The Masonic “Reconquista”
Rather than being ostensibly concerned with charity, helping burn victims, or “chipping” children, Grand Orient masonry is presently consumed with exerting political influence; “reconquering,” and remoulding Europe in the name of secularism and humanism; in direct opposition with religion (sects of any kind) and the Vatican in particular.
In Europe, some things never change.
T
Lesoir.be (Martin Pascal, 17 Feb 2010)
The influence of religion upon MEPs is considered too strong
Is the religious sphere strangling the work of the European Parliament? It’s a gradual but insistent question, as ethical issues (abortion, stem cells, etc.) become the subject of debate between supporters of a secular Europe and those who would like to see tomorrow’s society moulded by their religious beliefs. For some freemasons, it is time to reconquer lost ground.
In 2008, Marcel Conradt, Freemason and parliamentary assistant to the Socialist MEP Veronique De Keyser, denounced the assault of “religious lobbies and sects” on Europe (Le cheval de Troie. Sectes et lobbies religieux à l’assaut de l’Europe, in Editions du Grand Orient de Belgique). Their objective: influence legislation and decision makers, especially MEPs. Around 80% of the national legislation of member states is developed at the European level. The author described the influence of the churches, but also cults such as Scientology or the Raelian movement, and urged the secularists to maintain a Europe that would leave God out of politics.
Since then, a special recognition was given to churches. The Lisbon Treaty guarantees them an “open, transparent and regular” dialog with the institutions. They are regarded as “partners” rather than as “lobbyists” who are required to divulge their sources of funding.
In principle, everyone acknowledges the right of churches to voice their opinions. The problem for proponents of the secular camp is, in particular, the growing imbalance between the two “sides”. Marcel Conradt did not fail to remark that the Commission (Barroso), Parliament (Buzek) and the Council (Van Rompuy) are chaired by people with religious conviction. Several countries admitted into the EU believe the Bible over Voltaire. In addition to Ireland or Italy, there are countries anxious to defend the Catholic tradition. The recent debate in the EU over the display of religious symbols in public buildings is an indication of the tensions.
The savage retorts are legion. On February 3rd, during a debate on interreligious dialogue at the European Parliament, an ultra-Catholic Italian close to Benedict XVI delivered an attack against “a European plague of apostasy” while an Irish lobbyist bemoaned that the “right to equality comes at the expense of religious rights.”
Meanwhile, in another assembly, a line appears to have been crossed. A leak to the Council of Europe has revealed the obvious desire on the part of the Catholic Church to escalate from influence to interference. In January, in fact, the apostolic nuncio in France had not hesitated to solicit parliamentarians to endorse one of their representatives to the post of judge at the European Court [of Human Rights] in Strasbourg. Tempers flared over the perceived nepotism of the recommendation, rather than his ability to be impartial.
This situation stimulates the longing of secularists to regain lost ground. For some Masonic Obediences, it is time to exert an influence at the European level. “It must be pointed out that there are other choices for society,” argues Conradt.
In the past the masons could have had their opinions heard by the President of the European Commission, but not necessarily with a single voice. So now they try to unite their different schools of thought, and to do it more openly. This is a revolution for many obediences accustomed to secrecy. Thus the Grand Orient of Belgium has preferred not to respond to our questions…
The last obstacle: lack of access to the highest political level. “We cannot appeal directly to a head of State or Government at the European Council,” said Marcel Conradt.
Strategic
The Humanist Federation also works to defend the values it imparts to institutions, like the Centre d’action laïque (CAL) [Secular Action Center], to whom, as its chairman Pierre Galand [has said], “Europe has become strategic.” Galand sees lobbying as “a first step in a European plan.” He added: “Belgian secularism is better organized, better positioned to lead European secularism and the work toward the separation of church and state.”
Secularism versus confessionalism. The struggle [has necessitated] a re-examination of interests and may also contain a lot of surprises. Thus, contrary to what was anticipated, the Socialist MEP Marc Tarabella witnessed the last paragraph of his report devoted to abortion, “Gender Equality,” voted on by a large majority of his peers. There was however no question of “easy access” to abortion, a right advocated by him. And due to a group of conservative voices, laments Tarabella, “such a vote hasn’t occurred since 2002.” He attributes the resulting “evolution” to “the rejuvenation of Parliament and the presence of 35% women.” This puts a damper on those who would leave European integration up to the whim of the gods.
“The [Masonic] Obediences must be political”
Interview
Jean-Michel Quillardet, former Grand Master of the Grand Orient de France, outlines the transformation undertaken by Freemasonry throughout Europe.
Today, what concerns unite international Freemasonry and European institutions?
