TURNING THE HIRAM KEY - Robert Lomas

Submitted by Greg <http://www.dailygrail.com/user/2>  on Fri, 29/07/2005 -
3:54am. Reviews <http://www.dailygrail.com/taxonomy/term/10>  

The latest release from Masonic author Robert Lomas, Turning the Hiram key,
may appear to be a follow-up to his earlier books (with Chris Knight) The
Hiram Key and The Book of Hiram, but the similarity in name does not equate
to a similarity in content.
<http://www.dailygrail.com/images/BC/BC_turning_the_hiram_key.jpg> While his
earlier books focused more on historical detective work, most especially
uncovering the 'hidden history' of Freemasonry, this new release is a far
more personal exploration of Lomas' thoughts on the 'meaning' behind the
Craft, rather than its history.

Nowhere is this more evident that in the first half of the book, although it
begins in an unexpected way. Lomas tells the story of how he once had a
moment of 'cosmic consciousness' during an electrical storm, when lightning
struck the Earth nearby. A scientifically-based materialist, he was
perplexed by this 'spiritual' moment, although he had certainly read about
such experiences in the writings of Masonry - more specifically, in the work
of Walter Wilmshurst (author of the seminal 1922 book, The Meaning of
Masonry):

        From reading Wilmshurst's published and private works, I knew he
claimed that Freemasonry teaches a way of experiencing this ultimate state
of mind without needing to be struck by a thunderbolt...so I decided to work
through all the Masonic teaching about this state of mind and see how
Freemasonry thought it could bring it about.

This prologue sets out Lomas' personal quest - to explore the bizarre and
allegorical rituals of Freemasonry in order to find some greater meaning. He
begins this quest by presenting his own story of initiation into Blue
Masonry, and subsequent movement through the degrees towards becoming a
Master Mason. This section has been quite controversial, with some Masons
(and non-Masons) criticising Lomas for betraying his Masonic pledge of
secrecy - although this aspect is no doubt a publicity department's
marketing dream. And if the reader buys this book for only that aspect, they
won't be disappointed: approximately 140 pages are devoted to a blow-by-blow
commentary of the rituals he took part in.

Lomas describes this commentary as "living the rituals": he goes through
each degree - the rituals, and other experiences like the 'tracing boards' -
and the effect they had upon him. For me though, 140 pages was far too much
detail and reading became quite tedious during this section. Despite the
apparent 'shock value' of these Masonic secrets, most researchers know that
such content has been widely available for some time, such as in Duncan's
Masonic Ritual and Monitor <http://www.sacred-texts.com/mas/dun/>  (although
it must be said that it is a little disconcerting to read Lomas' description
of his pledge of secrecy).

Once this narration is finished though, there is a sudden shift in the
content. Part Two dives into the question of whether there is any worth to
all these bizarre rituals, positions and memory tests. Here, the link to the
Prologue becomes explicit - Lomas thinks that Masonic initiation and ritual
are tools for experiencing Wilmshurt's 'cosmic consciousness'. In Chapter 8,
Lomas explores the idea of 'memes' as presented by Richard Dawkins and Susan
Blackmore, the brain research of Newberg and D'Aquili, and the effects on
the mind of body position treatments such as Alexander Therapy.

Chapter 9 then explores the symbols of Masonry, something which Lomas sees
as a tool for enhancing the universality of Masonic practice:

        The Craft defines the meaning of its symbols by analogy. This means
that people of different backgrounds can use them to share ideas...the
scientist can talk to the Christian, the Moslem to the Jew, and all can use
a common language of spiritual symbolism. At best it is the calculus of the
spirit. The symbols are abstract and geometric but carry deep meaning.

In fact, Lomas goes further, implying that some symbols may be the very
language of thought. He cites the research of Professor of Art Betty
Edwards, who found that symbols of femininity arbitrarily and personally
chosen by her students corresponded with the ancient symbols used to denote
the goddess principle. Further to this connection, Lomas also tested his own
students' subconscious responses to neolithic symbols (via galvanic skin
response), with positive results.

