Wow, this is an interesting site! Since wiccan and pagan rituals are covered here, I guess a little needs to be discussed about the Freemasons, one of the longest-lasting of the "secret" societies.
The basic question asked for almost 300 years by the general public and surprisingly by many masons themselves; "If Freemasonry is simply a fraternal and charitable organization, why is there an almost a fanatical obsession with secrecy and mysterious masonic rituals?’"
If you've been curious about the "One World Order," and all the other conspiracies surrounding the freemasons, you might be interested in the following book, it's an interesting read.
<a href="http://garryc.mcfarland.hop.clickbank.net/" target="_top">Secrets of the Freemasons</a>
1 comment:
Well, there are a number of reasons, including:
1) Tradition, which is just another name for ritual. A marriage ceremony is a ritual, dancing with a current or prospective mate is a ritual, family reunions are rituals... Masonic rituals are shrouded in antiquity, and it lends a sense of connection to history, to continue them. They teach a number of philospohic lessons that continue to have value and meaning today. The rituals may be mysterious, as no one knows precisely from where and when they all come... but there's nothing sinister about them in any way.
2) The secrecy part is twofold: one, that it is a symbolic demonstration of trustworthiness. Were I to reveal the secrets to you, they would be out of context, and would likely be virtually meaningless... but the fact that I keep the secrets, no matter how much I'm implored to reveal them, proves to both my bretheren (and myself) that I'm worthy of trust. That same trust applies to ANYONE, by the way... not just my brothers.
Two, it's human nature to desire knowledge that isn't publicly available. That's why celebrity gossip is so popular among many, why seminars are held, and books and magazines are published that promise to reveal "insider secrets." This is an old philosophic truth, and it was kept in mind long ago when Masonry was born, to help keep interest in the fraternity alive. For of all the layers that make-up Masonry, we are, primarily, a fraternity -- and that's no secret.
Post a Comment