tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5592514.post4821998910312228490..comments2023-10-24T03:46:41.971-07:00Comments on Contingencies: the key.........Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11567400697675996283noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5592514.post-8336004322446921452011-05-27T13:17:05.875-07:002011-05-27T13:17:05.875-07:00They are all Pikes insofar that freemasons swear -...They are all Pikes insofar that freemasons swear --on pain of death, reportedly--to uphold their secret oaths. <br /><br />AS you may have noted, my ideas on this topic are influenced by JQ Adams--his essay On the Masonic Institution in particular. JQA was adamantly anti-masonic--and masonry was a rather controversial subject in early America. <br /><br />Many in Consumerland might think Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11567400697675996283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5592514.post-73113835475853325252011-05-26T10:43:18.224-07:002011-05-26T10:43:18.224-07:00The influence of Freemasonry in protestant Europe ...The influence of Freemasonry in protestant Europe and early America can hardly be denied, but I don't believe the tradition of freemasonry has been as sinister as you suggest--at any rate, you haven't established that. Some of the Founders belonged to masonic lodges--Washington and Ben Franklin, two prominent examples. Franklin was quite charitable, and an abolitionist, and anti-royalist,Moriartynoreply@blogger.com