Freemasonry FAQ

Originally posted by KIZZZY
reply to post by emsed1

 

I have no interest in the Latin delineation. This is was taken from Hebrew!

"Lucifer" you mean?

In Hebrew the word was "heylal" which has different meanings, such as rage, boastfulness, etc.

The passage in Isaiah referred to Satan as boastful in Hebrew. Jerome substituted "lucifer" when translating to Latin.


If I may ask, what is your impression of Freemasonry?

I ask this sincerely because in order to find the truth about something we have to look at all sides. All viewpoints are valid.

Going a little deeper:

In 1898 Robert Young translated a literal version of the Bible directly from the Hebrew texts. He attempted to stay as close to the literal Hebrew as possible in English, even though some stuff made no sense.

The verse in question (the beginning of the Lucifer crap) translated literally by Young reads:

"How hast thou fallen from the heavens, O shining one, son of the dawn! Thou hast been cut down to earth, O weakener of nations."

Nothing there about Lucifer.

In Young's 2 Peter translation about Christ:

"And we have more firm the prophetic word, to which we do well giving heed, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, till day may dawn, and a morning star may arise -- in your hearts;"

And in Young's Revelation:

"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you[a] this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star."



The whole confusion about the word "lucifer" is simply that at one time Satan was the bright star, above the angels. He then chose to rebel and was defeated.

Now, Christ is the bright star.

Again -- nothing to do with masonry, just showing how easy it is to jump to conclusions with semantics.

reply to post by emsed1


but, that's not what it said at freemasonrywatch.com.

I don't understand. If that part is false, then could it be possible? there might be other flaws in the "facts" they assert?

say it ain't so.

This was a cool thread until the endless pages of feeding 1 single troll. In effect.. becoming trolls ourselves..

So..

Don't feed the troll..

reply to post by KIZZZY

Masonry does not teach that Satan and God are equal.

reply to post by KIZZZY

Depends on the individual's faith. I cannot speak for Scottish Rite, but in Craft Masonry or Blue Lodge we use Grand Architect of the Universe (GAOTU) which is a generic term for the Deity so as to not hold one faith over another; this would cause disruption within the Lodge and destroy the peace and harmony. The God I worship is the one of the Christian faith.

If one chooses to go into the York Rite we do pray to the Christian God and to Jesus as you must be Christian to join the entire York Rite (Chivalric Orders specifically).

Originally posted by KIZZZY
I did not ask you about religion, I asked you about a god!

But when you speak about the Divine you are speaking about religion.

Plus, there is no god of light within Freemasonry.

Originally posted by KIZZZY
Do Masons use Astrological symbols in their rituals?

Heavenly bodies are referenced in the Blue Lodge, but no more than discussing man's study of them to better understand the world around them. The Sr. and Jr. Deacon do have the sun and moon on their staffs and aprons.

reply to post by KIZZZY

Actually the 'G' is only used in English speaking Lodges and mostly in the US. Others use a symbol in the middle of the square and compass instead, universal and all.

Originally posted by KIZZZY
The hexagram is featured within and on the outside of many Masonic temples

Can you give us examples of what you are talking about? There may be some confusion as to what you are meaning.

Originally posted by Stillalive
anyway here is the questin,what can anyone tell me about the levels above 3rd.

I can speak for the York Rite. Its composed of three bodies: Capitular Masonry (made up of 4-degrees), Cryptic Masonry (made up of 3-degrees although only a few jurisdictions actually do all 3), and the Chivalric Orders (Order of the Red Cross, Order of Malta, and finally Order of the Temple/Knights Templar). To join this body you must be a Master Mason in good standing. Now, you'll hear many things, but you actually don't have to be Christian to join, you just have to be Christian to receive the Chivalric Orders. You can join the first two bodies. I believe the Order of the Temple is one of the most beautiful ceremonies I've ever seen and there is no truth to anything about worshiping Satan or anything sinister.

Kizzy, are you actually here to ask questions and learn something? Or are you here to mock us, ask us questions just so you can call us liars?

why are masons so secretive? is there something that society would deem as "bad" going on in those lodges?
and i understand your secretness a general answer will be fine

reply to post by ashanu90



I do have to ask, what do you consider secretive?
The members are free about their membership, the rituals and books are part of public domain.

