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Secret Societies

Secret Societies. RELS 225: Cults and New Religious Movements. Rosicrucians. Occult-cabalistic- theosophic "Rosicrucian Brotherhood", described in the pamphlet " Fama Fraternitatis R.C." ( Rosae crucis ), which was circulated in print in 1614

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Secret Societies

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  1. Secret Societies RELS 225: Cults and New Religious Movements

  2. Rosicrucians • Occult-cabalistic-theosophic "Rosicrucian Brotherhood", described in the pamphlet "FamaFraternitatis R.C." (Rosaecrucis), which was circulated in print in 1614 • Addition: "Allgemeineund Generalreforation der ganzenweiten Welt" • Beginning with the fourth edition in 1615, "Confessio der Fraternitat", was also added to the "Fama".

  3. According to these documents • founded in 1408 • Christian Rosenkreuz (1378-1484) • Concern: names in the Book of Life • Alchemy • secret study of Nature • annual meeting

  4. Rosicrucians • invited "scholars and rulers” to apply • Hoax • Like Luther's motto: "Des Christen Hertz auf Rosen geht, wenn's mitten unter'mKreuzesteht" • Pseudo-Rosicrucian societies • propagated by Freemasonry, • Since 1866 "colleges" of Masonic Rosicrucians • Only Master Masons are eligible for membership.

  5. Masonic Rosicrucians • "the aim of the Society to afford mutual aid and encouragement in working out the great problems of life and in searching out the secrets of nature; to facilitate the study of philosophy founded upon the Kabbalah and the doctrines of Hermes Trismegistus, which was inculcated by the original FratresRoseaeCrucis of Germany, A.D. 1450; and to investigate the meaning and symbolism of all that now remains of the wisdom, art, and literature of the ancient world".

  6. Modern Rosicrucians: AMORC • Is AMORC a Religion? No. • Ancient and Mystical Order RosaeCrucisdoes not require a specific code of belief or conduct. • Includes metaphysics and mysticism. • by applying natural laws which enable Divine Consciousness.

  7. Freemasonry • The official birth of Freemasonry is conventionally set at the founding of the Grand Lodge in 1717

  8. Freemason beliefs / practices • Private: • modes of recognition amongst members • "secrets of Freemasonry", are the signs, tokens and words associated with recognition in each degree • elements within the ritual • Each lodge is independent, and can set its own rituals. • central preoccupations: • charitable work in the community • moral uprightness • belief in a Supreme Being • Developing fraternal friendship

  9. Anti-Masonry Conspiracy theories • Secretive • conspiracy accusations: • liberty, equality, fraternity, separation of church and state • Religious tolerance toward Jews (Nazis) • Jewish front for world domination (forgery The Protocols of the Elders of Zion) • 1786 Disclosure of the System of Cosmopolitan Politics claimed a conspiracy of Freemasons, Illuminati and Jesuits were plotting world revolution. • 1797 John Robison pamphlet Proofs of a Conspiracy against all the Religions and Governments of Europe, carried on in the secret meetings of Freemasons, Illuminati and Reading Societies.

  10. Christian anti-Masonry • This theory was repeated by many Christians • other conspiracy theories claim • all the US Presidents were Masons • Masons were involved in the JFK assassination • there are Masonic symbols in federal buildings and architecture. • Charles Finney, The Character, Claims, and Practical Workings of Freemasonry • Some Protestant and Eastern Orthodox denominations discourage joining Masonic lodges, ranging from mild concern to accusations of devil worship. • The Roman Catholic Church punishes membership in the Masons with barring an offender from the Sacraments.

  11. Freemasonry and Religion • Freemasonry is not religion • nor is it a substitute for religion. • Requires belief in a Supreme Being • provides no system of faith of its own. • open to all religious faiths. • discussion of religion at meetings is forbidden. • Freemasonry lacks the basic elements of religion. • a) no theological doctrine, and prevents one from developing • b) no sacraments. • c) does not claim salvation by any means.

  12. Freemasonry and Religion • The Supreme Being • no separate Masonic God; a Freemason's God is the God of his religion. • Volume of the Sacred Law • The Bible is “the Volume of the Sacred Law”, open at every Masonic meeting. • The Obligation of Freemasonry • Masons swear on the Volume of the Sacred Law (to keep secret, to follow Freemasonry). • The secrets of Freemasonry are concerned with modes of recognition. • Freemasonry Supports Religion • Expects faith, and to place duty to God above all else

  13. Illuminati • Founded on May 1, 1776, in Ingolstadt (Upper Bavaria), by Adam Weishaupt • Freethinkers. AKA "Perfectibilists". • Secret societies banned in Bavaria in 1784 • pledged obedience to their superiors • three main classes, each with several degrees. • Ended in 1785. • Blamed for the French Revolution.

  14. Modern Illuminati theories • Dan Brown merges them with the Freemasons, as a resurrected society.

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