International On-Line Study Center

What is Freethought and has it lost the intent of its original meaning?
Date: 12/20/2017 11:00:00 AM
Topic of Study: Philosophy
Presenter: Dennis Garza
Synopsis: The modern concept of Freethought sees truth as that which is formed on the basis of logic and reason and dismisses the possibility of truth being attained via authority, tradition, divine revelation or dogma. A large organization of atheists, secular humanists and agnostics have adopted the term “Freethinkers” as a way to identify their beliefs as opposed to those of the religious community. Yet, in its origin, the term was not secluded to this group of non-believers. In the late 17th century the term emerged to describe those who stood in opposition to the literal interpretation of the Bible. Many were theists, opposed to the authoritarian and dogmatic approach to the interpretation and understanding of truth. If Freemasonry is a system of morality built on the eradication of dogma, can Freemasonry be considered a modern-day philosophy of Freethought?

Is Hermeticism an ancient form of science?
Date: 1/17/2018 10:00:00 AM
Topic of Study: Natural Science
Presenter: Bro. Isaac Levy
Synopsis: We often think the people of ancient times were brutes and savages. However, they may have been more sophisticated than we give them credit for. Science, as we know it today, is based on observation and experimentation. An experiment is only valid if the conditions can be replicated with the same results every time. If we see the same observation or outcome happen over and over again, a pattern emerges. What does science and its observations have to do Hermeticism and Freemasonry? Are the Principles of Hermeticism as profound as Freemasonry is ancient?

Is Astrotheology the foundation of all world religion?
Date: 2/21/2018 10:00:00 AM
Topic of Study: Theology
Presenter: Bro. Aksel Suvari
Synopsis: Since time immemorial Mankind has looked to the stars for guidance. Whether in matters of home and heart or those of the greatest magnitude,the night sky has been humanity’s constant companion in our search for meaning. As a species we have formed a divine and symbolic relationship with the stars which is illustrated by the study of Astrotheology. Within all of the world religions the fingerprints of this millennia-old tradition can be found and its influence has dramatically shaped the mythology and worship of religious figures throughout the ages. Has religion itself been developed by the careful study of stellar phenomenon and could Freemasonry be a remnant of such a tradition?

Does Freemasonry advocate Anarchy?
Date: 3/21/2018 10:00:00 AM
Topic of Study: Philosophy
Presenter: Bro. Matias Cumsille
Synopsis: When one thinks of anarchy, they think of angry citizens throwing benches at windows of innocent store owners. Why? Because it has been demonized by modern Democracy as a plague to be avoided. Anarchy a political philosophy that is rarely taught in schools. The word itself has morphed into a synonym for chaos. Yet, in its strict definition, it implies self-governance and voluntary institutions. In fact, Anarchy can be used to describe the freedom of Fraternal Organizations in which membership is based on the time old axiom: of your own free will and accord.

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Date: 4/18/2018 10:00:00 AM
Topic of Study: Esotericism
Presenter: Bro. Dennis Garza
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Date: 5/16/2018 10:00:00 AM
Topic of Study: Natural Science
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Date: 6/20/2018 10:00:00 AM
Topic of Study: Behavioral Science
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Date: 7/18/2018 10:00:00 AM
Topic of Study: Art
Presenter: Bro. Dennis Garza
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Date: 8/15/2018 10:00:00 AM
Topic of Study: History
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Date: 9/19/2018 10:00:00 AM
Topic of Study: Formal Science
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Date: 10/17/2018 10:00:00 AM
Topic of Study: Literature
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Date: 11/21/2018 10:00:00 AM
Topic of Study: Philosophy
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Does an irrational number (Phi) govern structures in our objective universe?
Date: 5/15/2019 12:00:00 PM
Topic of Study: Formal Science
Presenter: Judith Champion
Synopsis: In the nineteenth century, geometry and Masonry were synonymous terms because geometry was the basis of Masonic terminology and symbolism. It reveals the beauty of creation through proportion, number, and relationships found in phenomenal forms. To the Greek philosophers and geometers Phi represented divine harmony and order. The forms and patterns manifesting from divine archetypes constitute sacred geometry. But is geometry just a system developed by ancient mathematicians or can we consider it be a living thing?

Is Freemasonry a Religion?
Date: 12/18/2019 12:00:00 PM
Topic of Study: Theology
Presenter: Dennis Garza
Synopsis: The answer to the question very much depends on who is asking, who is answering, and why. Regardless of the answer, the question brings so many other questions into light, that it is a question worth asking. It asks for a deeper understanding of the ideas of faith, of dogma, of god, of salvation, of prayer, of ritual, and of religion itself. Let us delve into the mysteries of these ideas, that we might be better equipped to answer the question, “Is Freemasonry a Religion”.