Vandals Strike at Masonic Landmark Featured in Dan Brown Book
Posted by Greg at 02:31, 15 Aug 2012
The House of the Temple, a Masonic landmark in Washington D.C. that featured in a recent Dan Brown novel, was vandalized over the weekend, with pink paint thrown over one of the sphinxes that 'guard' the front entrance of the building. Photographer Luis Gomez took the shot and posted it on his "One Photograph a Day" blog on Monday.
The building, which serves as the headquarters of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, in the United States, was built a century ago from a design by architect John Russell Pope. It was a key location in Dan Brown's 2009 bestseller The Lost Symbol, which featured Masonic locations (actual and alleged) around the United States capital. Here's a short excerpt mentioning the sphinxes from the section of my book The Guide to Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol, in which I discussed the esoteric architecture of the House of the Temple in detail:
The “Illuminati” pyramid atop the building is just one element among many that make it a perfect Dan Brown location. From the outside, this imposing edifice just screams ‘secret society’ (if that’s not a complete contradiction in terms). Two sentinels guard the front entrance – huge stone sphinxes weighing 17 tons apiece, and carrying the names ‘Wisdom’ and ‘Power’ – behind which 33 Ionic columns, each 33 feet high, give the building a Classical look whilst symbolizing the number of degrees in the Scottish Rite. Entry is gained via a (suitably opulentlooking) bronze door, giving access to the stunning Atrium, the “central court of the Temple, where visitors are welcomed and given their first view of the majesty of the Temple’s design and architecture.” And majestic it is: paved with marble and lined by eight huge Doric columns of polished green Windsor granite. The limestone walls are decorated with bronze plaques bearing Masonic emblems. Alabaster bowls atop bronze lamps cast a soft glow upon the room.
(h/t Freemasons for Dummies)
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Comments
21 June 2008
1 week 1 day
This both ticks me off and saddens me.
When I lived in DC, this was one of my favorite buildings because it's so unique, and I often went there to sketch it from various angles. I hate seeing it vandalized like this.
8 April 2006
3 days 14 hours
I have been privileged to be present during degree work there. A number of us from the Grand Lodge of Maine traveled down some years back and spent a couple of days touring DC, the Grand Lodge, and then being welcomed to attend the raising of some gentlemen from Virginia.
It is a grand and awe-inspiring building, with much ancient and layered symbolism in it's various parts and displays. Well worth the time to see if one has the opportunity.
I hope that the vandal(s) of this sphinx are apprehended and made to restore the statue to it's former appearance.
Respects,
Gwedd
14 April 2009
7 weeks 5 days
Am I right in thinking that Masonism, essentially, is aboot creating moral & ethical citizens?
---------
All that lives is holy, life delights in life.
--William Blake
6 April 2010
39 min 37 sec
The “Illuminati” pyramid atop the building is just one element among many that make it a perfect Dan Brown location.
This sentence is what can be misinterpreted and an example of why this may have happened. Not because of you specifically, but the word "Illuminati" is a trigger for such people to give reason behind such vandalism. Of course these people are absolutely the lowest humanity has to offer for not only vandalizing a lodge but also what I view as a work of art. They are the type of scum that does not read Morals and Dogma, but simply finds the online version and then type in "Lucifer" in the search bar to count how many hits they get without actually reading the text. Dan Brown and others have done a wonderful job of stirring the pot and summoning these lowesom cretins from the bowls of humanity, even if it was unintentional, and causing a lot of unnecessary hatred toward the Masons and other similar groups (not including Illuminati because they have nothing to do with the masons). I really do pity the souls of these individuals who did this, because t is the body that will suffer...
...I forgot how I got here but everyone seems to be heading off in that direction. I hope someone brought food. I have a feeling this is going to be a long journey................
8 April 2006
3 days 14 hours
I have no idea where Brown got his description of alleged ritual work for the 33rd degree, but it was laughable on the face of it, and as you said, just reinforces the paranoia that the easily manipulated have for Freemasonry, and other groups.
