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Since I entered politics, I have chiefly had men's views confided to me privately. Some of the biggest men in the United States, in the field of commerce and manufacture, are afraid of somebody, are afraid of something. They know that there is a power somewhere so organized, so subtle, so watchful, so interlocked, so complete, so pervasive, that they had better not speak above their breath when they speak in condemnation of it.
Its unique structure plays on the city's namesake in Egypt, known for its ancient pyramids.
Isaac Tigrett, the Jackson, Tenn.-raised businessman and New Ager who founded both the Hard Rock Café and House of Blues. Of course the Hard Rock Cafe incorporates a sun image, indicating sun god worship. . . . a picture of Tigrett, sitting in the lotus position in front of the Pyramid, is featured from the November 1990 cover of American Way, the American Airlines in-flight magazine.
Tigrett, son of Pyramid founder John Tigrett, was heavily involved in seeing to the building of the Great American Pyramid near the Memphis’s Mississippi River riverfront. John Tigrett and Sidney Shlenker were initially the men behind the “Grand Plan” of the Pyramid, although Shlenker was not keen on the crystal skull angle.
Deeply involved in eastern mysticism, eastern religious beliefs and esoteric beliefs, Isaac Tigrett (who married Beatle drummer Ringo Starr’s ex-wife, Maureen Cox Starkey, who would die in 1994) became a follower of Indian guru Sathya Sai Baba.
The masonic significance of the pentagram is controversial. While it often appears on masonic regalia and decorative illustration, nowhere is it mentioned in masonic rituals or lectures. This does not mean though, that individual freemasons, aware of its historical usage, have not used it to illustrate their own personal interpretations of Freemasonry.
The "Blazing Star" of masonic usage is not to be confused with the five-pointed star. Early tracing boards depict a sixteen or fifteen point star, one notable five pointed pentalpha and a number of "glories" with no discernable number of points. Mackey points out that the earlier tracing boards depicted a star with five straight points superimposed over one with five wavy points.
Freemasonry has traditionally been associated with Pythagoras, and among Pythagoreans, the pentagram was a symbol of health and knowledge; the pentagram is consequently associated with initiation, as it is in masonic iconography. From Coil’s Encyclopedia: "The Pentalpha is said to have had a great many symbolic and mystical meanings, but it has no application to Freemasonry...."
Mackey tells us "The Medieval Freemason considered it a symbol of deep wisdom, and it is found among the architectural ornaments of most of the ecclesiastical edifices of the Middle Ages." There are also many examples of both the pentagram and five-pointed star being used as stonemasons' marks during the Mediaeval cathedral building period. Although claims have been made for earlier usage, the greater number of examples date from the twelfth through sixteenth centuries. [1] George Godwin claims that these marks were handed down from generation to generation and could still be found up until the nineteenth century. [2]
One notable early use of a pentalpha in Freemasonry is the mark of Sir Robert Moray, who used it when he signed the Minutes of the Lodge of Edinburgh, Mary’s Chapel sometime after his initiation on May 20, 1641. He is recorded as using it in his signature prior to this date so, although he referred to it as his mason’s mark, it was not derived from masonic teachings. Later it appears on the titlepage of a collection of masonic lectures, The Spirit of Masonry, published in 1775.
The use of a five-pointed star or pentagram in some Grand Lodge seals and banners as well as on the collar or jewels of office worn by the masters of lodges and Grand Masters of Grand Lodges is of interest to students of masonic history and art. But its absence from the ritual and lessons of Freemasonry point out that its value is ornamental and any symbolic value is a matter of personal opinion. Many masonic authors have expressed their opinions on the topic, but with no masonic authority.
The pentagram, or five-pointed star, can be interpreted as a representation of the golden ratio. The golden ratio was of great importance to architects and stonecutters. Whether early freemasons made this interpretation is a topic of some controversy.
Those who would freeze the angle of the compasses in the masonic square and compasses at 72° to equate it with the pentagram, ignore the many representations which set the angle at anywhere between 32° and 90°.
As regards that appendant body, the Order of the Eastern Star, Mackey notes that Rob Morris, author of their ritual, wrote that the choice of name was made to correspond to the masonic Five Points of Fellowship and the pentagon which he termed "The signet of King Solomon."