The only thing that you could consider secret would be that they meet in their own building, and only members can enter their private building.
Seems fair enough to me, I'm a member of a archaeological society where much the same is done.
And there are various other groups in the area that have similar restrictions.

Originally posted by ashanu90
why are masons so secretive? is there something that society would deem as "bad" going on in those lodges?
and i understand your secretness a general answer will be fine

I don't think we consider ourselves as secretive as society in general does.

Our "secrets" are handshakes, passwords and modes of recognition.

The main reason we keep these to ourselves is that we promised to do so. It's sort of like a test of our own integrity.


As far as bad things... Nothing goes on in the lodge that society would consider bad. Most of our meeting times are spent doing business. We pay bills, vote on new members, plan events, etc. much like any other service organization.

During our rituals and ceremonies we focus on presenting lessons to help men build their moral character, treat others with respect and compassion, and use symbols and allegories to help each man in his walk with God (or the Supreme Being of his religion).

I will post shortly some of the not-secret parts of our lectures to exemplify this.

[edit on 4/21/10 by emsed1]

Here is an example that is taught to Entered Apprentice Masons regarding the canopy, or ceiling, of a lodge. I believe at some time in the past (maybe some lodges have this) the ceiling was painted with blue and stars.

This quote is from the 1922 Edition of the Texas Monitor. It may vary from what a modern lodge uses but it's very similar to what my lodge uses.

The covering of a Lodge is no less than the clouded canopy, or starry-decked heavens, where all good Masons hope at last to arrive, by the aid of the theological ladder, which Jacob, in his vision, saw extending from earth to heaven; the three principal rounds of which are denominated Faith, Hope and Charity; teaching Faith in God, Hope in immortality, and Charity to all mankind.

Of these, Charity is the greatest; for Faith may be lost in sight; Hope end in fruition; but Charity extends beyond the grave, through the bound-less realms of eternity.

Further in the lecture on the First Degree the whole point of Freemasonry is (in my opinion beautifully) explained:

By the exercise of Brotherly Love, we are taught to regard the whole human species as one family--the high and low, the rich and poor; who, as created by one Almighty Parent, and inhabitants of the same planet, are to aid, support, and protect each other.

On this principle, Masonry unites men of every country, sect and opinion, and conciliates true friendship among those who might, otherwise, have remained at a perpetual distance.

We are also instructed to patiently live according to the laws of government. We all realize that in the past Freemasons have led revolutions but this behavior is not sanctioned. In fact we are not allowed to discuss either politics or religious beliefs in our lodges.

Freemasons understand that our true duty is to mankind, but we must live under the accepted values and laws of our society. I think that once I realized that life extends far beyond this temporary time and place it's easier to just put up with government until we are free of it.

As a citizen, you are to be a quiet and peaceable subject, true to your government, and just to your country; you are not to countenance disloyalty or rebellion, but patiently submit to legal authority, and conform with cheerfulness to the government of the country in which you live.

I hope this helps. These are just a few examples of the many things we learn but they represent our beliefs.

In my jurisdiction and obligation I don't see these quotes as exposing any secret but I will certainly take them down if any brother feels like I've posted something I shouldn't.

[edit on 4/21/10 by emsed1]

Originally posted by ashanu90
why are masons so secretive? is there something that society would deem as "bad" going on in those lodges?
and i understand your secretness a general answer will be fine

Nothing bad going on behind closed doors... we vote on new members, vote to pay our bills, discuss fundraising activities for our scholarship committee, etc.

There's a fine line between privacy and secrecy. You couldn't walk in to the board meeting of a privately held company, and you can't walk in to a tiled lodge meeting for much the same reason. It's none of your business.