Chapter 10 sums up the preceding few chapters, concentrating on the effects
ritual and symbols can have on the brain. Lomas turns to Michael Persinger's
book, Neuropsychological Bases of God Beliefs, and cites Persinger's
suggestion that 'god experiences' can be triggered by electromagnetic
stimulation of parts of the brain. After picking up Turning the Hiram Key to
escape months of personal reading on Persinger's research, I couldn't resist
a smile when I ran across his work again in this 'Masonic' book.

In the final section, Lomas applies this new knowledge about the mind back
to the 'meaning of Masonry', and the 'cosmic consciousness' which Wilmshurst
says is accessible via Masonic ritual. Indeed, Wilmshurt's main thrust
appears to be that Freemasonry is a highly evolved system of spiritual
arousal, through which initiates "pass from mere manhood and carnal
understanding to conscious Godhood whilst we are still in the flesh...it is
the realisation of our fundamental unity and identity with the ultimate of
ultimates." 

In this area I must say I was quite puzzled at Lomas' quest. Throughout the
book, he makes it quite clear that he is a materialist, and does not have a
belief in 'spiritual realms: 

        Wilmshurst believed he had found a direct telephone line to god.
And, although as a scientist I find this unlikely, it is an issue about
which I have no quarrel with him. There is no objective way to say which of
us is right.

It's gratifying to see that Lomas leaves others to their own beliefs.
However, I'm not sure of the attraction of Masonry to Lomas' eyes in this
case - if Wilmshurst saw it as 'spiritual arousal', it is then just
'arousal' for Lomas? In this case, why spend 17 years of practicing Masonic
ritual, when five grams of Psilocybin mushrooms from the local cow field
would lead him to cosmic consciousness? Certainly, I must admit to not being
a materialist, and so I find it difficult to identify with Lomas here - so
this may be a result of my own biases, and in the same spirit exhibited by
Robert Lomas I can only say "I have no quarrel with him". Perhaps further
explanation of how Masonry contributes to the growth of the materialist
human being may have been worthwhile in this concluding section though, for
all the non-materialists out there...

Placed in the middle of the concluding chapters is a return to the 'Lomas of
old', with some historical detective work into the origins of the Kirkwall
Scroll, "an early Masonic floorcloth showing the [seven] steps of this
spiritual path". Interestingly, the Scroll appears to include the goddess
principle through the Norse goddess Freyja - a fact which Lomas interleaves
nicely with a truly fascinating quote by Wilmshurst on the origin of the
Masonic appelation, the 'Son of the Widow'. He concludes his research over
the Hiram series with: 

        I have developed an hypothesis that modern Freemasonry was created
by William St Clair during the building of the Chapel at Roslin. I believe
that he drew on various religious traditions, such as Enochian Judaism,
Phoenician Goddess worship, Christianity and the Norse mythology of Freyja.
..the path of Freemasonry evolved from a mix of some of the oldest teachings
on spiritual growth.

Turning the Hiram Key shows the literary growth of Robert Lomas. His
narration is stronger than in previous books, he uses humour to good effect,
and scenes are set with descriptive flourishes. As noted, there are also
problems - almost one half of the book is devoted to "living the
rituals"...unfortunately I was closer to sleeping the rituals. In my
opinion, it would have been far more worthwhile to devote some of this space
to cross-cultural investigation - reaching beyond Masonry and modern
neuroscience, to encompass the various shamanic techniques of ecstasy, the
multiple strands of Yoga (the positional techniques of Hatha Yoga would have
been very apt), and the rituals of ceremonial magick. Some discussion of the
possible 'reality' of these spiritual states also could have been warranted,
such as evidence from the NDE of Pam Reynolds. 

Nevertheless, I found the second and third parts of the book fascinating,
and opened up some new avenues of exploration for myself - despite a few
years of research on these topics myself. This book is far from being simply
a description of Masonic ceremony; rather it is an excellent introduction
into the effects of spiritual techniques and symbols upon the mind and body.
However, I think Masons in particular will find Turning the Hiram Key a
worthy acquisition, as many would be in the same position as Robert
Lomas...interested, but confused as to the purpose of the Craft. With this
book, Lomas takes up the legacy of Walter Wilmshurst and - albeit from a
different philosophical standpoint - tries to reimbue Masonry with meaning.

TURNING THE HIRAM KEY is available from Amazon US
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1592331343/thedailygrail>  and UK
<http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1592331343/thedailygrail0c> .

