Trick Tracts: The Truth Behind Those Little Comics

Trick Tracts Review: "The Curse of Baphomet"

Synopsis: One of my favorites! Perhaps it's because there is actually a smidgen of truth in all the silliness. Or maybe because I found it cruel to insinuate that a father had unknowingly brought "evil" into his home that caused his son to try and commit suicide.

I think this tract is a terrible thing for parents of suicide victims to read – I'd hate to think someone would read this and start to wonder if they'd mistakenly, and unbeknownst to them, brought "evil" into their home and were to blame for their child's death. The way this material was given was in poor taste. This went beyond ridiculous and became hurtful and cruel – pointing fingers and casting blame.

I would like to commend the Chicksters, however, in doing their homework. It is true that there is some proof out there that modern day Masonry had ties with the occult in its inception. Though many historians argue the validity of these claims, my research leads me to personally believe there is some truth to it. Apparently, Masons were a re-united group of the Knights of Templar years after they were disbanded. This new identity and name enabled the Templars to continue their practices without fear of death or further disbanding.

It has also been revealed that the Knights Templar were not the ideal Christian crusaders history would have you believe – it has come to light that they, too, were serious dabblers in the occult. Most of their "magic" usage consisted of what we now term hermeticism and alchemy. Since it is believed by some that Masons are a continuance of some scattered Templars, it is conceivable that the beginnings were centered around occult influences. Though history does prove, as the Chicksters indicated, that most of the low-level, common practitioners had no knowledge of the workings of the higher order of the group. Today, however, the Masons seem to have long forgotten their rich occult history and have become more of a political and social lodge like the Lion's Club, or even the Flintstone's Water Buffalos.

The fact that modern Masonry may still practice and believe some of their ancient occult heritage is not a reason to call the organization, which raises money to help charities, "evil".

The funniest thing about this comic was that Ed, the guy telling the family about the "evils" of Masonry, seemed to keep a plethora of pictures of Masons and the goat god, Baphomet, on his person. He literally runs out to his car and comes back with all of these "photos" that most people wouldn't have just lying around in their family albums.

The Chicksters go into this long diatribe about Masonry, showing pictures and pointing out certain symbols; which explains little – people use different symbols for different things. I could point to a picture of a church and say "All those crosses – must be Satanic". Satanists wear crosses, though inverted. A symbol is not a definitive determination to prove anything – but apparently it suffices for the point of this comic.

Then they start botching all the information with ridiculous ascertains that cannot be backed up. The man says, "Alex, being a Mason has brought witchcraft right into your home!" While witchcraft itself falls into the category of the "occult", it, in itself, does not define the word "occult". Witchcraft is "part" of what would be termed the "occult". Masons were not witches, and did not practice witchcraft. They practiced alchemy – which is completely different.

Furthermore, saying Baphomet is "ugly, frightening, and completely satanic" is childish and unfounded. While it is certainly their right to have the opinion that Baphomet is "ugly" and "frightening", in learning a bit more about the ancient goat god, I haven't found that he was particularly "satanic". Since Satan is only a Christian ideal, it is a Christian interpretation that Baphomet is "Satanic", in the way they are indicating here. True, many modern Satanists do have an affinity for Baphomet, but his ancient origins are clouded in mystery and it is impossible to factually state he was ever even originally an "evil" god. And I have to ask – if Baphomet is "frightening" – then what the hell is the Christian God? Terrifying would be my vote.

Last, but not least, people – being a Mason or a Shriner is not going to turn you away from God. Belonging to an organization doesn't mean you support all of its beliefs, and doing good for your community is never a bad thing – I don't care what the Chicksters try to tell you. This is simply ridiculous. The Masons may have had their origins in the ancient occult – but remember, so did Christianity. When you get upset over pagan innuendos in other groups, just remember – all of your holidays and practices have foundation in Paganism. And anyone who wants to dispute that with me, I'm willing and ready.

Read the actual Chick Tract: The Curse of Baphomet