What is the true connection between the Freemason's and the Night's Templar?
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I doubt it, but it does make a great story.\n\nThe true freemasons rose during the time of the cathedral building era (perhaps 1150 to 1300) in Europe.  They were professionals with the ability to not only erect, but to design and engineer very tall structures, many of which still exist today.  Most of their “secrets” were based upon how to work with stone.\n\nThe fraternal order “Freemasons” is a much newer organization (perhaps the early 1700’s) and attempted to gain status by promoting a “secret society” status.  Much of what the members do is more “mumbo jumbo” than any hidden knowledge.  Their rituals are often borrowed from organizations like the “Golden Dawn” and the “Rosicrucians.”\n\nThe Knights Templar were basically a group of Crusaders who gained great wealth and power in the Middle East and then retired back to Europe.  The official demise of this organization was on Friday, October 13, 1307 when the church hunted down the members and destroyed the organization for their wealth.
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originally it is theorized but not proven that they intended to as noted by the Sub Prefecture of St Julien-en-Genevois. Article VII says that its members are expected, “to carry out good deeds, to help the Catholic Church, teach the truth, defend the weak and the oppressed”. \n\nthe founder, Plantard, originally hoped that the Priory of Sion would become an influential cryptopolitical lodge (similar to the P2 cabal) dedicated to the restoration of chivalry and monarchy, which would promote Plantard's own megalomaniacal claim to being a legitimate pretender to the abolished throne of France.\n\nOver time however associatin with the priory became perverted and steeped in mystisism.  No one probably has even discussed it till popularity of Dan Brown.  But please remember that Dan Brown writes fiction.
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The idea of Lilith, originaly, started out as a Mesopotamian "night" demon. Lilith has been associated with many things, from Vampires to Succubus (supposed fallen female angels), and everything else in between. She may have also been related to the Storm demon, the Akkadians had. Now the belief that Lilith was Adam's first wife, was created later in the Medievil times. It was circled in many occult circles. Basically, the idea is that Lilith was created as the Original counterpart to Adam, at the same time Adam was formed. She, however, would not submit to being in submission to Adam. So she was cast out, and then Eve was created (who also was attributed to the fall of man, which symbolically Eve represents man's emotions. It is usually our emotions which get us in trouble, keep us attached to temptation.). I'm sure there is some metaphysical-- gnostic symbolism in this parable. All of these stories, teachings, and verses in the Bible, the Gnostic Bible and such are meant to teach something beyond; the Spiritual truth. So, taking them literal would not be suggested. \n\nAnother thought about Lilith, that was "new" to me because I had never really thought about it, was in reading Sylvia Browne. She claimed that Lilith was the Queen of the Faeries. Whether you believe in Faeries is up to you. In many stories about Faeries, Titania and Oberon were always said to be the Queen and King of the Fae. On this matter I am not really sure, so I leave myself open to it either way. Even in what Sylvia has "channeled" there is much to be interpreted and looked into... when we look to find the practical and Metaphysical (beyond the physical) meanings of the Novus Spiritus teaching. \n\nSo, I would say that you pretty much can research Lilith and find a lot of varied beliefs, like a lot of things, and in the end just go with your intuitive senses about it. I posted a picture along with this text, which is a painting of Lilith and the snake. To most Christians the snake represents the Devil in the Garden of Eden-- ofcourse to many gnostics the snake represents Wisdom and in some other spiritual traditions the snake is a sign of strength, rebirth, and masculine energy. Everything is a matter of how you perceive it. I think there is a lot to learn from this "myth" of Lilith as being the first wife of Adam. It is a parable after all.
