William Schnoebelen
Rev. William ("Bill") Schnoebelen (born 1949) is an American Messianic Christian apologist, author, teacher and lecturer. He is best known as a strong critic of Mormonism, Freemasonry and Wicca. Once primarily published by Chick Publications, he has authored publications in over 14 countries. He is founder and director of the Christian-based ministry With One Accord Ministries.
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[edit] Life and career
William Schnoebelen was born in 1949 and claims to have been raised a Catholic.[1] He released a nine-hour DVD program titled "Interview with an Ex-Vampire: A True Story", hosted by Stephanie Relfe, where he speaks of his claimed involvement in vampirism. He also claims to have been a Satanist for a time before converting to Evangelical Christianity.[2][3]Additionally, Schnoebelen claims[4][5] to have been made a first degree Wiccan priest in 1968, a Spiritualist minister in the Alliance of Divine Love (1972), a priest in the Alexandrian rite of Wicca (1973), a Druidic High Priest (1973) a Third Degree Alexandrian priest (1973), a priest in the Old Roman Catholic Church (starting his studies for this in 1974-5), a Second Degree member of the Church of Satan (1975), a Master Mason in 1977, a Knight Templar in the York Rite Masonry, a 32nd Degree Mason in the Scottish Rite (1980), a Gnostic Bishop with the Monastery of the Seven Rays (1977-8), a 90th Degree Mason in the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis Misraim Freemasonry, baptized into the LDS church in 1980[6] and become Elders' Quorum President and Institute of Religion teacher and formally left this church for evangelical Christianity in 1985 [1]
[edit] Claims and Credibility
His claims of being initiated with Freemasonry and the Illuminati involve stories about having intercourse with a demon, leading to his credibility being questioned.[4] He also claims that representatives from TSR, Inc. visited him while he was a practicing witch to verify that the magic in the Dungeons & Dragons line of fantasy role playing games was authentic, although examining the game rules shows this not to be the case.[7] His various claims, if taken at face value, also result in a history where, for five years (1975 to 1980) he was simultaneously a Wiccan, a Freemason, a Catholic, a Satanist and a Mormon as well for one year (1980).[1] All this, despite the fact that the Church of Satan is an atheistic organization[8], and both Mormon[9] and Catholic[10] churches discourage their members from becoming Freemasons, as well as members of any of the other groups listed.
Though Schnoebelen claimed to be a Freemason, his claim of being a 90th degree Freemason indicates that he was a member of the Rite of Memphis-Misraim, which is not recognized by regular Masonic lodges, the majority of lodges in America.[11]
He bases his claims of having been consecrated as a Catholic bishop with a document of consecration in the Ecclesia Gnostica, instead of the Roman Catholic Church,[3] noting that at the time, he would not have been comfortable swearing allegiance to the Pope.[12] His book incorrectly identifies George H.W. Bush as a Freemason, which he was not. [13] [14]
[edit] Education
He has a degree in Music and Education from Loras College (1971),[1] a Master of Theology degree from St. Francis School of Pastoral Ministry (1980), an MA in Counselling from Liberty University (1990)[15] and is a nutritional herbologist and Certified Natural Health Professional[15][unreliable source?]
[edit] Publications
Schnoebelen has published seven books:
- Masonry: Beyond the Light
- Blood on the Doorposts: An Advanced Course in Spiritual Warfare
- Wicca: Satan's Little White Lie
- Space Invaders
- Lucifer Dethroned
- Mormonism's Temple of Doom
- The Seventeen 'Straw Men' of the true Church
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Bill (William) Schnoebelen, Ex Vampire, Ex Ninety Degree Freemason, Ex Satanist
- ^ http://www.utlm.org/newsletters/no67.htm
- ^ a b Lucifer Dethroned, by William Schnoebelen, p. 86.
- ^ a b The Illuminati: Facts & Fiction, by Mark Dice, 2009, pp. 164-196
- ^ Introduction to New and Alternative Religions in America: African diaspora traditions and other American innovations, by Eugene V. Gallagher, W. Michael Ashcraft; Greenwood Publishing Group, 2006, "William Schnoebelen, who claims to have been an Old Order Catholic priest, a Wiccan High Priest, a Satanist High Priest, a Master Mason, and a Temple Mormon, has been accused of simply inventing a past to gain countercult credibility." (p. 155)
- ^ http://saintsalive.com/mormonism/smith_and_temple_doom.htm
- ^ God Loves the Freaks, by Stephen Wesse, 2006, pp. 136-137.
- ^ Interview with Peter H. Gilmore, David Shankbone, Wikinews', November 5, 2007.
- ^ Salt Lake Tribune Section D1, Monday Feb. 17, 1992
- ^ http://www.newadvent.org/library/docs_df83ma.htm
- ^ The Complete Idiot's Guide to Freemasonry, p.135, by S. Brent Morris, Penguin, 2 May 2006
- ^ Dethroned, p.87
- ^ Schnoebelen, William Masonry: Beyond the Light Chick Publications Ontario CA 1991 page 257
- ^ http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/anti-masonry/anti-masonry03.html
- ^ a b http://www.withoneaccord.org/store/Biography.html
[edit] External links
- With One Accord Ministries
- WitchVox Article
- Relfe.com Article
- Salt Lake Messenger Article
- Masonic web site regarding Bill Schnoebelen
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