Archive for the ‘Spirituality’ Category
3 Great Principles of Freemasonary - Masonic Education
Freemasonry is a structured organization that has been around since at least the 1700?s. They claim to be a Fraternity dedicated to the masonry trade of years ago. There are many Lodges all around the world. These lodges go under a variety of names, but they all have the basics in common.
They explain themselves as being comprised of a membership of men only emphasizing moral and spiritual values. Members are taught meanings to these values through what they call rituals. These rituals are somewhat like play acting but utilizing the stonemason?s customs and tools of year ago.
They believe in using allegory as a teaching aid. Allegory is a method used to explain things that are difficult to put into words. It is a way of using everyday terminology to explain a spiritual meaning. To become a member of the Freemasonry you do not have to be a tradesperson. You do have to believe in a ?supreme being?. They indicate a prospective member can be of any race or religion as long as they believe in a ?supreme being?. In addition, they must have a good reputation. It is claimed that the Freemasonry will not allow religion to be discussed at their meetings and being as they claim it is non-political means politics may not be discussed either.
It would appear that the concept of the Freemasons is to be able to live a higher quality of life that what many would consider the norm. Their whole foundation according to them is based on three major principles.
1. They are expected to respect others in true brotherly love. They must portray a tolerance for other people?s opinions. (Almost a live and let live concept)
2. Caring for those that have less or are in need is a priority to the Freemasons. They are very dedicated to their community and feel it is their responsibility to serve them by way of charity events for example.
3. They believe in living by example. By striving for the truth and maintaining high moral standards. As we pointed out charity is of crucial importance to the Freemasons. They believe they have a responsibility to looking after children that have been abandoned, individuals who are ill, and the seniors. They work hard to be able to donate large sums of money in support of local charities as well as national. The Freemasons society puts several expectations on their membership such as?
(a) All members must adhere and respect the laws of the country they reside in.
(b) Being a member of the Freemasons does not affect the private lives of its members in regards to the social expectations as citizens. It is believed that being a Freemason means to have those expectations strengthened.
Freemasons are strictly forbidden to use any influence they may have as a Freemason for personal gain.
d) His citizen duties must always take priority over any type of relations with fellow members. They are not allowed to protect fellow members who have not acted according to the foundations practices or rules.
There has been much speculation of the secrecy of the Freemasons. They themselves deny any type of secrecy. They state that all members are free to acknowledge themselves as members of the Freemasonry. All of the constitutions and rules are open to the public. It does however regard its internal affairs for members only.
Over the years there have been many independent Grand Lodges surfacing. According to the United Grand Lodge of England, some Lodges do not meet the true standards of the Freemasons. Therefore, they are not recognized by the Leaders. It would seem that some of these lodges do not require a belief in a ?Supreme being? and they can discuss Politics. These are two areas that go against what the Freemasons stand for. According to the Freemason, members must put God first (although members can use whatever they perceive him as being. Then he is to serve his community but not at the expense of his family.
Tags: Education, freemason, freemasonry, news, reference, Religion, self improvement, Spirituality
The Secrecy Of Freemasonry & Its Relation To Christianity
It?s quite well known that the much of the negativity that is shown towards the Freemasons is based on what is believed to be their secrecy. It would seem with all of the books and materials that have been published over the years there couldn’t possibly be any secrets left unturned if there were some in the first place. Others state that because the secrecy is the priority of the Masons what goes on has never been really released. The Masons look at the fact of keeping their rituals a secret as a bond and not some sinister act. Pro Masons will tell you there are no blood oaths or ceremonies that take place amongst the Masons and certainly no physical violence.
Anti Masons who refer to violence by way of punishment within the Mason walls have been said to glean their information from historical data of the Masons. This is not to say that the Masons of the 1700?s were party to violent acts either. It is said that their references from those days in regards to punishment was purely symbolic.
So where does the speculation come in that a Christian because of his beliefs could never become a Mason? It is based on the fact that the Freemasons state they allow all religions to enter their group. It is known that not all religious groups believe in Christ in the same way that the Christians do. The Christians believe that if they do not accept Christ as their way to get into heaven then there is no other way. Other religions do not abide by this. So how could a Christian become part of this organization that says a member must believe in a ?Superior Being??
The argument goes further. If there are Christians amongst the Masons that have the Christian belief then they are amongst those who they call their brothers that are non-Christian.
In addition to all of this the Freemasons also lays out a plan of salvation, which is depicted, with their ritual of the Common Gavel. It is said by some that this ritual is directed towards those who do not believe in Christ.