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Excellent review, Greg. <http://www.dailygrail.com/node/1727#comment-8486> 

Submitted by Anon <http://www.dailygrail.com/user/3903>  on Fri, 29/07/2005
- 4:33pm. 

I'm curious, did the book speculate about the seeming conflict of interest
that is inherent in the Masonic culture? Specifically, while Freemasonry
"teaches a way of experiencing the ultimate state of mind", i.e., god
experiences, does the book explain how that ultimate state of mind is
compatible with the majority of the world's power elite (who are Masons),
including America's founding "fathers", leading us by the nose to their idea
of OWO?

As referenced in today's news, in The Power Elite, C. Wright Mills describes
the power elite as "men whose positions enable them to transcend the
ordinary environments of ordinary men and women; they are in positions to
make decisions having major consequences. Whether they do or do not make
such decisions is less important than the fact that they do occupy such
pivotal positions: their failure to act, their failure to make decisions, is
itself an act that is often of greater consequence than the decisions they
do make. For they are in command of the major hierarchies and organizations
of modern society. They rule the big corporations. They run the machinery of
the state and claim its prerogatives. They direct the military
establishment. They occupy the strategic command posts of the social
structure, in which are now centered the effective means of the power and
the wealth and the celebrity which they enjoy (Mills, pp. 3-4, 1956)."

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Please cite your source that
<http://www.dailygrail.com/node/1727#comment-8487> 

Submitted by Sonny_Jim <http://www.dailygrail.com/user/3675>  on Fri,
29/07/2005 - 6:06pm. 

Please cite your source that "the majority of the world's power elite" are
Masons.

For that matter, even if that were the case, there are adherents to
Christianity, Islam, etc., whose behavior does not live up to the ideals set
forth in their creed. Should the entire body, the majority of whom are
decent folk, be written off simply because of these people? 

In the final analysis, simple greed, and lust for power, are sufficient
motivators of, and explanations for, the behavior of many in the "power
elite". 

IA-A-GUB

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GOOD POINT! <http://www.dailygrail.com/node/1727#comment-8490> 

Submitted by kennc <http://www.dailygrail.com/user/4965>  on Sat, 30/07/2005
- 12:19pm. 

Sonny_Jim

Good point!

kennc

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We agree that the majority of
<http://www.dailygrail.com/node/1727#comment-8497> 

Submitted by Anon <http://www.dailygrail.com/user/3903>  on Sun, 31/07/2005
- 11:48am. 

We agree that the majority of Masons are good people -- how did that
majority get written off?

The power elite are not numbered among that majority. Just as a small
sampling, match a list of the top 100 of the Fortune 500 company CEOs
against a Masonic membership list. Add the powerbrokers in BushCo for good
measure. Then you do the math. Afterwards you'll be able to cite the most
believable source of all -- yourself.

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Puzzling <http://www.dailygrail.com/node/1727#comment-8489> 

Submitted by Aquaman <http://www.dailygrail.com/user/5664>  on Sat,
30/07/2005 - 7:40am. 

As a Freemason, I find several things about this author troubling.

For one thing, this quote: "Throughout the book, he makes it quite clear
that he is a materialist, and does not have a belief in 'spiritual realms".

A Mason who is a materialist and has no belief in a spirtual realm would be
like a professional athlete who sees no point in excercise and sports. 

Also, the fact that this man took an oath not to reveal the secrets that he
now has published worldwide calls into question his character. Put a little
more bluntly, it reveals his character to be extremely flawed.

He has made quite a nice living recycling old Templar legends and packaging
it with some internet conspiracies into a pablum suitable for the New York
Times Bestseller crowd in his previous works. Now he completely violates his
oaths, and for what: a paycheck from a publisher?

Every Mason has inwardly explored the ritual and come to our own
conclusions. This man obviously decided that would be a great way to make a
buck. 

In the end, he definitely proves himself to be exactly what he claims: a
materialist. The Masonic journey of spirituality can be a highlight of a
man's life; or he can sell that experience for 30 pieces of silver.

I pity Mr. Lomas.

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Not Really! <http://www.dailygrail.com/node/1727#comment-8491> 

Submitted by kennc <http://www.dailygrail.com/user/4965>  on Sat, 30/07/2005
- 12:36pm. 

