Freemasonary in England the facts/truth

[masonic3]

Freemasonary in England today
I have decided to write this thread and put some of the “myths” to rights on this forum, as a lot of members think they know “facts.” In reality, what you are about to read is “fact.”
This is fact because I say it is, as I am a Freemason in England today.

How it began in England
It is not known. The earliest recorded 'making' of a Freemason in England is that of Elias Ashmole in 1646. Organised Freemasonry began with the founding of the Grand Lodge of England on 24 June 1717, the first Grand Lodge in the world. Ireland followed in 1725 and Scotland in 1736. All the regular Grand Lodges in the world trace themselves back to one or more of the Grand Lodges in the British Isles. There are two main theories of origin. According to one, the operative stonemasons who built the great cathedrals and castles had lodges in which they discussed trade affairs. They had simple initiation ceremonies and, as there were no City and Guilds certificates, dues cards or trade union membership cards, they adopted secret signs and words to demonstrate that they were trained masons when they moved from site to site. In the 1600s, these operative lodges began to accept non-operatives as "gentlemen masons". Gradually this non-operative took over the lodges and turned them from operative to 'free and accepted' or 'speculative' lodges. The other theory is that in the late 1500s and early 1600s, there was a group which was interested in the promotion of religious and political tolerance in an age of great intolerance when differences of opinion on matters of religion and politics were to lead to bloody civil war. In forming Freemasonry, they were trying to make better men and build a better world. As the means of teaching in those days was by allegory and symbolism, they took the idea of building as the central allegory on which to form their system. The main source of allegory was the Bible, the contents of which were known to everyone even if they could not read, and the only building described in detail in the Bible was King Solomon's Temple, which became the basis of the ritual. The old trade guilds provided them with their basis administration of a Master, Wardens, Treasurer and Secretary, and the operative mason's tools provided them with a wealth of symbols with which to illustrate the moral teachings of Freemasonry.

Freemasonry in England
All lodges in England are under the “United Grand Lodge of England” UGLE for short.
All lodges under the UGLE are issued with a warrant (This is proof that they follow the rules of UGLE) I can only visit lodges with this warrant, but lucky for me all Lodges in England are under the UGLE. And have this warrant.

Lodges outside of England
I can only visit lodges that are recognised by the UGLE, so I would have to check through my Lodge, a lot of Masonic groups in the USA are not under the UGLE so I could not visit them nor would I want to
The United Grand Lodge of England has 730 Lodges operating in a number of countries around the world.

Many of these Lodges are overseen by a District Grand Lodge, of which there are 32. Five groups of Lodges are too small to make up a District and are therefore overseen by a Grand Inspector. Twelve individual Lodges do not come under the jurisdiction of a District or Grand Inspector and are known as NUD Lodges.

Lodges in the USA
A lot of Masonic groups in the USA are not under the UGLE so I could not visit them nor would I want to.
Freemasonry in the USA is a shambles and a lot of there Masonic groups are fake, they are made up, as anyone can say they are the head of an Masonic order.
You could start one “David’s Masonic Knights” but it would not be under the UGLE.

Overall the UGLE
Under the United Grand Lodge of England, there are 330,000 Freemasons, meeting in 8,644 lodges. There are separate Grand Lodges for Ireland (which covers north and south) and Scotland, with a combined membership of 150,000. Worldwide, there are probably 5 million members.

Are there 33 Degrees

The simple answer is no!
Freemasonry consists of the three 'Craft' degrees (Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason) completed by the Royal Arch degree (Chapter). There are many other Masonic degrees and Orders which are called 'additional' because they add to the basis of the Craft and Royal Arch. They are not basic to Freemasonry but add to it by further expounding and illustrating the principles stated in the Craft and Royal Arch. Some of these additional degrees are numerically superior to the third degree but this does not affect the fact that they are additional to and not in anyway superior to or higher than the Craft. The ranks that these additional degrees carry have no standing with the Craft or Royal Arch.

