So have I. A lot more primary research than anyone on this board has shown me too, for many of the same reasons I've been given here, before I ever submitted a petition to a join. I've done more since.Originally Posted by Paul M
Come on now, years after he left and decided to write his "true" expose, the Masons tracked down every last copy of these publications (Mr. Shaw would have had to have been in three different copies of the Florida Grand Lodge annual book as he moved up the line of elected officers) that are sent out to every lodge, every past Grand officer, every past District Deputy and to anyone else who wants a copy, destroyed them, reprinted them and then redistributed them? ROFL, you don't know Masons very well, there would have been a rebellion like you wouldn't believe.
One reason I pointed you over to read the context of the quote, Pike called a number of things "religion" like work and society (or he was copying another author, something he admitted in the preface). The symbols are things to jar the memory. The All Seeing Eye of Divine Providence. Is God watching over you now? Pyramids. Masons, building thing, big buildings. Pentagram? Used several places for several different meanings, sorry, none demonic or satanic. Skulls and bones usually refer to death. Snakes, I'm sure there are some, cannot remember off hand for which degrees or their meanings and I don't feel like digging through my books.I think Pike meant what he said, Masonry is a religion. How do you explain the symbols associated with Freemasonry? The all seeing eye,pyramids,the pentagram,skulls and bones,snakes-these are things found on the inside and outside of Masonic Temples.
Wheee! No, they are curses called down upon yourself for if you betray the secrets. As usual, your sources forget three facts: 1) Not all Grand Jurisdictions use them, (so I never took them when I got my three degrees), 2) in some Grand Jurisdictions that still use them (including the one I currently reside in) it is made clear that they are symbolic and not literal, and 3) your obligation is not to prevent you from performing your duties to God, family or country. Therefore, Masonry comes after that. At no time has there ever been the implication I know of that any Mason would carry them out.How about the oaths you are required to take as you move up the ranks of Masonry? The following are quite edifying.THis really sounds like an organization I'd want to belong to.
<snipped the texts of the oaths>
So basically you are taking an oath, a serious one that if you betray a member of the lodge you are going to be killed in a groteque fashion. So if a fellow mason commits a crime and you report him, technically you are in danger. I personally feel uncomforatble the judges,policeman,members of parliament are involed in Masonry. Where are their loyalties? They are to the lodge first and foremost.
Yep, if you are a Mason, you even spot it in the sermons. Even when they are preaching against Masonry. Of course, there is a good historical reason for it, not that Freemasons have "infiltrated" the Church like that, but that Freemasonry has preserved certain turns of phrase that are also preserved in conservative Christian seminaries from several centuries ago. Preachers get them from studying old sermons. OOPS!Even terms we use in everday language shows the pervasive influence of Freemasonry. Three "square' meals, 'hoodwinked' what's you're 'point', the city 'square, a 'square' deal, fair and 'square' .
I cannot speak to Mr. Morgan's motivation, except he was trying to publish a book. I do know that some where convicted for his abduction, but it is fairly well established that they weren't acting in concert with other Masons and their actions were condemned by other Freemasons.How about the story of Captain Morgan who courageouly attempted to expose the lodge for what it was.
Men, who have left the Masonic Lodge after coming to understand what Masonic ritual teaches, have sometimes felt compelled to reveal the contents of Masonic ritual to the public. Many are reluctant to do so because of Masonic history. During the early 19th century, Capt. William Morgan worked with a printer named Miller to publish the rituals, as practiced in New York. The printers shop was set ablaze and Morgan was abducted and murdered. As his body was never recovered, there was no conviction for murder. However, several Masons were convicted of his abduction. Even through intimidation and persecution can be intense for those who reveal the "secrets" of Freemasonry, exposures of Masonic ritual have continued since 1727, ten years after the founding of the Grand Lodge of England. Exposures of Masonic ritual have continued for more than two centuries for several reasons. The most compelling reason is so that other men will not be ensnared in Freemasonry. Christians who become ensnared in Freemasonry sooner or later realize that Masonic ritual teaches a plan of salvation which is not based on faith in Jesus Christ, but rather on the basis of imitating Hiram Abiff, the (prototype) Masonic savior. Galatians 1:8-9 reveals that the penalty for teaching a false plan of salvation is eternal condemnation. Christians have no choice but to repent.
Yes, some have left Masonry and written exposes. Some claimed to do it for Christian reasons, others didn't. The most quoted of them by antiMasons with a theological objection were proven (and in the most famous case, self admitted) forgers and hoaxers. What about the 99.9+% who didn't leave Freemasonry? Including the Masons who were Christian theologians, ministers, preachers and evangelists who were much better qualified theologically to speak on the matter and found no conflict, what about them?
Actually it is based on general revelation as recorded several places in the Bible. The most common quote is:Masonry is a pastiche of the occult, eastern religions,mysticism/ secrets rituals-it is of the Devil. No Christian should be involved in it.
Rom 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Which means it has common points with a great many religions (but not all), but then that accusation can be made even against Christianity. Muslims say "there is no God but God", which is a common point with Judaism and Christianity (of course, it quickly departs from there). On the basis of "common points" like this Christ mythers and other various antiChristians "prove" all kinds of things about how Christianity is false or a pastiche of other religions. I'm sure you don't agree with such drawing of "connections", do you?
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