I know that no one speaks for Freemasonry as a whole, but I wanted to ask any Freemasons here what they make of these quotes and the ancient
mysteries.
"Freemasonry is modeled on the plan of the Ancient Mysteries, with their glyphics and allegories, and this is no mere coincidence; the parallels are
too closely drawn." - J. D. Buck, Mystic Masonry or the Symbols of Freemasonry and the Greater Mysteries of Antiquity, Intro
"Masonry, successor of the Mysteries, still follows the ancient manner of teaching." - Albert Pike, Morals & Dogma, Pg. 22
I believe its that one message from the worlds doctrines found in such things as Babylonian, Egyptian, and Greco-Roman religion, astrology, alchemy,
dualism, neoplatonism, gnosticism, hermeticism, rosicrucianism, myth & magick, and religious and philosophical speculations from all over the world,
that says man is or will become the master of his fate and soveriegn over his faculties through initiation.
“Man is a god in the making. And as the mystic myths of Egypt, on the potter's wheel, he is being molded. When his light shines out to lift and
preserve all things, he receives the triple crown of godhood.”
- Manly P. Hall, The Lost Keys of Freemasonry, p. 92
"He begins his Masonic career as the natural man; he ends it by becoming through its discipline, a regenerated man... This the evolution of man into
superman—was always the purpose of the ancient Mysteries, and the real purpose of modern Masonry is, not the social and charitable purposes to which
so much attention is paid, but the expediting of the spiritual evolution of those who aspire to perfect their own nature and transform it into a more
god-like quality. And this is a definite science, a royal art, which it is possible for each of us to put into practice; whilst to join the Craft for
any other purpose than to study and pursue this science is to misunderstand its meaning." - W. L. Wilmhurst, The Meaning of Masonry, Pg.46-47
I'm not saying most people join Freemasonry because they're trying to become gods, but I'm interested in knowing what in Freemasonry gave you the
desire to join? To become a better person and be more spiritually enlightened? Then I'd ask, why couldn't you do that outside the organization? What
made you believe Freemasonry was the right choice?
edit on 14-12-2010 by IndianBones because: (no reason given)
edit on
14-12-2010 by IndianBones because: mispelled something