|
Mike Martin
|
Posted 04/10/2009 14:57:27
|
Past Master
Group: Administrator
Last Active: 2 hours ago
Posts: 2,322,
Visits: 11,823
|
A little snippet: They're back! The Freemasons, the group that is at the center of more conspiracy theories than any other in history — perhaps even more than the Catholic Church — have made another comeback of sorts in Dan ("The Da Vinci Code") Brown's new book, "The Lost Symbol." And as if this wasn't enough, a lawsuit in Ireland is beginning to excite the world with the prospect that the secrets of the organization will finally be revealed. I don't imagine that this disclosure would be looked upon kindly by Freemasons. It's not much fun being part of a secret organization with its own rituals and initiations and handshakes if it's suddenly not secret. But I think it would be wonderful to finally know what makes the Masonic clock tick. (It would be nice to know what makes the Vatican tick, too, but we'll leave that for another time. And an author besides me!) Full story here: http://www.irishcentral.com/opinion/col/fathertim/The-Freemasons-make-a-comeback-of-sorts-60119577.html
MikeMersey Lodge No. 5434 WebsiteThe Freemasons'''' Grand Charity WebsiteSee my BALLS here
|
|
|
|
|
lauderdale
|
Posted 04/10/2009 16:17:51
|
|
Group: Forum Member
Last Active: 10/07/2011 06:43:06
Posts: 2,136,
Visits: 4,278
|
IrishCentral.com Poll
What do you think of Freemasonry?
================================================
What IS of interest in this story is the poll attached thereto which I reproduce below
They are evil and Satanic
25%
They're powerful men who have changed history and continue to
12%
They are a fraternal group and entitled to their secrets
14%
They are a fraternal group who do a great deal of good
33%
I don't really think about them at all
14%
I have put the leading score in bold and it clearly shows that most people who responded hold Freemasonry to be good as against 25% who consider us to be Evil.
|
|
|
|
|
sojourner
|
Posted 04/10/2009 16:45:26
|
|
Group: Forum Member
Last Active: 05/02/2012 20:19:16
Posts: 868,
Visits: 7,133
|
An interesting article. I think "Father Tim's" comments are in the main fair and unprejudiced. Many years ago I proposed a Catholic friend into Masonry. Not only are we still firm friends and Brothers, but he came up to visit me in Scotland last year, was so impressed with the friendly reception and warm welcome that he received when I took him to my Chapter, that he has affiliated (become a joining member). He finds absolutely no conflict between Masonry and his religion.Originally he also thought "all Masons hate Catholics" because that is what he was told by the Catholic clergy and friends. Once that myth was dispelled (within about 30 seconds of meeting other Lodge members at a Ladies' evening) he has enjoyed many years of happy association with the Fraternity (nearly 30 for him, 33 for me).I was tempted to leave a comment, but it would be like trying to reason with David Ike. One of the comments near the end was from some loon who said that his Uncle "confessed on his death=bed to being a Mason and swearing an oath to Satan"! I wonder what degree that was? Actually I also believe that there is a deep conspiracy to totalitarian World domination by a shadowy group. I think they're called Politicians. :alien:
Roy L."SELUME PROFERRE"
|
|
|
|
|
lauderdale
|
Posted 05/10/2009 00:41:12
|
|
Group: Forum Member
Last Active: 10/07/2011 06:43:06
Posts: 2,136,
Visits: 4,278
|
Alas there are some countries such as Scotland, the Greater Glasgow area especially, where being a Mason is often confused or conflated with being an Orangeman. We know that the two are not connected although there are quite a few Scotsmen who are members of both organisations. Alas this is where "Received Wisdom" cuts in and it is very difficult to disabuse someone of information received at their mother's knee.
The situation of Freemasonry is quite straightforward and there are many Roman Catholics in England and elsewhere who are "On the Square" and they are able to personally reconcile their religion with their Freemasonry. The attitude of the Church of Rome may have eased slightly in that any of their members becoming a Freemason is no longer Excommunicated ipso facto but if their membership of the Craft be known to their priests they will be refused the Sacraments of their Church. I cannot see this situation being relaxed under the current Pope Benedict XVI.
