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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 Cody Girling |
Wow, Robert, you have no idea what impact your theories on FreeMasonry, particularly ancient freemasonry have had on me. I stumbled across THE SECOND MESSIAH in a book store where I live in Canada. Having just finished reading the Da Vnci Code, I was curious what your book had in store, being a non fiction account. I didn't know what to expect, but what I found... was peace and hope.
I have always thought that religion was the greatest evil in this world, and modern christian and catholic religion was much too narrow minded. They almost seemed to me to be evil, only because of their intolerance. I couldn't accept the fact that there are over 2 billion people in this world who, according to modern christianity, are bound and destined for hell. I have faith in man as a whole. I believe in the good and the capabilities of all people, regardless of who they pray to.
I have also always been very keen on Ancient Egypt and the mysteries and wonders of that culture. I have always wondered... isn't there something more that we haven't figured out yet? Where are our clues?
Your books have given me hope, and faith again in Mankind. I can only hope that someday we may be able to find the scrolls beneath Rosslyn... but to answer some of your questons, I think that we should be careful how open we are to these ideas. The Jerusalem Church was already crushed once, and we can't afford to let that happen again. We need to let the information we find be known... but I don't think we should actively try to spread these views... Masonry is right in the sense that it has a membership that a person has to seek out or be recruited for.
I want to learn and I want to know more. I believe Masonry may be the beginning of that journey, and I just hope more people will seek out truth as I have. |
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By Val |
Should Freemasonry be secret, or should we be more open about it?
I believe it should. The 'secrecy' adds such an intangible feel to it, as of something sacred, ancient and that which should be respected and held in esteem. I will admit that this has got us, over time, into more trouble than it is probably worth however.
If you are a Mason, what does Masonic ritual mean to you?
I feel that masonic ritual has been changed too much over the last hundred years, especially in the United States (I am in Australia, thankfully, we're still rather old fashioned), and whilst most wisdom is passed through allegory, changing the allegory can directly destroy the wisdom that was meant to be ordained on the listening ears.
Do you think Freemasonry benefits society?
I know beyond reasonable doubt that the humility of Freemasonry has led to the massive persecutions of us, if we were braggarts like certain social groups, I am sure also that we would be much more appreciated, understood and held with a much greater esteem.
(Ps: Dr. Lomas, if you could possibly email me in relation to your personal website, it would be greatly appreciated. Regards, Bro. Val.) |
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By Bro.Dave |
Dear Dr. Lomas,
Let me first say that I have read, with great enthusiasm, all of your books on the subject of Masonry, as well as Uriel’s Machine. I am currently reading a new publication, ‘Talisman’, by contemporaries of yours, Graham Hancock & Robert Bauval, who refer periodically to your research. It has been an enlightening and rewarding pursuit, and one that I wish I had begun much earlier in life. I was made a Mason just over a year ago, and at the age of 48 was somewhat late in the game to begin a quest for which it would surely seem a lifetime is not enough. Why so late? My Father and Grandfather were both Masons, but both passed away when I was very young. Over the years as a young adult I frequently thought of becoming involved but was confronted with conflicting accounts of what Masonry really was. To believe some, it is the work of Lucifer and the forces of darkness, not something one would normally want to be involved with, even on a casual basis. It was not until I reconnected with an Uncle – my Father’s brother – with whom I had been estranged for 40 years, that I was to learn of the great satisfaction and spiritual fulfillment that my Father and Grandfather had enjoyed as a result of their involvement with Masonry. In fact, to my relief, I was to discover that it is not at all what its opponents would claim it to be. Indeed, it seems to me that its opponents are clearly afraid of what it has to offer toward the improvement of the Human condition.
· Should Freemasonry be secret, or should we be more open about it?
I think that Masonry is currently as open as it needs top be. My wife has difficulty understanding my attraction to the craft, and I explain as best I can, without giving away any secrets, what it is we do and what draws me to it. Within my extended family, some of who are devout Baptists, it is simply not discussed. My Lodge has a rather good public profile with activities such as information booths at local malls and farmers markets, and a float in the annual Christmas Parade, amongst other things. We, Freemasons all, are the keepers and propagators of an ancient oral history and traditions, and it is imperative that only those who are serious about the craft be privilege to its rituals and secrets.
· Is a member of your family a Freemason, and how do you feel about that?
I am currently the only Freemason in my family.
· If you are a Mason, what does Masonic ritual mean to you?