The 33 degree Scottish rite
The local Scottish rite organization confers the 4th through 32nd degrees in degree-conferring meetings. The Scottish rite is sometimes called the "College of Freemasonry," because it uses extensive allegory and drama to emphasize the message of its degrees. The degree work may, but not necessarily, be completed at one time.
The Scottish Rite shares the belief of all Masonic organizations that there is no higher degree than that of Master Mason. The degrees are in addition to, and in no way "higher" than, those of Blue Lodge, or Craft Lodge, Masonry. Scottish Rite degrees simply amplify and elaborate on the lessons of the craft, providing further knowledge of Masonry, the building of the Temple, and ancient religions, with memorable lessons ranging from the days of chivalry to modern times.
The Scottish Rite in the name of a ritual, my lodge uses the ritual called “Commonsense”

The Knights Templar
The templar are real I know some and will be one in the future, they use my lodge.
To become a KT you must be a Master mason and have also the right to read Mark and Chapter degrees.
Then if you are lucky you will be asked to join…………..

Freemasonry and Religion
Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. It demands of its members a belief in a Supreme Being but provides no system of faith of its own.
Freemasonry is open to men of all religious faiths. The discussion of religion at its meetings is forbidden.

The Supreme Being
The names used for the Supreme Being enable men of different faiths to join in prayer (to God as each sees Him) without the terms of the prayer causing dissention among them.

There is no separate Masonic God; a Freemason's God remains the God of the religion he professes.

Freemasons meet in common respect for the Supreme Being, but He remains Supreme in their individual religions, and it is no part of Freemasonry to attempt to join religions together. There is therefore no composite Masonic God.

Volume of the Sacred Law
The Bible, referred to by Freemasons as the Volume of the Sacred Law, is always open at every Masonic meeting.

The Obligation of Freemasonry
The Obligations taken by Freemasons are sworn on or involve the Volume of the Sacred Law, or the book held sacred by those concerned. They are undertakings to help keep secret a Freemason's means of recognition, and to follow the principles of Freemasonry.

The physical penalties, which are purely symbolic, do not form part of an Obligation. The commitment to follow the principles of Freemasonry is, however, deep.

Freemasonry Compared with Religion
Freemasonry lacks the basic elements of religion.

a) it has no theological doctrine, and by forbidding religious discussion at its meetings will not allow a Masonic theological doctrine to develop.

b) It offers no sacraments.

c) It does not claim to lead to salvation by works, by secret knowledge or by any other means. The secrets of Freemasonry are concerned with modes of recognition and not with salvation.

Freemasonry Supports Religion
Freemasonry is far from indifferent to religion. Without interfering in religious practice it expects each member to follow his own faith, and to place above all other duties his duty to God, by whatever name He is known. Its moral teachings are acceptable to all religions.

Freemasonry is thus a supporter of religion.

Freemasonry: Your Questions Answered

Q Why are you a secret society?
A We are not, but lodge meetings, like those of many other groups, are private and open only to members. The rules and aims of Freemasonry are available to the public. Meeting places are known and in many areas are used by the local community for activities other than Freemasonry. Members are encouraged to speak openly about Freemasonry.

Q What are the secrets of Freemasonry?
A The secrets in Freemasonry are the traditional modes of recognition which are not used indiscriminately, but solely as a test of membership, e.g. when visiting a Lodge where you are not known.

Q What happens at a lodge meeting?
A The meeting is in two parts. As in any association there is a certain amount of administrative procedure - minutes of last meeting, proposing and balloting for new members, discussing and voting on financial matters, election of officers, news and correspondence. Then there are the ceremonies for admitting new Masons and the annual installation of the Master and appointment of officers. The three ceremonies for admitting a new Mason are in two parts - a slight dramatic instruction in the principles and lessons taught in the Craft followed by a lecture in which the candidate's various duties are spelled out.

Q Why do Freemasons take oaths?
A New members make solemn promises concerning their conduct in Lodge and in society. Each member also promises to keep confidential the traditional methods of proving that he is a Freemason which he would use when visiting a lodge where he is not known. Freemasons do not swear allegiances to each other or to Freemasonry. Freemasons promise to support others in times of need, but only if that support does not conflict with their duties to God, the law, their family or with their responsibilities as a Citizen.

