose heart beats warm for friendship, whose serene mind is open for licensed pleasures, who in vicissitudes does not despair, nor in fortune will be presumptuous, and who will be resolute in the hour of danger;
The man who is free from superstition and free from infidelity; who in nature sees the finger of the Eternal Master; who feels and adores the higher destination of man; to whom faith, hope and charity are not mere words without any meaning; to whom property, nay even life, is not too dear for the protection of innocence and virtue, and for the defense of truth;
The man who towards himself is a severe judge, but who is tolerant with the debilities of his neighbour; who endeavours to oppose errors without arrogance, and to promote intelligence without impatience; who properly understands how to estimate and employ his means; who honours virtue though it may be in the most humble garment, and who does not favour vice though it be clad in purple; and who administers justice to merit whether dwelling in palaces or cottages.
The man who, without courting applause, is loved by all noble-minded men, respected by his superiors and revered by his subordinates; the man who never proclaims what he has done, can do, or will do, but where need is will lay hold with dispassionate courage, circumspect resolution, indefatigable exertion and a rare power of mind, and who will not cease until he has accomplished his work, and then, without pretension, will retire into the multitude because he did the good act, not for himself, but for the cause of good!
If you, my Brethren meet such a man, you will see the personification of brotherly love, relief and truth; and you will have found the ideal of a Freemason.
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Excerpted from "The History of Freemasonry" by Otto Klotz, The Canadian Craftsman, March 15, 1868. M.W. Bro. Otto Klotz was an honourary Past Grand Master of the |
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By Carolyn |
Hello, my grandfathers were both high ranking Masons, so I suppose I have never had any negative thoughts about Freemansonry, but recently a friend lent me your book The Hiram Key and, although I am only in the first quarter of it already I am saying "Yes, that's right" - "Of course, I knew that". Not that I have had any Freemasonic experience until I read your book, but I am, and have always been interested in Archeology and ancient history and, maybe due to the books I have read, or maybe somewhere inside me my logic put things together and what you have written is all as I feel it.
Of course you have done so much research that is not in my 'playground' nor in my range of experience in Australia, but it is wonderful finding all this in your book.
Freemansonry is, I feel a positive thing in so many ways. As you say, it is bringing people together from all walks of life who believe in a Higher Being and everyone is learning to accept eachother, which is how it should be world wide.
I am just very glad to find that you feel able to make public so much of what it is all about and why it is as it is. I had not idea that so many of the rituals were not even understood by the members, but how wonderful to have those rituals and words as a foundation upon which to research the truth.
Thank you and I am about to go and find the ISBN on all the other books you have written :-)
Best wishes
Carolyn |
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By Igor |
1-Should Freemasonry be secret, or should we be more open about it?
In my opinion there are 2 points of view that can be say about this: A) Freemasonry came from unknown history although it has been a lot of serious efforts to respond its origins. In this field may I say that in a period of time freemasonry had the need to hide its mysteries and secrets since in this world they are still millions of intolerant and ignorant people that are attached to the conventional history. Since Freemasonry is an humanistic and esoteric order this was a point to be hidden from the Church ( Catholic, and now also protestant) the most intolerant of all institutions and that controls the "false morals and ethics of society". This because in part of the distortion of its true history since ancient times. The intelligent people have always been an enemy of those who wants cover up the real true of the occidental history of human kind. In that sense the order had to hided from outside for not to suffer the punish of inquisition and discrimination of the State and society. The second is that NOW in order to preserve the tradition it is nice and beautiful to keep the secrecy. Thus it would keep this tradition alive. But a bit of openness to public, specially more conference and researches it would be suited interesting. 2)What does Masonic ritual mean to you?It had a powerful change in my consciousness. A beautiful experience that I think and I do understand in my interior. I am still a initiated. 3) How do you feel when you were made a Mason?. I felt special but after learn in my life many things is when I did understand that TRUE masonry comes from my mind and heart and not from outside. 4)And what role has Masonic ritual played in your life since? To be more aware of my acts. It is still a learning and an experience that motivates me every day to keep growing spiritual and intellectually. 5) Do you feel it is something which can not, or perhaps should not, be put into words?.
