CONSPIRACY CLAIM #05 - Cyclopedia Masonica

CLAIM #5:
Freemasons are Evil and they worship Satan?

ANSWER:
This Claim is False!
Freemasonry is NOT a religion, Freemasons do NOT worship Satan, Baphomet or Moloch.

WHY?

The assertion in question appears to be a brainchild of what can only be described as Pentecostal Evangelistic Extremism, a delightful cocktail of fervor and fiction. This narrative seems to have been stitched together from the patchwork of statements by notable figures like Leo Taxil and William Guy Carr, alongside a creative interpretation of Old Testament tales, particularly the ever-entertaining escapade of Adam and Eve in Genesis – with a spotlight on Genesis 3:7. I must confess that pinpointing the original fabricator of this intriguing falsehood is akin to finding a needle in a historical haystack. However, my educated guess, backed by diligent research, places its genesis (pun intended) somewhere in the whimsical 1800s. Genesis 3:7 becomes the center of this controversy, not just because it’s a biblical verse but because of one particularly juicy phrase and a tantalizing keyword that seem to have ignited imaginations and controversies alike.

In the spirit of keeping things delightfully uncomplicated and catering to the preferences of our Pentecostal Evangelistic Extremist friends, we’ll be diving into the 1611 King James Version of the Bible. It’s like the Shakespeare of biblical texts – archaic yet charming. Now, for the pedants among us who prefer their holy scriptures in a more modern, less ‘thou shalt’ format, feel free to switch to a version that doesn’t feel like it’s testing your Old English skills. Whether it’s NIV, ESV, or any other acronym soup of biblical translations, the gist remains the same. Especially for the words we’re dissecting here – they’re like that one actor who plays the same role in every movie; the context doesn’t really change.

Please note going forward, a notice of caution to those who have difficulty with factual evidence and statements that are controversial. If you are unable to handle such a conversation, please exit this page now.

It is important to note that every time square brackets are used “[ __ ]” in this particular page, it refers to the translated meaning into English from another referenced Hebrew text, which is a generic term because the original Hebrew word does NOT have any existing correct translation to English.
Links to support this and the discussion within the context of this page are also provided for a complete comprehension of bible passages, due to the sensitivity of this subject.

Note that the following terms should be memorized to correctly understand what is written in the bible, in order to understand this particular section. Note that there is no correct translation for any of the terms mentioned above, therefore we shall NOT translate them into English, and thus use their original Hebrew terms.

Translations used in the Bible:

Every time you see the following English words (on the left hand side), let us use the original Hebrew word instead (on the right hand side) which is preceded by the ‘=’ symbol, in order to maintain full respect for the original authors of these Hebrew texts.
• God = Elohim
• The Most High = Elyon
• Lord = Yahweh
• Eternal = Yahweh
• Spirit = Ruach
• Glory = Kavod

Why use the original words rather than the translated text? Because this is the only way to correctly understand the full meaning of the ancient texts and avoid misunderstandings.

Primary Notes:

• EL is the singular form of Elohim and also suggests it is another entity, other than Yahweh. Elohim is Plural.
• Elyon, mentioned in the Bible (And the Tanakh/Torah) is noted as being ‘higher’ in rank than Yahweh, as Elyon ‘assigned’ Yahweh the land of Canaan and other lands assigned to 69 other Elohim, Re: Deuteronomy 32:8-9 – Masoretic Text

http://www.qbible.com/hebrew-old-testament/deuteronomy/32.html

• Ruach is often translated as ‘spirit’ however this translation seems to be wrong due to the fact that the Ruach, in several books of the Torah, explain that a particular sound is made and it also produces flames and smoke. That cannot mean a spirit in it’s current meaning in the Oxford dictionary, therefore we should use the original word untranslated.
• Kavod is often translated as ‘Glory’ however this translation seems to be wrong due to the fact that Kavod, in several books of the Torah, explain that a particular sound is made and it also produces flames and smoke. The definition from the Torah also suggests it is a ‘heavy military object’. That cannot mean Glory in it’s current meaning in the Oxford dictionary, therefore we should use the original word untranslated.

Additional Notes:
None of the comments above or below, constitute a negation of the existence of God, that is not in question and the webmaster/author of this page has never and is never suggesting that God does not exist or that the ancient texts are wrong. Quite the contrary! However, to grasp a strong foundational understanding of these texts, it is strongly suggested to use the ORIGINAL Hebrew words as there is no correct translation for them whilst providing full respect to the original authors.