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Hi Stan,\nI met the theRoomate once, a few weekends ago. I was walking to the corner market for a loaf of bread when I had to pass by a neighborhood church. I was somewhat acquainted with the structure as it was always mentioned in the newspaper's community section. Known as "The loft," folks would gather there on Thursday evenings for poetry readings.\nHowever, this day happened to be a Saturday afternoon and a pair of gentlemen greeted me as I walked by. They invited me inside to sample an hour of their presentation. Ok, I went inside and found myself to be a prospective new recruit for their brand of religion.\n\nMost of the pews were filled with hooded monks chanting a haunting rhythm. There were others who like me, were wearing their regular denims. The service began like most others that church-goers would be familiar with. A grand master of ceremonies led the group through some songs and gave a sermon. Near the end of the hour it was time for their ritual of "laying on of the hands." Some of the parishioners would come forward and ask for prayers for their ailments or for a sick grand mum who fell down in the tub. All the hooded dudes whose faces could not readily be seen would all place a hand on the person and their combined energies were presumed to have a strength and expedite a solution to the problem.\n\nOK now, there was another new guy in the pews who was watching eagerly. I recognized theRoomate from a wanted poster viewed earlier at the post office. When he saw a chance, he approached the ring of conspirators and described how he was always moving around and never able to settle down. The hooded goons closed in upon him, all to make a physical connection. The master of ceremonies began a prayer, a dogmatic mix of logic and pure hocus-pocus. I immediately saw the effects of the procedure as the tension went out of theRoomate's body. When the beseeching was near an end, the master asked, "Are the brothers ready?"\n\nA suspenseful few moments passed until he almost shouted, "NOW!"\n\nOn that cue, the brothers began to pummel their hapless victim. Continually delivering blows over head and to the solar plexus until theRoomate was down on the floor getting stomped. After another minute, the grand Pooh-Bah decided the treatment administered was sufficient to induce a relaxing calm that would assuage the nervousness of theRoomate for a long, long time.\n\nI can't say for certain if theRoomate got the comeuppance he deserved as I had a loaf of bread to buy and some other errands to do that day. I hope for you Stan, that you do find a sense of closure to this difficult episode of life.\n\n-Zealnik
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Mormon founder Joseph Smith was a mason, and much of the Latter Day Saints ritual and secret ceremony that takes place behind closed doors is extremely similar to it.  \n\nEven though Jehovah Witness founder Charles Taze Russell based most of their doctrine from what he learned when he was with the group that is now known as the Seventh Day Adventists, Russell also dabbled into the spirit ism realm, and probably did use similar methods that Masonry has to get his new, "divine revelation" (I use the term sarcastically.  I am a Born-Again Christian, who believes that both groups are cultic).  Russell even sought the means of well known spiritist Horace Greber, by having him go into a trance, and then give the interpretation for what is now the Jehovah Witnesses "Studies in the Scriptures" Bible.  Its interpretation of John 1:1 (...and the word was a god) clearly violates the proper Greek rendering of the passage, which is, "...and the Word was with God, for God was the Word"\n\nIN RESPONSE TO THE GIRL ANSWERING AFTER ME........\n\nI did not say the Watchtower has secret rituals.  My point was that Russell got his NWT translation from a spiritist.  As far as me not having a clue about your organization, well, I have been around long enough to have seen your "infallible governing body" have to backtrack on things they have said many times.  I was a young teenager in 1975, when they proclaimed that Armeggedon was definetely going to happen that year.  I know the organization will tell you that is not true, but I had many Jehovah Witness teenagers hand me tracks and try to convince me it was going to happen before the year was over (I was a freshman in High School at the time).  This is not the only time the Watchtower has missed the mark on this subject.  On the basis of Dueteronomy 18:21-24, the Watchtower, as well as its people (I know they teach that all of its members are prophets of Jehovah) are not to be feared!!\n\nHave you ever thought about why they don't want you to read or listen to anyone outside of Jehovah's organization?  It is because they do not want you to know the truth about their history.  Paul was not offended in Acts 17:10-15, when the Bereans searched the scriptures to see if what he was saying to them was really true.  \n\nI don't know how old you are, but, I challenge you to break outside of the controlled mindset of the Watchtower to do an independent study of the history of the organization you belong to.  They have manipulated many, made false predictions about Armegeddon, and use the control tactics of not letting you listen to anyone else so as that they do not get exposed for who they really are.  I have done this study on your organization, and, if you would like, I would be more then happy to email you my studies.  But, until you can say that you have researched the matter on your own, please do not say that I do not know what I am talking about.
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The whole thing is rife with Freemason symbols.\nWhat's with the pyramid, this isn't Egypt!\nit also says novus ordo seclorum which I have heard means new world order.\nThe eye is supposed to be the all seeing eye of Horus from the egyptian mystery religions.\nAh, the masons and their ilk- is there really a sinister shadow fraternity within an apparently benign lodge? Is there a sinister shadow government that really controls?\nIf you read Morals and Dogma, a book of masonic literature you will be exploring an "occult" realm of philosopy and theosophy.\nBut I don't know for sure most of them aren't just members of a club that does community service.\nTripping on Illuminat conspiracies while interesting, doesn't seem to really lead anywhere productive!
