Monday, January 31, 2011

DARWIN AND MARX : A CASE OF N.O.M.A in SCIENCE AND POLITICS

DAWKINS VS. DARWIN : ON "NON OVERLAPPING MAGISTERIA"( NOMA)

Richard Dawkins attacked his fellow evolutionist Stephen Jay Gould practicing "The art of bending over backwards to positively supine lengths in one of his less admired books ,(an insult !---D)"Rock of All Ages" , There he coined the acromyn NOMA for the phrase 'non ovelapping magesteria':

The net,or magisterium,of science covers impirical realm : what the universe made of (fact) and why does it work (theory). The magisterium of religion extends over the questions of ultimate meaning and moral value>These two magisteria do not overrlap,nor do they encompass all inquiry (consider,for example the magisterium of art and the meaning of beauty).To cite the old cliche,science get to the ages of rocks,and religion the rock of the ages;science studies how the heaven go, religion how to go to heaven". (p.55)

He criticized " Martin Rees,the distinguish Cambridge astronomer...(who) posed two candidate ultimate questions and giving a NOMA friendly answer."The pre-eminent mystery is why anything exist at all.What breathes life into the equations,and actualized them in a real cosmos?Such questions lies beyond science.however,they are the province of philosophers and theologians."(p.55)

Dawkins posed a question:"What are these ultimate questions in whose presence religion is an honored guest ( he can add philosophy ,as M.Rees suggested---D) and science must respectfully slink away?"( p.55)

REPLY:

Jay Stephen Gould, in his dictum " science sudies how the heavens go,religion how to go to heaven" is a paraphrase adoption of the astronomer Galileo Galilei :"Galileo invoked the now famous remark by Cardinal Cesare Baronius (1598-1607) that the Bible tell us how to go to heaaven (the realm of religion)---D),not how the heavens go (the realm of sciece---D)." Richard J.Blackwell."Galileo Galilei."in Ferngren 2002: 111)

Galileo an early believer of NOMA !

How about Charles Darwin?

. Francis Darwin ,Charles Darwin's son, quoted Darwin's correspondence regarding his father's view on religion: darwin described his state of mind as "Agnostic" and he "never systematically thought much on religion in relation with science or morals in relation with society (as Dawkins et.al do- ,Darwin a believer of NOMA ---D)" he further continued and gave his reasons;:"and without steadily keeping my mind on such subjects for a long period,I am realy incapable of writing anything worth sending to the Index (a periodical---D)" and as a pure agnostic he wrote"the whole subject ( question on God's existence---D) is beyond the scope of man's intellect;but he can do his duty." (F.Darwin 1902/1995 : 56,57)

Francis Darwin,have this to say why his father did not publish his view on religion :" He naturally shrank from wounding the sensibilities of others in religious matters,and he was also influence by the consciousness that a man ought not to publish on a subject to whicb he has not given special and continous thought."(p,55)

Dawkins must include his mentor Darwin among those scientists who are "guilty of bending over backwards to be nice to an unworthy but powerful opponent ( religion--- D) " (p.57)

Question : If religion is an "unworthy...opponent" ,why did Dawkins spend his precious time writing his book "The GOD Delusion"?

Is it about fame and money ?

Sunday, January 30, 2011

DAWKIN'S ON HITLER AND STALIN:A REPLY

In Richard Dawkin's (in)famous book "The GOD Dillusion" ,he quoted a question raised many times in his public lectures:"What about Hitler or Stalin ?Arent they atheist?"(pp.272-278)

In the first paragraph of his reply he said:" Outstanding reversal,deep and terrible ones,are provided by dictators of the twentieth century.It is important to SEPARATE the evil intentions of men like Hitler and Stalin from the vast power that they wielded in achiving them."(capitals mine when appear in this article----D).

REPLY:

How can Dawkins"separate the evil intentions" of the said dictators "from the vast power they wieded in achiving them" ? Did not these "evil men" used their "vast powers " to achieve their goals and produced evil and "appaling reversals"?

As for Dawkins opinion that Hitler and Stalin "were by any standards,spectacularly evil". We can but agree with his assesment.


He brought up two assumptions that put to him by his some of his audience:"(1) were Stalin and Hitler atheist and(2)they do their terrible deeds because they were atheist." He continued":"true for Stalin and dubious for Hitler".

