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?
What did you want to know? Anything in particular? Did you want a friendly non-mason's view or an un-friendly non- mason's view or a full-blown, been-through-the-mill, been there, done that view? But caution, dear friend. Everything you hear will be a lie -- not in the least logical nor fit to be called reasonable.
But not to be too concerned. Masonry is similar to FREEDOM, having the same price tag and the same bennies.
Um, because you’re a jesus bigot?
The part where the present day catholics claim that templars are not christian and that masons are not christian...yet invent their own competing version of the templars and call them knighs of columbus and claim that those ARE christian.
Just that part, that’s all.
Your logic is nonsensical.
says you
Very powerful. They alone have managed to stay MALE ONLY. No women. How? Why? Clearly condemned by the Catholic Church as dangerous to the Faith.
In reading all the great information in the replies to my question, I don't know if this statement is accurate anymore. Which leads to another question: Today (mid-2009), what is the Catholic Church's official stand on Free Masonry? Or do they even have one?
Today (mid-2009), what is the Catholic Church's official stand on Free Masonry? Or do they even have one?
:I have become very curious about Kraft Macaroni and Cheese and pasta meals made with cheese in general.”
Well it is called the Kraft after all and the use of the K instead of the C must be some sort of wiccan perversion. Also the Macaroni is a hint towards Marconi and the secret radio message about the craft embedded in the Vatican toilet system - second thunderbox to the left.
Of course the cheese is code as well meaning that you are being watched at all times so say ‘cheese’.
Mel
> Today (mid-2009), what is the Catholic Church’s official stand on Free Masonry? Or do they even have one?
I have been told on FRee Republic that it is prohibited for Catholics to be Freemasons, and the current Pope said so when he was a Cardinal.
That said, I know several Catholics in New Zealand who are also Freemasons.
> Very powerful. They alone have managed to stay MALE ONLY. No women.
Not so. The Roman Catholic clergy is also male only, no women.
> How?
Candidates are checked as a part of their initiation to their degrees.
> Why?
Because we like our Brotherhood to be precisely that.
> Clearly condemned by the Catholic Church as dangerous to the Faith.
I have never understood why that is. I have seen nothing, as a Freemason, that would in any way compromise my religious beliefs, or the religious beliefs of any good Catholic.
> And an atheist would ask: “Am I not to be considered ‘moral’?”
An atheist may well be moral, and may well be considered to be moral. He will, however, never be permitted to be a Mason, as one of the requirements of a Mason is that he believe in God.
The Catholic Church's most recent statement on Freemasonry was released in the 1983 document Quaesitum est, written by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and approved by Pope John Paul II. This document remains the most current standing reference on the Church's policy on Freemasonry.[4] Quaesitum est states:
"The faithful who enroll in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion...."
Quaesitum est clarified the 1983 Code of Canon Law, which did not explicitly list Masonic orders among the secret societies it condemns.[5] This contrasted with the 1917 Code of Canon Law, which explicitly declared that joining Freemasonry entailed automatic excommunication. The omission of Masonic orders from the 1983 Canon Law prompted Catholics and Masons to question whether the ban on Catholics becoming Freemasons was still active, especially after the perceived liberalization of the Church after Vatican II.
A number of Catholics became Freemasons assuming that the Church had softened its stance.[6] Quaesitum est addressed this misinterpretation of the Code of Canon Law, clarifying that:
...the Church’s negative judgment in regard to Masonic association remains unchanged since their principles have always been considered irreconcilable with the doctrine of the Church and therefore membership in them remains forbidden."
These "irreconcilable principles" include a "deistic God"[7], naturalism[8] and religious indifferentism.[9]
Masonic bodies do not ban a Catholic from joining if he wishes to do so.[10][11] There has never been a Masonic prohibition against Catholics joining the fraternity, and many Freemasons are Catholics.[12]
The Grand Orient de France publicly campaigns for "laïcité" and a restriction on the Catholic Church's role in politics.[13]
Ya gotta watch them renters!
In the text of 1738 the same articles run (variation from the edition of 1723 are given in italics):
I. Concerning God and Religion. A Mason is obliged by his Tenure to observe the moral law as true Noahida (sons of Noah, the first name of Freemasons) and if he rightly understands the craft, he will never be a stupid atheist or an irreligious libertine nor act against conscience. In ancient times the Christian masons were charged to comply with the Christian usages of each country where they travelled or worked; but Masonry being found in all nations, even of diverse religions, they are now generally charged to adhere to that religion, in which all men agree, (leaving each Brother his own particular opinion), that is, to be good men and true, men of honour and honesty, by whatever names, religions or persuasions they may be distinguished; for they all agree in the three great articles of Noah, enough to preserve the cement of the lodge. Thus Masonry is the centre of their union and the happy means of conciliating true friendship among persons who otherwise must have remained at a perpetual distance.
VI. 1. Behaviour in the Lodge before closing: . . . No private piques nor quarrels about nations, families, religions or politics must by any means or under any colour or pretence whatsoever be brought within the doors of the lodge; for as Masons we are of the most ancient catholic religion, above mentioned and of all nations upon the square, level and plumb; and like our predecessors in all ages we are resolved against political disputes, as contrary to the peace and welfare of the Lodge.
> He will, however, never be permitted to be a Mason,
> as one of the requirements of a Mason is that he believe in God.
>
> ^
> |
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> A
Actually, that’s not right, Elsie. That isn’t how the question is asked, and that isn’t how the question is answered.
Moreover, Religion (along with Politics) is a forbidden topic in Lodge. Plain and simple, it just isn’t discussed. Not in Open Lodge, not in Refectory afterward. We don’t discuss Pink Elephants either — although we could if we wanted to: Pink Elephants aren’t forbidden topics of discussion, whereas Religion and Politics are.
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