Though the exact date on which the Freemasons originated is moot, evidence of Masonic activity dates back to the thirteenth century. Since the dawn of their existence, the activities of the Freemasons have been subject to controversy brought on by paranoia and fear of secret societies. Collations of people in opposition to Masonry have existed since the presidency of Andrew Jackson and have persisted ever since, the most recent form being conspiracy theorists. Numerous conspiracy theorists would have one believe that freemasonry is composed of secret meetings, ritualistic sacrifices, and plots for world domination, but just how much of this is actually true?
While the Freemasons have always been shrouded in curiosity and mystery, Masons have always worked with the best intentions for their communities. According to a Masonic lodge located in Illinois, "Freemasonry is defined as […] applying the principles of operative Masonry and architecture to the science and art of character building" which means that the Masons, rather than working for selfish goals, instead work on building their character and making themselves better men. The majority of conspiracy theories about the Freemasons were bred in fear of the unknown. Dan Brown author of The Lost Symbol best expressed how fear of the unknown leads to prejudice when he wrote, "Don't tell anyone, but on the pagan day of the sun god Ra, I kneel at the foot of an ancient instrument of torture and consume ritualistic symbols of blood and flesh. […] And if any of you care to join me, come to the Harvard chapel on Sunday, kneel beneath the crucifix, and take Holy Communion. […] Open your minds, my friends. We all fear what we do not understand” (Brown). Often times, the intentions of the...
... middle of paper ...
...organization that promotes benevolence, kindness, and brotherly love.
Though numerous conspiracy theorists have attempted to slander the Masons and movies have tried to portray them as an ancient order of secrecy Freemasons remain as they have always been; dutiful citizens who work to improve the human condition and spread their message of brotherly love. Let us not be too quick in judging what we do not understand. Eradicate all prejudice. Understand that the Freemasons are nothing to fear nor to condemn and instead rejoice in the fact that the Masons have helped to shape the United States and create a democratic system of government never before seen by the world. The Freemasons are not the Illuminati nor do they want to control governments or create anarchy rather they want to better the communities in which they live and make the world a better place.
Mormonism and its effect on Mason’s life was surprisingly not very influential. In the 1840’s, Mormonism was on its westward journey and eventually landed some followers in California. Being a slave to a Mormon apostle Amasa Mason Lyman and his 8 wives heavily impacted Biddy Mason’s view on religion (P.434). Being constantly around a faith that was fairly new didn’t completely rub off on Biddy, instead she went against the stream and aided the spread of proud African American culture by opening that Methodist church. Since the church, she opened was the first black church, it gave many opportunities for strong black communities that wasn’t restricted by the Mormon faith. Biddy Mason travelling against the stream of the influence of religion got many to follow her through her opening of the
Jacob, Margaret C. The Origins of Freemasonry: Facts & Fictions. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2006.
Mystery cults greatly influenced the development of Pythagoreanism as Pythagoreans adopted many of their traditions, behaviors and beliefs. Pythagoras, the founder of the Pythagoreans, established a school in which he developed and taught these adopted cultural behaviors and beliefs. "The nature of daily living in the school, both its moral and its intellectual disciplines, can perhaps best be understood as an intellectualized development from earlier mystery cults such as the Eleusinian" (Wheelwright 201). The Pythagoreans and the mystery cults were not identical, but they shared many similar beliefs on subjects such as the soul, transmigration and reincarnation, and they practiced many of the traditions of initiation, ritual and secrecy. Pythagoreans combined the mystery cults' views on these subjects with philosophical thought as a foundation to develop their own unique beliefs.
The Templar Knights, one of the most well-known orders of all times. Created to protect the Holy Land, the Templars “the army of God” would serve and die under God. They were fierce warriors who proved themself time and time again. They have truly set forth some of the most famous conspiracy theories in history. The Knights Templars would truly live up to be one of the most honored and well-known orders in history.
When people talk about the Illuminati, they are talking about the most secretive, powerful, wealthiest, influential, sneakiest, manipulated, greediest people on the earth. It was a group formed in Germany 1776 in order to rule the world with their wealth and power (“Illuminati” 1). Recently it has been on everyone’s mind, but why? It is being exposed more and more every day. They are trying to take over our nation. “The infamous Illuminati secret society has remained the focus of so-called ‘conspiracy theorists’ for hundreds of years. They have been called the puppet masters who secretly pull the strings of the world’s events from elections to revolutions, and from business monopolies to stock market crashes” (Dice 1). People are completely oblivious of the Illuminati or chose to not believe this is going on behind closed doors. However, there are some people who do believe and are aware of what they are capable of. The Illuminati is harmfully corrupting our nation through the government, specialty groups, and celebrities.
Moreover, by obtaining a basic understanding of Scientology and its purpose we can now explore and uncover the answer to a question that sparks the curiosity of outsiders in western civilization; such a question is How did it Begin? The origins of this culture began in the year of 1923 when L. Ron Hubbard started his studies of the mind and spirit. Likewise, such studies resulted in the creation of a manuscript entitled Excalibur; this book was completed in 1938 but was never published. Furthermore, it was in this unpublished work that the word “Scientology” first appeared. The literal interpretation of the phrase means “the study of knowing how t...
