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Correct me if I’m wrong, but their skin color is their skin color...as for Race, I believe we are all HUMAN.

And thank you my friend.

Ahhh twist and twist...the Priest knows the position. We have spoken of it...as I previously stated.

Anyway - since this has turned from an exchange of information and viewpoints to attacks, judgment and name calling. I’ll take my self serving behind out of the discussion with you.

I too am sorry for your ignorance and lack of good sense. I’ll pray for you.

- Yours in Christ.

I thank you for the words. I’m sorry you feel I don’t help the case. I will have to disagree with you on that.

I don’t get anything from Freemasonry that I should be getting from the Church. It’s something ELSE I enjoy doing. The same way I enjoy having a poker game as well, weightlifting with friends etc...

I know there isn’t anything sinful in what we do in the fraternity. I feel sorry for the ignorance and politics that caused such a position to be taken.

Aye - ignore everything else in the post.

Yes, I do know that, never said otherwise. Re-read what I wrote.

Why on earth would I give you information that you would purposefully use to disrupt the lives of others. To prove my story? Give me a break chief. You believing that my priest knows or that I was confirmed with the ring on is of no real concern to me. It’s truth that I stated...take it or leave it as it is.

I’m not on here “boasting”...I’m defending my fraternal connection in a post that is bashing it. One started by Alex Jones where he stole (8th commandment) an article from Father Ashley Beck that tells blatant lies and misinformation about the fraternity.

*I* was wearing the ring, not the Bishop. My story is true and I personally could care less if you believe it.

I’m also fairly certain Christ didn’t pass anything to his disciples to put in the Bible that you can’t be a Freemason. Though I’m sure you are referring to the Pope. $20 says you were trying to trap me with that one.

My Priest is aware of the Church’s view on the Fraternity, but he, like myself, chooses to use sound judgment. I am sure you will disagree with that as well. Fair enough. Disagree away.

lol at you calling me an impostor.

I am sure that you gouge out your eyes for looking at beautiful women (or men if that’s your way) and follow every letter of the bible, know each Papal decree equally follow them to the T. I am sure you also agree with everything the church has decided and done over the years.

This includes: the following decrees “There is but one universal [”Catholic” means universal] Church of the faithful, outside which NO ONE at all is saved. (Pope Innocent III, Fourth Lateran Council, 1215.)

We declare, say, define, and pronounce that it is absolutely necessary for the salvation of every human creature to be subject to the Roman Pontiff. (Pope Boniface VIII, the Bull, Unam Sanctum, 1302.)

” The most Holy Roman Church firmly believes, professes, and preaches that NONE of those existing outside the Catholic Church, not only pagans, but also Jews and heretics [Protestants] and schismatics, can have a share in life eternal; but that they will go into the eternal fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels, UNLESS before death they are joined with Her” (Pope Eugene IV, the Bull Cantate Domino, 1441).

Amongst others. Do you believe these decrees? Do you inform your family, friends and other loved ones that may not be Catholic that they will burn in eternal fire? OR do you disagree with these decrees?

Depending on your answer I say YOU are the impostor. Do some research, look inward and tell me you agree with all the Church has said and done over the years and that you follow EVERYthing in bible to the letter, including the treatment of women know of and follow every decree made by Papal past and THEN I will accept your judgment.

Most don’t read the entire book when the use it to bash the fraternity. What usually happens is people pick incomplete phrases out of it to show their viewpoint as opposed to the actual content.

Here are some examples.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqkyvVp1DrE

I appreciate it, yet I don’t need help understanding. See, I know the TRUTH about Freemasonry. I’m a member. I’ve read and listened to pretty much EVERY anti-masonic view point on the web. I don’t need convincing of anything. I am highly comfortable with my decision and am certain I am right with God. I will defend the misinformation spread about and wrongful persecution of my beloved fraternity the same way I would to those who chastise the Catholic faith.

My Priest knows I am a Mason, I was confirmed by the Bishop while wearing my Masonic ring.

Judge not, my friend, for it is not for you to decide. The Lord knows my heart and if I am in grave sin or not.

I am faithful, but I also recognize the RCC for having MANY faults. Lest you forget the very bloody and power hungry history it has. Or possibly when Pope XYZ (can’t recall his name off the top of my head) decreed that no one but Catholics can reach salvation. I can tell the difference between sin and political silliness.

I HIGHLY doubt that you follow every decree to the letter that has been laid down over the years. And yet I’m sure you use good judgment and are a right with God. Judge not.

Honestly, yeah. If you have something in there you want to cut and paste, please do. I took a glance at it and I don’t see the contradictions you are referring to.

If you are insinuating that we, as Freemasons, endeavor to improve ourselves and live a good life then you are right. If you are insinuating that we endeavor to look to God establish what our right path in life is to live eternally in His glory, then again you are right.

What you don’t seem to understand is that Freemasonry doesn’t teach us about God, His lessons or how to achieve salvation. We encourage our Faith in God. We work to be good and moral men with men from all walks/faiths of life.

It’s so interesting that people have a problem with that.

Hah...in John Salza’s eye you’ll all burn.

On the Masons? Preposterous.

I as a Catholic choose to ignore the church’s position on my membership. My choice. That choice has NO bearing on my belief in God. You don’t make any sense.

And?

I was thinking of this on how to help you understand rather that get frustrated with your sense of logic. Here’s the deal. We don’t require that you belong to a religion. We require the belief in God, however you define Him. They don’t ask what your Religion is. You simply must be of legal age, an upstanding citizen (no felons), believe in a supreme being and be well recommended.

(err swype keyboard)Supreme

Didn’t see the LDS question...don’t know for sure. I imagine not, if the LDS’s believe in a source being.

It’s like beating your head against a wall. Reread what I wrote last. The same response applies.

It comes down to choice. You have the CHOICE to join the fraternity that of which requires you to believe in God. It doesn’t choose your faith or it’s requirements for you nor force you to pick which or what to follow. The way you put it, the fraternity should also not allow it’s membership to eat meat on a Friday during lent when they are serving steak at a banquet they hold on said Friday and any of 1000s of other specific rules. It’s absolutely ridiculous.

The fraternity has no business making calls for it’s members faith. That’s the individuals choice. How can you say it’s the same thing? Where’s the logic?

No, Masonry doesn’t teach anything about anyone’s Faith. As has been stated, you must believe in a higher power to be a member because without that faith we believe you cannot seriously undertake the Fraternities obligations and core tenants, that of Friendship, Morality and Brotherly Love.

There is no teaching of any equality of Faith, the same way there is no path to salvation in the Fraternity. Freemasonry encourages your activity and Faith in YOUR religion whatever that religion may be. In a Lodge containing a large diverse group of Brothers of different religions there may be more than one holy book on the alter that they may use their book as their “rule and guide to faith”