"Become a mason if you like, but in the higher degrees, you will have to renounce the idea that Jesus is unique, or divine; and in the 33rd degree initiation, a candle
representing "the mason" Jesus, is snuffed out."
That is a bold-face slander.
"That is a bold-face slander."
Actually, you're correct. The candle representing Jesus is not snuffed out in the 33rd degree ceremony, but in the Maundy Thursday ceremony of the Scottish rite--
(As described by one participant)"On Thursday evening we gathered at our home Temple and dressed for the ceremony. . .
Dressed in long, black, hooded robes, we marched in, single file, with only our faces partly showing, and took our seats. . .
As I had done so many times before, I said, "We meet this day to commemorate the death of our 'Most Wise and Perfect Master,' not as inspired or divine, for this is not for us to decide, but as at least the greatest of the apostles of mankind." . . .
Once we were assembled at the table, I elevated (lifted high) the plate of bread, took a piece, put my hand on the shoulder of the man in front of me, gave him the plate and said, "Take, eat, and give to the hungry." . . . (i.e., not exactly the words of Jesus about the meaning of the bread. . . .)
There was a large Menorah (candlestick with seven candle holders) in the center of the room, with seven candles now burning.
Standing again, I said, "This is indeed a sad day, for we have lost our Master. We may never see him again. He is dead! Mourn, weep and cry, for he is gone."
Then I asked the officers to extinguish the candles in the large Menorah. One by one they rose, walked to the center of the room, extinguished a selected candle and left the room.
Finally, with only the center candle still burning, I arose, walked sadly to the Menorah and extinguished the last candle - the candle representing the life of Jesus, our "Most Wise and Perfect Master."