SteveW
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the_historian
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| | 05 Feb 2004 03:40 PM | | | looks a good read, Steve.
However, there are a lot of "questions" in it which could be answered purely by buying a good Masonic ritual book!
The rest of it looks interesting enough, but personally I'm finding the constant inference that Freemasonry is behind every historial event from the year dot tedious. Dare say it had influences, but the level of inferred influences says more about the authors' sense of paranoia about secret societies IMHO.
Yours in History,
Gordon | | | |
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SteveW
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Posts:662
| | 05 Feb 2004 06:18 PM | | | Gordon -
I guess it's difficult to pin down Masonic rituals, since the more esoteric elements were supposedly 'adapted' in the 18th C to a more Chritian viewpoint.
Personally I think Mr.Hancock deserves a lot of credit for questioning accepted paradigms and proposing new theories.
I've just finished an intersting book about the masonic architecture of Washington D.C. which to me makes Talisman less of a paranoid theory.
Anyway, I'm it'll be an intersting read.
Steve White | | | |
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the_historian
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Posts:1825
| | 05 Feb 2004 08:20 PM | | | Steve,
Masonic rituals didn't need to be made more christian, since they were never anything else. That's one of Hancock's flaws IMO-he looks for conspiracies where there weren't any.
If he had done as much research into freemasonry as he claims to have, he would know that the pyramid symbol with the eye can be seen in any lodge-considering most of the signatories of the Declaration of Independence were masons, its presence on the back of banknotes doesn't point to a conspiracy of any kind.The US is reckoned to be the first (and so far only)state organised along masonic lines.
That book on the masonic architecture in Washington sounds good-does it explain the street layouts?
Yours in History,
Gordon | | | |
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SteveW
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Posts:662
| | 05 Feb 2004 08:35 PM | | | I don't think your assertion is true about the origins of Masonry - even JSM Ward (Lewis Masonic Press) writes of ancient pre-Christian origins of Masonic rituals, back to King Solomon and Hiram Abif, emphasising solar worship.
The Washington book is 'The Secret Architecture of our Nation's Capital (David Ovason). It's a bit dry, but packed with info.
Steve White | | | |
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SteveW
Advanced Member
Posts:662
| | 05 Feb 2004 09:19 PM | | | Incidentally Gordon, I went up to Rosslyn Chapel a month ago. It is a fantastic place, not just the Chapel itself, but the whole area. I took loads of photos and might put them on the portal somewhere.
Steve White | | | |
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the_historian
Veteran Member
Posts:1825
| | 05 Feb 2004 09:26 PM | | Hi Steve,
I'm a mason meself, btw! 
Like to get a hold of Ovason's book, sounds really good.
Haven't been to Rosslyn for years, one of my mates is a Friend of Rosslyn Chapel and gets kept up to date on developments. Last I heard, they were planning to undo the damage caused by "waterproofing" treatment done in the twenties. This had the effect of turning the building into one big sponge.
Are you in Scotland yourself?
Yours in History,
Gordon | | | |
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SteveW
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Posts:662
| | 05 Feb 2004 10:35 PM | | | Hehe - I won't ask what degree you are. My grandfather is a mason as well, but he has no idea why Hiram Abif is referenced if it is a Christian order (for the want of a better word).
No, I'm based in Redditch (south Bham), but have relatives in Fife.
The Chapel is still scaffolded - a plus point is that you can get a really good view of the architecture.
Steve White | | | |
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