The ritual is paramount. It is our raison d'etre. Our charity work is, of course, important, both to our pubic perception and to those Masons who have no desire to dig deeper spiritually, giving them something to do that is rewarding and provides a sense of accomplishment. However, without the ritual, we may as well fold up the floor cloth and join the KC or Rotary Club. As a new initiate, the work has only superficial meaning. This year I am a JD and spent some time during our summer break learning several of the lectures, and of course the JDs responsibilities as the guide for initiates. It is not until one studies the material and commits it to memory that one will notice the profound changes that begin to occur. Strive to live up to the recommendations and lessons offered in the work and it does make you a better man. But it goes even deeper than that.
· How did you feel when you were made a Mason?
Eager, different, confused …. Eager to assimilate as much knowledge about the craft as I could. In addition to the ongoing personal research, it is my intention to pursue both the Scottish Rite and the Royal Arch degrees. Different in that I was now part of a society that had existed for centuries, if not millennia. The more I read the more I felt that it really was possible that we were the custodians, or at least had been at one time, of knowledge that could change humanity for the better. I am concerned that the charges and rituals have been tinkered with so much over the centuries that their original and powerful lessons have been diminished or lost altogether. Confused, although only briefly, with the customs, protocols and various signs, grips, stances, etc.
· And what role has Masonic ritual played in your life since?
It is something I look forward to participating in. To be JD this year, and consequently play a major role in the initiation of new candidates, is an extremely rewarding experience. My Lodge takes the ritual work seriously and has frequent practice meetings to ensure that our work is flawless. On the occasion of the Official visit of our District Deputy Grand Master last year, we performed a second degree. The DDGM was to later comment that he had never witnessed, in his time as a Mason, a degree performed with such pomp and proficiency. During the ceremony only one prompt had been required.
· Do you feel it is something which can not, or perhaps should not, be put into words?
For those who are not ready no explanation will be sufficient to make them understand what it is we really do, what draws us to this craft. As is obvious from the unrest all over the globe, from the riots in France, the endless violence in the Middle East, the global terror attacks and the countless individuals motivated by profit and greed, humanity has a long way to go before Truth, Justice, and Brotherly Love will triumph. Freemasonry must, as it always has, work behind the scenes preserving our sacred trust and in guiding humanity as best we can toward enlightenment. It is not my claim or belief that we Masons have carried this burden alone. History shows there have been many groups and societies that have carried a similar message.
· Do you think Freemasonry benefits society?
Yes … in ways that most people today are not even aware of.
In closing, I must note that some of my observations and comments might necessarily make me appear to be an idealist with unrealistic expectations for humanity. Perhaps. But it would seem to me that our (Masonic) principals, beliefs and basic moral rectitude have survived, in essentially the same form, for a very, very long time. Although I do not expect to see, in the short time I have left in this world, Humanity achieve the enlightenment it so desperately needs, I have a profound sense of fulfillment in my belief that I have helped ensure the survival of this message to the next generation. Perhaps they will succeed.
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By Elisabeth |
My husband became a freemason five years ago. When he first joined we hardly knew anything about what it meant. A very good friend of his, a freemason himself, introduced him to the craft, telling my husband that it would be good for him to join... That was the sum total of what we knew!
I know that his initiation is an event he will never forget, and he attended his lodge meetings with dedication even though an enormous amount seemed to be senseless dribble.
However, through freemasonry he has met, and I have too via family events and ladies' nights, people who have become good friends. More than friends, they actually form part of our family now.
We have discovered a pool of loving, open minded, open hearted, tolerant and just people. People who seek the meaning of life, people who are constantly striving to improve themselves and the world they live in.
And then, one of these friends encouraged my husband to learn more about the craft. He gave him a copy of The Hiram Key. It literally turned the key and unlocked our minds.
We devoured (because I also became totally enthralled) The Hiram Key, The second messiah, Uriels' machine and the Book of Hiram! Then we searched the net and dug more and more.
We were absolutely amazed by what we were discovering.
All of a sudden all these rituals made perfect sense to my husband.
As a freemason's wife, I am aware that many freemasons do not share information with their wives, indeed they are told they are not supposed to. Curiosity killed the cat, they say, it might still kill me one day! My husband and I have no secrets for each other (although we each have our secret garden) and it has been a real pleasure discovering the hidden truths and mysteries behind the craft. My desperately curious nature has made me dig for more information and the more we discovered, the more we wanted to know.