Throughout the last couple of decades more and more stories of illegal cult activity or murders by satanic cults appear on the news each night. This surge of reported cult activity has caused a spark in public interest. There has been a large increase in the fear that surrounds cults over the past couple of years. A cult is “a therapeutic or unconventional religious movement (McBride, 1985, 22),” and the more cults that fall beneath the public eye, the more serious the fear of cults becomes. Much of this fear has been sparked by major cult related incidents such as mass suicide by the People’s Temple or the murder of Sharon Tate. These incidents, and incidents like them, grab the nation’s attention and create widespread panic. But as the nation reads about these stories in the paper, the same questions seem to surface. Questions like “How does this happen?” or “What can we do to stop this from happening again?” are often asked.
... they created or helped start and that helps keep them happy with themselves and with other cult members. Cults are basicly the same thing as churches in my mind. The only difference is that people do not really agree with the cult’s beliefs or actions. The cults are often just ridiculed for the fact that they are different than most of the average people that do the ridiculing. Cults are often used to help drunks, addicts, and now recovering drunks and addicts. The strict rules of the cult keep the cult member out of drugs and out of all forms of alcohol. The cult provide a steady home for cult members that can not keep up a good home.I think cults are a good place for the poor people that need some support to maintain their life and the lives of their families. You get new friends that watch your back. Joining a cult is a lot like joining a new second family.
Organized crime has always been occupied with a negative label. Perhaps this is due to the constantly changing environment in America as well as the social state of its homeland, Europe. Our society is convinced that the so-called Mafia is a family of pure criminals, pimps, and murderers. Whatever the opinion, there is no doubt that the Mafia played a big part in the history of America and the way Americans view crime today. "The origins of the secret society known as the Mafia are believed to be as old as the 9th century" (Mafia History). During the 9th century, the Mafia's main purpose was to strengthen themselves against enemies, which invaded their homeland in Sicily. It was supposed to create a strong feeling of togetherness between all Sicilians. "This idea of family was carried through in the structure of the organization, which had a strong hierarchical layout" (Mafia History). The Mafia is said by many to have perhaps the best system of power, than any other group or government known today. One can compare a physical representation of the family almost to a family tree dated all the way back through many generations. Certain people operated the system, but without the help of the people with the less power, the Mafia would be very weak. To put it another way, a leader cannot lead without followers, and the followers cannot follow without leaders. This is why the Mafia was hard to overcome. Although when many think of the location of the Mafia, Chicago and New York often come to mind, but actually the Mafia has been traced back through 26 major cites in America. Within every city were many Mafia families each with it?s own government. "At the head of each family stood the Dons or Bosses. Next in line to the Dons was the Underbosses, who were second in command. Followed by the Consigliere or counselors. And last were the men who did the dirty work for the Mob, the Soldiers. The Soldiers were the one?s who would enforce discipline over both members and non-members through the use of intimidation, assaults, and murder" (Living Large 3). All the members of the society were expected to go through a ceremony that often was compared to the baptism ceremony. "The induction ceremony is the most important day of a mobster?s life, the day that they become full members of La Cosa Nostra" (Mafia Life). "The ceremony for the newcomers was som...
When the British Army left Boston, this Lodge, # 441, granted Prince Hall and his brethren authority to meet as a lodge, to go in procession on Saints John Day, and as a Lodge to bury their dead; but they could not confer degrees nor perform any other Masonic "work".
The Illuminati was apparently revealed on May 1rst, 1776, in Bulgaria, by Dr. Adam Weishaupt in Masonic Lodges, or Private Lodges. In these Masonic Lodges the Illuminati, full of highly revered politicians, business men and cult leaders would gather to sort out business. Weishaupt was a professor at the Canon Law at Ingolstad...
There are many questions that still remain unanswered about the illuminati. Some say that they were responsible for the JFK assassination, 9/11, and the significant hidden signs and symbols. The Illuminati has been around since the 18-centray, since then the Illuminati has expanded their secret society. This society is full of free thinkers and people of wealth. For some it's hard to believe that this secret society hiding in the dark is stronger than we give it credit, for others they grasp the idea and fear that the world may become control by this group.
These conspiracy theories all seem false with no real evidence to back any of these claims. Skull and Bone say be a secret society but it does not appear like these are the secrets they are keeping.
In the early beginnings of this mysterious group many people believed that they were running the US government and that alleged members were Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin. It is said that the society
The Illuminati is not a conspiracy theory; it is a real thing that is happening today. With all the facts and information about the illuminati, it cannot still be considered a conspiracy theory. The Illuminati symbol can be seen all over the place in all parts of the world, including famous entertainers that have Illuminati symbols tattooed on their bodies. With all the turmoil on this planet, it will soon collapse. When it does, who is going to take over?