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I believe that there is a lot of compelling evidence for the theory behind the Da Vinci (everyone should notice that that's what you asked about, not the novel itself)\n\nThe Priory of Sion part is highly questionable, but the evidence for the bloodline of Christ is very plausible and at least as "provable" is the orthodox Christian account.
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The Order of the Fraternity of the Illuminati, also known as Brotherhood of the Light, was a highly secretive society back in the 17th-century at the hight of the occultism.  If, and only "IF", this very society still exists into the modern age, its secrecy should not be any less as it was centuries ago.  However, since people do know little pieces of this society via the historical records (whose authenticities are yet very questionable), you are NOT without hopes in ATTEMPTING to locate this society.\n\nNow, there ARE over a dozen societies out there all claiming to be the Illuminati or related to the Illuminati (and let the X-File's theme-music play with that logo dispalyed: "The Truth is Out There").  My suggestion?  Try the Rosicrucians because, the Rosicrucians and the Illuminati shared a long history that goes way back (even to claim as far back as to the Era of Atlantis).\n\nSo, the Illuminati cannot be found but, we still can find their former "sister society" -- The Rosicrucians.  Now, the Rosicrucians were NOT that secretive then nor are they very secretive now-a-days...only if you know where too look (A Hint: Type "Rosicrucian AMORC" into YahooSearch).
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I believe you are pertaining to the the FACT page of the book.\n\nDan Brown is actually misleading us to believe what is in the book by writing that fact page.  He mentioned in that page that the Priory of Sion (which is the main focus of his novel) is a real organization founded in 1099.  He also mentioned about the Les Dossiers Secrets which was found in Bibliotheque Nationale in 1975.\n\nBut what is the real story of the Priory of Sion?  The Priory of Sion was a club founded in 1956 by four young Frenchmen. Two of its members were André Bonhomme (who was president of the club when it was founded) and Pierre Plantard (who previously had been sentenced to six months in prison for fraud and embezzlement).\n\nThe group's name is based on a local mountain in France (Col du Mont Sion), not Mount Zion in Jerusalem. It has no connection with the Crusaders, the Templars, or previous movements incorporating "Sion" into their names.\n\nThe organization broke up after a short time, but in later years Pierre Plantard revived it, claimed he was the "grand master" or leader of the organization, and began making outrageous claims regarding its antiquity, prior membership, and true purposes. It was he who claimed that the organization stemmed from the Crusades, he (in conjunction with later associates) who composed and salted Les Dossiers Secretes in the Bibliothèque Nationale, and he who created the story that the organization was guarding a secret royal bloodline that could one day return to political power.\n\nThe real history of this organization was written in some French books and even in a BBC special.  The BBC special itself concluded: \n"There's no evidence for a Priory of Sion until the 1950s; to find it, you go to the little town of St. Julien. Under French law every new club or association must register itself with the authorities, and that's why there's a dossier here showing that a Priory of Sion filed the proper forms in 1956. According to a founding member, this eccentric association took its name not from Jerusalem but from a nearby mountain (Col du Mont Sion, alt. 786 m). The dossier also notes that the Priory's self-styled grand master, Pierre Plantard, who is central to this story, has done time in jail."\n\nFor an extensive chronology of the events surrounding Pierre Plantard, the Priory of Sion, and its eventual demise, visit this website of researcher Paul Smith www.priory-of-sion.com.\n\nThe fact page also has certain claims of the Opus Dei which is entirely preposterous.  I will be referring you to some references that will prove that the claims of the book regarding Opus Dei is flat wrong.  http://www.opusdei.us/art.php?p=7017\n\nHope I have enlightened you at least this part of the book.    The Da Vinci Code can't provide evidences on their claims.
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The connection is typically considered to be a mythical one.  It supposedly involves the shamrock--three leaves forming one shamrock--and the doctrine of the Trinity.  I'm assuming you know about Arianism and about the Trinity, and that the connection is pretty clear.  For a little more detail, see the link below.