Aguaman,

You know as well as I do that after one has attained the first three
degrees, there is, or was anyway, a speed course that will/would allow a
Mason to attain the next 29 degrees in about two weeks, maybe more or maybe
a little less. My father did it. In any case, some of those people, like my
father, didn't do it for the love of Free Masonery. The did it for business
and/or other reasons.

For the record, I'm not a Free Mason.

kennc

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Well Balanced Review! <http://www.dailygrail.com/node/1727#comment-8492> 

Submitted by kennc <http://www.dailygrail.com/user/4965>  on Sat, 30/07/2005
- 12:40pm. 

Greg,

As usual, your review was excellent! I enjoyed reading it as much as the
Book.

kennc

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Freemasons not all bad <http://www.dailygrail.com/node/1727#comment-8493> 

Submitted by johnsaw <http://www.dailygrail.com/user/5037>  on Sun,
31/07/2005 - 4:58am. 

Anon:

I can easily see how some disciplines or teachings that try to promote
conciousness, would culminate in a desire for a One World Order (if by that
you mean the conformist, head-bashing, everybody watching everybody else
form just so we don't have the wars that "they" don't want), if that form of
conciousness included a sense of hubris that made its adepts think they were
the Chosen Ones, and Always Right. But you're right--such a spiritual
discipline really isn't very "ultimate". However, I would hazard a guess
that not every Freemason is a power-mad control freak, but rather that many
of them make proper use of their teachings--intelligent minds can agree to
differ on the goals of their studies. Unfortunately, many people mistakenly
believe that higher forms of consciousness need to include the desire for
undue control over others, instead of encouragement of their higher ideals,
etc.--the same happens in some other spiritual movements too. I think this
mistaken belief comes from the usual sources: the physical rush from having
power over others, unmoderated by proper observation of how people really
work, etc. One person's "ultimate state of mind" is another person's prison
guard. "Ultimate" human consciousness (if there is such a thing) is too big
and complex, and continually evolving, to be confined within any single
discipline--many disciplines can contribute, as well as allowance for
invention by each individual, which is one of the primary keys missing from
many spiritual disciplines--a beneficial "tension" between what's known as
being good for us, and that which we discover. That's one problem I have
with the idea of becoming a Freemason, or part of any specific discipline,
though not being a Mason, I don't know how much leeway they give to
individual discovery and invention.

I find Lomas' observations on memes to be interesting--I've always wondered
about how much of what's been built into us over millions of years, that we
don't make use of, to our detriment. The balance between the good things
built into us, and the not so good, as well as new things we discover, and
how to control, exploit, unfold, etc. these things in ourselves, is the
story of our lives.

Greg says he's puzzled over Lomas' materialism, versus his interest in a
spiritual discipline; however, this isn't really very puzzling--disciplines
like Freemasonry, whether you call them spiritual or something else, are
mainly about trying to get the brain to fire on all cylinders, which is a
goal that materialists aren't exempt from--in fact, materialists (which I
count myself mostly being) would argue that materialism may be more of a
route to firing on all cylinders, since many forms of spiritualism renounce
too much of the physical world, where we do honestly see many things
happening that affect us. Certainly, our better relationships with each
other can feel "spiritual", but if they devolve into just "spiritual",
intangible aspects, then we lose touch with other aspects of reality which
are needed to allow us to feel spiritual. It's disingenuous to believe that
we're only spiritual, and that matter doesn't matter, and is somehow "gross"
and in the way. As you can see, I'm not someone who's convinced our physical
bodies are merely "vessels" for some totally nonphysical conciousness--the
idea is paradoxical, since if the highest form of concsiousness is no
physicality, why would some nonphysical entity that doesn't need to be
physical, want to be encased in matter? Sure, some might argue "for a richer
experience", but wouldn't that merely be slumming for such a being, and thus
not be "ultimate"? Our minds may at times be unaware of the physical basis
for our conciousness, but that doesn't mean our consciousness can't be based
on the physical. We can at times feel "above" physicality, but that's when
we're feeling our "eternal human" qualities, but even at such moments, we're
still human, in bodies. After all, you need a radio transmitter to transmit
radio waves (though radio waves are also physical, it sort of illustrates my
point). Recognizing that consciousness has a physical basis, I don't have a
real problem calling higher consciousness "spiritual", and believing in it,
even as a "materialist". Part of what this means is that I'm more careful
with myself, to preserve the physical basis of my spirituality, and don't
believe that smashing my car into a tree and dying would be but a mere
bother, with me then carrying on even better than before.