What started out for my husband as an obscure adventure has turned out into an enlightened path along which he is improving himself, learning about our humanity, our history, drawing closer to the Great architect.
It is a pity that there should be so much misunderstanding about freemasonry. I believe that the secrecy around it is a lot to blame for. One obviously is suspicious about the unspoken and the ongoings behind closed doors! Freemasonry holds such richness and brings so much improvement that I believe it is a blessing which should be shared with as many people as possible.
It is a wonderful thing that people like Christopher Knight and Robert Lomas have had the desire to know more about their craft and that they have shared it with whoever wants to know about freemasonry.
It is a process which should be encouraged.
I am a firm believer and freemasonry has made me dig deeper into my faith, but it has also taught me that no religion is the ultimate religion. All religions are worthy of respect, when practised in good faith they all serve the same purpose: self improvement to bring us closer to our creator, to love and care for humanity.
I am so proud of being my husband's wife, because he is the man he is, loving, tender, patient, passionate lover, dedicated father, meticulous, perfectionist, freemason of integrity constantly seeking to improve who he is...
I hope that our children will learn from their father and that he will be an inspiration so that they in turn become freemasons, so that this great tradition may carry on for milleniums to come. |
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By jfw |
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as a non mason i think you are all doing a good job of bringing all religions into contact with each other. carry on the good work. you are unique! |
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By Rook |
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I am a mother and I stay at home. I do read a lot though. My brother in law is a Mason. Since reading these books I think maybe there is a lot about this that is not known.. also a lot that maybe should be known by honest people. I think there is more to what we know than meets the eye and I also believe that a lot of the information has been lost through the ages either by arrogance, ignorance or whatever. Sort of like "the chinese whisper". I think that the information that was once important has been lost.... I also think that nowadays we as humans are arrogant to think that only this culture is the one that can have any type of modern conveniences and knowledge about energies inherent in our world that certain groups (patriarchical for one) have stuffed under the rug because they didnt want people to know the true nature of nature and energy. I think way back thousands of years ago these "silent cutting tools" that were mentioned in Uriels Machine that were so accurate to the hairbreadth that made the pyramids were possibly (probably?) laser type machinery or something of that sort that cut so precisely. I also think that our ancestors before the flood had no need for the crappe that we now call modern conveniences and focussed on natural energy harnessing and healing. Maybe they actually could harness such an enormous amount of energy...enough to "float" humungous boulders over immense distances with so few people. The "stone things" struck me at first to be tools for massage of some sort....and based on the size of them and on the fact that they were well used because they were smooth.. well that says to me that they could be held in the hand to do some sort of healing work if not actually massage. Also....the "observatories" of Giza and the henges and stone circles in Britain and Ireland could have possibly been built not only to look at the stars but to somehow harness the inherent energy available that we have since lost. Now it is up to the rich people and the governments (and the Vatican) to "tell" us what we should and should not believe when what I believe is that there are secrets that are either lost or purposely hidden from the majority...which is probably a good thing considering the nature of humanity. But I think that if these secrets, if that is what they are, ever come to full light (like finding more scrolls, perhaps at Oak Island and such places) maybe we will once again learn the right way to harness this energy and use it for good. I also think that the Crop circles that show up are also energy produced by Gaia as a way to let us know that the energy is still here and can be used if we can only find the right people to find the right key to it all in order to use it for spiritual enlightenment and enhancement. |
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By Scott |
I have been a Mason for about three years now, proving my third this November. I read, with great enthusiam, the Hiram Key, and then the others. With each history lesson I became proud and committed. I recalled heroes of mine as a child, their contributions to society , these truly noble men. I did my own research only to find that these men, and some point in their individual lives themselves became Masons.
I knew deep down, more so than when I went to church, that there was something extraordinary about my embarking down this path. I became more and more enthralled with what had been wirtten. I am proud to be a Mason and the work that has been done before But it certainly seems that the Craft is not what it used to be, nor does it hold the same place in society, which is an absolute shame.
I am hopeful that some day from now, our Order will be placed in its proper position , as a leader of all men, Until that day I continue down the history lessons and understanding the teachings. I note that around me many men are entering the Order, having done their own research, finding that their fathers or grandfathers.... were Masons.