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I am not certain the two are linked, but if so, were probably done so by Christians, who had already made black cats bad luck through the creation of the witch, in order to stamp out all Pagan beliefs, which actually never fully occurred in Europe, especially in the northern European cultures.\nHowever, it is believed that Friday the 13 became unlucky, because that is the day the French King, (Philip, I believe) in need of money, swooped in and arrested the head of the Knights of Templar, who had, although they were monks, grown very wealthy and therefore were sitting ducks. Although reluctant, the Pope agreed and they were tortured until confessing to what some believe may have been actual worship of Sophia, the goddess of wisdom among other Roman Catholic nos nos. Of course if you are old enough to understand world events, you must realize torture does not get answers, it gets people to just answer whatever so as not to be tortured, so it is unlikely they were actually really guilty of anything other than having money desired by the King. And, as our current White House resident has just signed, returning us to the dark ages again, no writ of habeas corpus, I believe, but could be wrong, since I don't have dates in front of me, existed either.\nAt the time it was the equivalent to the government rounding up the business leaders of every corporation in the world. That's how big it was. And it occurred on Friday the 13, which is believed to be the origins of why this date is unlucky, because it was among the first although not the last time Christians would turn on their own.
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WOW.  Ahhh, just so you know, most Masons are NOT Mormons.  I  am a Mason and have been for years.  I have met many Masons, and none of them are Mormons.  I have met Christian Masons, Jewish Masons, and Muslim Masons.\n\nJoseph Smith WAS a Mason, and I believe he "borrowed" quite a bit of his "prophecy" from Masonic ritual.  We Masons do not adopt any religion as part of the fraternity, because each member is to worship in his own faith.  We are not a religious organization.\n\nIf you have any more questions about Freemasonry, and want the answer from a real Freemason, please feel free to contact me.
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Time will tell... If there's any truth to the rumor of the 3rd letter of Fatima, then maybe the countdown is around the corner. More on this later.\n\nBut in answer to your follow up questions: Yes; yes; maybe; yes; and finally, a BIG YES!\n\nThere are huge vaults in several levels of undergound basement containing actual and original manuscripts, hermetically sealed to preserve their antiquities, that have been gathered eons ago --well, since they gained power as the Official State Religion of Rome, circa 325 AD or thereabouts. These vaults are called the 'Archives' of the Vatican.\n\nThe Knights Templar followed the victorious First Crusade and were sanctioned by the reigning King of France, under the auspices of the then pope, in early 12th century AD. Their military mission was to  protect and provide safe passage to Christian pilgrims en route to Jerusalem and back home. They started out with humble beginnings and the original nine knights took vows of Chastity, Poverty and Obedience. Their rule of conduct was based on the Cistercian monks' manuals.\n\nTheir Order grew rapidly and gained favor with the pope who ordered all monarchies to support them and their cause. In the process they became very wealthy and started to build their temples [mostly round floor plans] along the route and in their travels. They are credited to have started retail banking as we know it today: deposit your gold/cash in one temple at home and withdraw it anywhere along the way to Jerusalem or back by presenting your receipt.\n\nTwo centuries later, the Order had gained so much substantial power that King Phillip and Pope Clement decided to have them all eliminated by execution on trumped up charges of heresy, spitting on the cross, homosexuality, sodomy, idolatry, etc. and were burned at stake. Their Grand Master at that time was Jacque de Molay, who cursed the King and the Pope to die with him while he sizzled at the stake. Within months, both the Pope and King died too.\n\nJacque de Molay is CREDITED to have founded the Freemasons... Fascinating stuff, isn't it??\n\nSeek and you shall find.\n\nPeace be with you!
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There are many facts in it and there are many hoax's weaved in with it.  Don't believe anyone saying that "it's all a lie" and don't believe anyone saying that "it's all true".  Pick a part that you have doubts about or interest, and then do your own research.\n\nFor starters though, most items related to the Knights Templar and what happened to them is true.  Their final fate is the subject of legend.\n\nThe Catholic church has apologized and admitted to the 2000 year old smear campaign against Mary Magdaline.  She was not a prostitute, and was in fact one of Jesus' most favored companions.  Suppositions after this fact have no concrete record, such as that he was married to her or had children by her, but are open to translation and interpretation.\n\nThe claim that there were three competing sects of Christianity at the time of Emporer Constantine's death is true.  The fact that one sect (Orthodox, modern Catholic) with royal backing had the other two (Aryanism and Gnosticism) hunted down and slaughtered is true.\n\nIn the book several word origins and translations were presented as a fun lesson, and these are true.\n\nEverything else is either part of a hoax or subject to interpretation.