Respects,
Gwedd
30 April 2004
5 hours 14 min
I have no idea where Brown got his description of alleged ritual work for the 33rd degree, but it was laughable on the face of it, and as you said, just reinforces the paranoia that the easily manipulated have for Freemasonry, and other groups.
Elements of Brown's description appear to have come from a late 19th century (probably non-/anti-Masonic) text on the Scottish Rite. I can't recall the title right now, but I remember seeing a few of the things he mentioned (e.g. drinking wine from a skull, though that Masonic attribution also dates all the way back to (at least) a former POTUS, John Quincy Adams, in his 'Letters on the Masonic institution').
Kind regards,
Greg
-------------------------------------------
You monkeys only think you're running things
@DailyGrail
19 April 2007
4 days 23 hours
not including Illuminati because they have nothing to do with the masons
i think thats a misleading statement.
within the freemasons, there are those who practice black magic, and thus they dont want to make themselves a better man.
while i dont believe all masons are bad, but i dont think its correct to said there are no members of illuminati within freemasonary, or freemasons fooling around with black magic.
here are 2 youtube videos talking about the black magic
with freemasons - its Henry C. Clausen, who was the Sovereign Grand Commander of the Scottish Rite (Southern Jurisdiction) from 1969 to 1985
6 April 2010
39 min 38 sec
I never said that Illuminati did not penetrate into masonry and pollute some of its waters, we have some knowledge that they did in the past, and may still. What I meant is the masons do not have anything to do with them on purpose. They are not affiliated with them directly, however, some members may davle in other arts which have nothing to do with masonry. This is not surprising, you can like more than one football team even if the second one is not from your state. There are Satanists who work for the Vatican.....
I really can't see what's misleading about my statement unless you already have these preconceptions. Even though you state you "don't believe that all Masons are bad" I think that the people who are looking for the extreme views against Masons can cling to your examples for all the wrong reasons. The lesson here is to tread carefully when using the word "Illuminati," less you prick up the wrong ears...
Also in watching your videos I see no mention of "black magic" in the first half and only once in the second as an example to what SOME ancients performed. I'm sorry but metaphysics and the Mysteries are not evidence of black magic, nor is anything this man said. For anything he goes through great lengths to separate Masons from such dark notions. The Mysteries included the members of society who were the most intelligent of their day, and usually some of the few who could read, write, and record history. Even if some societies became depraved in our eyes, we can not disregard what is culturally acceptable at that time. Also, many of the early Mystery schools are what influence Masonry and others today, those that did not include the sacrificing of babies, or what have you. What a few offshoots of a mystery school does can not be representative of the whole. Clausen merely is associating the Masons with the wisdom of the ancients for what they are trying to achieve and hoping the educate people outside masonry on what they stand for. I understand your point, but think these videos were poor in further exemplifying it, although the alternative videos are probably made by those who made the sphinx pink :P
...I forgot how I got here but everyone seems to be heading off in that direction. I hope someone brought food. I have a feeling this is going to be a long journey................
19 April 2007
4 days 23 hours
What I meant is the masons do not have anything to do with them on purpose. They are not affiliated with them directly
while you say this, it may not be true, because in reality they may have a certain amount of sway or control within the freemasons, thus it may serve their purpose.
I really can't see what's misleading about my statement unless you already have these preconceptions.
no i just looking at your statement, and also based it on what i have hear from others, example the video with the freemason H.C.
as an example to what SOME ancients performed.
he mention it being used "AFTER" the ancients were performing it, knowledge was passed down.
he also mentions ceremonial magic being used. Generally i question any one using any type of magic.
For anything he goes through great lengths to separate Masons from such dark notions.
he cant actually separate them when they are within the freemasons, but he appears not to want them to go in down that path.
ciao clemente
6 April 2010
39 min 38 sec
as an example to what SOME ancients performed.
he mention it being used "AFTER" the ancients were performing it, knowledge was passed down.
he also mentions ceremonial magic being used. Generally i question any one using any type of magic.
yes, as in those darn drunken Bacchus lovers ;) but at least now I see where you are coming from, you question any magic users, therefore have some judgement against them, even if they are harmless Wiccans in their backyards playing with feathers and rat skulls.....
