-Caveat Lector- http://www.crocker.com/~acacia/antim.html Books on Freemasonry - descriptions of content by Acacia Press.. http://www.crocker.com/~acacia/ Thoughts on Freemasonry, links to the JFK assassination conspiracy cover-up and challenges to social justice Based on the writings of these antimasonic authors, we find: The first Grand Lodge of Freemasonry was founded in England in 1717. The creation of this lodge is a milestone in the transformation of what was a trade guild into a secret society. Freemasonry was instituted, "to dupe the simple for the benefit of the crafty." (pg. 33, Proceedings of the U.S. Anti-Masonic Convention, 1830). Masonic rituals teach a value systems that can be viewed as a religion or cult. In the past Masonic authors have described Freemasonry as a "universal religion" which encompasses all faiths. The religious aspects appear to be an amalgamation of religious beliefs and myths taken from Christianity and Egyptian sun worship. Freemasonry has been condemned by many Christian faiths, but Masons have blunted or reversed many of these condemnations as the membership has successfully worked to marginalize or eliminate opponents and position themselves in the leadership of many religious organizations. Modern Freemasonry continues to use religious constructs, but denies being a religion. Freemasons are intensely focused on maintaining secrecy and will retaliate against those who violate their oaths or transgress against brother masons. The legend of Hiram Abiff, the Masonic Christ figure, describes how Hiram was killed while keeping a Masonic secret. His brother Freemasons killed Hiram's assaulters and raised Hiram from the grave. Freemasons are encouraged to model themselves after Hiram and hold their Masonic secrets. If they remain true to their oaths, like Hiram, they can expect to be avenged for attacks and rewarded for their fidelity to the brotherhood. While cases exist suggesting the murder of opponents of Freemasonry, Masonic rituals state "the more effective penalty for doing anything displeasing to Masonry is to be shunned by the entire Brotherhood, a penalty adequate to bring a man to ruin, the more certainly so as Freemasonry expanded in every profession and every branch of society" (pg. 31, The Brotherhood, Stephan Knight, 1984). Freemasonry has traditionally had many ranks or degrees and has been rigidly hierarchical. Master Masons were "sworn to obey all the edicts, whims, etc., of those high and mighty grand sublime Sublimities" (pg. 24, Masonic Salvation, Fred Husted, circa 1910) above them. Furthermore, Freemasons held: "The covenant is irrevocable. Even though a Mason may be suspended or expelled, though he may withdraw from the lodge, journey into countries where Masons cannot be found or become a subject of despotic governments that persecute or a communicant of bigoted churches that denounce Masonry, he cannot cast off or nullify his Masonic covenant (oath of obligation). No law of the land can affect it. No anathema of the church can weaken it. It is irrevocable" (pg. 56, Masonic Salvation, Fred Husted, circa 1910). In the past Freemasons were sworn to show favoritism in advancing the interests of brother Freemasons. The royal arch mason swore, "I will promote a companion royal arch mason's political preferment, in preference to another of equal qualifications" (pg. 9, The Address of the U.S. Anti-Masonic Convention, 1830). From the first obligation of the thrice illustrious knight of the cross, the candidate under oath received the following injunctions: "You promise to lead a life as upright and just, in relation to all mankind, as you are capable of; but in matters of difference, to prefer the interests of a companion of the order... to any mere man of the world" (pg. 10, The Address of the U.S. Anti-Masonic Convention, 1830). Masons claim their oaths no longer overtly promote favoritism, but many Masons would not deny that Masonic credentials can be weighed in selecting candidates for employment or promotion. It is also clear that many people join Masonry for the social and economic advantages that flow from membership. While not overtly encouraged to participate in criminal activity, Freemasons were sworn to protect their brother Freemasons should they engage in immoral or criminal conduct. The royal arch mason swore, " I will aid and assist a companion royal arch mason, when engaged in any difficulty, and espouse his cause, so far as to extricate him from the same, if in my power, whether he be right or wrong... A companion royal arch mason's secrets, given me in charge as such, and I knowing him to be such, shall remain as secure and inviolable, in my breast as in his own, murder and treason not excepted, &c" (pg. 9, The Address of the U.S. Anti-Masonic Convention, 1830). In summary, according to Freemasonry's critics, Freemasonry is a brotherhood or more aptly a cult which mandates secrecy and obedience within its ranks, affords protection and advancement of the interests of its members, punishes its enemies and turns a blind eye to criminal behavior committed by its members against non-members. Freemasonry provides a value system and an organizational structure that works to put brother Freemasons in positions of power in all organizations and can be used by its members for the most immoral and illegal purposes. Its foundation appears to rest upon the willingness of its members to selfishly exchange their ethics for personal advantage. Its strength appears to lie in a pervasive presence, unseen by those outside the brotherhood, working in concert to protect and expand their wealth and power. Masons might protest and point out the significant charitable acts done by the brotherhood. Millions for charity! But are millions significant compared to the sums that might be realized by the level of influence suggested. The Cali drug cartel in Columbia gave millions for charity as they pocketed billions. Like the Cali cartel, it might pay to invest a little for public relations purposes. They may also assert the organization and oaths have changed and its power diminished, but recent events suggest the power and the immoral, unethical and potentially violent character of the Masonic leadership remains unchanged. It should also be noted, none of the works presented here speak of a conspiracy lasting thousands of years or hidden mystical purposes for the United States or the