US envoy nominee Branstad member of Masons, banned in China

a reply to: AMPTAH
So you consider striving for liberty to be hell-bound?

originally posted by: KSigMason

Tyrants will always find a pretext for their tyranny.

What is a tyrant?

Seems kind of circular: "A tyrant is someone who practices tyranny, and tyranny is something a tyrant does."

Some think God is a tyrant. Others say he isn't.

Is it just that we believe a person is a tyrant when he makes us follow his rules?

But then, we have the police force, and the army, and make people follow the rules all the time.

We're even going to be building a Wall between US and Mexico, to make people stay in the country they are supposed to stay in, and introduce all sorts of technological monitoring systems and RFID to make sure people do only what and when they are allowed to do things.

Men are using technology to create "a compliance" society that will be more severe than any person in history who ever had the title "tyrant".

So, maybe we'll all get a little closer to God.

What on earth is tyranny?

And if it is so bad, why is everyone rushing headlong towards using technology to place mankind under an absolute tyrannical machine system?

Maybe tyranny is a good thing?

Else, why do we want it so bad that we're making it a reality with every step forward in social advancement?

originally posted by: KSigMason
a reply to: AMPTAH
So you consider striving for liberty to be hell-bound?

It's only hell for you, if you'd rather be upstairs.

Hell is being in that place which is opposite of that where our true nature wants to be.

The article from the op appears to be nothing more than a propaganda hit-piece.

Governor Terry Branstad has a long history of Chinese foreign relations, and his Freemasonic affiliations have never been an issue or hindrance in his dealings or communications with the Chinese government.

None of the other media outlets are making mention of Branstad's Freemasonic membership in relation to his nomination for Ambassador, and so far, all Chinese officials who have commented on Trump's nomination have spoken favorably and highly of Governor Branstad.

The author of the article, Josh Funk of Associated Press, is unprofessionally and immaturely allowing his anti-Trump and anti-Masonic opinions to infiltrate his writings, passing them off as viable news. A big fail for that fellow

a reply to: AMPTAH

Thanks for your response.

I find it very intriguing.

Are you saying there is no "correct" path re: upward and downward?

I actually agree with that. Morality and/or the right "way" is something imposed by us on a system we simply do not understand.

On the other hand, anything that intentionally harms another sentient being is just plain wrong in any system, and must incur a very large debt of some sort.

But like the adage goes, if you do the crime, then do the time. So I guess it depends on how important said harmful act is to that individual being committing it.

originally posted by: AMPTAH
What is a tyrant?

Seems kind of circular: "A tyrant is someone who practices tyranny, and tyranny is something a tyrant does."

In this day and age of information, ignorance is a choice. If I have to explain to you what a tyrant is then you need to go back to school before commenting further. And no, I am not using circular reasoning. I was actually using the moral of a Aesop fable.

Is it just that we believe a person is a tyrant when he makes us follow his rules?

But then, we have the police force, and the army, and make people follow the rules all the time.

Following the rule of law isn't tyranny. The fact that you're using such logical fallacies means talking with you further is a waste of time.

What on earth is tyranny?

Take a course on political philosophy.

Maybe tyranny is a good thing?

No.

a reply to: AMPTAH
So liberty is contrary to human nature? LOL

originally posted by: AMPTAH

originally posted by: marg6043
a reply to: AMPTAH

If you know something we don't by all means spelled out so we can read it.

I know that if China bans Freemasonry, they must have an opinion that something about it is bad.

If the Pope bans Freemasonry, he must have an opinion about it that can't be good.

With China's record and long history of human rights violations, ethnic minority oppression, religious intolerance, and environmental destruction,... it is unwise to hail China as a standard of moral reasoning by their ban of Freemasonry.

With the Vatican's record and long history of religious intolerance, inquisitions, torture, murder, empire wars, decadence, lavish affluence, its protection of clergy pedophiles, and having its own secret societies (Opus Dei, Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Society of Jesus (Jesuits), International Alliance of Catholic Knights, Society of Saint Pius X, etc.),... it is hypocritical to hail the Vatican as a standard of upright morals by their opposition to Freemasonry.

Their motto is to "be the leaders in every community".

This is absolutely untrue. Some of the mottos mentioned in my Order include; "Faith, Hope, & Charity",... "Brotherly Love, Relief, & Truth",... "Liberty, Equality, & Fraternty".

It is a bit ironic that you are vocally against Freemasonry, but you chose the deity Ptah as your avatar. Ptah is the patron God of artisans, craftsmen, and architecture. Furthermore, Egyptian religious cults were their own secret societies, having public rituals and secret rituals,... having lay worshippers and a hierarchy of initiates, neophytes, hierophants, and priests of the inner sanctum.

originally posted by: AMPTAH

My point is that we aren't all aiming for the same destination.

Some want to go upstairs, others want to go downstairs.

What about people who cite scripture and then lie? Where do they go?

I think you need to pack your SPF 1,000,000.

originally posted by: Riffrafter

Are you saying there is no "correct" path re: upward and downward?

I'm saying that a lily was never designed to be a rose, and visa versa.

originally posted by: KSigMason

Following the rule of law isn't tyranny.

Is it voluntary? Or, involuntary?

Do you even understand the difference?

a reply to: AMPTAH
Everyone is free to choose to follow the rule of law or not.

I do understand the difference.