William Schnoebelen

The credibility of Mr. Schnoebelen.
Mr. Schnoebelen writes, "These Masonic authorities [Albert Pike and Albert Mackey. JR], each regarded very highly by half the Grand Lodges in America, agree that Masonry is a religion, and is not Christianity." (Masonry: Beyond the Light, page 36) The citation that Mr. Schnoebelen uses is "The Secret Teachings of the Masonic Lodge," by John Ankerberg and John Weldon, pages 16-17.

John Ankerberg and John Weldon write, "Which authors and books do Masons themselves recommend to outsiders as authoritative? In order to answer this question, a letter was sent to each of the fifty Grand Lodges in America. We addressed this letter to the Grand Master of each Lodge and asked him to respond to the following question: 'As an official Masonic leader, which books and authors do you recommend as being authoritative on the subject of Freemasonry?' Twenty-five of the Grand Lodges in the United States responded. A response of fifty percent is sufficiently high to suggest that the response of other states would not have varied significantly. In other words, we may assume that these responses are normative for U. S. Masonry as a whole. Remember, for each state, no higher jurisdictional authority that its Grand Lodge exists. Which authors were recommended by the Grand Lodges as being authoritative for Masons?
44 percent recommended Henry Wilson Coil
36 percent Joseph Fort Newton
32 percent Albert G. Mackey
24 percent Carl H. Claudy
24 percent H. L. Haywood
20 percent Alphonse Cerza
20 percent Robert F. Gould
20 percent Allen E. Roberts
16 percent Albert Pike
Other authors recommended included W. R. Denslow, R. V. Denslow, Charles C. Hunt, Bernard Jones, Roscoe Pound, James Anderson, Henry C. Clausen, D. Darrah, Manly Hall, W. Hutchinson, M. M. Johnson, Karl C. F. Krause, W. Preston, G. Steinmetz, J. H. Van Gorden, T. S. Webb, and Louis Williams.
What individual books were recommended by the Grand Lodges as being authoritative interpreters of Freemasonry?
44 percent Coils Masonic Encyclopedia, by Henry Wilson Coil
36 percent The Builders, by Joseph Fort Newton
32 percent Mackey's Revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, by Albert G. Mackey
24 percent Introduction to Freemasonry, by Carl H. Claudy
24 percent The Newly-Made Mason, by H. L. Haywood
20 percent A Masonic Reader's Guide, by Alphonse Cerza
20 percent History of Freemasonry, by Robert F. Gould
20 percent The Craft and Its Symbols, by Allen E. Roberts
16 percent Morals and Dogma, by Albert Pike" (The Secret Teachings of the Masonic Lodge, by John Ankerberg and John Weldon, pages 16-17)

1. Notice that 50 percent of the Grand Lodges in America responded, but not one author received approval of 50 percent of the Grand Lodges.
2. Albert Mackey was recommended by 32% of the Grand Lodges. In other words, 8 Grand Lodges recommended Albert Mackey as an authority. 32% can hardly be considered "regarded very highly."
3. Albert Pike was recommended by 16% of the Grand Lodges. In other words, 4 Grand Lodges recommended Albert Pike as an authority. 16% can hardly be considered "regarded very highly."

This shows that Mr. Schoenbelen cannot comprehend what he reads, or he is willing to mislead his readers.

-----

A. E. Waite on Albert Pike
Mr. Schnoebelen writes, "Arthur E. Waite quotes Dr. Joseph Fort Newton as saying that Pike 'found Masonry in a log cabin and left it in a temple.' He was the 'master-genius of Masonry'." page 190 But Mr. Schnoebelen fails to finish the quote by A. E. Waite, I wonder why? Here is the rest of the quote by Waite, "Masonic Scholarship. -- Having said this, as the honour of the case requires, it calls to be added that as a critical scholar of Masonry, a historian and a writer on the ethical and philosophical side of the subject he [Albert Pike. JR] is not to be taken as a guide." (A New Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, volume 2, page 278)

-----

Mr. Schnoebelen tries to prove that Freemasons believe in reincarnation by citing George Steinmetz, The Royal Arch - It's Hidden Meaning. Mr. Schnoebelen writes, "Though all participants in mystery cults do not necessarily believe in reincarnation, Masonic scholars find it an essential part of their belief system." (Masonry: Beyond the Light, page 154.) If, you would read this quote, you assume that Mr. Schnoebelen is saying that all Masonic scholars believed in reincarnation. Here is what George Steinmetz wrote, "These degrees are so largely based on that doctrine [reincarnation. JR], which they symbolically illustrate, that if the doctrine of reincarnation is withdrawn, or if an attempt is made to interpret the symbols by any other means, those symbols become meaningless. This statement is made with full knowledge that some will disagree and point to interpretations which appear logical and are not based on reincarnation." (The Royal Arch -Its Hidden Meaning, page 52.)