Originally posted by network dude
reply to post by FriedBabelBroccoli
What if I told you that the five pointed star that is "all over masonry" is actually no masonic, but part of the Eastern Star? That is a group, like masonry, but not the same. They use the star as a symbol and they usually share a lodge with masons, so their symbolism will be present during our meetings, just as our symbolism is present during their meetings. Yet they are not connected.
It seems like OES and Masonry are connected in every sense of the word... the OES was invented by a Mason.
The emblem of the Order is a five-pointed star with the white ray of the star pointing downwards towards the manger. In the Chapter room, the downward-pointing white ray points to the West. The character-building lessons taught in the Order are stories inspired by Biblical figures:
Originally posted by network dude
reply to post by Erbal
It is an apendant body to masonry, but not connected in the same sense that the Scottish Rite and York Rite are. (They are more of a continuation of the Blue lodge)
Originally posted by KSigMason
reply to post by Erbal
Yes, but symbols are ambiguous and arbitrary.
"The Blue Degrees are but the outer court or portico of the Temple. Part of the symbols are displayed there to the Initiate, but he is intentionally misled by false interpretations. It is not intended that he shall understand them; but it is intended that he shall imagine he understands them. Their true explication is reserved for the Adepts, the Princes of Masonry." (Morals and Dogma, p.819)
What does it mean to be a Christian?
Originally posted by Jordan River
So i went to a salvation army store looking at bibles and other books. Found a mason Bible, (mason symbol on the cover)
From my conclusive evidence i can Conclude that Masons are Christians...
Originally posted by KSigMason
reply to post by Erbal
Yes, but symbols are ambiguous and arbitrary.
Originally posted by Erbal
PROVE IT.
LINK YOUR SOURCES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
www.indianafreemasons.com...
Basic Membership Requirements
Be a man at least 18 years of age
Be of good moral character
A Belief in God
Ask to join
Resident of Indiana (Minimum 6 months)
They even have a link to the membership petition... it doesn't mention monotheism at all, it only says a belief in God.
It is religious in that it teaches monotheism... Grand Lodge of Indiana
www.massfreemasonry.org...
www.glmasons-mass.org...
3. What are the requirements to become a Mason?
Anyone meeting the following primary requirements may petition a Massachusetts lodge for membership:
1. You are an adult male (18 or older) of good character and recommended by a Massachusetts Mason.
2. You believe in a Supreme Being – no atheist or agnostic can become a Mason – but we are not concerned with theological distinctions or your particular religious beliefs.
No monotheism, just theism!
It is religious in that it teaches monotheism... Grand Lodge of Massachusetts
Website seems to be offline right now.
It is religious in that it teaches monotheism... Grand Lodge of Georgia
www.alafreemasonry.org...
Qualifications
Freemasonry is proud of its philosophy and practice of "making good men better." Only individuals believed to be of the finest character are favorably considered for membership. Every applicant must advocate his belief in the existence of a Supreme Being (atheists are not accepted into the Fraternity).
Theism is the requirement.
All Freemasons believe in one God and in respect for each other. Grand Lodge of Alabama
I showed you the recognized Louisiana Grand Lodge does NOT recognize monotheism as a requirement. That just so happened to be the first grand lodge I investigated and it seems pretty clear they have not adopted a monotheistic landmark of any kind.
www.la-mason.com...
Instead, it is a friend of all religions which are based on the belief in one God.
Why don't you show me how LA has adopted a landmark of monotheism, or show me that this LA grand lodge is not recognized as meeting the standards of recognition.
I have yet to see a Grand Lodge specify monotheism or a belief in one and only one Supreme Being.
I called 5 Grand Lodges. I talked to one Grand Secretary. He said, as far as the God requirement, it's required you have belief in a God. I asked for clarification, I said I was a Mormon and I believed in more than a God.
He said they'd love to have a Mormon, he hopes we'll have a Mormon President. I was like OK, great, but I believe in more than 1 God and I'm not sure if I can join. He said they accept Hindu's, too. I was like OK, great, but I believe in more than 1 God and I'm not sure if I can join.
He seemed really nice but he never once told me I could not join if I believed in more than 1 God, in fact, he alluded to me being able to join.
Conclusion: I see no evidence monotheism is a real and effectively enforced landmark... only theism!
Originally posted by helen6700
Hi AugustusMasonicus///
There was no early 'Roman Catholic' Church....the Early Church was Catholic(as in universal) when the East and West split.......and the concept of hell is as it was in the early Church....
As for the original post.....
Nothing is HIDDEN from God.....all will be revealed!!!