Enlightenment

A passage circulating on Mastodon explains a core piece of Freemasonic symbolism: that a Mason, whatever degree he holds, remains a 'constant traveller' moving symbolically from the West toward the East in search of 'Light'. The text interprets Light as enlightenment, knowledge or truth, described as a consistent element of Masonic work.

Catholic commentators are revisiting Pope John Paul II's 1998 encyclical Fides et Ratio, arguing that Christian teaching needs both faith and reason to fly, like two strong wings. They say the encyclical was written when Enlightenment-influenced thinking was undermining belief, and that today the balance between the two wings faces renewed danger.

Yann LeCun, Meta's chief AI scientist and a Turing Award winner, has described calls to slow down artificial intelligence development as anti-Enlightenment, arguing that halting progress would hold back human knowledge. His comments add his voice to the ongoing debate between AI researchers urging caution and those pressing for rapid development.

The Enlightenment Gathering Church, known as The Jesus Nation Church led by Prophet Shepherd Bushiri, is holding a diplomatic service attended by diplomats and church members. The Malawian-born prophet, who leads one of Africa's largest congregations, is drawing wide attention for the event, which is being followed by tens of thousands of people online.

Meta AI chief Yann LeCun has denounced those calling for a slowdown in AI development, branding their position 'anti-Enlightenment.' The remarks land amid ongoing global debate over how quickly artificial intelligence should be advanced and regulated, with LeCun firmly on the side of continued open research and progress rather than precautionary pauses.