The attackers were eventually indicted but served lenient prison sentences. This kidnapping and assumed murder are why Freemasonry membership numbers began to decline throughout the United States. Masonic thugs warned Morgan not to publish his book and repeatedly threatened him.
There were many witnesses to these threats, and for a while, Morgan lived in fear of retribution, regularly transporting his wife and children between several safe, temporary homes. For the most part, Freemasonry has maintained the core of its secrets. Over the past few centuries, Freemasons have been loyal to each other and the organization, helping increase Masonic influence in politics and businesses throughout the world.
Some of the secrets at the foundation of Masonic traditions, while fascinating, are not so secret anymore. Here are a few of the secrets that may or may not continue to hold any mystique:. Rituals help us physicalize our beliefs, desires, and commitments. For many, performing a weekly or monthly ritual is akin to a profound physical, psychological or emotional cleansing.
Rituals help people connect to themselves, their chosen communities, and their Gods. Given that all Masons profess beliefs in a monotheistic God, it makes sense that rituals are an essential part of the culture. These names help keep the concept of God as generic, and not tied to a specific religion, which removes any chance that a member will be offended.
Without the specificity and allegiance to one particular faith, the community can focus on enjoying, relating to, and helping each other, rather than judging each other or seeking to enroll each other into a specific tradition. In most Masonic lodges, the Bible, the Quran, Talmud, and Vedas are prominently displayed , which gives each member a holy text to reference and utilize during rites and rituals. While no ciphers are used today, during the 18th century, the pigpen ciphers were used to keep Masonic rituals and memberships secret.
Some lodges may have created their own systems, symbols, and rites to protect themselves. The Mormons utilize some of the same stories and symbols as the Freemasons; however, the meanings and purposes are not the same for both traditions. The secret art of Masonry can be found on the rings that most members enjoy wearing, which features the famous eye and pyramid, also located on the US one-dollar bill. These symbols can also be seen on the Masonic jewels of office, which are often worn as necklaces by the Masons who have specific responsibilities within the local, national or global organizations.
This necklace tradition goes back to the s in England, when leaders of local craftsman guilds wore them after being placed on city councils and when given titles like mayor or sheriff.
The secret Freemason handshakes are not so secret anymore. You can google them and see a fascinating little list with images, noting their respective nuances. Today, vetting members occurs at the entrances to Masonic meetings, which requires membership cards and other forms of written or tangible identification. Just like any group with specific missions and membership archetypes , it seems helpful for human beings to participate in same-gender organizations.
The other criticism that seems to hold weight in some circles is that Masons might promote, advance, or elect other Masons to leadership positions within their local communities, governments, and businesses.
While this sounds dangerous, networking among your peers and promoting people you know can lead to more consistency and stability within organizations. In terms of supporting specific members for positions of power, the Masons are no different unions and other regional or global organizations function. Preferential treatment and unified promotion of members within large organizations can lead to landslides, imbalance, and exclusion, but they can also lead to healthy, non-violent revolutions.
At that point, you are eligible to become a Shriner. Freemasonry has approximately five million members around the world, some more active than others. When it comes down to it, ritualizing our beliefs and networking with like-minded people, even with a gender requirement, can be exciting, empowering, and life-enhancing.
Who do you work for? Few people would say they work for a corporation called the United States of America. Maxwell has been a student of the occult since His work has led him through hidden foundations of Western religions and secret societies, both ancient and modern. Emerging from his research, he has identified certain symbols that offer clues into how societies behave and who is behind the mass manipulation and abuse of the populace.
Adding to his series Secret Life of Symbols, it stands as an intriguing interpretation of the symbolism in politics, religion, and corporatocracy. Among the symbols Maxwell explores are references to water and its relation to the heartbeat of world commerce and politics, based upon what he calls the Law of the Sea.
Water, he explains, is the female energy that delivers goods throughout the world. Further, he equates banks — the institutions that hold, lend, and dole out our money — with the banks of waterways. Thus, money is cash flow, a liquid asset that ebbs and flows. Our unique blend of yoga, meditation, personal transformation, and alternative healing content is designed for those seeking to not just enhance their physical, spiritual, and intellectual capabilities, but to fuse them in the knowledge that the whole is always greater than the sum of its parts.
Use the same account and membership for TV, desktop, and all mobile devices. Plus you can download videos to your device to watch offline later. By Paul Wagner. January 20, Benjamin Franklin published a book about Freemasonry on his own printing press. Nine signers of the Declaration of Independence were Freemasons, including the man with the biggest signature: John Hancock. Masonic Secret Society Long ago, when the British government and the Catholic Church were more militant, it was dangerous to share these secrets, so all members worked hard to protect them.
Masonic Symbolism and Texts In most Masonic lodges, the Bible, the Quran, Talmud, and Vedas are prominently displayed , which gives each member a holy text to reference and utilize during rites and rituals. Paul studied with Lakota elders in the Pecos Wilderness, who nurtured his empathic abilities and taught him the sacred rituals.
Paul tours the world lecturing about spiritual liberation, and lovingly offers intuitive readings and inspirational coaching to help others with self-discovery, decision-making, healing, and forgiveness.
Next Article. The Incorporation of the United States of America 11 min read. By Gaia Staff. March 11, Read Article. Miller, a local newspaper publisher struggling to keep his publication afloat, the successful Freemasons presented a daily reminder of wealth that seemed, for them, simply unattainable.
Once Morgan had these veiled details down on paper, Miller began teasing their very public release. In every neighboring county, Masonic chapters were soon gripped with panic, fear and outrage at what the two men might disclose. As the publish date approached, the Masons began a targeted campaign of harassment against the two would-be book publishers. Law enforcement officers loyal to the Freemasons arrested and jailed Morgan and Miller for outstanding debts.
On September 8, a posse of drunken Masons tried to destroy his print shop, and it was damaged by a small fire two days later. It seems he had borrowed a shirt and tie from the owner of the local tavern and never returned it. Late in the evening, he was bailed out by group of Masons led by Loton Lawson—the mastermind of the kidnapping, according to Light on Masonry , a 19th century compilation of documents about freemasonry.
He was escorted hurriedly into a carriage and taken away, never to be seen again. With each new county that heard the news, it seemed the brutality and drama of the kidnapping grew exponentially, while the desire to portray it accurately diminished at a similar rate.
Although they had been involved in a potential murder, the four defendants—Loton Lawson, Eli Bruce, Col. Edward Sawyer and Nicholas G. Citizens from all over New York state met and declared their intent to stop voting for candidates with Masonic ties.
That sentiment extended to the media as well, as Mason-owned newspapers were boycotted. The fervor in New York slowly made its way around the nation. As early as the next elections in , anti-Masonic candidates were winning offices all over the country.
Even the sitting president, John Quincy Adams, declared that he had never been, and would never be, a Mason. In , they became the first political party to hold a presidential nominating convention , a custom eventually adopted by all major American political parties.
Because of the Morgan Affair, and the ant-Masonic sentiment that followed, memberships dwindled and Masonic influence diminished all over the country. Although it still exists, the organization is a shadow of its former self.
An attack on the Anti-masonic party produced shortly after their September national convention. It symbolically contrasts the Freemasons, as aligned with peace, equal rights, and other positive qualitie, and the Anti-masonic party aligned with "darkness.
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