Any Free Masons on INGO?

[AuntieBellum]

umm . . . wandering a bit off topic here, but if you take up Matthew 25 (v40) does the Lord imply that doing anything for the least of these has to be done through the Church? I'm not sure, but haven't lost any sleep after having observed myriad contributions to many worthwhile charities through the various masonic groups . ..

Continuing the thread jack...

Matthew 25:40 could certainly be taken out of context and used as such. However, as is true in the midst of several other parables, this verse is to be understand within the rest of the story. Jesus is speaking and pointing out that He knows who has truly repented and asked for salvation by how they display that through their kindness and by helping those in need, versus those who may have said they've asked for salvation and repented but never really did and you can tell by how they act.

But my point, anyway, is that charity is a *sign* of holiness and salvation, but that doesn't mean that other religions cannot also be charitable. And the masons are accepting of all those who believe in a higher power.

End of thread jack.

 

[ArmyMP]

Im interested in masonry

 

[electra]

I'd second the opinion that masonic 'secrecy' is often overdone . . . yet to my knowledge, the only 'secrets' within the fraternity are methods of recognition, and those things that a friend might tell a friend in confidence, the same as anyone might do, whether mason or not.

Don't think i've ever heard the Lodge describing itself as a religion . . . thought it certainly encourages its members to seek out spiritual light in their lives, as they may find it.

 

[AuntieBellum]

So this group is also putting secrets between a husband and his wife, that is also not Biblical. As when a man and woman marry, they become one.

Sorry folks, but its a front. The mason may claim to be a religious organization. And some men might even find God through the group, but there is nothing good that comes from a place that tries to hide so many aspects of their interworkings. And talking Christ-like and Acting Christ- are two different concepts.

I'm not a mason hater... I'm just not biting, on Biblical principals.

Perhaps "they become one" can mean different things for different couples?

I trust my husband implicitly, so I do not need him to tell me every little thing he does. On the flip side, I don't tell him everything, either. Does he need to know my theological reasonings behind choosing a particular song for this Sunday? No. Do I need to know every little thing about the process he went through to become a Mason? No. Do I know that the organization is meant to do good things and form a brotherhood of souls? Yes. Good enough for me.

 

[AuntieBellum]

I'd second the opinion that masonic 'secrecy' is often overdone . . . yet to my knowledge, the only 'secrets' within the fraternity are methods of recognition, and those things that a friend might tell a friend in confidence, the same as anyone might do, whether mason or not.

Don't think i've ever heard the Lodge describing itself as a religion . . . thought it certainly encourages its members to seek out spiritual light in their lives, as they may find it.

True, I have not heard them call themselves a religion, either. I think my post, even after my edit, was unclear in that regard. They do encourage religious belief in general, thereby all masons falling into that "may or may not be Christian" grouping means that some will fall outside of your point on Matthew 25:40.

And I think maybe there are fewer secrets than the general public think there are? I believe you're right in that the only secrets are in the recognition/membership rituals.

 

[electra]

Sounds right to me, AuntieBellum . . . i've thought for a while that the whole 'secrecy' thing may in essence be a 'hook' to attract membership, as in "Psst, hey buddy, wanna know a securt? Well, join this society and you'll know all about it . . . That said, with Lodge membership in serious decline, i personally think they'll do much better going forward if they concentrate even more on doing good in the community, and continuing in the aspect of encouraging men to dwell on Scripture/religion, something often sadly lacking in our increasingly secular world. Just my opinion!!!

 

[Doug]

I am not seeking to debate Masonry, but wish to clarify a few things.

1. Masonry does not claim to be Christian. Its teachings are based on Old Testament scriptures and legends about the building of King Solomon's Temple, but it accepts members from all faiths.

2. It is a fraternal organization and, as such, restricts its membership to men. I am not a member of the women's group at my church. Women are more open in their interactions when there are no men present. Out of respect for their privacy and that special interaction, I will not invade the women's groups. Men are afforded the same thing in Masonry. Maybe you could find the same fellowship in a men's group at your church and, if you do, all well and good. You can haul lumber in any brand of pick-up truck. But if you want exclusively Christian fellowship with church approved theology, go to church.

3. It is my opinion that it is foolish to believe that the Lord's work can be done only through the church. I think that would be like saying only ordained clergy can speak God's truth. I believe the pastor who spoke to Timjoebillybob's uncle was narrow-minded and wrong.

Doug

 

[Doug]

A little bit about secrecy...

OK, guys, a little history...
Long ago, during the middle ages, only the Masons understood geometry and mathematics well enough to build cathedrals that didn't fall down. Of course, building these things was very dangerous work and you didn't want to work with someone who didn't know what he was doing. So the Masons got together and formed a group that trained new workmen and was a kind of union. They took care of the widows and orphans of the workmen who were killed on the job and helped care for the members who became too old to work on the stones. They had different skill levels of apprentices, fellows of the craft, and Masters. They used secret signs and words to identify themselves so they wouldn't employ or assist people who weren't qualified masons. Along with the skills of the trade, they taught morality.
With the Renaissance, the knowledge of mathematics and geometry became more widespread and, soon, anyone who could read could learn the mysteries of building.
The remaining masons decided that the organization and its moral instruction was too important to disappear. They began to admit Noblemen who were of good character into their Lodges as speculative, not operative, masons. These non-working members studied the moral philosophy of the organization and, presumably, became better men because of Masonry's teachings.
The rest is, as they say, history. Today all Freemasonry is speculative, but the bonds of brotherhood remain and those who have learned the lessons of the builder will know one another "in the dark as well as the light."