I'm sorry I just think this is funny to be worried about a world you are not a part of and since you have chosen not to be a part of cannot understand.
"It is necessary to learn evil things as good, for who can know what is good without learning what is evil..." ~Paracelsus
...I forgot how I got here but everyone seems to be heading off in that direction. I hope someone brought food. I have a feeling this is going to be a long journey................
19 April 2007
4 days 23 hours
I see where you are coming from, you question any magic users, therefore have some judgement against them, even if they are harmless Wiccans in their backyards playing with feathers and rat skulls.....
you reach the wrong conclusion on my questioning it and my judgement.
i think of it like in computer terms, a "null".
basically a null is a absence of data.
which means later this unknown value may be determine later to have a specific meaning or value.
"It is necessary to learn evil things as good, for who can know what is good without learning what is evil..."
geez so it appears your view is that if a good family who baby or child is killed by a homosexual pedophile that the family should view the killers evil being good.
ciao clemente
6 April 2010
39 min 38 sec
"It is necessary to learn evil things as good, for who can know what is good without learning what is evil..."
geez so it appears your view is that if a good family who baby or child is killed by a homosexual pedophile that the family should view the killers evil being good.
ciao clemente
*sigh* yep, that's it I give up. I can't win against a troll. you win, if that's how you think I mean that's fine, sleep well on that, since you read it all so literally and can't see the light for what is hidden behind it I can't win. Good night, and know that somewhere someone is happier than you are......
....now if you'll excuse me, I have cloud to catch.................
...I forgot how I got here but everyone seems to be heading off in that direction. I hope someone brought food. I have a feeling this is going to be a long journey................
19 April 2007
4 days 23 hours
I can't win against a troll. you win, if that's how you think I mean that's fine, sleep well on that,
well if your a troll and you see yourself as one, thats your business.
but clearly you were incorrect about me judging, as you stated
"therefore have some judgement against them, " .
Personally i didnt like you saying i judge them, when in reality i did not and i viewed it as unknown and was not judging,
my path is straight and true,
ciao clemente
8 April 2006
3 days 14 hours
According to the Southern Baptist Convention, all Freemasons are spear carriers for the anti-christ.
Rubbish, as are those videos.
Those videos are right up there with the 9/11 twoofers and the anti-semitic Paultards. A bunch of gullible morons following the blatherings of tinfoil-hat wearing wannabe-prophets. Word.
This is a poor gentleman in his dotage, likely being abused by the creators of this video to further their own nefarious aims.
Give it a rest.
Respects,
Gwedd
6 April 2010
39 min 38 sec
According to the Southern Baptist Convention, all Freemasons are spear carriers for the anti-christ
I don't think these folks like anything or anyone outside of themselves, which is actually the whole motive behind being a Satanist, if you think about it. Satanists don't worship Satan they worship themselves and all the things that make them feel good. So by attacking Masons, soldiers at their funerals, homosexuals, Jewish, and anything else that walks (or can't walk) on 2 legs, they make themselves feel better, and thus are putty in Satan's hands. They are essentailly what the anti-christ stands for!
Sad, Stupid fools :P
...I forgot how I got here but everyone seems to be heading off in that direction. I hope someone brought food. I have a feeling this is going to be a long journey................
19 April 2007
4 days 23 hours
So by attacking Masons, soldiers at their funerals, homosexuals, Jewish, and anything else that walks (or can't walk) on 2 legs, they make themselves feel better, and thus are putty in Satan's hands.
clearly you cant lump the whole group into 1 if they are referring to masons that are bad. Most freemasons are probably good but it would be impossible to said "ALL Freemasons are good" judging by what i have seen by their actions.
example i am not a homosexual. But i think bad when adult homosexuals have sex with kids. and its even worst if they prey on kids.
