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Post by hollandr on Aug 24, 2008 22:10:45 GMT
I wonder if it is time to start a new thread - as a gesture of goodwill
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Post by heywhyyoubanme on Aug 24, 2008 23:32:01 GMT
Russell Holland, I would say it isn't necessary, I am just going to ignore them as it is obvious to anyone who reads through the posts that they are not even so much as reading what I am saying. I just don't understand why they attacked the moment I stepped on this site when not once have I said anything against Freemasonry, I have only condemned people that would use the social networking of Freemasonry to subvert the lodge for their own ends. If you would still like to start a new one though, for the sake of changing my user name to a proper one now that the issue is cleared up, I do not have a problem with that. Thanks for the links. I am aware that the central figure is referred to as GATU. Here is an something interesting to check out. Have you ever heard of the Cremaster Cycle by Matthew Barney? If not check it out here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cremaster_Cycle"The full series was released in a limited series of 20 sets of DVDs, sold each for at least $100,000, and will not be made available on mass-market DVD. However a 30-minute part of the third film is available on DVD" Through a strange series of events I have gotten a hold of the entire set and the 3rd(which is actually the 5th in the series) uses almost nothing but Freemasonic Symbolism and is over 2 hours in its full length. there is the 30 min version of it, which mostly covers the symbolism of the Blue Lodge, but if I recall right it stopped at the 5th degree explanation in the wide released 30 Min version. However, in the full version it continues through, but gets more and more cryptic as it goes. The GATU is a prominent part of the symbolism of this film, or should I say paintings on video. Its strange that he made them in the order of 4th one first, 1st one second, 5th one third, 2nd one fourth, and 3rd one fifth. The others do not have very much Freemasonic symbolism, but do carry quite a bit of occult symbolism. I thought if you get a chance, try to find the 30 min released one, as I think you might really enjoy it. Let me know what you think?
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Post by hollandr on Aug 24, 2008 23:51:23 GMT
>Cremaster Cycle
That looks to be a very curious set of films. I will have a look for them.
I wonder what was the inspiration.
Returning to your original theme of Masonry being infiltrated - it might be worth noting that various brethren joined Masonry attracted by the mystique and the sense of something profound but when they emerged as an apprentice in a lodge found it hard to locate what originally attracted them.
I have noticed a similar pattern with humans seen afar appearing quite attractive and on close inspection proving rather disappointing.
I think that from afar it is easier to detect the higher principles present in the entity (Masonry or humans) and that on close approach the persona (mask) becomes the dominant experience.
Many brethren drop out at the point.
It is however possible to penetrate the mask (veiled allegory) and make a conscious connection to the Divinity.
Cheers
Russell
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Post by heywhyyoubanme on Aug 26, 2008 5:17:35 GMT
If you don't mind me asking. What attracted you to the Lodge originally, and what motivation keeps you involved? I mean what, in your own words, what would you say Freemasonry does for you yourself as a person? Honest question.
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Post by hollandr on Aug 26, 2008 5:41:13 GMT
>What attracted you to the Lodge originally
I had been with the local AMORC lodge (mail order Rosicrucian) and was ready to move on - the lodge membership had turned over and I had less in common.
I noticed the local LDH lodge (Co-Masonic) and checked out the building. The building had a wobbly stream of Sirius energy coming in so I joined it
>what motivation keeps you involved?
After about 10 years there was some disappointment with the lodge so I resigned.
About 5 years later in meditation I was asked to rejoin Masonry so I did - joining a malecraft Scottish lodge near where I was living.
I suppose that I support agendas for:
- renewal of Masonry - cooperation with light workers - working with landscape temples
Some agendas proceed faster than others
>what would you say Freemasonry does for you yourself as a person?
As a spiritual being it allows me to contribute to the above agendas.
As a person it provides opportunity for relationship with like-minded brethren and to learn more of how spirit interacts with humans and matter
I am not typical, being more esoteric and metaphysical than the brethren I meet
Cheers
Russell
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Post by penfold on Aug 26, 2008 12:30:21 GMT
Yes, you still haven't really made it clear why you have joined this forum.
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Post by maximus on Aug 26, 2008 13:24:41 GMT
Inquiring minds want to know.
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Post by lauderdale on Aug 26, 2008 15:55:05 GMT
An honest question indeed. Here are my honest answers.
I was first attracted towards Freemasonry from about age 15 when a relative who had been "On The Square" died suddenly and all these men who where from his Lodge gave assistance to his widow and family. I had also been interested from about the same age or perhaps slightly younger in matters of an Occult, Esoteric and Mystical nature and my studies on same had also interested me in Freemasonry.
Over the years I read whatever I could get my hands on about Freemasonry, some of it was pure invention and meant as an attack on it, but one especially good book I was to read was "Darkness Visible" by Rev Walton Hannah. Although meant by him as an attack it is factually accurate as far as its description of the Rituals is concerned and I found it further whetted my appetite. I also asked about whatever I could of Brethren. Some such as the Scottish Freemasons were very open and only withheld such matters as the Signs, Tokens and Words. The English (UGLE) Brethren were more reserved. Eventually in 1988 I was to be Initiated into an UGLE Lodge in Brighton. After 2 years I attained the Third Degree and thereafter over the years went on to join 15 other Masonic Orders starting with Mark and culminating in Royal Order of Scotland, and had also been through the Chair of my Craft Lodge in Brighton.
I still however felt that something was missing. I have never been into the Social Side of Freemasonry and I personally believe that Charity should be a private matter and is often far better directed via those well known specialst bodies dedicated to a particular good cause, such as Scope, Cancer Research, Mencap etc. Being on the Esoteric side I found UGLE Masonry too "Exterior" and in 2006 I encountered Co-Masonry in Le Droit Humain and changed over to it which I found was far closer to what I had been looking for all along in Freemasonry and that I was more suited to it and it to me than had been the case in UGLE.
I am now actively engaged in Le Driot Humain in various ways.
So what do I get out of Freemasonry? Nothing material to be sure! I do however find tremendous fulfillment from my being a Freemason for 20 years now, from the various experiences I have had, from the many and different people I have met.
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Post by billmcelligott on Aug 26, 2008 17:15:40 GMT
Ask not what Freemasonry can do for you, but rather what can you do for Freemasonry.
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