 Posted Monday, September 04, 2006 7:34 PM
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Anybody have any thoughts on the relationship of CS and Masons?
I just read the following recent addition to the "Mary Baker Eddy" Wikipedia article (emphasis added):
In 1921 on the 100th anniversary of Mrs Eddy's death, a 100 ton, 11 foot high granite pyramid was dedicated on the site of her birthplace in Bow, Massachusetts. A gift from the Masons (the only other religious society church members are permitted to join), it was later dynamited by order of the Mother Church Board of Directors who feared that, like Mrs Eddy's home in Pleasant View which they also demolished, it was becoming a place of pilgrimage. Although Mrs Eddy cultivated personal praise in her lifetime for various reasons, including for publicity and fund raising, Christian Science theology shuns both the cult of personality, and religious reliquaries. (due to the nature of Wikipedia, this entry may not remain intact in the article.)
Obviously, 1921 was not the 100th anniversary of MBE's death. I had never heard about the pyramid or the Masons connection. I was under the impression that, due to MBE's first husband, the Masons were a reason for the prohibition of TMC members joining other organizations:
Church Organizations Ample. SECTION 15. Members of this Church shall not unite with organizations which impede their progress in Christian Science. God requires our whole heart, and he supplies within the wide channels of The Mother Church dutiful and sufficient occupation for all its members.
Joining Another Society. SECTION 16. It shall be the duty of the members of The Mother Church and of its branches to promote peace on earth and good will toward men; but members of The Mother Church shall not hereafter become members of other societies except those specified in the Mother Church Manual, and they shall strive to promote the welfare of all mankind by demonstrating the rules of divine Love. (The Manual of the Mother Church)
I found a link which alleges to be a CS Journal article written by MBE - Take Notice - in which she said current Masons could remain such, but TMC members may not join the Masons or other organizations. Other, unsubstantiated links, claimed the TMC Board of Directors was controlled by Masons at one time. A "letter" found on the MBE institute site provides some details about the pyramid - Mary Baker Eddy Letter Number 7.
Do Go Be Man
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Posted Monday, September 04, 2006 8:50 PM
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Yes Do_Go_Be_Man
Remember I sent you a personal web link concerning MBE's link to the Masons - something I have always known - major religions do not survive without this relationship. At least two of her husbands were Masons - the first received a funeral paid by them. I have a sneeking suspicion that Asa Eddy was also a Mason but yet to prove this. I am surprised that MBE had such reverence to the Great Pyramid and recognised its biblical significance. There is a book "The Latter Days with evidence from the Great Pyramid"said to be available from the CS Bookstore. Mary Baker Eddy left a copy of this booklet on her desk the day of her passing, December 3rd, 1910. The Masonic influence goes far beyond our views and I do see a far more sinister hold on religions and do know the majority of politicians are masons.
(I am a Great Pyramid addict without having any Mason links)
Cheers Jan
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Posted Tuesday, September 05, 2006 5:12 AM
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Do Go,
I will share what little I know about this.
There was at one time a pyramid on the site of MBE's birthplace, which was later removed. I don't know any more details about it than that. The MBE Library could give you more information.
I do know that the MBE Library can probably give you detailed information about the historical background and context of the two By-Laws you quote. Most of the By-Laws in the Manual came about because of specific historical circumstances, and a knowledge of the circumstances (which are sometimes quite different than what we might suppose) can sometimes alter how we interpret the meaning of a By-Law. You would have to contact the Library about these two By-Laws, as I don't know the details of why they are in the Manual.
I know that a few Christian Scientists in Mrs. Eddy's time and later developed an interest in Egyptology and the Great Pyramid, seeing all sorts of esoteric significance in the pyramid. I think that this interest was not confined to the minority of CSers who became interested in it, but was actually rather widespread. But I don't know more about it than that.
I have heard various rumors about books on Mrs. Eddy's desk at the time of her death, but am wondering if these might be urban legends. Another "book on the desk" rumor I've heard is that Mrs. Eddy had a book open on her desk at the time of her death (December 3, 1910), that said the second coming, or the beginning of the Millenium, or some similar thing was to happen on December 3, 1910. I would like to see solid evidence for these anecdotes before accepting them. Once again, the MBE Library could give you information as to whether or not they can document these stories, or even if such books were owned by Mrs. Eddy at the time of her death.
tmcl
tmcl
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Posted Friday, September 08, 2006 7:19 AM
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"Remember I sent you a personal web link concerning MBE's link to the Masons - something I have always known - major religions do not survive without this relationship. :
Jan:
I just wanted to clarify the context of your above statement. Are you saying that major religions (e.g., Judism, Christianity, etc.) or Christian denominatons do not survive without accomodating masonry in some fashion (or both or neither?) I am trying to understand what you are saying here.
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Posted Friday, September 08, 2006 8:30 AM
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Hello John,
I have always loved reading your posts and glad someone took note of what I said.
What I am saying is that Freemasonry supports our major systems (worldwide). Politically and religiously there are no boundaries - where big money is - but you will find even in the smallest of organisations there will be a monitoring from Freemasons - the links are to success or failure. I don't say any of this without having studied, known many Freemasons and their connections. I find it difficult to speak about the subject on this forum and don't wish to offend anyone. If I haven't made myself clear on this just let me know.
Cheers
Jan
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Posted Friday, September 08, 2006 11:57 AM
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Jan:
Thank you for your kind words about my posts, Jan.
What I was getting as was that there are some christian church bodies which historically have prohibited their members from being members of Masonic Lodges. The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod is one. The Catholic Church used to, although I still don't know if that is the case. In any event, I was going to point out that at least with the former (and possibly some other church bodies), the influence of the Masonic Lodges is nill.
I don't want to get off on, or stay on this tangent, as our topic here is CS. I did just want to mention that however.
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