Freemasonry & Esoterica

I’m fine.. (thanks for asking)

As for individual freemasons’ views on Jesus… that depends on which freemason you ask. Ask a christian freemason, they will tell you he is the son of god… ask one who isn’t and they will tell you something different. (I for one, am not Christian, and I just see him a wise man, a teacher, and a philosopher)

Freemasonry is not a religion, and it does not sanction or endorse any one religion. Every freemason is FREE to choose their own religious and spiritual beliefs. However, freemasonry does teach that there is merit in all forms of spiritual study, and does encourage its members to pursue a path to enlightenment. Furthermore, every freemason must also profess a belief in a higher power of some form or another. (even in the most abstract belief, like deism, is OK in many of the more progressive orders. Mine included)

All that being said… in america, Christianity is the most dominate religion across the entire populace, so in most american freemason lodges, Christianity is also the dominate faith. Especially in regions that are historically more conservative.

Thanks for the question. :)

Currently online there are quite a few websites that list recommended masonic books and texts. The books listed on the pages below are intended to be read by members of the craft. Since I do not know if you are freemason or not, I would not feel comfortable making more specific suggestions. Enjoy, and Thank-You for the question.

http://www.pagrandlodge.org/programs/academy/booklist.html

http://www.whatsamason.org/reading_material.pdf

http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/masonic_books_online.

oh, and I wouldn’t exactly call the Kybalion a masonic text. It is definitely a mystic, esoteric text, but it really isn’t something that is universally read by freemasons. However, I do believe that all freemasons could definitely gain wisdom and perspective by reading and studying it. 

yes… And below is my opinions.

Anti masons LOVE to take the quotes of individual freemasons, and attribute them to the entire order. But much like this blog only represents MY interpretation of freemasonry; The words of Albert Pike, are just HIS interpretation of freemasonry.

No one person, body, or group represents all freemasons. Every member is required to interpret the symbols and allegory in a way that is meaningful to them, and in a way compatible with their existing spiritual and religious beliefs. 

I do not agree with the teachings, saying or actions of all other freemasons in the world. Nor do all members of any group or organization have to be in agreeance in all aspects. Let us remember that Albert Pike not only wrote the degrees of Scottish Rite (1857) but was a controversial figure during his lifetime. So his opinion as to the higher Masonic Bodies is biased and not without critics. And while widely practiced today, in the infancy of their conception, higher bodies and degrees such as the York and Scottish Rite were actually frowned upon by masonic purists. Many freemasons today who are interested in the craft from a historical standpoint, only ever raise to the first three symbolic degrees of the Blue Lodge.

In any case, none of these are of any concern to anyone who isn’t a freemason, which I can assume you aren’t, based on this question.

LOL… both things are right. The 2 are like apples and oranges. In this blog I post esoteric images and symbols that I think would be thought provoking or interesting if contemplated on from a masonic perspective. However not everything I post is directly related to freemasonry. That is what you are seeing with the post in question.

Freemasonry is not religion, but it borrows symbols from the major mystic traditions. In freemasonry, we do use various names for god, and the great architect is one of them. However, this being said, freemasonry is not a religion, and we are not specifically referencing any one god particular. The god of freemasonry, is different for each member depending on their own personal religion. The names we use for god, are more of a substitute, or a generic, all encompassing name… meaning something different to each freemason.

The post about the Demiurge is referring to gnostic mythic tradition. In Gnosticism, the creator is not seen as fair or benevolent in anyway, and is not the main focus of religious worship. I feel a personal affinity toward gnoticism, and therefore many of my posts are on that topic. Gnosticism is not the religion of freemasonry, and not all freemasons are gnostic. This blog, and by extension, the things I say, do not represent the official position of any order, lodge or body… They are just one freemason’s path toward spiritual enlightenment. 

Since you said someone important to you is already a freemason, I will assume that once that time comes, you will know what steps you need to take and who to talk to, so I won’t weigh you down with that stuff. I am glad to hear that you are interested in freemasonry, and I wish you all the best in your journey. 

Human History…

Without writing the full history of the anti-freemasons, I will summarize briefly. Freemasons have historically been men (and women) who have been free thinkers and people with radical or opposing political ideals. They have stood against church and state for their principles, and have made some enemies along the way. Freemasonry has opened up the minds of its members to new thoughts, and thus invite them to question the status quo. 

All these reasons and more have caused various groups and organizations to spread misinformation about the craft. Centuries of gossip and rumors start to accumulate. Add that to a general fear by the masses, of things that they don’t understand… and there you have it. 

But generally I don’t think freemasons have a “bad name”. Mostly people are indifferent or apathetic toward freemasonry. In my experience, those who think poorly of freemasonry, are mostly people who are not interested in history/reading/research or have been told by someone else (church, family, movies) that freemasonry is something to fear. 

There is absolutely zero reason for people to be uneducated on the real history of freemasonry. It is all out there if they only bother to look for it.

As I have discussed before, this is primarily a symbolism blog, especially symbolism that can be meditated on in a masonic fashion.  Orthodox icons often (usually) contain universal religious symbols; many of the same derivative symbols used in freemasonry. And while freemasonry does not condone any specific religion, it does teach that there is merit in all systems of religious and spiritual growth.

Furthermore, last time I checked, this is my blog. I am the one who spends my time posting… so I get to choose what I post. If you don’t like, don’t look at it.