Sources:
The Naked Bible – Mauro Biglino
https://www.amazon.com/Naked-Bible-Truth-famous-history/dp/8894611736
I Profeti Minori – Piergiorgio Beretta & Mauro Biglino (Published by Editore San Paolo)
https://www.amazon.com/I-profeti-minori-Ediz-multilingue/dp/8821566471
The Early History of God – Mark S. Smith
https://www.amazon.com/Early-History-God-Biblical-Resource/dp/080283972X
Yahweh and the Gods and Goddesses of Canaan (The Library of Hebrew Bible / Old Testament Studies) – John Day
https://www.amazon.com/Yahweh-Goddesses-Library-Testament-Studies/dp/0826468306
The Origins of Biblical Monotheism: Israel’s Polytheistic Background and the Ugaritic Texts – Mark S. Smith
https://www.amazon.com/Origins-Biblical-Monotheism-Polytheistic-Background/dp/0195167686
Canaanite Myth and Hebrew Epic: Essays in the History of the Religion of Israel
https://www.amazon.com/Canaanite-Myth-Hebrew-Epic-Religion/dp/0674091760/
The Faces of God: Canaanite Mythology as Hebrew Theology
https://www.amazon.com/Faces-God-Canaanite-Mythology-Theology/dp/0882149946

The Story of Adam & Eve in Genesis

What is actually stated in Genesis 3?

Source: https://biblehub.com/genesis/3.htm

“1Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD [Yahweh] God [Elohim] had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God [Elohim] said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God [Elohim] hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5For God [Elohim] doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 7And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves apron”

“8And they heard the voice of the LORD [Yahweh] God [Elohim] walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD [Yahweh] God [Elohim] amongst the trees of the garden. 9And the LORD [Yahweh] God [Elohim] called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. 11And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? 12And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. 13And the LORD [Yahweh] God [Elohim] said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. 14And the LORD [Yahweh] God [Elohim] said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

The first key phrase and keywords that are targeted here are the following, specifically in Genesis 3:7

“7And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.”

So, let’s wade through the Pentecostal Evangelistic Extremist Christian’s narrative, which, in its charming simplicity, draws a rather imaginative line between biblical events and Masonic rituals. In their version of the story, the ‘opening of eyes‘ gets a Masonic makeover, morphing into the phrase ‘receiving of light and knowledge‘ – a bit of a Masonic catchphrase, if you will. And then there’s the word ‘Apron,’ which in this context, isn’t something you’d wear to a BBQ. No, in the mystical world of Freemasonry, it’s the attire of choice for those attending a lodge meeting. These elements are like the secret sauce of Freemasonry, and they form the crux of what can only be described as a fantastically far-fetched claim.

Let’s debunk a myth with a dash of common sense and a sprinkle of sass. Gaining knowledge isn’t some mystical process reserved for the initiated. It’s as simple as cracking open a book – revolutionary, I know. When it comes to Masonic wisdom, you don’t need to don an apron or learn a secret handshake to get the lowdown. The world of Masonic literature is an open book, quite literally.

Take Albert Gallatin Mackey and Manly P. Hall, for instance. These guys are like the J.K. Rowling and George R.R. Martin of Masonic writing. Their works, along with those of countless other Masonic authors, sit on public bookshelves, not hidden in some clandestine vault. So, the idea that Masonic knowledge is some sort of hush-hush affair is about as credible as the tooth fairy being real.

First off, let’s clear the air about a common biblical misnomer. The tree at the heart of all the Eden drama? It’s not an apple tree, despite what some theologians might have you believe. A deep dive into the ancient Hebrew texts reveals zero mentions of this ‘apple tree’ business. The real star of the show is the ‘Tree of Life,’ a concept that’s as universal as it gets, popping up in civilizations across the globe. The images below give you a sneak peek, but for the full lowdown on this arboreal celebrity, check out other sections of this website where the Tree of Life gets its well-deserved spotlight, complete with all its symbolic glory and applications.

Now, onto the second point, and brace yourself for a dose of reality mixed with a pinch of sarcasm. The idea that using an ‘apron’ – a mundane item for covering one’s modesty, cooking, or shielding oneself at work – could be twisted into a symbol of ‘sin’ or ‘evil’ is, frankly, bonkers. This theory seems to be the pet project of an extremist with a flair for the dramatic, desperately grasping at straws to smear the Masonic fraternity. Observing Freemasons donning aprons in lodge meetings is one thing; interpreting it as some diabolical sign is another. Operative Masons wore aprons as a practical measure against the hazards of their trade – hammers, chisels, and the like. To claim that an apron is a token of evil is not just absurd; it’s a testament to the staggering level of ignorance that extremists can reach.

If one is to examine the phrases in Genesis 3, one might consider the following:

Why, would it be considered a sin for Adam and Eve to have their eyes ‘opened’? Let’s get one thing straight: we’re not talking about a literal eye-opening experience here, like waking up from a nap. This scriptural reference is more about an awakening of knowledge, likely pointing to the pineal gland – that tiny, mystical, pea-sized gland in your brain that’s been a hot topic from ancient civilizations to modern conspiracy theories. It’s not about Adam and Eve suddenly realizing they forgot to put on their sunglasses.

What are the ramifications for 2 people to live their lives with their eyes closed? Is it because being aware will make people like God?
(In the context of this statement aligns with the context of the Torah, regarding ignorance. Thus, the statement in question is:

Genesis 3:4

4“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.