Clearly by reading this quote from George Steinmetz, he realized that not all Masonic scholars would agree with his reincarnation interpretation.

-----

The hypocrisy of William Schnoebelen
Mr. Schnoebelen writes, "Both degrees cost money (not peanuts, either). When I was going through them in the mid-70's, they cost around $50 apiece for the Blue Lodge degrees. That means the second degree Mason is out at least $100!" (Masonry: Beyond the Light, page 54)

Mr. Schnoebelen is willing to tell everyone the evils of Freemasonry. But, of course, he is only willing to do so for a price. Here is what he is offering about Freemasonry (as of August 21, 2002): "Confessions of an Ex-Mason" --- $6.00
"Evil Communications" -- $21.00
"Masonry Beyond the Light" -- $11.95
"Secret Sins: The Video" -- $20.00
"The Depths of Satan" -- $20.00
"The Curse of Bahomet" -- $3.25
"DeMolay: A Kindergarten for Satanism (video) -- $21.00 "The Eastern Star: Ladies of the Labyrinth" (video) -- $21.00 "The Light Behind Masonry" (video) -- $25.00 In a paper entitled "The Goat of Menes or Bahomet," published by Ed Decker's so-called Saints Alive In Jesus Ministry, Mr. Schnoebelen writes, "The MYSTIC SHRINE ritual book is difficult to aquire. If there are pages that you need out of it, we will be happy to photocopy them for you. It would be nice if you could send a small donation to cover the cost." That is mighty Christian of him, selling copyright material at a cost.

1 Timothy 6:10, "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (KJV) In a response to an email, Mr. Schnoebelen wrote, "Gold and silver have true and real value. They are specie. God despises false weights and measures (the current 'funny money' Federal reserve notes). They are false money and they are part of economic Babylon." I wonder if this includes checks and credit cards? Would Mr. Schnoebelen accept cash/"funny money" of the "economic Babylon" when someone orders his product? If, he does, is he a part of the "economic Babylon"? Does this mean, he supports the economic system of "Babylon"? Does this mean that God despises Mr. Schnoebelen's money making scheme? Has Mr. Schnoebelen sold his soul the economic system of Babylon?
_____

Mr. Schnoebelen shows his incompetence as a researcher when he uses questionable sources as proof that Freemasonry is a satanic religion. Mr. Schnoebelen writes, "Pike is also quoted as giving this instruction to a council of very high level of Freemasons . . ." (Masonry: Beyond the Light, page 60). The source for this quote is "La Femme et l'Enfant la Franc," by A. C. de La Rive.

Art de Hoyos writes, "The quote . . . is from a discredited anti-Masonic book by Edith Starr Miller (a.k.a 'Lady Queenborough') called 'Occult Theocrasy' (1933). In it she wrote: The theological dogma of Albert Pike is explained in the Instructions issued by him, on July 14, 1889, to the 23 Supreme Councils of the world and have been recorded by A, C. De La Rive in La Femme et l'Enfant dans la Franc-Maconnerie Universelle (page 588) from which we translate and quote as follows: That which we must say to the crowd is -- we worship a God, but it is the God that one adores without superstition. To you, Sovereign Grand Inspectors General, we say this, that you may repeat it to the Brethern of the 32nd, 31st and 30th degrees -- The Masonic religion should be, to all of its initiates of the high degrees, maintained in the purity of the Luciferian doctrine. . . .' Edith Miller was apparently unaware that this 'quotation' was a forgery created by a French hoaxer named 'Leo Taxil' (real name: Gabriel Jogand-Pages). Taxil created this, and other bogus 'quotations' . . . in an effort to discredit Freemasonry and Albert Pike. In 1897, after writing several sensational books, Taxil publicly admitted that he forged the documents and the fabricated 'Palladistic-Luciferian Masonry' which Miller and other credulous persons attributed to Pike." (A Cloud of Prejudice, page 55) Art de Hoyos concludes, "Because Taxil's forgeries were exposed almost a century ago, it is difficult to believe that someone could study Freemasonry . . . and not discover the truth of the matter." (A Cloud of Prejudice, page 56)

The Utah Lighthouse Ministry makes the following statement about William Schnoebelen and Ed Decker, ". . . both Decker's and Schnoebelen's work on Freemasonry is seriously marred by the inclusion of erroneous material on the subject. Wesley P. Walters has demonstrated that the most important quotation from Albert Pike 'depended upon' by both Decker and Schnoebelen 'to establish the Luciferian nature of Masonry' is a 19th century forgery. (We have printed an article by Pastor Walters concerning this subject in the new edition of The Lucifer-God Doctrine entitled, 'A Curious Case of Fraud.' This article presents evidence that the notorious Pike lecture containing the statement that 'Lucifer is God,' really came from an anti-Masonic hoax 'that grew out of the mind of one Gabriel Antoine Jogand-Pages who had a vendetta both against the Masons and the Roman Catholic Church.' This is truly an amazing story regarding 'a gigantic hoax' which fooled the public for many years.) (The Salt Lake City Messenger, Utah Lighthouse Ministry, September 1988 newsletter.

http://www.utlm.org/newsletters/no69.htm)
_____

Mr. Schnoebelen claims to have been initiated into a non-existent Masonic degree.