REPLY:

Dawins is right that Stalin is an atheist. But he did not mention that STALIN MAY HAVE BECOME AN ATHEIST BY READING DARWINIAN LITERATURE:" Official Soviet biographers and memorialists claimed that aready at Gori their hero ( Stalin---D) had read Darwin and become an atheist.but he may have acquired a vague notion of the new theory (Evolution---D) from popular summaries,and his mind turned against religion."(Deutscher 1982:27 ).

Additional information:

Mao Zedong, an atheistic Marxist mass murderer ,confessed that as a youth he "studied with great interest....Darwin's Origin of Species...." ( Snow:177)

We must not be surprised that the atheist Karl Marx ,(Stalin and Mao's idol) sent a copy of the first edition of his Das Kapital to Charles Darwin In the book's inscription he described hinself as a "sincere admirer" .In Darwin's letter of thanks,he politely described Marx' opus as a "great work". (for Marx-Darwin correspondence, see Wheen 1999 :363-369)

The mariage of The Theory of Evolution and Marxist Revolution proved to be a dangerous union that produced a dark chapter in humankind's history.(To be discussed in other future article).

Thursday, January 13, 2011

FREEMASONRY AND FRENCH REVOLUTION: A CHRONOLOGY

The initiator of the Philippine Revolution Andres Bonifacio, a Mason ,was an ardent student of the French Revolution.According to his close associate Dr.Pio Valenzuela,Bonifacio spent his sleepless nights reading the history of the French Revolution. In this revolution, the masonic involvement is obvious as documented in the chronology below:

1721
Oct.13- "Friendship and Fraternity",first masonic lodge founded in Dunkirk.

1725- Charles Radcliff, Lord Derwentwater established the Mother Lodge in Paris ,it had about 500 members. (Dillon 1885:18-19)

1734

1736-Four lodges in Paris formed a Provincial Grand Lodge,under the authority of England.

1743-The Count of Clairmont was elected grand master,the body (Provincial Grand Lodge) assumed the title"English Grand Lodge of France". (Macoy,39)

1754-

The Chapter of Clairmont formed by Chevalier Nicolas de Bonneville in Paris.(Lomas 2006:228)

The Marinists , secret society founded by a Portugese Jew Martinez Paschalis(or Pasqually).He developed his doctrines by combining " gnosticism,Judaize Christianity and the philosophies of Greeece and of the East."(Webster 1921:7)


Dillon (1885:2) believed that Pasqually"was the first to introduce Illuminism into ther Lodge of Lyons.

1772-The founding of the Grand Orient of France,with the Duc de Chartes(later known as Duc d Orleans and Philip Egalite)as its grand master (Webster 1921: 6 )

1773- Grand Orient of France formally constituted in Paris. (Gardner 2000:384)

1775-Beginning of American Revolution. (Gardner,384)




1778-French troops and Marquis de Lafayette helped American rebels fight the British.(Gardner,384)

1786- The Grand Orient formed a coalition with the Grand Chapter,acquiring a more dangerous character...(T)he spirit of the Grand Orient was frankly democratic...(while) the Grand Chapter was revolutionary."..."(T)he brothers of the Templar Rite...of the Grand Chapter were the real formentors of the revolution .the others were ony docile agents".(Webster 1921 :6)

1787-Johann Joachim Christoph Bode with his fellow Illuminatus Christian Wilhelm von dem
Bussche made a trip to Paris and"successfully imported Bavarian Illuminism in France.
He not only succeeeded n recruiting prominent members of Fench freemasonry,but
together with these new initiates,established a fully functioning secret Illuminati Lodge
(Les Unis Reunis)." (see Melanson 2009:pp.68-81,for more details; words in parenthesis
mine---D.V.D)

1789-99- The French Revolution.

