Greetings in the name of His & Her Imperial Majesties Qedamawi Haile Sellasie I & Itege Menen Asfaw,

So, we continue with this series of lines drawn between Ras Tafari and Freemasonry.

We made acknowledgments of what could be found on Freemasonic history at first glance, from a general perspective but, let us now go deeper into this subject.

Now, with minimal understanding from whence Freemasonry came,  the inception of it should lead us to a more credible reservoir.  Masonry…? What is it exactly?…Let us define it so we can, at least, have somewhere to start.

MASON– is more than likely a person skilled in laying stone or brick. [ie. bricklayer, brick mason, stone mason, craftsman, stonecraft] (sources cited: Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary; various edictions)

MASONRY– 1) the trade, work done, or occupation of a mason. 2) the craft of brick laying or concrete structure building. [ie. craft and stone working; building]

FREEMASON– a member of fraternal organization known as the Free & Accepted Masons (sources cited: Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary; various editions;  http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09771a.htm; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemasonry

FREEMASONRY– “first know that there is no one {written in stone definition} of Freemasonry,” but for the sake of our study we’ll use a conglomerate of explanation from many cited resources. Freemasonry–a fraternity or fraternal organization; an organized society of men, symbolically applying the principle of Operative Masonry and architecture to the science and art of character building. (sources: Masonic Lodge personnel information[what can be found on many Lodge sites-“or at least what they’ll allow us to see“…HA!; ex.}Masonic Lodge of Richmond, Va., USA, http://www.grandlodgeofvirginia.org/…Masonic Lodge of Queensland, Australia, http://www.queenslandfreemasons.com/about-us/…Masonic Lodge in Geneva, Switzerland, http://www.masonryuniversal.org/index_files/page0001.htm%5D, various Freemasonic texts, web pages; Lester, Ralph P., Look To The East Revised Edition<other sources cited in body>)

So, when it comes to the term Freemasonry its clear that there is an application of operation and an application of theorem.  In coming to the realization of these two distinct terms, (masonry and Freemasonry) it should be noted that though, the terms may and can be used interchangeably depending on the context of a given subject; the certain and distinguishable separation between the two terms should evident and concrete.

The Freemasons, themselves, even make the clear distinction in literature.

Operative masonry= physical manifestation of building objects.

Speculative masonry= a philosophical harnessing of thought that preceded fruition.

Ras Tafari Renaissance Revelations, draws these conclusions after taking a look at works like; Sickels, Daniel_General Ahiman Rezon[1868]

Mackey, Albert G._The Symbolism of Freemasonry[1882]

Now, with all of this to mull over, please do not take from this explanation of the differences of Ras Tafari & Freemasonry that, if one were a Freemason, that same one could not be an operative mason.  Besides, the essence of Freemasonry is the adoration of literal masonry, and it is clear that the Society of Free & Accepted Masons, are welcoming to people of many “walks of life.”  But, in the theology of Freemasonry, it should be noted that speculation, thought, or contemplation of certain values should be applied as a focal point in Freemasonic elaboration.

Moving on, after examining original masonry and modern freemasonry, we’ve laid the foundation for more depth in this subject.  As mentioned before in part one of this series, Freemasonry has an elusive beginning, which is not noted to a specific source….hmmmm??

In part one, of this series, it was presented that Freemasonry could’ve either had its beginning from the Stone Mason Guilds in Europe.  There have also been conclusions drawn from the mysterious Knights Templars, of the Crusades(somewhere between 1095 and 1291[AD]).  But probably, the most unexamined claim(pertaining to solid evidence) would probably be of the origins of the Freemasons learning from the most dynamic masonic builders this world as yet to equate to,….the ever so famed Egyptians.  Taking these claims, along with others into consideration lets continue to take this journey of discovery and remember to find the lines of similarity and difference between Ras Tafari & Freemasonry.

Now, I know that I haven’t said much about Ras Tafari in comparison to Freemasonry as of yet, but please, be patient with me?  I’am sure many of you have heard so many things about both groups that seem to be conflicting at times; but I assure you that if you allow Ras Tafari Renaissance to present you with as many facts as it possibly can you should be able to form your own opinions and conclusions.(as well as, do your own research, adequately)

So, going into the notion of the Knights Templars, which surely preceded the period which, in one assertion that, Freemasonry could’ve had a formation in the Stone Mason’s Guilds of Europe brings us to an earlier supposed inception with the Crusader period or earlier.  This period can become a focal point in studying the origins of Freemasonry, mainly because most of the claims of Freemasonry are made from this period of time and in some cases, can carry some weight.(in provable facts, moderately)

The Templar Knights(or Knights Templar), have gained fame among those who have studied the Crusader period because of their mysterious acts during this time.  They’re accredited with initiating some of the first banking systems, becoming a valiant Christian military order of knights, as well as, an organization with monks of piety, and possibly surviving a slew of onslaught in the Crusader period.(just to name a few)  One of the significant acts of the Templars, was attributed to their works in aiding pilgrims who sought to travel to the “Holy Land”(Jerusalem), but were routinely robbed and in many cases slaughtered in route.  A French knight, by the name of Hughes de Payens is credited for the formation of this military order of knights.

…we will continue in the next edition of this series in Part 3…

stay tuned, there is so much more to unravel!