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> Pike was not just a Freemason. He was the Sovereign Grand Commander of the Scottish Rite for 32 years.

Which means not a darn thing. There are only three degrees in Freemasonry: Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason. That is as high as it gets — no higher.

You are obviously confused by the “32-Degree” thing — well, if you were a Freemason you would understand. But you aren’t, so you are confused. From there, your confusion has compounded with your ignorance to create insolence and rude behavior. Understandable but hardly excusable.

> You will not accept the word of a non-Freemason and now you will not accept the word of a Freemason of the highest order.

As I have written before, Alfred Pike was just another Freemason who had an opinion (which he is entitled to) and published it. He could not boss around other Freemasons like me, nor was his writings anything more significant than “interesting to some”.

They are of no interest to me, and do not reflect my views. Or the views of Freemasonry in general. They were — and I say it again — just his own opinion.

That said, were he alive I would definitely accept his word over yours, however: he was a Freemason, and you are merely a member of the profane. And an insolent one at that.

> Me thinks you wish to believe what you wish to believe in spite of any facts to the contrary. Dangerous practice, sir.

Methinks you continue to speak in ignorance of things you are ill-positioned to learn anything about, despite efforts to redirect your ignorance elsewhere. If you want to expound on Freemasonry then for pete’s sake join. If you do not wish to join, then for pete’s sake quit sermonizing to and about those of us who are quite happy with our membership. Obnoxious practise, sir.

Why is it that there is a certain brand of Christian — like yourself — that insists on sermonizing and talking down to others: be they Catholics or Latter Day Saints or Freemasons? What is the deal with people like you? Do you believe that Jesus gives you points in heaven for every time you insult people by accusing them of “cult” membership? Do you get bonus points for making fun of Holy Mary? Do you really think that you will convert people over to your narrow-minded ill-informed cult by insulting them?

I don’t think you will. Instead you will earn the contempt and opprobrium that obnoxious behavior richly earns and richly deserves. You may choose to view that as persecution, but it really isn’t: it is contempt.

Why don’t you work out your own Salvation with trembling and fear, and leave the rest of us to do the same?

Crikey, and I thought the Jehovah Witnesses could get on my nerves — but even they are polite enough to leave off the name-calling.

‘Strewth!

Pike was not just a Freemason. He was the Sovereign Grand Commander of the Scottish Rite for 32 years.

Which means not a darn thing.
Yep, whatever. Masons have no hierarchy. There is no growth in knowledge within the group. You all are just a bunch of good ol' boys sitting together chewin' the fat and nothin' more to it. Uh huh.

As I have written before, Alfred Pike was just another Freemason who had an opinion (which he is entitled to) and published it. He could not boss around other Freemasons like me, nor was his writings anything more significant than “interesting to some”.

They are of no interest to me, and do not reflect my views. Or the views of Freemasonry in general. They were — and I say it again — just his own opinion.
Glad to hear it. He wasn't the only one saying such things, which leads us non-initiates to believe where there is smoke, there is fire, but okay, if you say so.

Methinks you continue to speak in ignorance of things you are ill-positioned to learn anything about, despite efforts to redirect your ignorance elsewhere.
Then Pike was a liar? Any other Mason who wrote about what Freemasonry was all about is a liar? You may call it opinion if you like, but folks like Pike were speaking of the whole of Freemasonry. He is either telling the truth or he is a liar. If he is a liar then Freemasons should sue the owner of his copyright to keep his books off the market.

If you want to expound on Freemasonry then for pete’s sake join. If you do not wish to join, then for pete’s sake quit sermonizing to and about those of us who are quite happy with our membership. Obnoxious practise, sir.

If I were to join, I wouldn't be allowed to talk. No thanks, I don't give up my freedom of speech that easily.

Why is it that there is a certain brand of Christian — like yourself — that insists on sermonizing and talking down to others: be they Catholics or Latter Day Saints or Freemasons? What is the deal with people like you? Do you believe that Jesus gives you points in heaven for every time you insult people by accusing them of “cult” membership? Do you get bonus points for making fun of Holy Mary? Do you really think that you will convert people over to your narrow-minded ill-informed cult by insulting them?
I said you do not understand cult dynamics. What I meant by that is when you have a cult like situation (which Freemasonry does if for no other reason than the severe social pressure to keep the workings of the group secret and only for the initiated), men (or women) are drawn closer and closer into the group's social setting and ill find it difficult to leave. In some cases, they will find this difficult due to external pressure. In others, it is their internal gage that won't let them do it.

As to "talking down" to other groups such as Catholics, Freemasons, or Mormons - I speak to them based upon what the Word of God says. I don't speak in my own authority or the authority of the church. But, Scripture says we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone and as a whole, these groups are full of folks who are putting their faith and trust elsewhere. Hell is the reason I speak. I don't want you or anyone else going there. God's glory is the reason. He is glorified when the truth is spoken. I do not make fun of Mary. I try not to be insulting when I write, though I may say some things taken that way.

I don’t think you will. Instead you will earn the contempt and opprobrium that obnoxious behavior richly earns and richly deserves. You may choose to view that as persecution, but it really isn’t: it is contempt.
I don't view your temper tantrum as persecution.

Why don’t you work out your own Salvation with trembling and fear, and leave the rest of us to do the same?
The Lord tells me to tell others about Him. Scripture is full of examples of the apostles and Jesus confronting error. I can not make you believe, but I can and will tell you what Scripture teaches. What you do with it is your business.

Crikey, and I thought the Jehovah Witnesses could get on my nerves — but even they are polite enough to leave off the name-calling.
No they aren't. But, that is another subject altogether. With that said, it wasn't me that said the following. You tend to attack the person personally. We are discussing a subject. We disagree. I'm not a big name-caller. But frequently I find that those who protest that I'm calling names tend to be the biggest offenders themselves. Just something for you to think about as you debate on Free Republic:

ignorance to create insolence and rude behavior. That said, were he alive I would definitely accept his word over yours, however: he was a Freemason, and you are merely a member of the profane. And an insolent one at that.a certain brand of Christiannarrow-minded ill-informed cult