The EquiNOX. The Method of Science The Aim of Religion

I am going to be giving you a direct quotation from a book called The Equinox which was produced by the OTO.

"THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE A\A\
THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC ILLUMINISM"

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I would like to draw your attention to the references within the text to do with symbolism and the use of symbols to illuminate our dullard minds. As I have said before the debate for me centres around whether or not the constant use of symbols serves a nefarious purpose or if it actually can help to illuminate mankind. It is obvious the secret societies feel they are helping mankind so why is that we see the dark side of their activities and no good consequences most of the time.

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So here is the quotation from the first chapter. It is quite long but I'm just putting it up so i can refer back to it later.

"IT is necessary, my dear brothers, to give you a clear idea of
the interior Order; of that illuminated community which is
scattered throughout the world, but which is governed by one
truth and united in one spirit.

This community possesses a School, in which all who
thirst for knowledge are instructed by the Spirit of Wisdom
itself; and all the mysteries of nature are preserved in this
school for the children of light. Perfect knowledge of nature
and of humanity is taught in this school. It is from her
that all truths penetrate into the world; she is the school of
all who search for wisdom, and it is in this community alone
that truth and the explantation of all mystery are to be found.
It is the most hidden of communities, yet it contains members
from many circles; nor is there any Centre of Thought whose
activity is not due to the presence of one of ourselves. From
all time there has been an exterior school based on the interior
one, of which it is but the outer expression.

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From all time, therefore, there has been a hidden assembly, a society of the

Elect, of those who sought for and had capacity for light, and
this interior society was the Axle of the R.O.T.A. All that any
external order possesses in symbol, ceremony, or rite is
the letter expressive outwardly of that spirit of truth which
dwelleth in the interior Sanctuary. Nor is the contradiction
of the exterior any bar to the harmony of the interior.
Hence this Sanctuary, composed of members widely
scattered indeed but united by the bonds of perfect love, has
been occupied from the earliest ages in building the grand
Temple (through the evolution of humanity) by which the
reign of L.V.X. will be manifest.

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This society is in the
communion of those who have most capacity for light; they
are united in truth, and their Chief is the Light of the World
himself, V.V.V.V.V., the One Anointed in Light, the single
teacher for the human race, the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
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The interior Order was formed immediately after the first
perception of man's wider heritage had dawned upon the first
of the adepts; it received from the Masters at first-hand the
revelation of the means by which humanity could be raised to
its rights and delivered from its misery. It received the
primitive charge of all revelation and mystery; it received
the key of true science, both divine and natural.
But as men multiplied, the frailty of man necessitated an
exterior society which veiled the interior one, and concealed
the spirit and the truth in the letter, because many people
were not capable of comprehending great interior truth.

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Therefore, interior truths were wrapped in external and
perceptible ceremonies, so that men, by the perception of the
outer which is the symbol of the interior, might by degrees be

enabled safely to approach the interior spiritual truths.

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But the inner truth has always been confided to him who
in his day had the most capacity for illumination, and he
became the sole guardian of the original Trust, as High Priest
of the Sanctuary.
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When it became necessary that interior truths should be
enfolded in exterior ceremony and symbol, on account of the
real weakness of men who were not capable of hearing the
Light of Light, then exterior worship began. It was, however,
always the type or symbol of the interior, that is to say, the
symbol of the true and Secret Sacrament.

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The external worship would never have been separated
from interior revel but for the weakness of man, which tends
too easily to forget the spirit in the letter; but the Masters are
vigilant to note in every nation those who are able to receive
light, and such persons are employed as agents to spread the
light according to man's capacity and to revivify the dead letter.
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Through these instruments the interior truths of the
Sanctuary were taken into every nation, and modified
symbolically according to their customs, capacity for instruction,
climate, and receptiveness. So that the external
types of every religion, worship, ceremonies and Sacred Books
in general have more or less clearly, as their object of
instruction, the interior truths of the Sanctuary, by which man
will be conducted to the universal knowledge of the one
Absolute Truth.

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The more the external worship of a people has remained
united with the spirit of esoteric truth, the purer its religion;
but the wider the difference between the symbolic letter and

the invisible truth, the more imperfect has become the
religion. Finally, it may be, the external form has entirely
parted from its inner truth, so that ceremonial observances
without soul or life have remained alone.

In the midst of all this, truth reposes inviolable in the inner Sanctuary.
Faithful to the spirit of truth, the members of the interior Order live in silence,

but in real activity.

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Yet, besides their secret holy work, they have from time to
time decided upon political strategic action.
Thus, when the earth was night utterly corrupt by reason
of the Great Sorcery, the Brethren sent Mohammed to bring
freedom to mankind by the sword.

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This being but partially a success, they raised up one
Luther to teach freedom of thought. Yet this freedom soon
turned into a heavier bondage than before.
Then the Brethren delivered unto man the knowledge of
nature, and the keys thereof; yet this also was prevented by
the Great Sorcery.
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Now then finally in nameless ways, as one of our Brethren
hath it now in mind to declare, have they raised up One to
deliver unto men the keys of Spiritual Knowledge, and by His
work shall He be judged.

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This interior community of light is the reunion of all those
capable of receiving light, and it is known as the Communion
of Saints, the primitive receptacle for all strength and truth,
confided to it from all time.
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By it the agents of L.V.X. were formed in every age,
passing from the interior to the exterior, and communicating
spirit and life to the dead letter, as already said."