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This question has been answered on a few other threads but I will give you some basics (and NOT what you can get from Wikipedia).\n\nFreemasons are a composed of a diverse set of organizations. In the United States, for example, each state or region has its own rites and rituals for what we call "the masculine rite".  There is also Co-Masonry, of which I am a member, that admits women and men to all the rites and privileges.  So what one Freemason may answer here is only one viewpoint.\n\nThere are secrets but they are mostly passwords and signs to prove yourself as a member of the Society. Those grips and tokens are remnants of ancient times when few could read and write and it was necessary to be able to travel beyond where one was known. Was it because masons were stone masons or was it because we were actually Knights Templars in hiding? No one knows for sure. Whatever the case, those secret words are hardly secret if one looks hard enough.\n\nIs it a secret who is a Mason? Hardly! Check the back of their car. Look at their hands, are they wearing a Masonic ring? Masons are usually proud of belonging to such an upright and charitable organization. Although with that said, in some countries being a Mason has been a death sentence: Hitler killed Masons, in Portugal the Catholic dictators did too.\n\nMasonic belief is in the Golden Rule: do unto others as you would do unto you. Our belief and practice is in the equality of mankind and the need for justice dispensed equally. In my Order and in most Orders of Freemasons it is a requirement that the person believe in God (a Supreme Being whatever your religion chooses to call that). We leave religion and politics outside the Lodge door, however, save that upon which we all can agree. We practice tolerance of all religions. We, in Co-Masonry, admit all genders and races.\n\nOur purpose? To put it most clearly is to make good people better. We are a kind of morality. We take our lessons from the symbols of ancient stone masons. We do our best to put those lessons in practice in our lives. It is difficult to hew stone. It is far more difficult to change our own behaviors. No one changes them for a Mason but himself with the help of God. \n\nI know it is easy to distrust and throw mud at that which we do not know, but look to our past at the famous founders of the US and Great Britian, liberators of South America and Mexico. Look to  your own families; I bet that some of your grandfathers and uncles were Masons. \n\nOur doors are open to women and men over 21, free (not slaves to drugs or jails), and of good report. You do not have to be rich. You do have to want to make yourself  "The Temple of Solomon."  We do not recruit. You have to knock for yourself. \n\nI am a Master Mason. I believe it has made and continues to make me a better person.
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Another Dan Brown and Da Vinci Code question. While it is true of the existence of the Gnostic writings, most of these were incomplete as Dan Brown indicates, and the liberties that he took in writing his book. Also of the existence of an organization know as "The Priory of Sion", an actual organization that was founded in 1956, therefore impossible for Davinci himself to belong to the organization as Brown tells in his fable. True there was a man known as Jesus, and that he was crucified. Jewish scholars have written this down as evidenced in the writings of Josephus.\n\nThis is directly from Dan Browns website\n\n"HOW MUCH OF THIS NOVEL IS TRUE?\nThe Da Vinci Code is a novel and therefore a work of fiction. While the book's characters and their actions are obviously not real, the artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals depicted in this novel all exist (for example, Leonardo Da Vinci's paintings, the Gnostic Gospels, Hieros Gamos, etc.). These real elements are interpreted and debated by fictional characters. While it is my belief that some of the theories discussed by these characters may have merit, each individual reader must explore these characters' viewpoints and come to his or her own interpretations. My hope in writing this novel was that the story would serve as a catalyst and a springboard for people to discuss the important topics of faith, religion, and history." \n\nand the writings of Josephus Antiquities 18:3:3...\n\n"3. Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ. And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, (9) those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; (10) as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day."\n\nRead and believe the following, if you are interested in the truth.
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Almost everything.  I have studied them much.\n\nI would need a more precise question to answer in less than about six thousand pages.\n\nThat is almost the name of the French translation of the organization that is known as the Knights Templar from roughly the 12th and 14th century.\n\nI have been studying them for more than 36 years, because of my affiliation with DeMolay, a youth organization named after the last Grand Master of the Templars.\n\n\nNamaste.\n\nEdit: I had a typo, and I left out a couple of centuries deliberately, because they didn't really come into power until the 12th century, and continued long after Philip suppressed them in the 14th century, only in France.  Some of them were absorbed into different orders.  There is a Catholic Order, roughly the Order of Malta, which invented Doctors without Borders which also known as Medicins Sans Frontieres, and a Protestant Order based in The Netherlands.  Legally, both Orders are independent countries today.\n\nBut be careful if you wish to chase this rabbithole, because there are a number of Orders, and some had similar names.  Also, literature has muddied the waters quite a bit.