Therefore, what is believed to be the actual stand that the Freemasons have on religion. It is indicated that the Lodges have one main deity called the ?The Great Architect of the Universe?. In the lodge, all members must pray to this deity. They supposedly have a ritual that is based on the afterlife called the ?slaying and raising of Hiram Abif, who is know to be the Hero of the Masons.
The argument based on actions such as this would raise a better question as to what do Freemasons constitute as a religion if they do not consider themselves as such. In answer to this, some will say they do not have all of the constitution of what constitutes religion. They are referring to no creed, no claim to faith or doctrine, no theory and no worship regimes. They have no religious symbols such as those found in other religions. They raise no money for religion.
It is well known and that the Freemasons date back to at least the 1700?s and most likely even further than that. In those days, it was simply a gathering of stonemasons that enjoyed each other?s fellowship. It grew over the years as to what we now know as the Freemasons. It would seem more emphasis is placed on the fellowship as opposed to the literal sense of the trade of masonry.
Tags: Education, freemason, freemasonry, news, reference, Religion, self improvement, Spirituality
The Belief System Of Freemasonry - Freemason Ideology
It is common knowledge that some fundamentalist groups are against Freemasonry and what it stands for. According to the Freemasons, the fundamentalists are of this mindset because they do not know what the Freemasons stand for and in other words, they have reached this stage because of being misinformed.
Some Freemasons will make the claim that these opposing groups are worried about the competition that may come from the Freemasons. This would not seem logical since the Freemasons make a very strong point that they do not recruit. It is also stipulated by the Masons that nothing in their degrees refer to any type of salvation.
This brings up the question then do the Freemasons have any theological values. Apparently, the degrees of the Freemasons will reveal that there is a basic theology outline that they adhere to. For example, there is ?Supreme Being? who created the universe. This being has moral laws that must be followed according to what he has revealed. Everyone will have to give an account in life after this.
The Freemasons openly admit to using supporting materials in their lectures and in relative contents in their degrees in regards to the working tools. Their argument is that nothing in these teachings conflicts with the teachings or recognized religions of the western world. It?s interesting to note that there are other Freemasons that will tell you that there is no religion of any kind allowed within the memberships and in fact, members are not even allowed to discuss religion. Its discrepancies such as these that lead to the misconceptions that the Freemasons are so adamant about.
The final consensus on the part of the Freemasons is that its fine for non members to have their beliefs regarding after life for example, but if it is not compliant with Freemasons then there is no way they will become a mason. Masons state they will not encourage individuals to change their beliefs.
There are some anti masons that have gone to the point of even claiming that Freemasonry is of a Satanic or Pagan nature. Naturally, the Freemasons are going to refute this and once again, resort back to this is all based on misconceptions. They will address this allegation extensively because of the seriousness of it. They report that that in the last century there have been fraudulent sources of information claiming that the Freemasons promote Satanism. The other reason for this belief is based on what people conceive their symbols to mean. Freemasons are symbolic by nature and they state that this is misconstrued as being Satanic.
A good example of this is that anti masons that believe they are devil worshippers claim that the letter ?G? in the Master Mason?s jewel as well as the square and compasses stand for a phallic symbol. The argument the Mason?s present is the ?G? stands for God. Yet according to previous statements they believe in a ?Superior Being? which they do not place a name. Another question or concept that still provides no solid answer.
Tags: Education, freemason, freemasonry, news, reference, Religion, self improvement, Spirituality
The Symbolism Of Freemasonry - Freemason Symbols
There is often much discussion about the symbols that are utilized in Freemasonry. Some non-freemasons or those that feel that they are a cult suggest that their symbols are synchronized with devil worship.
The Blazing Star is considered by the Freemasons as one of their ornaments. The anti Freemasons have a different view on it. They base their theory on the Bible scripture Isaiah 14:12. Which is believed to be the ?false dawn? referring to Lucifer. This being the Christian belief then it must mean that the Freemasons are involved in Satanism because of the Blazing Star they utilize as one of their symbols.
The interpretation of Isaiah 14:12 has a different meaning according to the Freemasons. Their interpretation is quite complex but is basically like this?This Biblical chapter relates to prophesy which the entire book of Isaiah does. In chapter 14 it contains a prophesy regarding the Kings of Babylon centering specifically on Nebuchadnezzar. The Freemasons explain that this particular King thought himself about mankind as a celestial body, but when Babylon is destroyed, Nebuchadnezzar will find himself as simply mortal. The scripture is often referred to in the Hebrew language. The word heyleyl translated means daystar and refers to the planet Venus. Being a book of prophesy it can be complex to understand.