Why would knowledge be such a thorny issue? It’s almost as if we’re suggesting that ignorance is bliss. But let’s dive deeper. Is the crux of the matter that Adam and Eve were meant to stay in the dark, knowledge-wise? It poses an intriguing question: Did Yahweh, the Elohim, have a divine monopoly on knowledge that he didn’t want to share? It’s like the ultimate ‘members only’ club. Were Adam and Eve supposed to remain blissfully unaware, never quite reaching the same level of enlightenment as their creator? It’s a thought-provoking scenario, suggesting that perhaps the pursuit of knowledge was the real apple of discord in this ancient narrative.

Why would it be a crime to obtain knowledge? Does God want everyone stupid? How can knowledge make Adam and Eve THE SAME as God, the creator of the Universe?

How could knowledge make Adam and Eve the same as God, in the context of God the creator of the universe who theologists portray as being the protagonist of this particular section, which it is not?

Genesis 3:6-7

⁶And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
⁷And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

Why would it be a problem that Adam and Eve sewed fig leaves together to wear aprons that concealed their genitalia, seeing they were totally naked?

Why did LORD [Yahweh] God [Elohim] lie to Adam and Eve when he said that if they eat from the tree, they will surely die?

Who is the Serpent? Is it Satan? Or is it someone else who has been purposely hidden and obscured? However reading the Ancient Sumerian texts such as the Enuma Elish and the Epic of Gilgamesh, one will soon realise that the names of the Characters in this same story of the Garden of Eden (originally written in Ancient Sumerian text several thousand years PRIOR to the Hebrew texts and bible), mentions 2 individuals named Enlil and Enki where one is noted as an Evil and angry jealous God (Enlil) [often linked with the God Yahweh by behavior] and the other is noted as a Loving God (Enki), loving the humans and wanting to help them as the humans were his creation.

Additionally, one must ask the question, if this verse is referring to God (eg: [Lord] Yahweh the [God] Elohim) to which it cannot be God the creator of the universe, but rather Yahweh the Elohim – an entity that walks and talks and is revered as a god in a specific region of Palestine, named Canaan). If it is God the creator, how can Adam and Eve have heard the voice and the foot steps of ‘God’ [Elohim] in the garden rather than a burning bush? How can the creator of the universe, take physical human form?

Isn’t the creator of the universe all knowing? Then why would the creator of the universe need to ask Adam ‘where are you’ in Genesis 3:8-9 ? Shouldn’t he have already known where Adam was seeing he is the all knowing all mighty God?

Genesis 3:8-9

⁸And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.
⁹And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

In the context portrayed by the Pentecostal Evangelist extremist, then he (Yahweh – a masculine gendered being – see image left) cannot be God the creator of the universe, therefore it must be a man or an entity that looks like a man, which in the Hebrew text, clearly shows and explains that they were speaking about Yahweh who is one of the Elohim, one of 70 Children of Elyon (Elyon’s original name was probably Anu – Ref to Enuma Elish and Epic of Gilgamesh – Ancient Sumerian Texts written several thousand years before the Hebrew texts / bible).

Sources:
Enuma Elish
https://www.amazon.com.au/Enuma-Elish-Original-Brief-Commentary/dp/1989940390
Epic of Gilgamesh
https://www.amazon.com.au/Epic-Gilgamesh-Andrew-George/dp/014044100X

Does it mean one is evil when one asks questions about different religions and try to understand all of the text contained in various religions which there can be many lessons to learn from?

The answer is a clear NO !
Let’s get one thing straight: the quest for truth and the habit of asking questions aren’t just good; they’re quintessentially human. This isn’t about dabbling in the dark arts of evil; it’s about embracing the enlightening journey of human curiosity. The very idea that seeking truth through diligent historical research, as opposed to blindly swallowing spoon-fed dogma, could be frowned upon is, frankly, baffling. Such a notion isn’t just concerning; it’s a direct roadblock on the highway to enlightenment. To suggest that the pursuit of knowledge and truth should be anything less than celebrated is to put a chokehold on progress itself.

Conclusion

Let’s get straight to the point, shall we? Freemasonry, while not a religion, certainly knows how to mix-and-match with a diverse array of religious teachings. Picture it as a culinary spread of spiritual wisdom, sampling and savoring bits from various faiths to provide a rich menu of life lessons and moral guidance. It’s a veritable feast of philosophical diversity, offering more flavors of faith than your average spiritual smorgasbord. In the Masonic approach, it’s not about religious exclusivity; it’s about moral inclusivity.

Dive into a bit of research and reflective study, and it becomes crystal clear: Freemasonry doesn’t only reference from Christianity. Every religion brings something to the table, contributing to the grand buffet of moral and character-building wisdom. This eclectic mix is what shapes a person, fine-tuning their moral compass, and guiding them towards becoming not just a better man, but a more well-rounded human being.

And here’s a little insider tip: you don’t need to be a Freemason to get a taste of this wisdom. Just pop over to Amazon and grab a copy of ‘A Bridge to Light.’ It’s like having a VIP pass to the Masonic world without the secret handshake.
https://www.amazon.com/Bridge-Light-Masonic-Ritual-Philosopy-ebook/dp/B09JT4RFC5

The Story of Adam & Eve in Genesis

WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!