Posted on 05/24/2009 10:20:53 AM PDT by Logic n' Reason
I have become very curious about the Freemasons and freemasonry in general.
How does it "fit in" with the group of Christian religions...how about islam? What are the views and opinions of those at this site?
OK, I’m not particularly surprised.
It is those here protesting the most, that know the least.
As I stand by my original post: the world breaks down between the good and the bad. Freemasons, are the good guys.
Always have been, always will. The good guys come in all colors, shapes, sizes and understanding of their religions.
It is a good thing.
What’s the “Morgan Affair” ???
“Wrong!!”
NOT.
“I have no idea what your opinion is except a very broad and ignorant statement about Freemasonry and Christianity.”
So you say. I say otherwise from study and comparison.
Care to disprove me?
You are unfortunately misinformed, possibly due to your source, the channel with all the shows about UFOs. For much discussion and better sourcing than yours please see posts #55, 58, 76, 78, 84, 93, 148, and 175 above.
In the early 1800’s a man named William Morgan, living in western New York state, became a Mason by taking at least one degree. There were apparently many conflicts between Morgan and other men in the small villages of the area both before and after he was initiated into the fraternity, leading to several arrests of Morgan for various crimes. Some of these arrests seemed to be for real offenses and some trumped up charges. After one of these arrests Morgan was never seen again. There was a great deal of speculation that the local Masons had abducted and murdered him.
There were many unanswered questions about this entire incident, (no one seemed to have all the details) but one thing happened for certain; anti-Masonic sentiments, throughout New York, and the rest of the country, reached a very high pitch. Masons had until that time enjoyed a great deal of power and, therefore, engendered a great deal of resentment; enough resentment so that the Anti-Masonic political party was formed. This party actually manged to get many sate and local officials elected, including the governor of Pennsylvania, and actually nominated William Henry Harrison as their candidate for president in, I believe 1938.
Masonry went through a dramatic decline in popularity and membership as a result of this backlash against what was seen as arrogance and misuse of power by the Masons.
True; but it IS about Good Works; is it not?
Many folks with only a secular knowledge of 'religion' will accept a GOD out there - one that the world defines as accepting 'good' people into heaven.
Not knowing what GOD really wants; they think that by their 'good works' they will be acceptable to GOD; thereby giving them false hope in the future.
'SALVATION' need never be mentioned to achieve Satan's plan of making men miss the mark.
oops, I mean 1838.
The logic as I see it is that if Masonry would expect a Muslim to drop such essential parts of the Koran, they would also demand the same of a Christian. I don't say that they are totally incompatible, as both churchs and Masons do build hospitals. It is just that mostly compatible can be a mask for being totally incompatible based on one very important point of incompatibility.
Elie,
I understand your concern but I do think that most people are able to differentiate between the church (salvation is a gift of grace and cannot be earned by good works) and Masonry (an organization that encourages good works but makes no claims about salvation.)
The entire issue of salvation and good works has been a thorny one throughout the history of the church. But people who sincerely search for God’s will come to understand that good works comes as a result of accepting Christ as savior; the salvation comes first and Christian good works flows from that. Paul spent a great deal of his ministry and writings explaining this to the new followers of Jesus.
Slowhand,
This argument makes a lot of sense if the understanding of Christian theology is that the essence of Christ’s message is social ministry without the primary emphasis being on His death and resurrection and gift of salvation. For me, the essential truth of Christ’s message is the salvation, and social ministry (good works) is secondary, flowing from the salvation. This is true because accepting Christ is a life-changing experience, we are truly transformed from “me centered” to “other centered” followers determined to live a life of humility, service, and sacrifice.
I really don’t think that two distinct institutions, both of which encourage moral behavior and “ good works”, are incompatible when they don’t make similar metaphysical claims.
I am an avid Freemason and a devout Christian. I can see no incompatibilities at all whatsoever.
> That would be pertinent if it were not for the many immoral oaths that one must swear to be a Mason in good standing.
What immoral oaths are you talking about?
I am a Master Mason in good standing, and I have not been required to swear ANY immoral oaths — far less “many” as you claim.
proudtobeanamerical1 asked:
“I have another question. If religion and politics are not to be discussed in the “lodge”, how does this obviously political group conduct business? Is the “lodge” a separate room in their buildings or only during ceremonies? Do they only talk about it in private meetings?’
When attending a Masonic meeting, there are social gatherings both before and after the official business during which we are free to discuss any subject we want. Once the lodge is tiled, restricted to members only, nothing other than Masonic rituals and official business is permitted.
It’s been my experience in my own lodge, and all other lodges I’ve attended (and I’ve sat in a LOT of lodges in several states), even during the social gatherings we avoid political and religious discussions. This is precisely because we are such a diverse group and have the goal of promoting moral behavior, not advancing political or religious agendas.
The difference is that one is attempting to lead folks toward our savior, the other subscribes to lodge and brotherhood first and foremost.
If you don't believe Jesus’ own words, “ I am the way, I am the Truth, I am the Life, NOONE comes to the Father, but through me.” Then I guess all this is irrelevant.
There can be no GAOTU. It is a universalist doctrine. If you believe the previous comments concerning Jesus Christ, then that would make GAOTU a false god and a false doctrine.
This is why FM does not use the I AM statements made by Jesus, this would cause division within the lodge among Jewish brothers, Islamic brothers, or whatever.
El Shaddai (God of Might), Yahweh (I AM, the Eternal God), God Our Creator, The Holy and Righteous One, God our Fortress and Protector, Adonai, El-Olam (everlasting Godd), Wonderful Counselor, The King Of The Nations, Immanuel, Judge Of The Living And The Dead, King Of Kings And Lord Of Lords, The Way, The Truth, And The Life, The Alpha And The Omega.
All these are biblical ways of referring to an ineffable (I hope you know what that means, servantboy) God. All false God by your reasoning?
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