Free Masons

[FromTexas (Premo)]

Dan Brown is full of it, too, though.

[PJumper]

Originally Posted by sleuth

I started this tread hoping to get some opinions from current and former members. I've considered many pros and cons and I've read lots of differing opinions on the subject, so anything you have to add in that arena isn't really helpful.

Being in the Navy exposed me to a lot of people who are members of the Freemasons. Their committment of helping each other is tremendous but sometimes borders on the ethical dilemma. They do not recruit, but might give hints if you are deemed worthy to join them. Yes, you need some strong endorsement from people who knows you well. There are some form of hazing during the acceptance process, the extent of which I have no knowledge. The Catholic faith seems at odds with Freemasonry because it's considered as a "Natural Religion". History Channel has shown a program on Freemasonry in late '99 or early '00 which cause the Catholic Church to emphasized to each congregation that it is in conflict with the faith.
As far as obligations, they have regular weekly meetings as well as self-help projects. As far as I know, you have to be financially stable to be a member.

I had a boyfriend that WAS and still is VERY involved in Freemasonry. He was the Worshipful Master of the lodge, and while doing that he would be gone about 4 nights a week, and we had people at the house for lessons. They were a great group of guys though. I helped with several of the dinners they had at the lodge, and it was a great experience.

[2ndAmendment (Premo)]

Originally Posted by FromTexas

Sleuth, you can't ask to be in the Mason's... you must be invited.

Its not like something you sign up for.

Not true! You have to ask to show the desire to be a Mason. The Masons are polytheistic. They believe in many gods and goddesses.

There are many people that claim to be Christians that belong to the Masons; my dad did. I was even a DeMolay. He eventually quit going to the lodge even though he was a 32nd degree Mason. He was a Christian and I guess he couldn't reconcile polytheism with One True God.

[Tonio]

Originally Posted by 2ndAmendment

Not true! You have to ask to show the desire to be a Mason. The Masons are polytheistic. They believe in many gods and goddesses.

There are many people that claim to be Christians that belong to the Masons; my dad did. I was even a DeMolay. He eventually quit going to the lodge even though he was a 32nd degree Mason. He was a Christian and I guess he couldn't reconcile polytheism with One True God.

A Catholic friend once told me that when Masons ascend to the highest degrees, they're told, "By the way, we hate Catholics." In another thread I wrote about the book "Holy Blood, Holy Grail," which Dan Brown used as inspiration for his novel. "Holy Blood" suggested that the Freemasons were one of the groups working to preserve what they regarded as the sacred feminine, specifically the religious heritage of Mary Magdalene. According to the book, that would have put the Masons and similar groups in opposition to the Catholic orthodoxy. If that's true, my friend may have simply been repeating the party line of the Church. I really don't know a lot about Freemasonry.

[2ndAmendment (Premo)]

They do a lot of charity work. Wolves in sheeps clothing.

[sleuth]

Originally Posted by 2ndAmendment

They do a lot of charity work. Wolves in sheeps clothing.

Would you really say they're polytheistic or do they simply refuse to endorse any one religion over anyone else's? The latter seems to be what I'm hearing/reading the most.

And Tonio... that's ok. Lots of people hate Catholics.

[Cletus_Vandam]

The “masons” have intrigued me as well, though I never really contemplated joining.

I guess I always look at these type of groups (Free Masons, Moose, Elks, Lions, etc…) as a way to get out of the house and away from a nagging wife. And unfortunately for the groups, I love being around my “non-nagging” wife.

BTW, does anyone know what the 33 is all about with the masons? I knew one and he refused to tell me… What’s’ that all about?

[kwillia (Premo)]

THE NUMBER 33

[kwillia (Premo)]

TESTIMONY OF FORMER FREEMASON CHAPLAIN -- WHY HE HAD TO LEAVE MASONRY