1789

June17- Third Estate adopted the title of National Assembly. *
June 20- Tennis Court Oath.*
June 26- Troops began to concentrate around Paris.*
June27 -King ordered clergy and nobility tojoin the Third Esate. *
July12-17- Riots in Paris. *
Jult 14 -The Fall of Bastile. *

"(J)ust after the fall of Bastile,a mason (a mason from a lodge in Breton)...asserted that
'it was from our templesand from those who raised to true philosophy that there went
forth the first sparks of sacred fire which,spreadind from east to west,and soutrh and
north, has so quickly warmed the hearts of the citizens. '"(Roberts 2008:170,words in
parenthesis mine---D.V.D)


August26- Declaration of the Rights of Man.*

1792-
Sept.21 -Convention abolished monarchy.*

1793

Jan.21-Execution of King Louis XVI.*

Mar.21- Comites de surveillance established in every commune.*
Mar.26-Committee of Public Safety established.*
May-Oct.-Federalist revolts in provinces against the Convention. *
May 28-Insurrectionary Commitees formed.*
May 29-June 2- Overthrow of the Girondins.*
JUly 13- Murder of Marat.*
July 17 -Final abolition of all feudal rights without compensation. *

The Comite de Trente.not a masonic body, whose"membership included several
members of the two celbrated lodges Neuf Soeurs and of Rue du Coq-Huron."played a
role in the abolistion of feudalism.(Roberts 2008:172)

It was de Kerengal"a freemason and a member of this group,who on the night of 4 of
August joined with d'Aiguillion(nother freemason)to roposed for the abolition
of feudalism.



1793

Sept.17- Law of Suspects.*
Oct.10- Government declared to be "revolutionary until the peace." *
Oct.16-Marie Antoinette executed.*
Oct.31-Girondin leaders executed.*
Nov.6- Duc d Orleans (Philippe Egalite), grand master of Grand Orientn of France, executed.*

1794

Mar.24-Execution of Herbertists. *
April 2-Danton's trial begins.*
April 5-Execution of Dantonits.*
July 27-The journee of 9 Thermidor.Arrest of Roberpierrists.*
Abolition of Paris Commune by Convention.*

July 28- Execution of Roberpierrists.*
Nov.12-Jacobin Club closed.*

1795

Feb.21-Decree separating Church and State.*
Aug.22-Convention is disolved.Directory inagurated.*

1796 -1798 Rise of Napoleon
1796
Mar. 2-Bonaparte became General of the army of Italy.*
May 10-Bonaparte defeats Austrians in Lodi.*
Nov.16- Bonaparte`s voctory at Arcola.*
1797-


May27-Babeuf executed. *
Oct.18-Peace with Austria secured by the Treaty of Campo Formio.*
Dec.10-Bonaparte returns to Paris.*
1798

Aug.1- Battle of Nile.*

1799

May 20-Sieyes joins the Directory.*
Oct.9- Bonaparte lands at Frejus.*
Nov.9- Coup d etat of Brumaire.*





1877-The Grand Orient removed from its Constitutions the affirmation of the existence of The Grand Architect of the Universe (T.G.A.O .T.U).(Pick & Knight, 269)






Note: For the complete chronology see Appendix 3 of Hibbert.1980:329-335)

THE ORIGIN OF FREEMASONRY: A CHRONOLOGY

ANCIENT TIMES

Prehistoric Times- Shamans/Medicine men. Inititiation Rites

Rise of Civilization:
Neolithic Revolution: Agriculture, Settled life/Rise of Cities )
Mesopotamia: Sumer,Babylon )Priesthood
Egypt :Fraternity of Hiero-
Laotomi/Sacred Builders )
(Macoy 2000:8)

Tyre:Dionysiac Fraternity
(Macoy 2000:7)
Greece: Ancient Mysteries
Rome:Roman Colegia/Roman Colleges of Constuctors(Macoy 2000:13)

MIDDLE AGES:

1150-The Lodge of Kilwinning established in Scotland.(Macoy,24)

1312- A small number of Templars who escaped from the persecution of Philip ,King of France and the pope, Clement V, took refuge in Scotland,before the death of their last Grand Master Jacques de Molay (1314) and founf refuge in the masonic lodges.(Macoy,24)

1607-Freemasonry flourished in England under James I, who declared himself its protector.(Macoy,25 )

1646-Learned men ,artstists,men famous for their knowledge and positions accepted as Honorary members or Accepted Masons in the lodges.
Initiation of celebrated antiquarian ,Elias Ashmole.(Macoy,25)

1717- Four lodges in London united and formed The Grand Lodge of England.( Macoy,27)

1721-1725-Freemasonry introduced in France,several lodges constituted.(Macoy,27)