The Observer, February 29, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 19
News you can't use
Secrets of Great Seal revealed
Myths surrounding one of America's oldest national symbols have officially been debunked–if you believe the government, of course.
Government officials want the public to know that the Great Seal of the United States, the emblem on the back of the $1 bill, is not a sign that Freemasons run the country, nor does it have anything to do with the occult, and it isn't part of a larger treasure map.
The Seal, which has graced money since the days of Thomas Jefferson, the first Secretary of State, features an all-seeing eye, an unfinished pyramid, Latin phrases, a bald eagle clutching an olive branch and arrows, and the number 13. The meanings, however, have been misinterpreted almost since the Continental Congress first commissioned the Seal in 1776.
And the popularity of movies such as "National Treasure" has ingrained conspiracy theories in the minds of the American public.
Among the myths:
The Seal proves the domination of the U.S. by a powerful, quasi-religious cult. The Ancient Scottish Rite of Freemasonry is a popular choice among theorists.
The Seal draws on Satanism or polytheistic ritual to promote a universal new world order under which all inhabitants of the Earth would be ruled under a single omnipotent government.
Repeated references to 13–the number of steps in the unfinished pyramid, stars in the constellation over the eagle's head, arrows in the eagle's claw, stripes on the eagle's shield, letters in the phrase "Annuit Coeptis"–demonstrate the power of 13 American families.
Historians claim the Seal's symbolism is far less revelatory than most believe.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the Seal's 66th and current custodian, inaugurated a new exhibition to commemorate its 225th birthday and trace the history and evolution of the symbolism last week.
"This exhibit honoring the Great Seal affirms our continued belief in the values of our founding," she said. "The Great Seal symbolizes the unity, strength and independence of a new nation, the United States of America."
Among the highlights:
Known Masons, such as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, had no role in designing the seal, which uses elements of traditional heraldry–the unfinished pyramid to symbolize a work in progress, arrows for war, and an olive branch for peace. While Masons use some of these symbols, the symbols aren't exclusive to the sect.
The phrase "Novus Ordo Seculorum" below the Roman numerals for 1776 at the base of the pyramid translates as "A New Order of the Ages" that began with independence and does not imply the United States will be the lynchpin of a sinister "New World Order."
The words "Annuit Coeptis" ("Providence favors") and the eye of providence that hovers over the pyramid refer to unexpected interventions of fate that assisted the colonists in creating a new country.
The references to 13 refer to the number of colonies that formed the original United States.
Church urges members to have sex
A small, southwest Florida church recently issued a challenge for its married members last week: hanky panky every day.
In Ybor City, Relevant Church's pastor Paul Wirth said the American divorce rate of 50 percent was the impetus for "The 30-Day Sex Challenge."
"And that's no different for people who attend church," Wirth said. "Sometimes life gets in the way. Our jobs get in the way."
And for the unwed members of the church, Wirth challenged them to quit rolling in the sheets for the next 30 days.
Church member Tim Jones and his fiancée agreed to take on the challenge, though he acknowledges it'll be a tough month. But he added: "I think it's worth trying to find out other things about each other."