Freemasonry, in itself, shoud keep certain things secret, this is what history has demandd of us. But we should be proud of what the Order has accomplished and those the did so in the name of the God. Masonry has made me more tolerant and positive, it cannot be described, nor lineated in anyway, it must simply be felt. What makes it most profound, is those that teach, their compassion and attention to detail is what makes the event(s) both educational and emotional. |
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By GP |
First of all I should explain that I am not a Christian but as a Hindu I was welcomed into freemasonry with open arms.
Should Freemasonry be secret, or should we be more open about it?
In my opinion, Freemasonry is not secret. Anyone can learn about it if they wished to do so instead of condemning it.
I have been a freemason for the last 14 years and have been installed as Master in two Lodges and will be installed as Master again in my Mother Lodge this year. I also hold an Acting Provincial Office and recently had my London Grand Rank honours. I think that Freemasonry teaches a lot about how people should live their lives and behave towards their fellow man. In today’s world there is no respect or appreciation from the younger generation in anything they do. I call it the “NOW” culture, I want it NOW, can’t wait, no patience.
Freemasonry is slightly different from other clubs or circle of friendship that people join or form. The only difference I have discerned is that our ability to have a structured meeting in terms of the ceremonies we perform and the meaning behind it. The rituals we all have to learn and lastly but our greatest difference is in our ability to give and give generously when called for. Unlike other clubs we do not raise monies from street corners and town centres. All the money we give is our own.
As mason we have given millions of pounds to Masonic and Non Masonic charities. You only need to look at the Grand Lodge or Provincial Lodge web sites.
The main principles of Freemasonry are: (for all non masons)
BROTHERLY LOVE: this means we will show respect and tolerance for other peoples opinions and will act with great compassion and understanding to our fellow man.
RELIEF: As said earlier, we have the ability to help by supporting worthy causes Masonic and Non Masonic
TRUTH: We will always endeavour to strive for truth in ourselves and in all with whom we have dealings with. All our members endeavour to uphold this principle in their private and public lives.
We have been holding open days at the Provincial and local Lodge level. Many non masons have come in to our Lodges and seen that there is nothing sinister happening at our meetings.
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By Grimalkin |
Initiated 1976, WM 1985, 30th degree Ancient and accepted rite, PM Mark, H Royal Arch. Member Royal Ark Mariner, Red Cross of Constantine, Allied Masonic Degrees, Knights Templar, Knights of Malta and Order of Secret Monitor. Pretty good going by the age of 30.
Disaster struck financially and I could no longer afford to keep up my membership.
I must admit I found the whole experience to be enjoyable. Particularly the rituals which definitely satisfied the thespian in me. At the risk of being accused as shallow, in my opinion,at it's roots, that is all freemasonry is; a glorified theatre club. However, I must not forget the benefits of friendship and comradeship which one would enjoy from membership of almost any other organisation.
My spiritual and religous views were set before I was initiated and fremasonry had no bearing on my beliefs. As for the secrecy aspect, I find it strange that as almost all the rituals I have played a part in are based solidly in the bible and are only secret as to what is used and what is not, therfore the old adage is in fact quite true, freemasonry is not a secret society, but a society with secrets.
There are good and bad in all types of people in the world and freemasonry is no exception. I am sure there are certain individuals who have underhandedly benefited by their membership, but on the whole most of the members I had the good fortune to meet were impeccably honest. |
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By Brother Howard - from a F&AM PHA Lodge-Germany |
Should Freemasonry be secret, or should we be more open about it?
>Yes, as I truely believe, as a Human being, a Man and a Mason, that the majority of Humanity, for good or bad, can not digest the truth of Humanity.
What does Masonic ritual mean to you?
>It opens the door, to question the reality in which I have, personally, grown up in and to realize the beauty of Humanity.
How do you feel when you were made a Mason?
>I felt a feeling of wholeness, with my fellow Human beings, regardless of social, cultural or religions difference. I felt just beautiful!
And what role has Masonic ritual played in your life since?
>Masonic ritual, and its lessons, have become a rule of life, a balance of meaning, a measure of hope for me, personally. It has caused me to really have a look, a deep look, at many things around me.
Do you feel it is something which can not, or perhaps should not, be put into words?
>There is so much, that one must live to feel. Many feelings can be expressed and many feelings can not be put into words. One of those feelings is Brotherly Love, with my friends, family, and strangers.
Many things can be explained, but to live what one learns, is the ultimate expression and projection, of the beautiful lessons of Masonry. |
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