Q Why do your 'obligations' contain hideous penalties?
A They no longer do. When Masonic ritual was developing in the late 1600s and 1700s it was quite common for legal and civil oaths to include physical penalties and Freemasonry simply followed the practice of the times. In Freemasonry, however, the physical penalties were always symbolic and were never carried out. After long discussion, they were removed from the promises in 1986.

[eternal_spirit]

yes lies from you're hero the duke of bent that avatar is sick

[eternal_spirit]

You don't get it do you m3 king solomon was into ritual magic etc raising demons, it goes way back in time you think it stared in the 17 hundreds get real. same game differen't name

[tinmenace]

Originally Posted by masonic3

How it began in England
It is not known.

Well heck! If you don't know the very beginning of the story, everything after that is subject to scrutiny. Wouldn't you say?

Nice cut and paste job, but I want to know in your own words what Freemasonry means to YOU.

[masonic3]

Originally Posted by eternal_spirit

yes lies from you're hero the duke of bent that avatar is sick

As I said this is the facts and the "Duke of Kent" is not my hero.

Originally Posted by eternal_spirit

You don't get it do you m3 king solomon was into ritual magic etc raising demons, it goes way back in time you think it stared in the 17 hundreds get real. same game differen't name

Freemasonry is based on the morels of the “Stone Masons “who build King Solomon’s temple.
The diffrent degrees are the diffrent payment levels(Understand?If not I will explain?)

No one knows how far back it goes but the records go back to 16’s so that is a fact.
Before that like you said we don’t know about.

[eternal_spirit]

lol get a new avatar please!

Some say to progress beyond the third degree up towards the higher degrees, you have to be of a certain bloodline, passed on from father to son, if you're father was a high ranking mason you will be shown more of the secrets. This seems to be like a caste system based on genetics!

Those of the lower degrees will be looked down upon by the higher degrees.

[masonic3]

Originally Posted by tinmenace

Well heck! If you don't know the very beginning of the story, everything after that is subject to scrutiny. Wouldn't you say?

Nice cut and paste job, but I want to know in your own words what Freemasonry means to YOU.

Well heck! If you don't know the very beginning of the story, everything after that is subject to scrutiny. Wouldn't you say?
What a silly thing to say Wouldn't you say?:rolleyes:
Like I said from the 1600's is fact before that?

Nice cut and paste job, but I want to know in your own words what Freemasonry means to YOU

I cut and paste some but whats wrong with that?

Freemasonry to me:
I enjoyFreemasonry because I get to meet new people and visit different lodges I also enjoy the meals and toasts we have.
Its nice to be part of something that I can be proud of, a lot of people mock it because they wish they could do it, but they can’t! Haa HHA ! (joke)

There is nothing really secret to it, its just got some small secrets.

[masonic3]

Originally Posted by eternal_spirit

lol get a new avatar please!

Some say to progress beyond the third degree up towards the higher degrees, you have to be of a certain bloodline, passed on from father to son, if you're father was a high ranking mason you will be shown more of the secrets. This seems to be like a caste system based on genetics!

Those of the lower degrees will be looked down upon by the higher degrees.

Is this Avatar better? lol.

My best friend is a son of a high ranking mason (the son is called a "Lewis". A Lewis means the son of a mason)
He is a master mason and he is also in the mark degree, which you could call the fourth but I am going to join the fourth too, but its still no higher than a 3rd degree master mason.
The problem with the 33dg is that there are alot of degrees after the 3rd but they are all the same level but you can't be higher than a Master Mason.

[oneofmany]

Originally Posted by masonic3

Freemasonry is based on the morels of the “Stone Masons “who build King Solomon’s temple.

so your agreeing with me now? and it's morals

[masonic3]