Mr. Schnoebelen writes, "I was brought into Palladium Lodge (Resurrection, #13) in Chicago in the late 1970's and received the degree of 'Paladin' in that Lodge in 1981 . . ." (Masonry: Beyond the Light, page 194)

Palladium Masonry never existed.

Art de Hoyos makes the following observation, "It is interesting to note that Mr. Schnoebelen has combined two distinct and unrelated ideas in his tale, though both use similar sounding words. Palladium refers to a small statue of Pallas Athena which was thought to protect the city of Troy. Paladin is a type of European knight descended from Charlemagne's Court Palatine." (Is It True What They Say About Masonry)
_____

Mr. Schnoebelen shows that he is not a man of his word. Mr. Schnoebelen writes, ". . . I was brought through the Egyptian rites of Masonry and received the 90*, a level few U. S. Masons are even aware of!" (Masonry: Beyond the Light, page 203)

The Rite of Memphis is not recognized by the regular Grand Lodges of Freemasonry. The Rite of Memphis is clandestine Masonry. A regular Freemason makes the promise that he will not sit in a Lodge of irregular or clandestine Masons. Evidently, Mr. Schnoebelen did, thereby breaking his word.

Can a man who breaks his word be trusted?
_____

The Duplicity of Mr. Schnoebelen.
Mr. Schnoebelen writes, "When I applied for Lodge membership, I was a witch, and attended an Episcopal church." (Masonry: Beyond the Light, page 45). By his testimonies, it was either in 1975 or 1976 when he applied for Masonic membership. We see here that Mr. Schnoebelen admits to living a life of lies. He put on a show of being a good church going person, all the while, and secretly, practicing witchcraft. If, he wasn't trying to hide the fact he was witch, did he tell his fellow church goers? If, we can deduct anything from his many testimonies, it appears he became a Mormon in 1979. And, in 1984 he claims to be "saved" when he was a Mormon. He writes, "This was a time of considerable spiritual searching for me. I had been saved by Jesus while a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS), known as the Mormons." (Masonry: Beyond the Light, page15)

But, in his book on Wicca, he makes the following claim, "Up to our departure from the city of Milwaukee in 1984, we were presiding over one of the oldest and largest networks of covens in the Midwest." Again, we see that Mr. Schnoebelen was living a life of lies. Can this man be trusted?
_____

Mr. Schnoebelen claims he was a Gnostic bishop, a baby-sacrificing Satanist, a Wiccan High Priest, a Kabalistic adept, a Mormon, a vampire, a channeler, and a Mason.

Supposedly he accomplished all of this in 16 years (1968 to 1984). Sounds a little far fetched to me.
I am sure this list will grow, when he feels the need to write a new book or make a new video.

He also claims to have studied four traditions of Wicca and became a high priest in all of them. He claims to have been a high priest of Alexandrian Wicca, Druid Craft of the Wise, Church of All Worlds, and Church and School of Wicca in a period of two years. Anyone who knows anything about Wicca knows that it takes years to reach any of the positions he claims to have reached.
_____

Mr. Schnoebelen claims that Satan is using UFOs to cross-breed with humans to create a new breed of humans or demons. In his book "Space Invaders," he mentions that he has studied the phenomena of UFOs for approximately 30 years. During his study he supposedly came to the knowledge of some military bases being used by satanic scientists [does this sound like an episode of the Twilight Zone or the X-Files?] These satanic scientists were experimenting with humans being abducted by aliens/demons. He also reports that in conjunction with these santanic scientists, three types of aliens/demons are found in an underground military base called MJ12. Supposedly, this base is 30 stories underground and only a few of the top stories are occupied by humans. Mr. Schnoebelen mentions three types of aliens/demons: The Greys, The Reptilians or Reptoids, and the Blonds or Nordics.
_____

Now Mr. Schnoebelen claims to be a biological, chemical and nuclear weapons expert. The advertisement for the video, "Israel, Islam & Biochemical Nuclear Terror" states, ". . . he takes the fear out of these terrorist weapons by explaining how they work. He talks about biological, chemical and nuclear weapons and what you need to know how to prepare to protect your family." To learn Mr. Schnoebelen's secrets will cost only $25.00 plus shipping and handling.
_____

We also find on his web-site several "witches brews" that he is willing to sell to counter-act Biological, Chemical and Nuclear weapons. I wonder if, he has truly renounced witchcraft? Or, is he keeping in character of living a life of lies?
_____

It is apparent that Mr. Schnoebelen is not credible.

August 1, 2007