Ask a Mason

Hi.
I don't buy in to a lot of what is said about the freemasons. But I also don't discount what I have heard either. I am on the fence with you guys. I have no final conclusion based on the lack of available information. I am interested in understanding the organisation. Individuals aims? What the society long term world goals are If any? I have my own opinions but I do not know if what I think I know is true? Here is what I believe to know about your organisation. But please correct me if I am wrong as these are only my conclusions based on the snippets of credible sources of evidence I have found. You believe in One divine Conscious Creator Being. I don't know what name you call Him if any? But I do believe you have a universal respect for all the Worlds major religions. You believe in keeping order and peace. You believe all life is sacred and connected to each other. On a physical level you believe in an hierarchical order of all people, creatures and things. You believe it is the duty of all Masons to maintain order and peace even both domestically and internationally, even if externally actions may at times seem contrary to what is commonly taught in the world religions about moral conduct. You believe The Masons to be at the top of the human order (predominately white and male) and it is a God given duty to guide or nurture humanity as a whole toward greater wisdom and spiritual Truth. I believe your long term vision is of unity and brotherhood of all peoples worshiping the One same God.
But we live in a degraded age. Corruption is found in all walks of life. My research led me to believe that there are far insidious secret orders to be worried about than the Masons. To be honest, now that I think about it, The masons are hardly hiding. Its not like they are covertly going out of there way to make there presence unknown. Although who knows what goes on behind closed doors? I think lack of understanding from the general public creates fear. Then a lot of mistruths get spread around mixed in with some facts to create a confusing mess. Which brings me here... asking direct to the horses mouth. In lay mans terms tell us all what you guys are about! Is what I have said close to the Truth?

originally posted by: TheInfiniteFantastic
Hi.
I don't buy in to a lot of what is said about the freemasons. But I also don't discount what I have heard either. I am on the fence with you guys. I have no final conclusion based on the lack of available information. I am interested in understanding the organisation. Individuals aims? What the society long term world goals are If any? I have my own opinions but I do not know if what I think I know is true? Here is what I believe to know about your organisation. But please correct me if I am wrong as these are only my conclusions based on the snippets of credible sources of evidence I have found. You believe in One divine Conscious Creator Being. I don't know what name you call Him if any? But I do believe you have a universal respect for all the Worlds major religions. You believe in keeping order and peace. You believe all life is sacred and connected to each other. On a physical level you believe in an hierarchical order of all people, creatures and things. You believe it is the duty of all Masons to maintain order and peace even both domestically and internationally, even if externally actions may at times seem contrary to what is commonly taught in the world religions about moral conduct. You believe The Masons to be at the top of the human order (predominately white and male) and it is a God given duty to guide or nurture humanity as a whole toward greater wisdom and spiritual Truth. I believe your long term vision is of unity and brotherhood of all peoples worshiping the One same God.

You were doing OK, then went off the rails a bit. We do believe in a single creator of all that is. Each monotheistic religion has a central figure that fills tat role, but is called different names. We accept men of all faiths, as it's implied that each religion prays to the same creator, under the name they personally ascribe to him. (Since there is only ONE creator, this makes sense)

But we don't have power to control anything other than our actions. We can't do anything about the world, except try to make the part we interact with better then we found it if possible. We don't claim superiority in an fashion and men of all races are welcome to join masonry.

But we live in a degraded age. Corruption is found in all walks of life. My research led me to believe that there are far insidious secret orders to be worried about than the Masons. To be honest, now that I think about it, The masons are hardly hiding. Its not like they are covertly going out of there way to make there presence unknown. Although who knows what goes on behind closed doors? I think lack of understanding from the general public creates fear. Then a lot of mistruths get spread around mixed in with some facts to create a confusing mess. Which brings me here... asking direct to the horses mouth. In lay mans terms tell us all what you guys are about! Is what I have said close to the Truth?

The animosity comes from the public not knowing what goes on behind our doors. I can assure you it's nothing nefarious, but that doesn't carry much weight. You need to accept it as that, or join to find out for yourself.

We have business meetings that follow Roberts Rule, and we convey the degrees of masonry to newly inducted members. If you are curious as to what that entails, you can google it, but if you ever think you may want to become a mason, I advise against it. To join and learn the lessons blindly is the original intent. Much like peaking at your Christmas presents, it removes some of the mystery, and the joy.

Forgive me.
I know I may have gone off the rails with some of my conclusions. Maybe the way I termed it was not fitting.
I stumbled across a very old masonry book. I wont go into detail but it showed me the importance of The Great Pyramid and the mathematical prophetic timeline contained within. It told of an expedition to The Great Pyramid in Egypt during the 1800's. Where new discoveries were made. Some of my conclusions were based on what I had read in the book.
I have 3 more questions. Do The Masons still believe in the importance of The Great Pyramid (Which is believed to be the longest standing temple in the world? And do you know about the discoveries made in the pyramid in the 1800s'?

The 3rd question is about worship. Do you worship The Supreme without the use of mind (which I understand is a barrier) in the form of surrender?


a reply to: network dude

I think I have asked and said enough.
I don't want to spoil anyone's Christmas. I have been peeking at all the presents unknowingly. Sorry. Please don't feel it necessary to answer my previous questions.