Doug [FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]

The secrets (lower-case s) of Masonry are the recognition signs whereby one Mason may recognize another.

The Secrets (upper-case S) of Masonry are the moral and spiritual teachings of the organization. These teachings can be found in the Christian Bible and in most recognized religions.

Doug

 

[AuntieBellum]

I am not seeking to debate Masonry, but wish to clarify a few things.

1. Masonry does not claim to be Christian. Its teachings are based on Old Testament scriptures and legends about the building of King Solomon's Temple, but it accepts members from all faiths.

2. It is a fraternal organization and, as such, restricts its membership to men. I am not a member of the women's group at my church. Women are more open in their interactions when there are no men present. Out of respect for their privacy and that special interaction, I will not invade the women's groups. Men are afforded the same thing in Masonry. Maybe you could find the same fellowship in a men's group at your church and, if you do, all well and good. You can haul lumber in any brand of pick-up truck. But if you want exclusively Christian fellowship with church approved theology, go to church.

3. It is my opinion that it is foolish to believe that the Lord's work can be done only through the church. I think that would be like saying only ordained clergy can speak God's truth. I believe the pastor who spoke to Timjoebillybob's uncle was narrow-minded and wrong.

Doug

Well said! The next time I'm scrambling to say what I mean, I'm calling Doug!

 

[steveh_131]

"Buzz Aldrin was interviewed by Alex Jones the other day. At the YouTube video [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAwTxwhfHq0"]Astronaut “Buzz Aldrin” on Alex Jones Tv 3/4:Magnificent Desolation[/ame], from 1:57 to 2:36, the following exchange occurs:

AJ: We know there’s Masonic influence in the founding of the country …what is the Masonic influence on NASA?
Aldrin: As far as I can tell, zero. There were some Masonic brothers of mine in Texas that wanted me to take some kind of a Masonic emblem to the moon, and some gesture of - I don’t know what it would be a gesture of - but I told them that it was not within my …my authority to do such a thing."

Irrefutable proof that Aldrin is an alien.

What say you, freemasons!?
​

 

[Doug]

"Buzz Aldrin was interviewed by Alex Jones the other day. At the YouTube video Astronaut “Buzz Aldrin” on Alex Jones Tv 3/4:Magnificent Desolation, from 1:57 to 2:36, the following exchange occurs:

AJ: We know there’s Masonic influence in the founding of the country …what is the Masonic influence on NASA?
Aldrin: As far as I can tell, zero. There were some Masonic brothers of mine in Texas that wanted me to take some kind of a Masonic emblem to the moon, and some gesture of - I don’t know what it would be a gesture of - but I told them that it was not within my …my authority to do such a thing."



Irrefutable proof that Aldrin is an alien.

What say you, freemasons!?
​

Don't know anything about it.
Don't care anything about it.
Don't know what significance this has to anything.

Never heard anybody say, "All Masons are perfect in every way."

Doug

 

[electra]

Right on again, AuntieBellum - liked the historical background on secrecy , Doug. Thanks!!!
As to the Scotch Rite flag - just more advertising (is there a bad kind?)

Maybe Buzz should have taken up one of those billboards, like

"Stuckey's - 225,000 miles"

 

[Doug]

Maybe Buzz should have taken up one of those billboards, like

"Stuckey's - 225,000 miles"

Doug

 

[shooter521]

What say you, freemasons!?

I'm not a Mason, but my wife is in Eastern Star (though not active) and many of her family members are Masons.

I just gotta say that an organization with job titles like "Sovereign Grand Commander" pegs my cuckoo meter.

 

[ArmyMP]

So yeah apparently this thread got jacked by anti masons? guess I wont find any help here now

 

[steveh_131]

So yeah apparently this thread got jacked by anti masons? guess I wont find any help here now

 

[Doug]

You know, steveh_131, that's just rude.

 

[steveh_131]

Geeze, you guys need to lighten up. You can't join some secret boys club with a secret handshake and animal sacrifices, announce it on the interwebs, then expect people not to poke a little fun.

And threadjacked or not, the guy could PM one of you or ask his question here and it would still get answered (assuming the answer wasn't Level 5 MasonSuperSecret without the appropriate secret handshake and wax-sealed letter signed with the blood of virgins by Lucifer himself).

 

[Hiram2005]

With that user name I assumed you were a Mason right off the bat

Yes sir, normally only a Brother would know Hiram.

 

[Doug]

Geeze, you guys need to lighten up. You can't join some secret boys club with a secret handshake and animal sacrifices, announce it on the interwebs, then expect people not to poke a little fun.

And threadjacked or not, the guy could PM one of you or ask his question here and it would still get answered (assuming the answer wasn't Level 5 MasonSuperSecret without the appropriate secret handshake and wax-sealed letter signed with the blood of virgins by Lucifer himself).

"neither are you to suffer you zeal for the institution to lead you into argument with those who, through ignorance, may ridicule it."

Have a nice day!!!!

Yes, electra, you are definitely correct in this instance. I have gone astray.

Doug