While i dont think all homosexuals are bad, its inportant to remember those ones who are bad, and why they are different.
6 April 2010
39 min 38 sec
i am not a homosexual. But i think bad when adult homosexuals have sex with kids. and its even worst if they prey on kids.
While i dont think all homosexuals are bad, its important to remember those ones who are bad, and why they are different.
does this have to do with anything said above? The Southern Baptist Church are racist against anyone that isn't a member of the Southern Baptist Church (not every baptist church in the south), they find fault and impurity. I'm not lumping them together, I'm clearly giving a list of people they hate and have picketed against. Everyone reading it will know what I mean by homosexuals. The people who rape kids, they are perverts. period. they should not be lumped in with homosexuals. When you call a pervert a homosexual you are giving those who already hate them fuel for their fire. Several perverts will do those awful things to all children regardless of gender.
I just hate racism and people who judge others. I was judged all my life by others for what I view as no logical reason (because there are none). Even though SOME people may practice any form of "magic" that does not make them "evil" or harbingers of the apocalypse. Ceremonial magic used to bring cultures and tribes together and educate their people. Granted I admit some of it became debauched, it is the good ceremonials we should learn from and that's what most Masons are trying to teach. I can not change your views and won't try to, you make your own decisions based on what someone has taught you and what path you choose to follow. I just hope that in the future no one will judge everyone...
...I forgot how I got here but everyone seems to be heading off in that direction. I hope someone brought food. I have a feeling this is going to be a long journey................
19 April 2007
4 days 23 hours
does this have to do with anything said above?
well you mention homosexuals early, and i just wanted to point out how within a group there are bad ones.
and the same can be said for other groups, so it can be applied to freemasons as well, while most are good, you cant said all are good.
I can not change your views and won't try to, you make your own decisions based on what someone has taught you and what path you choose to follow. I just hope that in the future no one will judge everyone
i view it, plain and simple, and let the facts judge and speak.
and if something is unknown, i dont judge it, i question it,
i dont trust it, and i wait for it to become known.
Then if later it becomes a trust worthy fact, it is what it is.
ciao clemente
28 June 2006
2 weeks 14 hours
Greg,
Incidents like this are disgusting!
What ever happened to personal responsibility and self control!
What do you think?
cnnek
{You Can Teach People How To Think Critically Or What To Think; But, You Can't Do Both! It Is Better To Teach People How To Think Critically!!!}
18 September 2007
4 hours 21 min
You immediately lost me with the "twoofers" comment. Anyone disparaging the 911 truth movement in spite of the enormous amount of evidence that has accumulated clearly demonstrating that it was a classic false flag op is fooling themselves, and I therefore suspect you are fooling yourself and us with regard to Masonic matters also. If you can't even bother yourself to look at the 911 data then it is very likely you have not kept tabs very well on the Masons and are not a very trustworthy individual.
"Twoofers" by the way is a classic internet shill and troll term.
6 April 2010
39 min 38 sec
I believe there was a conspiracy there no doubt! I strongly believe the government and some individuals who are the wealthiest in the world in monetary terms had a hand in the tragedy. Where some of those individuals Masons? likely yes, without a doubt. But of course not all Masons where involved, but when people think they are, that's when they vandalize. Honestly I'm surprised we haven't heard of more attacks on Masonic buildings and members in the news since the Dan Brown stories began. or they were covered up, which is possible...
...I forgot how I got here but everyone seems to be heading off in that direction. I hope someone brought food. I have a feeling this is going to be a long journey................
18 September 2007
4 hours 21 min
I am not conflating Masons with 911 - only making a point that a poster here betrays sign of being the typical online troll using troll terminology. However, Cheney, who was a big gatekeeper for 911 does like to indulge in various goofy occultish looking ceremonies such as the "cremation of care" thing at Bohemian Grove camp for boys who never grew up and have more power than they can responsibly handle.
And speaking of Cheney what exactly was he doing on 911 and the months leading up to it?"