world. Certainly those works exist and can encourage all kinds of speculation over the lodge. Freemasons may promote this kind of speculation both to aggrandize themselves and to mislead both elements within the membership and their opponents. Some of the wildest speculation about Freemasonry may indeed be sponsored by the Freemasons, as seemed to occur after the William Morgan incident. If there is a devil in Freemasonry, he appears to be a con man first. As Mr. Knight pointed out in his book, The Brotherhood, "the investigator has to face the problem of organized secrecy and 'disinformation' "(pg 5). Freemasons have played an important role in the United States, however the character of that role is far from altruistic, as Masonic historians would have you believe. From the time of the American Revolution Masonry has been a tool of America's business leadership and has advanced a social, political and economic agenda to serve a wealthy minority. Upon piercing a lot of Masonic mythology you will find, Masonry has consistently worked to retard the popular notion of democratic majority rule and the Masonic leadership has always been willing to use coercion and violence to achieve their objectives. Masonry has evolved from a self-serving business fraternity to become an important tool of the essentially totalitarian business leadership of this country. Masonry's liberal facade masks an organization that is profoundly repressive toward any threat to the interests of the America's business leadership. In the book, The Brotherhood, Mr. Knight discussed Freemasonry in the United States and other parts of the world. As Mr. Knight documented, many American presidents from both the Republican and Democratic parties have been Freemasons. They include recent presidents Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford and Lyndon Johnson. Notably absent from Mr. Knight's list was President John F. Kennedy. As a Catholic, traditional adversaries of Freemasonry, it would be unlikely President Kennedy was committed to the Masonic old boy networks. President Kennedy clearly threatened entrenched Masonic elements within business and government with his policies toward Cuba/Russia/Vietnam, his challenges to powerful institutions (CIA & FBI), and his support of black leaders representing some of the poorest Americans. If we believe the lone assassin theory critics, who assert the complicity of then Vice President Lyndon Johnson in the cover-up of the Kennedy assassination conspiracy, we have a clear Masonic link to the assassination conspiracy cover-up. A Masonic scholar, A. E. Roberts identifies Lyndon Johnson, J. Edgar Hoover, Earl Warren and Warren Commission members Gerald Ford and Se. R.B. Russell as 'known' Masons in his book, Freemasonry in American History. The identified Masons represented the leadership of the Kennedy assassination investigative effort. It is impossible to reliably tell how many other members of the Warren Commission and the investigative staff were masons because no published records of membership exist. The 'known' masons would have been able to influence the selection of all the people allowed to participate in the investigation. If we believe the early 19th century critics of Freemasonry, how would we expect Freemasons to respond to a Kennedy assassination conspiracy involving brother Freemasons? Most Freemasons might never be aware of the conspiracy and could respond according to their individual feelings. If they were made aware of a Masonic link, Royal Arch Freemasons would be bound by their oaths to maintain their brothers' secrets, "murder and treason not excepted" and warn their brothers of any threat of exposure. Royal Arch Freemasons could be expected to defend their brother Freemasons and support any cover-up of the conspiracy. Royal Arch Freemasons would use all the tools available to them to frustrate, confuse and discredit anyone to challenge their story. Literally millions of American Freemasons of all ranks could be called upon, as needed and with few questions, to quietly work to remove any threat to the assassination conspirators and their control of the government. Those Freemasons who were called upon to help would keep their Masonic secrets and could expect to be rewarded for their fidelity to Freemasonry. Any Freemasons who violated their Masonic confidences would invite the wrath of the brotherhood. Inside the Brotherhood, By Martin Short carries on Mr. Knight's research into English Freemasonry and gives additional information on American Freemasonry. In it he suggests the racist Klu Klux Klan was created by American Freemasons around 1860 and revived in 1915 "by a new generation of Masons". He notes, "It seems that wherever Masons have common political aims, but cannot pursue them through Freemasonry, they set up parallel public movements" (pg. 239, IB). He also describes how the OSS, later to become the CIA, reintroduced Freemasonry into Italy after WWII as a tool: "to prop up a sickly democracy threatened by Soviet-inspired destabilization and the prospect of a communist election victory" (pg. 399, IB). From 1970 through 1981 a far right Italian Masonic lodge, P2, with links to Ronald Reagan, the Republican party, the CIA, British Intelligence and British Freemasonry are now believed to have been preparing for a coup against "clerico-Communists", should they seize power (pg. 399-401, IB). The suggestion of Masonic influence or control of business interests, the press, and both political parties, has broad implications to all Americans. It raises concerns about fairness in the workplace, when Freemasons favor their brothers in career advancement. It challenges our assumptions about the independence of our press and its ability to serve as a watchdog for the public interest. It begs questions about the motivation and honesty of a government, which is working to further consolidate wealth and power into the hands of the few. When the Republican leadership warn the Democratic leadership of initiating a "class war" by resisting, even slightly, their efforts to further consolidate wealth, haven't they acknowledged the existence of a class structure within the United States. "The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist" quote from the 1995 film, "The Usual Suspects" DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. 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