In 2008, for the first time, we’ve managed to get a meeting with the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso. There was the Grand Orient de France, the Grande Loge féminine de France, the Droit humain and the Grand Orient of Portugal. We told him that apart from its Christian roots, Europe owed much to the philosophy of Greece and Rome, to the humanism of the Renaissance and the Enlightenment. We also obtained representation for Masonic obediences and those in defense of secularism in the Bepa (Editor’s note: the office that advises the President and the Commission on politics), which had previously only been for religious and spiritual groups. When we organized an international masonic gathering in Athens in 2008, Barroso had written us a message about the importance he attached to the contribution of masonry to the history and integration of Europe. This for us is recognition within the intellectual landscape. Nevertheless, difficulties remain in spreading the secular message, and more importantly, churches are still very much present … A great battle must still be waged [un grand combat doit encore être mené].
With what means?
Within the Grand Orient of France, we created a small organization that is in charge of organizing Masonic obediences throughout Europe.
We are looking toward a federation among obediences. But there are two major challenges: to speak with one voice, and abandon the culture of secrecy. How?
It is in effect difficult to unite because there are many obediences, who possess a strong spiritual current, which lag behind on societal issues and in particularly on secularism - not to mention the Grand Lodge of France. The Grand Lodge of France is a little shy. I’m not sure what the position is of the Grand Lodge of Belgium. But still, when we see what can be achieved together the Grand Orient of France, Belgium, Portugal … or when we observe what has occurred in Greece, the former Eastern bloc, the Maghreb, Lebanon and Israel, it is noteworthy that liberal and non-dogmatic masonry is still a strong current. We need the Masonic obediences to become political in the best sense of the word; that beyond the current partisanship they can discuss secularism and express disagreement with governmental decisions.
Some among you say that a European Masonic federation will not come soon…
The International Masonic assembly was created in Strasbourg in 2007. Subsequent meetings were held in Greece and Turkey. In 2010, it will be in Portugal. The Masonic obediences have been united to this view. I am optimistic.
When can we expect to see in Brussels a bureau representing Masonic ideas and interests?
I think we will one day create a general delegation of masonry and, with this, free thinking in European institutions. It is possible politically, but more difficult financially, because we have far fewer resources than the churches.
What would be your first battle?
Beyond the fight for secularism, there is a battle to wage against communitarianism in society. Europe is influenced by the Anglo-Saxon conception of the relationship between religion and state, as well as multiculturalism. Now we must impose the universalist conception of the Enlightenment, which involves spreading the notion of European citizenship before the Jew, the black, the North African, homosexual, heterosexual, etc. One must come to understand that what unites us is a certain idea of man regardless of descent.
Tags: EU, Grand Master, Grand Orient, Humanism, laïcité
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February 20th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
The more things change eh?
February 20th, 2010 at 8:37 pm
I was quite surprised by the blatancy. If that’s what they say in the open …
February 21st, 2010 at 2:56 pm
Why don’t these chumps see that secular humanism isn’t a non-bias position outside of religion but itself just another religion, whose influences on politics is at every bit as much of an intrusion as those of the rivals faiths who they would admonish? Oh wait, because they’re intellectually dishonest, oh yeah I forgot. Wonder if these guys were behind the recent expulsion of religious attire from French schools. Sadly, the, not altogether invalid, concern about the growing presence of radical Islam in Europe will doubtlessly provide the secularist agenda with a pretext for more of their cultural Marxist crap. Guess where the French Grand Orient is concerned I should just learn to say “c’est la vie!”
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:41 am
wow.
February 25th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
Holy Osmosis!
>just another religion<
Which one, and where’s the Dogma?
Marxism has deffinatly nothing to do with it.
February 25th, 2010 at 10:25 pm
-George
Many atheists like to deny their belief system’s status as a religion, often doing this in order to purchase themselves leverage over rival religions. Of course, it is not only atheists who are guilty of this but, indeed, many individuals from the various world views that oppose atheism. By saying that there is “religion” and then, there is this entire other creature called “atheism,” people from other faiths seek to undermine the atheist position by casting it as the one and only outsider. In doing so, they unwittingly play into the hands of atheist by enforcing the idea that atheism has a sort of special status. This allows atheists to kid themselves into believing that all other belief systems are subjective and atheism is the only objective position. Thus, these atheists seem to think the imposition of atheistic dogmas through political channels does not violate modern notions, such as the separation of church and state.