Uh oh.
6 April 2010
39 min 38 sec
.. he was out bird hunting...
;)
Off topic a bit-The Bohemian Grove, with all the cameras in this age of digital mess, you'd think more people would have video taped it.........oh wait they did but it was confiscated. I think if I tied a camera to a trained crow and let it fly over them........(someone seriously try this I want to know how it goes)
i honestly didn't know what a twoofer was though until you specified it, as I live under a rock :P
...I forgot how I got here but everyone seems to be heading off in that direction. I hope someone brought food. I have a feeling this is going to be a long journey................
18 September 2007
4 hours 21 min
Alex Jones had a video of the Cremation of Care ceremony shot from the woods at night. I talked to a big time lawyer who attended the Grove one summer, and he verified the ceremony. Even if it is just a sort of tongue in cheek thing the elites do have a fascination with creepy ritual, and that says something about their mindset in general. I suppose you could say it is just a holdover from the Skull and Bones stuff they indulge in in college. The ritual numerology surrounding the 911 event is not very funny though. This is a crowd of out of its who think in lighthearted terms about dastardly deeds such as 911. To them it is a game which sacrifices "other people" not them. I know something of their mindset from personal experience - they are indeed patrician and elitist for the most part. I have for instance heard the term "garbageaters" used by some of them to describe the huddled masses. Al Martin, the old investor and bag man for the Iran Contra network who found the light some years back says that some of the Bushes used to describe the hoi polloi as "fodder units."
6 April 2010
39 min 38 sec
I have heard of Alex Jones and his video, never saw it though. There are some pretty shady things going on. Your right though, they don't give a crap about the "average Joe."
My thoughts (I'm actually not that religious):
John the Divine mentions the "Seven-headed Dragon" we often think of that as the "anti-christ" as one person. But actually my research has found seven people actually do control the world using well known organizations as their foothold. I don't know who they are brand wise, if any, but in the grand pyramid of who out ranks who, Bohemian Grove is an event they probably watch from afar, while other meetings of the minds are lower on the rung. Even the president, who ever it is, albeit republican or democrat, has to roll over and submit to their whims.
As for your talk to that lawyer and other meetings with elitists, *sigh* to be a fly on the wall....
...I forgot how I got here but everyone seems to be heading off in that direction. I hope someone brought food. I have a feeling this is going to be a long journey................
18 September 2007
4 hours 21 min
The lawyer actually had a ball at the Grove. He said it was like the most intellectually stimulating summer camp you could possibly imagine.
6 April 2010
39 min 38 sec
i'll bet it was!
...I forgot how I got here but everyone seems to be heading off in that direction. I hope someone brought food. I have a feeling this is going to be a long journey................
18 September 2007
4 hours 21 min
Speaking of Bohemian Grove there is this little interview with a former employee who says that the Grove apex community called the rest of us "the little men." That sounds about right. This woman is obviously scared and probably rightfully so. She may be a bit of a dim bulb or just terrified to speak at all about this stuff, but I would like to hear more from such bulbs.
6 April 2010
39 min 38 sec
if she was an employee i didn't know they ever let woman in even to work there. something is obviously wrong with her albiet scared or asthma, she looks as though she's about to pass out. can't even hold up the foghorn :P
...I forgot how I got here but everyone seems to be heading off in that direction. I hope someone brought food. I have a feeling this is going to be a long journey................
18 September 2007
4 hours 21 min
She has reason to be scared don't you think? The apex community at Bohemian Grove had no problem at all killing a few thousand people on 911 and killing some more with the home brewed anthrax not to mention the bogus wars that were initiated by 911 and which have killed many, many thousands. I would be scared too. Think about who you would be dealing with. She knows. she looks scared sh*tless and should be
6 April 2010
39 min 38 sec
Did you ever watch the episode of "Decoded" from History Channel? It had an episode on this. It's not just her, the whole town was afraid to talk about it. Something wicked this way cometh...