Thankyou for your response.
a reply to: network dude

"We do believe in a single creator of all that is. Each monotheistic religion has a central figure that fills tat role, but is called different names. We accept men of all faiths, as it's implied that each religion prays to the same creator, under the name they personally ascribe to him."

My conclusion is that that the Masons spiritual understanding is far deeper than that of the worldly faiths. From the above comment alone it is very clear that the depth of wisdom contained in The House of Masonry is not common. I have a hope that all people, will one day see as they (The Masons) can, and bring down the walls of division which are merely an illusion. Its easy to get caught up in the you tube hype. But it is far wiser and more accurate to do your own research
For the record I do not belong to any religion or organisation. I merely learn from all of them.

a reply to: network dude

a reply to: TheInfiniteFantastic

Many different masons have theories on it's roots and beginnings. Up to the 32nd degree of Scottish Rite, I can say Egyptian mythology and symbolism has a part. It's not pronounced, and not largely incorporated in the teachings. If you look at the overall picture, and don't dig too far, you notice the York Rite appears to model after the Templars, and to some degree, the Scottish Rite models after Egyptian symbolism. (See House of Temple for more clarity on that)

But to my knowledge, the great pyramid isn't mentioned at this point. (Learning is a life long process and I have a lot left to do)

In masonry, we don't "worship" at all. We say a prayer to open and close the lodge, and we use scripture in degrees, and in teaching. We do ask that God be with us as we meet, but we do that at ball games here as well. So while it's religious in nature, I don't see it as worship at all.


And don't worry about peaking. Knowledge is a wonderful thing. I just do believe that if you plan to join at some point, the mystery is a very important aspect of how your learn the lessons we teach. And unfortunately, you would have to join to even understand why I would say that. I wish I could articulate that, as it would entice many a good man to ask the right question.

a reply to: network dude

But to my knowledge, the great pyramid isn't mentioned at this point.

The Pyramid as a symbol is not necessarily the great pyramid of Giza
It is an idea as is the eye within it and the rays emanating from it
It is a Universal idea regarding order and light etc.

originally posted by: artistpoet
The Pyramid as a symbol is not necessarily the great pyramid of Giza
It is an idea as the eye within it and the rays emanating from it
It is a Universal idea regarding order and light etc.

That is a triangle, not a pyramid, and often times the Eye of Providence appears in Masonic symbolism alone and not within a triangle. The eye in a triangle is more of a Trinitarian Christian symbol than a Masonic one.

a reply to: AugustusMasonicus

That is a triangle, not a pyramid, and often times the Eye of Providence appears in Masonic symbolism alone and not within a triangle. The eye in a triangle is more of a Trinitarian Christian symbol than a Masonic one.

A triangle being a 2 dimensional symbol for a three dimensional object
Yours is one interpretation from a Masons perspective perhaps ?
Not that I disagree with your interpretation

Providence is an interesting word here is one meaning
" The protective care of God or of nature as a spiritual power"
Is this what you mean by "Providence"

Regards a/p

originally posted by: artistpoet
A triangle being a 2 dimensional symbol for a three dimensional object
Yours is one interpretation from a Masons perspective perhaps ?

No, it is direct from the ritual. There are no triangles or pyramids in the ritual or discussed in regards the symbolism. The All Seeing Eye is mentioned as just an eye and not further embellished with a triangle.

Providence is an interesting word here is one meaning
" The protective care of God or of nature as a spiritual power"
Is this what you mean by "Providence"

Regards a/p

That would be correct.

a reply to: AugustusMasonicus

Oh! I am not familiar with any of your rituals apart from bits of here say

Yes I also believe in such a providence

originally posted by: artistpoet
Oh! I am not familiar with any of your rituals apart from bits of here say

No worries. I posted a piece from the ritual in another thread, the entire explanation pertaining to the Eye is all of one sentence.

a reply to: AugustusMasonicus

When did the eye become a trinitarian symbol of Christians? I believe it started in around when Neolithic societies emerged, and there is a duality.

Or maybe the masons are 10KYA

originally posted by: Anansi
When did the eye become a trinitarian symbol of Christians?

Why should I answer your question since you still refuse to address mine?

a reply to: AugustusMasonicus

Cause you are still blind

originally posted by: artistpoet
a reply to: network dude

But to my knowledge, the great pyramid isn't mentioned at this point.

The Pyramid as a symbol is not necessarily the great pyramid of Giza
It is an idea as is the eye within it and the rays emanating from it
It is a Universal idea regarding order and light etc.

I believe, you are, very wrong

a reply to: network dude

Why does it have a part, tell them. Cause it has nothing to do with freemasonry.. So why even have it as a part?

a reply to: Anansi

I believe, you are, very wrong

Thank goodness for that
I would be very shocked if you agreed

originally posted by: artistpoet
Thank goodness for that
I would be very shocked if you agreed

If they did it would have meant that you were in fact wrong.

originally posted by: Anansi
Cause you are still blind

Says the person who cannot even answer simple questions.