Vulgate translation: Hebrew = ?daystar? = Lucifer (Venus was classed as the morning star and in Ancient times referred to as Lucifer. Christian translation = Lucifer = Satan Latin translations = Lucifer = Light bearing
Freemasons: Hebrew: day-star=heyleyl = planet Venus
The planet Venus could be seen during both the day and the evening. The Greeks and the Romans had set names for it when it appeared in the morning and set names for it when it appeared in the evening.
In the morning? Greeks = Phosphorus Romans = Lucifer
In the evening Greeks = Hesperus Romans = Venus
From Hebrew to Greek into Latin would translate it to Lucifer. The argument that the Freemasons offer is that the term ?Lucifer? in reference to Satan or the devil never existed further back than the middle ages and it became a common term for the devil because of a poem called ?Paradise Lost.
So where does all of this fit in with the concept of the Blazing Star as the Freemasons see it. They will refer to the Minnesota Masonic Manual. Apparently, this manual is one of the teaching aids they use at their lectures. This Manual is said to depict the Blazing star as a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem and has nothing to do with the Planet Venus.
In addition to this, they stipulate than the reference to this only lasts about thirty seconds yet the specific lecture is about 30 minutes. Mind you, it is pointed out that it depends on what jurisdiction this is taking place in. This lecture takes place in the first degree of the Masonry program.
In summary, the Freemasons stipulate that the misconception of them being devil worshippers is a misconstrued interpretation of the Bible taken out of context. Christianity?s stance is that the chapter we have just discussed is in direct reference to Lucifer. They have based their opinion on a parallel in the Gospel of St Luke. Jesus talks about Satan falling like lightning from heaven. Therefore, in Christian terms this is translated as the ?Day Star? in Isaiah. It must be remembered there are many parallels in the New Testament referring back to the Old Testament. This very complex subject needs to be relied on in accordance to Biblical scholars.
Tags: Education, freemason, freemasonry, news, reference, Religion, self improvement, Spirituality
Regression Therapy - Why You Should Remember Past Lives
Do you feel unwanted? Are you suffering from addiction of any sort? Are you always being bullied or victimized for a reason you doesn’t even know? Do you have anger issues? How about your relationships, are they good? Do you seem to lack something even though you almost have everything?
If you think that you are having issues on one of these areas and you tried every possible way to address them but they still keep on coming around then you MUST read this article as you may never have considered that Regression Therapy could help solve all your problems!
According to the Past Life Therapy Center, Regression Therapy means facing the dark to encourage the light. It is a category of hypnotic therapy wherein the client is being assisted by a therapist to return to his past experiences with his mind still being conscious.
These past experiences may include childhood, teen years, young adulthood and even the time in the womb.
Many people however are regressed to a time beyond this life; past life regression focuses on remembering past existences.
This is not a concept that everyone can accept. ‘Conventional’ science tells us that this life is the only life we experience and when we die it is the end.
Clients have been known to speak in foreign languages or recite “memories” of famous battles and wars. Some even conclude that they lived during pre-historic times and remember hunting big game with their spouse, who is in fact their current mate.
What is really exciting is when people can manage to physically verify information about things that they remembered during their past life regression therapy session. This can be done by looking at old parish records etc.
There are scientific studies going on around the world showing well documented cases of children remembering everything about a past life. Often this past life was just a few years before their present life and so they are able to meet friends and family still living who they have amazingly accurate memories of.
It really helps in this life if we know what happened to us during those times in the past, because this form part of the way we look at this life, thus giving us the ultimate comprehension of ourselves and the patterns of our perspective.
Regression therapists coined a term called ‘Faulty Thoughts’. These are the negative thoughts that the individual himself has created in the previous life therefore carrying over emotional baggage and bad ‘karma’ into the present life.
The person who has created these negative feelings can get relief by releasing these feelings in order to allow their energy field to be molded into a positive one. Forgiveness, re-patterning and karmic repayment are all ways of releasing these negative feelings.
Forgiveness is based on the biblical scripture that reads, “Do unto others what you want others do unto you.” Karmic repayment, from the word ‘karma’ (neither good nor bad; it is what our mentality is uttering that we should experience as a result of our previous actions), means correcting one’s negative behavior in order to repay them.
Only after undergoing these corrective measures can we re-pattern our energy fields by replacing them with gentleness, care, tranquility, and harmony.
Regression therapy can be quite exhausting but is reportedly a life-changing event. Most people say their results were positive ones; leading them to a life with a better outlook and strengthened sense of self.
This change does not come without a price however. To be fully successful one must be totally committed to exploring their mind in order to change their life dramatically.
Regression therapy offers a truly unique way of looking at the human mind and personality and whether to help with problems you may be having or to satisfy your curiosity about past lives, it is something worthy of your consideration.
Tags: life regression, past life, past lives, regression therapy, Spirituality