...I forgot how I got here but everyone seems to be heading off in that direction. I hope someone brought food. I have a feeling this is going to be a long journey................
18 September 2007
4 hours 21 min
I watched a couple "Decoded" but thought they were at times putting out disinfo and performing very superficial investigations. There was also the naivete about some of them that looked to be a way of subtly mocking investigation into these subjects. The History Channel puts out a lot of disinfo these days - hard to believe they used to run "The Men Who Killed Kennedy." Since they were bought out by big corporations linked to the defense industry they had been mostly untrustworthy and goofy though they have run a few good things here and there.
6 April 2010
39 min 38 sec
none of these cable stations are as good as they used to be, especially when they get off topic. i take everything with a grain (and sometimes circle) of salt :P
...I forgot how I got here but everyone seems to be heading off in that direction. I hope someone brought food. I have a feeling this is going to be a long journey................
18 September 2007
4 hours 21 min
Well, I am a well know paranormal TV junkie, so I have not blanket condemned the medium yet. Some of the ghost busting type shows are excellent. Nat Geo, History Channel, and some others have been coopted by the conservative establishment though and spend a lot of time worrying about Hitler, beating war drums, and sabotaging conspiracy theories that have great merit. Their agenda could not be any clearer.
6 April 2010
39 min 38 sec
Destination Truth
Haunted Highway
Anything Nat Geo might have (and Nat Geo Wild, if you can get the channel)
Monsterquest
Animal Planets "Lost Tapes" (because it's so cheesy)
and a few others
:3
...I forgot how I got here but everyone seems to be heading off in that direction. I hope someone brought food. I have a feeling this is going to be a long journey................
18 September 2007
4 hours 21 min
Destination Truth is so bad it's good. It is always good for a laugh because it is so terribly cheesy and superficial. Haunted Highways is often bad too, but there was one recent episode set in an abandoned silver mining town that was pretty good - lots of good paranormal activity that even they couldn't screw up. It was immediately followed by a ludicrous adventure looking for some dog like monster in Montana that of cousre turned out to be ... feral dogs, but to find that out we had to endure them mistaking the cry of a predated rabbit for some weird monster and mistaking typical Montana wildlife on their IR cameras for "inexplicable" creatures. LMAO! Too many of these outfits have no natural knowledge which does not serve them well when they are exploring out of doors.
6 April 2010
39 min 38 sec
that's why I watch because they make me laugh and it makes me smarter than them, having lived in the woods all my life. LOL
...I forgot how I got here but everyone seems to be heading off in that direction. I hope someone brought food. I have a feeling this is going to be a long journey................
18 September 2007
4 hours 21 min
Yeah, but I like some of the genre and it does pain me to watch some of these shows which disgrace the medium.
19 April 2007
4 days 23 hours
well with 911.
basically they look at a few thousands deaths as peanuts, and were happy they got rich on it, and got more power from it.
they surely did this as the old saying
"the end justifies the means".
and surely they can think of the money and power obtained can be use for their wishes, perhaps even to think of it as money can be used for themselves and family and friends.
they probably view it we can use money from this event to save their own, thinking the americians who died in the 911 are not their own.
very cold people.
heres the video on Bohemian Grove - Alex Jones if some missed it
anyhow i look into 911 for a personal reason,
perhaps certain things arent by chance.
ciao clemente
6 April 2010
39 min 38 sec
and nothing is ever by chance anymore, nothing...
...I forgot how I got here but everyone seems to be heading off in that direction. I hope someone brought food. I have a feeling this is going to be a long journey................
14 April 2009
7 weeks 5 days
---------
All that lives is holy, life delights in life.
--William Blake
6 April 2010
39 min 38 sec
sounds like my boss :P
...I forgot how I got here but everyone seems to be heading off in that direction. I hope someone brought food. I have a feeling this is going to be a long journey................
6 April 2010
39 min 38 sec
sounds like my boss :P
...I forgot how I got here but everyone seems to be heading off in that direction. I hope someone brought food. I have a feeling this is going to be a long journey................