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I think we are playing a little bit with semantics as far as what the Church believes to be the whole truth, though as I mentioned I am not Catholic.

Let me see if I can dig a little deeper hole. Basically, to me the truth is that God gave his only son so that we as sinners could be forgiven for our sins and join him in Heaven. I, and others like me accept that as the truth

The fact that I believe I can do this outside of the RCC seems to bother them. I know the truth, I knew it before I became a member of the fraternity. I have found no reference to the RCC in the King James bible I keep in my home, and therefore have difficulties with believing that it the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

The bottom line again is that at the root of all the various branches of Christianity and other major religions is a core set of beliefs. Accepting those and building upon them makes each of us better men, and improves the lives of those around us.

Once again, I appreciate your kind thoughts and words.

Dear Brad C.,

"Basically, to me the truth is that God gave his only son so that we as sinners could be forgiven for our sins and join him in Heaven."

First, I'd say that you know this truth because of the Catholic Church. ;-)

Second, I'd also note that there is nothing about Masonry that requires you to believe this absolutely fundamental truth. It is the essence of Divine revelation. And it is entirely disregarded, at least in principle, by Masonry.

And that is one of the problems that the Catholic Church has with Masonry, that it teaches part of the truth about God (from natural revelation), but not the other part of the truth about God (from Divine revelation).

"The fact that I believe I can do this outside of the RCC seems to bother them."

Then your perception isn't quite correct. The Catholic Church rejoices that folks know about the salvation of Jesus Christ. She only mourns that non-Catholics don't have the fullness of grace that comes from perfect communion with Her. She is, after all, in Her own understanding, the Body of Christ.

But we're getting far afield.

The Catholic Church would be less distressed with Masonry if it were to properly and positively affirm the Divine revelation of Jesus Christ.

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