I have done quite a bit of research in this area, and while I cannot claim it is exhaustive, I have not come across ANY goddess worship, or in fact, ANY worship of any kind.
In Freemasonry, there is the mention of the "Grand Architect of the Universe", but as with most symbols, it is never explained. It can mean the creator-God of Christianity for one Mason, simply the order in the universe for another. Religion is a subject left to the individual Mason, and Freemasonry itself does not endorse, let alone "seek to revive" any religion. I have never seen a reference to ANY goddess worship in Freemasonry. I would be interested to hear about it if you have sources you care to share (credible, serious ones, please)
Re "Cult of the Magdalene" - I believe you are talking about Templar Knights, not Freemasons. Actually, I just read a book on this very subject - Da Vinci Code. Quite a good novel. "The Grail" was in fact Maria Magdalene, since she held the "blood of Christ" in her womb and gave birth to his children, all about goddess worship and how the church abolished it, etc etc etc.
If you are familiar about the history of Templar Knights, they got a bit too rich and powerful in early 1300s, and were lending money to the royalty in France at one point. Which prompted Prince Philippe and the Pope bring them down through a very bizarre process of trials, torture, and finally, burning at the stake that took about two years.
There is a good book on the facts and documents of this trial, with actual testimonies, charges, tortures, etc. I can look it up if you are interested.
Alternatively, Umberto Eco's (author of "Name of the Rose") "Foucault's Pendulum" also has quite a lot on Templars, Maria Magdalene, the Holy Grail being her, etc.
Anyway, up until that point, masons were just a guild of builders, keeping their trade secrets because that was their livelihood, who had secret handshakes and words so they could identify each other, as they were "free to travel" between towns and principalities, to exercise their trade.
It is evident that Templar traditions have slightly influenced Freemasonry - there is a degree called "Templar Knight", for example. Most probably, Templars who managed to escape the Inquisition brougth their thoughts, rituals, and esoteric traditions to Mason lodges.
Still, there is no "goddess worship" that I am aware of in Freemasonry, nor any "seeking" to "revive goddess worship", nor any "cult of Magdalene". I would be interested to hear more on this, if you have more to write about than that one-liner claiming just that.
Meanwhile, I would appreciate it if you could keep your little friends from jumping in on this subject where they obviously have no knowledge to speak of, barking insults, and wasting our time.
By the way, none of what I have said above is secret. I have read it all in publicly available books. |
