"That's what she said."
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My grandfather was a Freemason and a Christian. The two do not conflict (as far as I can tell). The freemason conspiracy theories are just nonsense. My grandfather was a humble central Texas Sheriff’s Deputy, not a cog in a giant conspiracy.
SnakeDoc
Read the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin - free ebook at Gutenburg.org
Mysteries Of The Freemasons (History channel)
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=2E0E3AB853DE3369&search_query=Mysteries+of+the+Freemasons
It doesn't.
It's base premise says that all religions are equal, which we know to be completely false.
All you have to do is read through this thread to learn why Freemasons keep secrets.
All the Kool-aid drinkers come out of the woodwork to “interpret” the ceremony and symbolism—and they are VERY creative.
The religious “leaders” hate it because it threatens to teach their followers to think—big mistake. Yeah, I said it.
The collectivists hate it, well, for the exact same reason.
At the end of the day, it doessn’t matter what you all think. Freemasons helped build a country with laws to protect each of us from the intimidation and coercion from others in regard to religion.
If you want to burn people at the stake for believing something different than you do, I’m afraid you were born too late. Of course, you might try China, or some such country.
"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked: Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice ? And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.
It is substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule, indeed, extends with more or less force to every species of free government. Who that is a sincere friend to it can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric?
Promote then, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge. In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened. "
--excerpt from President George Washington's farewell address, 1796.
Observe the context within which the American Revolutionary Fathers existed: that of subjugation by the State Church of England, via its various political and mercantile appendages.
What then, if not the State Church, was the source of the "Religious Morality" cited by Washington?
I believe it, Religious Morality, is the work-product of the relationship between the INDIVIDUAL, their Creator, and each other - and free discourse with same. It was, IMHO, Free Discourse that was encouraged and PROTECTED by the Lodge. In Washington's day and prior, speaking out against the State religion had potentialy severe and deadly consequences.
Thus - "TO SECURE THESE RIGHTS, governments are instituted among men..."
And no, I'm not a member.
I am an avid Freemason and a devout Christian. I can see no incompatibilities at all whatsoever.
Any informed Christian who has witnessed a Masonic funeral service would not call it “Christian”.
Masonry is a great society of men who love the Lord and work for the good of the community. But I just gotta ask, you have been here since 2000 and have to ask such a question?
I only wish the wimpy-*ss Christian Conservatives could muster so much courage and hate against their leftist oppressors.
I see them kissing the arse of their masters almost daily now.
One could conclude that they save their venom and rage for “opposing” religions and a fraternity.
Interesting that they NEVER say these things to my face—gutless wonders.
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.
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.
Churches have secrets. Certain activities are performed by the upper reaches of the leadership. People who counsel with a minister are given a priviledge of sworn secrecy and relate horrible abuses and sins. Some churches demand that their non-profit status affords them rights to obscure public accounting which hides their dirty deeds. I schooled with ministers’ sons and daughters. I learned through private conversations and ventings of rage of past/present acts of evil so vile that I cannot or will not reveal these secrets on this site. Is this a mark against the church, christianity, or God?
All that said and some things better left unsaid, should I condemn the church? Should I condemn as ministers of God? Should I condemn religion? Should I condemn faith? Should I condemn God?