Just because a religion isn’t organized, doesn’t mean it isn’t a religion. A religion is one’s core convictions about the fundamental nature of reality. The core conviction that defines contemporary atheism is the non-existence of metaphysical realities and or entities, and consequently the idea that only the sensible universe constitutes the entirety of existence. This is every bit as much a faith based assertion about reality as reincarnation, the resurrection, or anything else.
As subcategories of Atheism, Marxism and Secular Humanism share the, above mentioned, key contention of the atheist religion. In an attempt to slander Christianity, critics have transformed the word “dogma” into a purely pejorative term. But a dogma, really, only means an opinion or belief that defines you as a believer in a given system. As such Marxism and Secular Humanism are, like all belief systems, replete with dogmas. In the case of the former it’s, dialectic materialism, class struggle, etc. In the case of the later it’s, scientific positivism, evolutionary ethics, etc. There’s no crime in having a dogma. In fact it’s unavoidable. Even agnosticism is a belief of sorts as it operates on the opinion (or dogma) that the existence or non-existence of a spiritual realm is unknowable. As the Canadian rock group Rush observed in their song “Free Will” “You can choose a ready guide in some celestial voice. If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.”
Admittedly, I was being a little pejorative myself here in calling these guys Marxist but it isn’t an entirely unfounded connection to make. See this for example:
http://www.conspiracyarchive.com/Blog/?p=613
Anyway, I’ve gotta curtail my bad habit of writing way too much in these posts, so that’s all from me for now.
March 11th, 2010 at 10:11 am
The Freemasons in our neck of the woods are no different, just more secretive and obtuse. Often hiding under sophisms such as ‘public education’, ‘americanism’ and ’seperation of church and state’. Pick up a copy of Behind the Lodge Door if you haven’t already, it was written by a former OSS Officer and Congressional Aide who did an analysis of the Scottish Rite New Age and the Supreme Court.
Of course in the British Commonwealth the burn rate has been slower but no less deadly for traditional values under the disintegrating Anglican Communion official head of Church and State their Masonic Magesties.
Nowadays most of the masonic mind-melt action is through the media and entertainment industries. My analysis indicates all but one of the current crop of late night hosts are active and belligerant Freemasons, and I am not even completely certain of the one who doesn’t flaunt it.
Bro.’s Warner Bro.’s…
March 11th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
- FW, not that I want to take things to far from the topic of the above article, but, just out of interest’s sake, which late night host is it who isn’t a mason? As far as I know O’Brien, Kimmel, Fallon and perhaps even Leno are all, at least, nominal Catholics, so technically they would be in volition of their faith if they become masons, but, I suppose, it’s little surprise that they would go ahead and do it anyway.
March 11th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
No offence to FW, but the analysis he refers to is far from convincing. (Judge for yourself - even a bit ludicrous in places.) People shake hands. They’ve been doing it since the dawn of man. One can make inferences ad infinitum, but you’ll never know for sure unless you are the receiver. I’ve had only one person slip me a Masonic handshake in my life and it was unmistakable and distinct from any other - and it felt really weird. I didn’t know it at the time that that was what he was slipping, but I sure did remember it. Yeas later, I found out that it was the pass grip of either the 1st, 2nd or 3rd degree (it is hard to distinguish which from a drawing alone).
Besides latenight handshakes, FW has posted videos that he claims reveal masonic signs used by Letterman and Leno et al. For an overview of both signs and handshakes, see here:
http://www.ephesians5-11.org/handshakes.htm
Again, people fuss with their clothes and use their hands constantly while talking. If I videotaped FW, or anyone for that matter, similar gestures will be discerned.
March 11th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
I will say this, though I haven’t read Behind the Lodge Door, I do possess a stack of the New Age Magazine from the late 60s to the early 70s. The issues show a preoccupation with secular education and maintaining separation of church and state. There’s a bunch of editorials that criticize the Church for seeking government aid for their schools, and admonishing Masons to fight it. I can’t see as I blame them, but they do come off as self-appointed guardians of society. It seems like the Church and the Masons are the only one’s aware that there is still a struggle behind the scenes that has continued unabated since the Enlightenment. They keep tabs on each other (in Europe, North America and worldwide). When one makes a move the other counters - whether it gets reported by the media or not.
March 11th, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Even though I’m a Catholic, and attended a Catholic school for two years, I too sometimes think that the Catholic school system should be disentangle from government funding. This is not because I have some problem with religion but rather because I think state funding puts the church at the mercy of the government, potentially allowing the state to muzzle teachings that clash with certain aspects of “the secular agenda.”