Originally Posted by oneofmany

so your agreeing with me now? and it's morals

Thank you for pointing that out for me. I am dyslexic, and sometimes do miss picking up on spellings, as they seem right to me. I used to take offence when people pointed these things out to me, but now tend accept that some people will pick on bad spelling and grammar, and use that as a legitimate argument in a debate. Oh well.
Outsiders will never understand freemasonry, as most of it is about friendship and brotherhood. Why all the paranoia? My brothers and I sometimes laugh about all these paranoid conspiracy theorists, when really, if most of you sat in on a meeting, you would be bored with all the formalities. It just seems to me that you are so commited to the idea of secrecy that you will not even accept the word of an actual mason. I accept that, as humans, it is impossible for us to know everything, and I hope I would not be accused of boasting such knowledge, but what I am telling you is that freemasonry is not hierarchical. After a certain level, there are indeed other facets, but all are on the same level - there is no hierarchical structure, and it is certainly farcical to suggest that any such hierarchy is genetically determined. As mention on a previous post, my friend is a lewis, and he does not have, nor should he have, any advantage in his masonic career, over myself.
I find it laughable that you would seriously think that I would be sent here, by some unknown agent, to try and delude you all. No, I watched a programme about David and thought that his ideas were very interesting, and wanted to come on this website to find out more. I had no idea that masonry and the "truth" were so incompatible. Masonry, as I have mentioned many times before, and no doubt will continue to do so, is about brotherhood, friendship, tradition. No one is trying to "control" anyone, in fact, I have never met two masons with the same opinions and beliefs. I have come to the conclusion, after being on this site for a while, that if one is determined to seek conspiracy and be paranoid, then you will see it in anything.
I did not write this initial post to put people off or to start arguments, but rather as a way to move on from this topic of masonry. I am interested in David and his ideas, and want to hear from you, and likewise, hope that you will listen to some of my ideas.

Masonic3

[oneofmany]

Originally Posted by masonic3

Thank you for pointing that out for me. I am dyslexic, and sometimes do miss picking up on spellings, as they seem right to me. I used to take offence when people pointed these things out to me, but now tend accept that some people will pick on bad spelling and grammar, and use that as a legitimate argument in a debate. Oh well.
Outsiders will never understand freemasonry, as most of it is about friendship and brotherhood. Why all the paranoia? My brothers and I sometimes laugh about all these paranoid conspiracy theorists, when really, if most of you sat in on a meeting, you would be bored with all the formalities. It just seems to me that you are so commited to the idea of secrecy that you will not even accept the word of an actual mason. I accept that, as humans, it is impossible for us to know everything, and I hope I would not be accused of boasting such knowledge, but what I am telling you is that freemasonry is not hierarchical. After a certain level, there are indeed other facets, but all are on the same level - there is no hierarchical structure, and it is certainly farcical to suggest that any such hierarchy is genetically determined. As mention on a previous post, my friend is a lewis, and he does not have, nor should he have, any advantage in his masonic career, over myself.
I find it laughable that you would seriously think that I would be sent here, by some unknown agent, to try and delude you all. No, I watched a programme about David and thought that his ideas were very interesting, and wanted to come on this website to find out more. I had no idea that masonry and the "truth" were so incompatible. Masonry, as I have mentioned many times before, and no doubt will continue to do so, is about brotherhood, friendship, tradition. No one is trying to "control" anyone, in fact, I have never met two masons with the same opinions and beliefs. I have come to the conclusion, after being on this site for a while, that if one is determined to seek conspiracy and be paranoid, then you will see it in anything.
I did not write this initial post to put people off or to start arguments, but rather as a way to move on from this topic of masonry. I am interested in David and his ideas, and want to hear from you, and likewise, hope that you will listen to some of my ideas.

Masonic3

My grandfather RIP and my uncle were/are high ranking Freemasons who wanted me to join. I asked all about it and when they realised that i knew more about it than what they were letting on to me, they dropped the subject completely. I told them I had read Manly P Hall's books and had a personal insight to the building scam in this country, they soon realised that I was on to them.
My uncle in perticular has made millions through his Freemason connections, and thus had a vested interest in keeping me quiet with regards to the rest of the family. When my grandfather died, He had some of the most respected community and buisness leaders in the country at his funeral, thus confirming to me his importance in the organisation. My uncle married into one of the wealthiest families in Australia, with both Freemason and Mob connections, I saw first hand the power of these institutions and what they can do for you if your willing to sell your soul.
Honestly, I don't think your high enough up the food chain to see what it's all about. just my opinion.

PS sorry about the dyslexia, a spellchecker would help

[ho1ogram]

Originally Posted by masonic3

I have come to the conclusion, after being on this site for a while, that if one is determined to seek conspiracy and be paranoid, then you will see it in anything.