YES exactly sometimes is an intangible description. It has to deal with your more deep inside part of your mind that on words. Also it is very difficult to described. That is why there are so many fallacious definitions about it. |
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By Richard George |
Should Freemasonry be more open?
Yes.
Should the ritual be more freely available?
Given that anyone can walk into a bookshop in Great Queen's Street and buy a copy of the ritual, I don't see how it can be - and so what? Reading it is not the same as *experiencing* it
I've been a Freemason for just over 20 years and it's the best thing I've ever done. I don't hide the fact that I'm a member and anyone who wants to can speak to me and ask me questions. I will answer to the best of my ability and with candor - BUT - I will not divulge the 'secrets'; not because they are secret - you can find out what they are from any decent library if you really want to - but because I've given my word not to. If you cannot keep your word re: something that's really quite inconsequential, what does that say about you? Trustworthy? mmm. I think not.
At the end of the day, Freemasonry is about how you look at yourself in relation to the rest of the world.
What role has it played in my life? I think I've answered that one. You only get out what you put in. - But put in a little and you'll get much more out. I'm a PM, PZ, PM/PCdr (Mark/RAM), PP (KT), PS (Rose Croix) and now hold office in most of the orders I'm a member of. And loved every minute.
Can you look yourself in the mirror at the end of the day and say "I did my best"?
I can't - yet - but Masonry teaches me to keep trying.
"Striving for the Mystical Mountain of Perfection".
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By Paul |
Should Freemasonry be secret, or should we be more open about it?
More open, as it took me a year to find someone to talk to me about becoming a mason.
What does Masonic ritual mean to you? It has meant the world to me. I have learned many things about not only myself, but the world around me.
How do you feel when you were made a Mason? The best day of my life.
And what role has Masonic ritual played in your life since? It has made me stop and analyize all my decisions more carefully and had helped me to be a better person.
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By xiriuz |
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I personally think Dr Lomas does a wonderful job in portraying the beneficial side of Freemasonic influence. Of all people, I'm interested in becoming a real Freemason myself thanks to a lot of good, true and supporting advice which has come from numerous men who have all been initiated in to the brotherhood. Few family members happen to be hardened conspiracy theorist and tend to despise masons with a passion. Having had a look through all the negative websites such as DavidIcke.com and a lot of the videos on youtube, bands such as killing joke who are supposed to be christian, do tend to share a common outside philosophy which is by no doubt based on misguided information through other individuals. Trouble for me and most of those folks is, most of their work is taken from good freemasons and then re-packaged and sold on as something else. I find more honesty from an ordinary Freemason than I do from any famous band member (except Tim Booth from James since he worked with Brian Eno who produced U2's best albums and speculatively a mason himself). My point is, there are so many sad individuals or groups out there who work relentlessly or not very much at all in giving Freemasons a bad reputation. The feeling which comes from most of this so called "free knowledge" is most unclean, let me sum this up in another way, maybe this can be considered as the divine spirit of Freemasonry in all of us which few listen too... All the conspiracy theorist energy is completely dead and should no longer exist. There seems to be a constant fear of what all others are doing, Personal, Social, Political and Governmental. They think nobody listens to them and others should have too despite all denials. I'd like to stress, Dr Lomas has been a magnificent source of support personally for me. Always been gifted in a way of never telling lies to myself or anyone else, the most appealing aspect of masonry for me would be, it has nothing to do with anything, religion politics or otherwise, all comprised of centuries old wisdom, gods truth and touched my soul in the most unexplainable way. I'm Scottish by nationality, live in Fife and if he were to be giving a lecture somewhere, I'd be one of the first to get a ticket even although I'm just 22 years old. Suppose another Grand teaching or truth of Freemasonry could be, don't have to be old to be smart, as I once said to someone for questioning my honesty on a certain subject- "Doesn't take 22 years to walk around the Beverage park pond twice" and thrice to make sure, I do view everyone on an equal footing to myself, I aint no biggot nor gluten for parody. All I want is to become a Mason, why is that such a crime in everyones eyes? |
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By Suze |
My husband and I are both Franc-Maçon/Franc-Maconne, GLDF and GLFF; we found and find a force in the Franc-Maçonnerie, which helps us in our daily functioning, we found peace in ourselves and we try to share it!The rituel helps to recharge the battery, to go on the journey once started.It is great to find ourselves together with man, women of all religions, all convictions!