Despite this, however, I think it is still important to remember that when the modern Catholic school system began, it wasn’t as if there were two school systems called “Secular” and “Catholic”, but rather, what we now think of as the (secular) public school system, was essentially the non-denominational Protestant school system. At least this was the case in Ontario, where I live and where the numbers of Protestants and Catholics are almost equal. In fact, as recently as the late 1980’s the public school I attended in Ottawa still started the day with the Lord’s Prayer (aka “The Our Father”), which, though it doesn’t specifically mention Christ, is a uniquely Christian prayer. As the last several decades saw an ever increasing secularization of the public school system, I think we have, more and more, come to think of state funded education in terms of secular/catholic, hence many people see this as unfair.
Truth be told, however, many Catholic schools are now also hot-beds of moral-relativism, new age non-sense, eco-religion and all the other crap that infests the public system. What is perhaps even more ironic is that many non-Catholics attend Catholic schools on the grounds that they are supposedly more disciplined. Not having attended a Catholic school since I was 9 I can’t comment either way. (Incidentally, I didn’t leave Catholic school cause I had a problem with it’s teachings, rather, when my family moved to Ottawa, we discovered schools in the municipal Catholic board did half the day in French and half the day in English, and since I couldn’t speak French and since the nearest school was a public one, I attended it instead.)
Though I also haven’t read “Behind the Lodge Door” I recall once seeing a tv interview with the author. It might have been linked through Jay’s old site, I can’t recall for sure.
“New Age” was the official publication of the Scottish Rite, right? It’s funny that, though they require members to believe in a higher power that they are so rabidly secular in their mission. My maternal grandfather, who died nearly a decade before I was born, was a Freemason, as was his father. Amongst their respective possessions, we have a book that is the minutes of a Masonic meeting held in Niagara Falls, in the early 1920’s between representatives of British, Canadian and American Freemasonry. I still haven’t read the whole thing and it’s been a few years since I looked at it but as I recall, part of the discussion involved the Masons continuing to reject French Grand Orient for their removal of theism as a prerequisite to membership. The minutes made frequent reference to Christ, though I suppose this was a function meant for all levels of Masons who where then, mostly Protestant Christians. Also this was still before the influence of Manly P. Hall.I wonder if there is any collusion between French Grand Orient and “normal” Masonry, when it comes to secularization projects. Or do they still disagree too much to get together on this issue?
March 11th, 2010 at 7:09 pm
> collusion between French Grand Orient and “normal” Masonry
It’s all a big show that they are not one big cosmopolitan family reared and steered by the same captain and ship.
Irregular Schmegular.
March 18th, 2010 at 12:35 am
Kimmel is the only one I am not certain is a Freemason, and his show is broadcast from the old Hollywood Masonic Temple that Bro. Sinatra used to practice in.
The cut sign is a more reliable ‘tell’. I wouldn’t put too much into Terry’s say-so given thes choice of dust jacket author photo for the Obscurantists.
March 18th, 2010 at 12:45 am
Man am I ever thankful I’m not as paranoid as you. I would never get out of bed every day.
March 20th, 2010 at 2:18 am
I note you did not comment on my observation that the photo with the wide collar had a masonic inference. Surely having researched this topic you would have come across a number of photographs of freemason worshipful masters wearing full garb.
Obscurely Yours,
p.s. I am being completely serious in regard to the masonic membership of late night tv hosts, a venue which Freemason politicians use frequently to raise their profiles.
March 20th, 2010 at 7:13 am
Graduation pic; graduation garb. I don’t have stacks of photos of myself, so that was the only one that was 1) of good enough quality, and 2) not ten years or more old.
> p.s. I am being completely serious in regard to
> the masonic membership of late night tv hosts
I know. And that’s why you will never be taken seriously by such ridiculous, ludicrous methodology. The Masons aren’t afraid of you. The ignorant zealots among them may still spew vitriol at your latest antics, sure. But mostly they are laughing.
Seriously, Rationally, and Sensibly Yours
October 14th, 2011 at 8:47 am
I state with a great deal of confidence my video and photo analysis of masonic membership is quite correct. But you’re right as with any eyewitness testimony the person is either correct or mistaken. I know I am correct, you don’t. But I have seen them in action many times in political settings over many years so my sayso carries a little more weight - in my opinion.
October 14th, 2011 at 8:52 am
p.s. the reason you are giving for using a photograph that shows you wearing a masonic similar style sash in a book on Freemasonry is not very credible. Neither is your using one of the eptiaph of Freemasons for Christians - obsurantists. What exactly is it that Christians are supposed to be obscuring?
October 14th, 2011 at 1:31 pm
18th Century Germany, especially in the Catholic duchies, was practically a theocracy; obscurantism denotes the restriction and censoring of knowledge.
I have a feeling you would of got along pretty well in those days.