You got that right.

Re: Freemasonry.

It's like going to church. Sure they're a lovely bunch of people who like to have a drink on the weekend and give to charity, but the point is they don't realise what they are worshipping. Freemasons are told to uphold societies morals without questioning society's morals, who defines them and what goes on behind closed doors.

It is a club designed to prevent critical thinking while at the same time reinforcing hte notion that everything is okay as long as people worship a deity and pay their taxes. It's sole purpose is to make you feel content that our leaders know best and would never deceive or manipulate the people.

Okay, that isn't it's sole purpose, it's other purpose is to screen the population for those with pyschopathic traits who can be groomed for positions of authority and power in society.

Criminal psychopaths are those who are crude enough in their manipulations to be identified and apprehended by legal and medical institutions. They are known as serial killers, con-artists, burglars, mobsters, mad tyrants, rapists, and delinquents. These comprise a small percentage of psychopaths, and only about 1% of the population.

The rest are successful psychopaths who evade detection by optimally conforming to social ideals without compromising their manipulative nature. They are skilled at faking emotions and passing themselves off as charming, caring, and sociable people. Some use their conformity to appear ordinary, others are more ambitious and become symbols of success by using their charm and intellect to rapidly climb the corporate, political, academic, religious, military, or social ladder. Between 20% and 50% of the population is included in this category.

http://www.montalk.net/

Freemasonry isn't the only organisation that does this. The most overt ones are political parties, corporations and the military. Any sort of ritualised behaviour programmes a persons subconscious mind to be rigid and tame, thus making them easier to guide whithout the person even realising that they are defining themselves and their abilities based on a limited set of chooices. The conditioned mind thinks that is free and thus won't even harbour the possibility that there is more to the official story than they are being told.

I have known masons and still know former masons and they all say the same thing as you. But they aren't running the show and neither are you. I have no problem with masons, each to their own.
Good luck with it.

I do think though that you aren't seeing the bigger picture, which is understandable as it is a big damn picture. You said that you watched a program about David Icke and found his ideas interesting. You may like to read his books (or watch his DVD's if your dyslexia slows you down too much.) and then you will understand why people here are hostile to freemasons. Personally I don't care if someone is a mason or not, I have never walked in your shoes.

The more diverse opinions here the better I say. Otherwise it just ends up a bunch of people all agreeing with each other and patting themselves on the back about how knowledgable and awake they are.
Cheers
h

ps - if you start to change shape during a ritual at the next lodge meeting GET THE HELL OUT O THERE!

*edit* - oh I didn't see oneofmany's post above, my info is all my own understanding, sounds like he knows the real deal.

[tinmenace]

Originally Posted by oneofmany

I saw first hand the power of these institutions and what they can do for you if your willing to sell your soul.
Honestly, I don't think your high enough up the food chain to see what it's all about. just my opinion.

That's what I've said to him before, but he doesn't hear it.

[tinmenace]

p.s. The Firefox browser has a built in spell check. Pretty cool!

[oneofmany]

Originally Posted by tinmenace

That's what I've said to him before, but he doesn't hear it.

what can you do. You can lead a dog to water, but you can't make him drink.

[tinmenace]

Originally Posted by oneofmany

what can you do. You can lead a dog to water, but you can't make him drink.

A dawg? I thought it was a horse? Ok, let's split it down the middle and let's say a pony....a small pony...one of them miniature ones...with the fluffy ears!



I meant fluffy belly!

[oneofmany]

Originally Posted by tinmenace

A dawg? I thought it was a horse? Ok, let's split it down the middle and let's say a pony....a small pony...one of them miniature ones...with the fluffy ears!



I meant fluffy belly!

I like to be different

[masonic3]

Originally Posted by oneofmany

I like to be different

MMM? Sorry but this is fact. one to me I think.

[oneofmany]

Originally Posted by masonic3

MMM? Sorry but this is fact. one to me I think.

what are you referring to? you've yet to convince me of anything you've said so far except how little you know of your own organisation.

[tinmenace]

Originally Posted by oneofmany

what are you referring to? you've yet to convince me of anything you've said so far except how little you know of your own organisation.

*Clapping*