Freemasons and Manichaeism

[Postmaster]

I'm going to be quite bold on this one, as I usually am. I've been thinking of the posibility that Manichaeism influenced freemanson principles.

This is how I come to the conclusion, the original freemasons were an organisation or society of people who originally built religious buildings, this came with benifits in Europe as these kind of people were in demand, so they developed some kind of advanced fellowship society.

The faith maintained a sporadic and intermittent existence in the west (Mesopotamia, Africa, Spain, France, North Italy, the Balkans) for a thousand years, and flourished for a time in the land of its birth (Persia) and even further east in Northern India, Western China, and Tibet.

My question is, who built the Manichaeism temples in Europe up to AD1000?

Could it only have been the masons? Of course, who else?

side note. Wikipedia claims the heretical Cathars (mentioned in Dan Browns Di vinci codes) had Manichaeism traditions and ideology.

[I, Brian]

I'm under the impression that the Freemasons are effectively a modern organisation - certainly post-Enlightenment. So I would therefore not associate them with such ancient projects. I mean, remember what sort of state Britain was in around the 11th century.

As for the influence of Manichaeism - what's interesting is that Wikipedia suggests a focus on duality, which seems at least superifically related to concepts within Zoroastrianism.

As to whether Manichaeism influenced the Freemasons - I'm honestly not certain what Freemason beliefs actually are, though I've heard suggestions of it being lead by a notion of God and Godliness outside of religious boundaries. Probably have some Greek philosophical influences as well, at a guess, considering the apparent focus on geometry.

2c.

[Postmaster]

I should have said the main part I’m trying to investigate is the theological idea of all religions being of the same source. This is part of the freemasons principles, Manichaeism and Baha'i faith all share in common and I'm trying to establish connections historically. I find it hard to say these people drawn this conclusion independently from each other and what's more 2 of founders of these religions claimed prophethood in a curiously mirroring fashion. Culture and ideas are usually passed on in human history, it's part of being human. The dominating force of Christinity may have shadowed this part of human history.

[Popeyesays]

While the Masons trace their roots back to to Solomon's Temple, there is no historically sound support for the claim. The erliest we can actually tace them is to the destruction of the Cathars and the Knights Templar. The last of the Templar strongholds are in Scotland. The first of the Free Mason associations are in Scotland amd date back to about the same time. This is 10,000 years+ later than Mani.

The Spiritual Revelation of God is a crystal clear, ever-flowing fountain. Everyone comes to get their bucket of water, but not everyone understands, knows or cares a fig for the source of the water.

Regards,
Scott

[AndrewX]

Postmaster,

I recommend investing this figure: Christian Rosenkreuz - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Especially consider what you find under the first section (at Wikipedia, anyway), under Legend.
(There is also a link at the bottom - Ordo Summum Bonum - Christian Rosenkreutz - Preface)

cheers,

andrew

[Postmaster]

I'm finding this all too fasinating.. Dan Brown is working on a book about the freemasons and ties in the knights templars again.

Thanks for the links.

[Popeyesays]

Originally Posted by Postmaster

I'm finding this all too fasinating.. Dan Brown is working on a second book about the freemasons and ties in the knights templars again.

Thanks for the links.

Okay, the absolute BEST conspiracy thriller about the Knights and the Cathars is:
Flicker (novel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

I can't recommend this book enough, Dan Brown is a piker in comparison.

Regards,
Scott

[Postmaster]

Thanks, any chance for a live page?

There is deffo connections... I thought I was being paranoid............... am I?