[Apple Pan Dowdy]

Some wonder if it was rather the influence of the Masonic Order, who seem to profess in the higher levels that man can become gods.

[Tennessee Nana]

the influence of the Masonic Order, who seem to profess in the higher levels that man can become gods.
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Hmmmmmmmmmm

Mormonism includes Freemasonry in their rituals and beliefs..

all the early Mormons were members of the Masonic Lodge..

In one day Joey Smith the founder of Mormonism went up to the highest level possible ...

that man becoming god thing is a big part of their tenets..

their jesus was just a man who became a god because he was a good mormon..

[AnAmericanMother]

Only to the extent, I think, that the Masons had their origin in the same Enlightenment "rational" impulse -- which oddly enough invests in its art all the emotion that it tried to suck out of "conventional" religion (so does a refusal to acknowledge faith bounce back on you).

About as good a summary of the basis for Masonic fellowship anywhere is found in Kipling's remarkable stories about "Faith and Works Lodge 5837" - probably the only artist (other than Mozart) who could make the topic interesting. Here's the first one: In the Interests of the Brethren. The conversation between the Doctor and the Clergyman takes a brief turn (forestalled by the wise Sergeant-Major) that points up the whole problem.