Ask a Mason

originally posted by: JoshNorton

originally posted by: Tsuro
The Scottish rite uses a model that might imply a hierarchy in the same way as military organization..

It absolutely does. Particularly in the Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction (not sure if the structure is mirrored in the Northern Jurisdiction where AM is a member).

The Scottish Rite masons in my city all answer to the Personal Representative in my city.

The Personal Rep. answers to the Sovereign Grand Inspector General, who governs the state.

The SGIG answers to the Sovereign Grand Commander, who governs the 35 states in the Southern Jurisdiction.

And the Sovereign Grand Commander answers to nobody. He's appointed for life, or until he decides to retire, I believe. (PR & SGIG have a mandatory retirement at 80 years old, but can be replaced at any time by the person above them. Not sure if the Grand Commander is out at 80 also... Suppose I could ask him next time I see him.)

Well it explains the patriarchal hierarchy, i think i understand most of your structural organization, it its actually a logical system.. It also explains when further research the interest in Egypt or basics, and it actually explains somethings for my own personal interest.. Im not sure if i agree or disagree, never took a vow to anyone, likely never will.. I found the foundation of religion, it took me to the East.. But looking outside the bubble im not sure we were ever supposed to exist, i think we tampered with evolution and created our of design of imperfection.. Or within the bubble, a perfect world for imperfect creatures..

a reply to: KSigMason

Isnt this a better format for the rituals?

Healthy lifestyle, three times a week..

Just lending a hand..

And it does fill an ancient function..

a reply to: network dude

a reply to: Tsuro
I practiced Shotokan Karate for over a decade, but there's no dojo that meets where I live now so I haven't practiced in years.

Karate is good ritual, but so is Masonic ritual.

a reply to: KSigMason

I have a question regarding free-masonry in general. Why are atheits are not accepted by many, if not most lodges? Just because they don't accept the concept of a "supreme being" or a "creator-god"? What if they, the atheists, do accept the concept of superiour (supreme) ideas instead of a "supreme being" or a "creator-god"?

Wouldn't that be good enough also? And if not, why not?

originally posted by: Willingly
a reply to: KSigMason

I have a question regarding free-masonry in general. Why are atheits are not accepted by many, if not most lodges? Just because they don't accept the concept of a "supreme being" or a "creator-god"? What if they, the atheists, do accept the concept of superiour (supreme) ideas instead of a "supreme being" or a "creator-god"?

Wouldn't that be good enough also? And if not, why not?

Then they wouldn't be an atheist. Atheist do not have a belief either way.

a reply to: TerryDon79

Then they wouldn't be an atheist. Atheist do not have a belief either way.

I see. Thanks for the clarification. So...someone who believes in superiour/supreme ideas/concepts, is not considered as an atheist by you? There is no need to believe in a "supreme being" and/or "creator-god" to be accepted as a member? It's enough to believe in a non-entity kind of concept as being superiour to other concepts?

What about Marxists and their believes? (Karl...and/or Goucho)?

a reply to: KSigMason

if someone was curious about looking at the rituals, is this clip right or wrong?

a reply to: Willingly

My understanding is you have to believe in a supreme me being (or beings?). If you don't then you can't be a Freemason.

The lessons you learn in freemasonry is all about god, life, death, afterlife etc. If you don't believe in a supreme being then how can you truly learn the lessons taught?

a reply to: Willingly
The answer is found the Ancient Landmarks of the Craft:

LANDMARK NINETEENTH A belief in the existence of God as the GRAND ARCHITECT of the universe, is one of the most important Landmarks of the Order. It has been always deemed essential that a denial of the existence of a Supreme and Superintending Power, is an absolute disqualification for initiation.

The rituals would be meaningless and hold nothing to an atheist.

Some argue that atheists are out of balance and thus not conducive to Freemasonry (I'm simplifying a very large article) while some say that an atheist would not be bound to his obligation.

a reply to: TerryDon79

The lessons you learn in freemasonry is all about god, life, death, afterlife etc. If you don't believe in a supreme being then how can you truly learn the lessons taught?

So...it indeed MUST be the beliefe in a "supreme" being? The beliefe in supreme/superiour ideas/concepts is not enough? It must be an entity (a being) that one has to beliefe in?

What about some buddhist concepts? They do believe in an afterlife, but not in a single (one) supreme being?

So...monotheism is required...sort of? Am I getting that right?

a reply to: Willingly

I don't think it has to be monotheism, but certainly a theism.

If you worshipped yoda as your god I'm sure that would do (in some lodges).

I was brought up Christian. I'm now an atheist who has no belief either way because of the lack of evidence. I also believe in an afterlife, but I have no idea what it is. Could I benefit from freemasonry? I honestly couldn't answer that.

a reply to: KSigMason

The rituals would be meaningless and hold nothing to an atheist.

Okay, but you said that someone who believes in superiour/supreme concepts, but not in a deity or entity as supreme (like the god-concept deals in) does qualify as worthy to become a member, because those are not atheists, like you said a few post before.

Some argue that atheists are out of balance and thus not conducive to Freemasonry (I'm simplifying a very large article) while some say that an atheist would not be bound to his obligation.

IF atheists are "out of balance" or not does highly depend on how one defines atheists and atheism. Don't you think so too?

Are you considering atheists as un-relyable, by saying that they "would not be bound to obligation"?

So...one part of defining an atheist is that he/she is not "bound to his obligation"? Am I getting that right?

What does "obligation" mean, exactely? Can you give an example of what an obligation would be in free-masonry?

a reply to: AugustusMasonicus

Im actually doing a bit research, when you referenced freemasonry to 1000AD, "in my books" the first plausible lodge cannot be older than the 16th century... In fact its a impossibility.. How do you make that claim, is something i wonder?

Edit; The linguistic didnt even exist for it

a reply to: KSigMason

Im gonna go with the kata..

a reply to: TerryDon79

I'm now an atheist who has no belief either way because of the lack of evidence. I also believe in an afterlife, but I have no idea what it is. Could I benefit from freemasonry? I honestly couldn't answer that.

Ohhh... I seem to be asking the wrong person if you are not a mason.

I would apreciate a mason answering my questions. So...please, masons, be so kind and answer my questions.

Thanks in advance.

a reply to: Willingly

It was me an not ksigmason who replied about that.

I actually misunderstood what you were saying (we're all human, right?)

a reply to: TerryDon79

I actually misunderstood what you were saying (we're all human, right?)

Ohh yes! And how human we are! Beautifully completely human!

originally posted by: Willingly
a reply to: TerryDon79

I'm now an atheist who has no belief either way because of the lack of evidence. I also believe in an afterlife, but I have no idea what it is. Could I benefit from freemasonry? I honestly couldn't answer that.

Ohhh... I seem to be asking the wrong person if you are not a mason.

I would apreciate a mason answering my questions. So...please, masons, be so kind and answer my questions.

Thanks in advance.

In that case I'll politely bow out.

a reply to: TerryDon79

In that case I'll politely bow out.

You know...it's like as if you ask my neigbor about how my appartement is furnitured. She might tell you a lot of things about it, but she does not know everything about my appartement as good as I do. Therefore, IF someone would like to know how my appartement is furnitured, I prefer to be asked about it. Because only I know best.

And I wouldn't lie to you, I promise!