By the way, simply taking a drug, any drug (Greg refers to psilocybin
mushrooms), no matter how "cosmic" it might make you feel, isn't guaranteed
to actually MAKE you think in a truly cosmic fashion--thought requires
gathering facts through observation, and if someone simply takes a drug,
though this can awaken some "memes" in some people, and lets some people see
how some things they already know, fit together in ways that they didn't see
before, it won't necessarily have as much effect as when that person is also
engaged in a lifelong course of study, adding to the ideas and information
needed to make such a drug truly useful. Though I have my doubts about the
necessity of any psychoactive, some people have other opinions and
experiences--there's that aspect of individual discovery that needs to be
allowed that I referred to above.

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masonry <http://www.dailygrail.com/node/1727#comment-9953> 

Submitted by nim <http://www.dailygrail.com/user/5888>  on Wed, 21/09/2005 -
7:31am. 

Although I have not read Lomas' book, I would like to write to what is being
written by others regarding masonry in general and to offer a simple
solution to the problems[chaos] that fraternalism creates in order to
institute fraternal [monied]order. But first, masonry must be broken down to
its core 'elements'.

Ask: Who/what at the core does masonry represent? I believe that history has
shown clearly that masonry is a ritualized borg-like machined collective in
pursuit of power at any and all costs. Masonry in a larger context is a
fraternal organization that espouses fraternal ideals, morals, dogma, and
logic that is used as a tool to be used to garner more power at the expense
of non-fraternalists generally speaking. In short, fraternalism is a craft
in pursuit of money as power used as a tool and engine of growth in order to
socially engineer society into a fraternal society. 

Fraternal power is gained through the accumulation of money as power.
Therefore it can be stated that fraternalists of all ilk are nothing more
than lovers of money at their respective cores and beliefs systems. Given
that the love of money is the root for all evil, it can be stated then that
fraternalists are lovers of money and love monied evil as a brotherhood that
bond together as brothers with/through the implementation of the occultic
power of monied evil at the expense of others. 

Previous masonic[fraternalist] authors have clearly stated that masonic
fraternalists worship lucifer as God. Given that lucifer is most often
considered as an 'evil' entity, it can now be considered as fact that
masonic fraternalists worship lucifer, some'thing' less than God and in fact
worship the anti-thesis of God as the 'grand' architect of fraternal monied
reality created from monied evil.

It should be clear that masonry specifically and fraternalism in general
terms is something less than a good thing to be and represent.
It should also be obvious that I am not a mason or fraternalist but am
familiar with their rites, rituals, and beliefs. The reason I write about
fraternalism/masonry is because I want to show the errors of
fraternalism/masonry to fraternalists/masons in order to highlight a
solution to the ugliness that fraternalism/masonry hides in plain sight in
order for frateralism/masonry to make better choices.

Perhaps an over-simplification but nonetheless valid: fraternalism in
general terms is the love of money personified. Clearly, the love of money
as a economic system is capitalism. Capitalism is based on darwinian greed
in pursuit of green paper and gold as God. In other words, the pursuit of
naked greed at the expense of others. Capitalism in its current form has
clearly failed to provide for expanding freedom and enabling growth for all,
and ITs only intent is to benefit the few at the expense of the many. Since
fraternalism clearly embraces the capitalist ideals, morals, dogmas and
logic, it can be surmised that fraternalism is only interested in providing
for the future of fraternalism while justifying ITs practices with fraternal
ideals, morals, dogmas and logic through the implementation of
institutionalized monied evil.

What fraternalists do not seem to understand is that their 'craft' is
nothing but a cult of occultists practicing greed religiously as a
brotherhood of true-believers-inc being programmed by degrees over
generational timespans and are destined to become less than human through
and by the selling of their souls to the luciferian energy/entity that is in
business to buy and sell souls.

The solution to the mess being outlined is simple, as simple solutions
always solve complex problems.