I regret that , in France , you have to be discrète, there is a wide s pread anti-maçonnique sentiment, based on ignorance or false information!
Here, women can also be a Franc-Maçonne, the same rituels as our brothers! I am proud and happy to be a Maçonne, and I try to be it for the full 100% in my daily life;
The most important thing is not to say you are, but:to live it to be it!!
I think that it is impotant that our lodges will give more information, to make disappear those wild ideas about Franc-Maçonnerie, but I also am convinced that the rituals have to remain secret to work! |
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By Rolf Söderback |
· Should Freemasonry be secret, or should we be more open about it?
· Is a member of your family a Freemason, and how do you feel about that?
· If you are a Mason, what does Masonic ritual mean to you?
· How did you feel when you were made a Mason?
· And what role has Masonic ritual played in your life since?
· Do you feel it is something which can not, or perhaps should not, be put into words?
· Do you think Freemasonry benefits society?
1. Freemasonry should not be secret to the general society. We can gladly let other people know that we exist, what we do to help those in need without bragging about it, but the rituals must be kept secret in order to convey the best result and experience in the candidate in every degree.
2. I am a Mason myself and my family think its great for me.
3. Every ritual from the beginning, starting with the first degree, has given a new aspect to my life, a new way of looking at myself, learning about myself in order to understand others better.
4. I was exalted and at first I felt frustrated because there was no one on the outside I could share my experience with, not even my wife. But with new degrees coming I have managed to make good use of my fellow brethren to compare and exchange experiences with.
5. Masonic rituals and ceremonies have taught me a lot by penetrating them and trying to find the answers to “The Masonic questions” you mention in your text above. I think I have become more tolerant and tolerable, because I try to think more of my neighbour. I think the word I am looking for is unselfish.
6. The only things we cannot expose to those who are not members are our rituals, because they have a very psychological and pedagogical task thanks to the ways they are constructed and meant to give the candidate a “good nudge”.
7. Absolutely! As long as our members really care to adopt Masonic principles and ideas and use them as proper guiding stars, society is bound to profit or benefit from every single Mason who wants to become a good Christian, Jew, Muslim or Hindu. Freemasonry, I have learnt from you, has a good potential of making peace between all religions in the world. Turning the Hiram Key should be translated into every language in the world.
8.
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By Seeker |
I am a mason and have been for over 20 years. I can never find the words to fully explain to those who are not and in some cases "hostile" to masonry...often with no basis other than anecdotal information or none at all.
With regard to the ritual. I am still surprised after all these years that there are many long standing masons who have little or no understanding of what the ritual is all about. I only wish there was a source book of some kind which explained the real meanings of our ceremonies. This would be especially useful for the more junior memebers. Yes, I know there are the little booklets, but, I feel they don't really do enough. Having said that, many who join masonry give little thought to the ceremonies they have experienced and have no further real interest in them. If they undertake an office, ritual is learned by rote with no other thought than simply saying the words!
Please keep up the research I do find it very interesting.
As for me. I enjoy my masonry greatly. Historical and investigative research I find very interesting. I know that masonry has improved my thinking, made me a better person and teacher and made me think more about the spiritual side. |
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