My boss is an ex mason. He said he couldn't carry on because some of the rituals did not go down well with his Christian conscience. He doesn't say what those rituals were and doesn't really talk about it much. I know that he was chairman at one time and was very busy cause he had to visit other lodges. My husband grandfather was a mason until he died a few years ago he also didn't talk about it much.
freemasons
by bigdreaux 33 Replies latest jw friends
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LittleToe
While I'm not a Freemason I know plenty of folk who are, including a great-uncle who is a Past Master. Locally they attend one meeting a month, unless they have some office that requires extra meetings (like instructing new candidates, etc.).
I researched them, with a view to joining, some years ago before deciding that I didn't want to. The first time I did the research it was as a JW, so I had difficulties with the idea of an immortal soul and questions over the quasi-"religious" nature of meetings. The second time I was more open to the idea but still decided it wasn't my path.
I raise my eyebrows at some of the sites you'll find online. Often they are full of bunk. The ones that especially amuse me are the ones stating that the WTS is a Masonic organisation, which is so far from the truth that its out in Andromeda somewhere.
In many areas it has reduced down to being an old-boys club, which is a shame as I understand that some of the ritual is very beautiful. They are also involved in a lot of charity work behind the scenes, though rarely make a fanfare about it. The Shriners are probably the best well known for their efforts with children's hospitals.
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greendawn
Whatever the case free masonry is not compatible with Christianity and only the top leaders of the org know what the real objectives are. If Albert Pike, himself a mason when alive, is to be believed free masonry is satanic at its core something most masons are not aware of.
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LittleToe
Some believe that orthodox Christianity of Satanic at its core. Does that make that belief right?
Which version of Christianity are you suggesting is incompatible with it? I ask because I know of quite a number of Christians who find no contradiction in being members of the Lodge. Further their fruits would appear to bear out their testimony. Hence I would have to challenge such a black and whit statement that categorically claims that such-and-such is incompatible with such-and-such.
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greendawn
From my research on free masonry through internet sources I get the impression that free masonry draws heavily on the pagan mysteries ie it believes in pagan gods and such it is not compatible with any form of mainstream Christianity, Protestant, Orthodox or Catholic.
Being a secretive organisation that swears its members to silence regarding its inner workings and beliefs, silence towards non masons but also masons of lower ranks, it is not surprising that many masons are not aware of what the top echelons are really up to.
Once more I refer to Pike, if he is to be believed then free masonry is an organisation that in fact worships Lucifer ie the Devil though most masons are not aware of this. Such he stated explicitly.
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dust
According to a friend of mine, as a Freemason he is expected to believe in the trinity. As for the rituals, he has explained that they are secret because of the psychological effect in their educational system. They don't want to spoil that by telling people in advance. Anyhow, their member lists and rules are all public, at least in my country.
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bigdreaux
thanks for the input guys.
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bigdreaux
thanks for that bro. i am looking forward to joining the mason's. i just tread carefully now when joining groups. i learned my lesson with the w.t.s. every guy i've met that's a mason is really awesome. they all seem like good guys. i am supposed to have my investigation in a few weeks. i will keep you posted on how it goes. b.t.w. where ya from?
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eclipse
bigdreaux,
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ttp://www.ephesians5-11.org/gllink.htmCould the masons here can tell me if the above site is accurate or not? please check it out,
it seemed balanced and believable when I skimmed through it.
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bigdreaux
no offense eclipse, but, you must have really skimmed that to say it's unbalanced. the whole article says that mason worship the devil. it cracks me up that people say, well, if your not worshipping jesus, your a devil worshipper. eclipse, i like and respect you, but have to give you a on that article.