Learn to share for the good of all our relations through a simple
restructuring of the capitalist economic system.

How?

Create a two-tiered free-market economy where all in-common goods and
services are usury free for all[including lovers of money], as a
foundational economic system with all un-common goods and services being
open to any and all usury based capitalist terms for those pursuing any and
all un-common good[s] and service[s]. Both markets will support the other
because both markets will depend on the other to generate opportunity,
prosperity and growth for all.

Serious comments welcome on the economics of this post. Rebuttals regarding
fraternalism/masonry will only further serve to expose the monied evil and
monied lies of fraternalism/masonry.

Hope this helps.
Pass it on.

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An interesting argument. <http://www.dailygrail.com/node/1727#comment-10789>


Submitted by Baphomet <http://www.dailygrail.com/user/5949>  on Sat,
15/10/2005 - 4:51am. 

You have raised some interesting points here and formed a pretty logical
argument which I believe is based on flawed propositions. Should this be the
case, then even if your logic is flawlessly valid it is not necessarily true
(I am sure you know that logic does not prove what is true, simply what is
consistent). I hope you do not mind if I offer a point-by-point analysis of
what I think you propose, for clarity.

1. You claim that history has "shown clearly" that masonry is a device that
makes free thinking men into some kind of cruel capitalist automata
mindlessly and aggressively supporting their system.
2. That Freemasonry is synonymous with free-market capitalism. 2.1 FMC
unpacks as "the love of money".
3. Love of money is the root of all evil.

Surely you can't be so prejudiced as to seriously contend that all
Freemasons are free-market capitalist fascists, can you? 

If so, I must point out that your logic is not sound as your premises are
massive overgeneralisations that cannot be correct. 

You say that you "believe that history has shown us clearly that..... [all
freemasons are brainwashed fascist bullyboys]". Give me your sources as I
can't see how this is "clearly shown". I am not a Mason, nor a wannabe (I
dislike religious organisations and bang no drums), but I can honestly say
that I have met, and worked with, Masons who have done their cause proud in
terms of their charitability and simple good-will. You claim that "All x" is
fallacious. There is good & bad in all organisations.

When you write, "Given that love of money is the root of all evil" - you
neither prove, nor demonstrate this to be the case, but simply take this as
a "given". And there's that "All" word again... I can think of cases of
homicide (for example) that have nothing at all to do with money, it simply
is not a factor. Therefore, according to your logic these murders, not being
motivated by money, cannot be "evil". Come on....

"Previous masonic authors have clearly stated.... [that the Freemasons are
Luciferian]". I take it you are referring to the likes of Albert Pike with
this claim? If so, the jury is out on that one - the evidence seems to
suggest he was a fraud trying to attract attention. To which authors to you
refer and what are their credentials? 

I do find it interesting that you use the term "Luciferian" rather than
"Satanist" as, in the true understanding of the term, Lucifer was the
"Bearer of Light", the angel that deceived Adam & Eve into eating from the
Tree of Knowledge and thereby partaking of the knowledge of Good & Evil.
"Luciferian" therefore seems to me to denote a seeker of knowledge and, in
its more refined form, knowledge of Good & Evil. This intrigues me, for is
this not what all religions do (try to discern and teach Good from Evil)? 

The Catholic church is equally susceptible to many of the charges you lay
against the Freemasons: they are (in the main) a fraternity, have a huge
library devoted to the knowledge of Good and Evil and are highly involved in
corporate banking. They operate exclusive clubs and also conduct many of
their highest rituals in secret. This is true of most religions -
exclusivity and supporting the brethren define their innermost core,
anything less would be self- destructive. Is your argument levelled against
all religions, or just the Freemasons?

I find your economic model interesting and will give it some thought, as I
believe some form of distributive justice is long overdue, but this is a
debate for another place.

I don't have time to give a full logical analysis and formulate a proper
counterargument at the moment, but I am very interested in the basis of your
claims. 

Your parting line is something of a self-fulfilling prophesy and grossly
unfair. Basically it means that you have aired your views, expect others to
listen to them (or you would not have committed them to a public medium),
but are utterly closed to any form of objection, seeing such in a certain
light without even considering the arguments in themselves. 

Personally, I believe in debate and reason over dogma.

Pass it on ;)

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