My own take on this is that it is all about "power" and "control". Freemasonry permits a great deal of freedom of thought to its members, it has no Doctrines or Dogmas, and acknowledges all religions as being of equal value. This does not square with the RC belief that they are the "One True Church".
|
|
|
|
|
DHS
|
Posted 05/10/2009 09:45:12
|
|
Group: Forum Member
Last Active: 05/02/2012 14:14:24
Posts: 190,
Visits: 1,078
|
Lauderdale (05/10/2009)
Alas there are some countries such as Scotland, the Greater Glasgow area especially, where being a Mason is often confused or conflated with being an Orangeman. We know that the two are not connected although there are quite a few Scotsmen who are members of both organisations. Alas this is where "Received Wisdom" cuts in and it is very difficult to disabuse someone of information received at their mother's knee.
Sorry, Steve but I must challenge this (again). The last thread on this subject failed to identify anyone - at least on these forums - who was a current member of both. If you personally know of any individual or individuals who are then please state so unequivocally, otherwise you are simply adding the weight of your own esteem to the "Received Wisdom" which you also acknowledge. Or in my words the bastard offspring of an apocryphal tale and an axe to grind.
We had an Enquiry Committee meeting last week and both potential candidates were asked directly if they were members of the Orange Lodge. Thankfully neither was but given that there have been more Orange Parades in Glasgow than in Belfast over the last 12 months I think it is important for us to continually reassert that Freemasonry and traditional Orangeism are completely seperate. Otherwise we run the risk of failure as an all-inclusive organisation.
|
|
|
|
|
DHS
|
Posted 05/10/2009 09:49:11
|
|
Group: Forum Member
Last Active: 05/02/2012 14:14:24
Posts: 190,
Visits: 1,078
|
Please note, my "axe to grind" comment was aimed at the anti-masonic fraternity and most certainly not at Lauderdale - apologies for any confusion caused.
|
|
|
|
|
lauderdale
|
Posted 05/10/2009 13:38:48
|
|
Group: Forum Member
Last Active: 10/07/2011 06:43:06
Posts: 2,136,
Visits: 4,278
|
Things may have changed in Glasgow since I left there nearly 38 years ago now but I was certainly aware then of many men who were both in "The Orange" and "The Masonic" although I certainly agree that the two Organisations are and have always been totally separate. I would be very surprised indeed if there are none at all these days who are in both, albeit fewer than in bygone times perhaps.
Do I derive from your posting that a prospective candidate for your Lodge would be asked if they were members of the Orange Order? I would have thought that to be wrong as that surely is their business, as would be their church or political party.
|
|
|
|
|
DHS
|
Posted 05/10/2009 14:58:40
|
|
Group: Forum Member
Last Active: 05/02/2012 14:14:24
Posts: 190,
Visits: 1,078
|
Things have indeed changed dramatically since you left Glasgow.
I think I was perfectly clear in my post with regards to the question asked. I have nothing new to contribute to the debate that I have not already posted in the other thread.
I am sorry to be so brusque in my reply but this is a contentious subject in this part of the World and not one I am comfortable debating as a semi-anonymous, online "keyboard warrior" with the difficulties of (mis)interpretation inherent in the meaning of forum posts.
|
|
|
|
|
multisync
|
Posted 05/10/2009 17:47:11
|
|
Group: Forum Member
Last Active: Yesterday @ 17:40:16
Posts: 217,
Visits: 3,131
|
I preferred Father Abraham & The Smurfs
3954
|
|
|
|
|
Roy V
|
Posted 06/10/2009 11:59:18
|
|
Group: Forum Member
Last Active: 2 days ago @ 13:42:01
Posts: 773,
Visits: 1,439
|
The list of attitudes to vote for is presented in an interesting way:
"They are evil and Satanic
25%
They're powerful men who have changed history and continue to
12%
They are a fraternal group and entitled to their secrets
14%
They are a fraternal group who do a great deal of good
33%
I don't really think about them at all
14%"
The figures are slightly more in our favour now - 36% a moment ago, and only 23% for satanic. However, since the latter comment is the first on the list, and the reader must go down to the fourth choice in order to vote favourably, there is likely to be a bias in some way. (The exceptionally lazy, who probably don't think of us at all, are represented by only the 14% who bothered to read on to the last choice. ;) )
PM 5770Middlesex
|
|
|
|