Then, of course, at some times, in some countries, Freemasonry has been outlawed and its members executed... Hitler and Saddam Hussein both had death penalty laws against Masonry under their regimes.

there is still the matter that masons should be loyal to theyr government and obey but only if the government is good,as far as i know.
you dont expect me to obey my government and do everything as told do you?
theyr corrupted to the core,theres so many expensive SUVs on the roads,and 90% of the populations starves,and wants to kill you for bananas.
we tryed to steal all the eurofunds until they CUT us.
i cant even join the masons in my country,couse theyr probably not realy masons but rich and evil bastards who only make money from the pain of people,from "support charity" events,which the poor people give money,and the money goes to some rich bastard! you cant ask me to support this kind of government.if i supported this opression i would be doing "EVIL deads"
so i cant even be a freemason,and do charity,and help others,couse i have to move out of my country to even have a normal job aroudn kind people.
thank good its soon

reply to post by Stillalive

there is still the matter that masons should be loyal to theyr government and obey but only if the government is good,as far as i know.

I don't believe "good" is even mentioned.. just, obey the Gov.

you dont expect me to obey my government and do everything as told do you? theyr corrupted to the core,theres so many expensive SUVs on the roads,and 90% of the populations starves,and wants to kill you for bananas. we tryed to steal all the eurofunds until they CUT us.

What country do you live in man.. they kill you for Bananas? I think the whole "obey the Gov" notion, at least in the United States, stems from the WWII generation and their gun-ho patriotism .. I know in Ohio it was also a Masonic Offense to conspire with Communist lol .. some rules are very archaic and .. retarded. But, I have no idea what country your from, but if what you say is true, I wouldn't side with that government either lol.

And, for the record, I would say "Obeying the Government" as a rule is in effect a Masonic offense.. as Governments indicate politics, and political leanings are illegal under Masonic rules.. obeying the Constitution is one thing, as it's the founding document of our Nation (the US) but the Government is interchangeable with the times.. I personally take issue with the rule, as I do not support my Government one bit. The crooked bastards..

i cant even join the masons in my country,couse theyr probably not realy masons but rich and evil bastards who only make money from the pain of people,from "support charity" events,which the poor people give money,and the money goes to some rich bastard! you cant ask me to support this kind of government.if i supported this opression i would be doing "EVIL deads"

I think that's a lot of speculation.

do masons have their own ring companies or do they make them themselves? my great gpa was a mason and had a masonic ring, i never met him so i never saw it but i heard it was relay cool looking

Originally posted by ashanu90
do masons have their own ring companies or do they make them themselves? my great gpa was a mason and had a masonic ring, i never met him so i never saw it but i heard it was relay cool looking

There are various companies that make rings for the Masons (non-Mason owned and Mason owned). There are quite a few private businesses started by Masons that are well known places of supply.

It seems there's more to freemasonry then "being a good citizen to society and worshiping your faith chosen God." (Maybe this applies to low level local masons, who are potentially ignorant to freemasonry true intentions)

It seems to me there's more to freemasonry then what ATS freemasons with their anecdote are telling us. Freemasonry is known to have very intelligent individuals within it's depths, and masons following a societal dentrimenting religion, such as Christianity seems awkward considering my perception of freemasonry as "people who see and know the holistic picture of humanity's problems."

If my perception of freemasonry is wrong, then there must be a different group of people that share the same perception as I have of "a holistic mindset of humanities problems."

On topic, is freemasonry a world wide society?



[edit on 21-4-2010 by GrandKitaro777]

reply to post by GrandKitaro777

I hate this "low level" vs "higher up" obsession with the conspiracy theorist.

So I'm guessing your atheist or at least not Christian.

how do you get kicked out of a lodge? like whats the number one freemason no no? and what are some others?
i imagine giving away secrets is at least a major no no if not the highest

ok you are gonna think im retarded but i just read a crazy thread and i would like to hear it from the freemasons themselves before i up and dissmiss it, however you could have a secret agenda and misinform me.....idk here it goes

Lets consider one thing that bonded many founding fathers together. One thing is that they were Freemasons. We have all seen the symbol of the freemasons. Its a Compass to us, but were not "illuminated" as they say. Truth be told it is a pair of fangs representing the dark side of humanity and protecting their unholy secret. Here is Bill Schnoebelen who admits to being a Vampire also he is a freemason.

any truth to this? any at all?

wont anyone answer my question? if the government is corrupt and evil,is a mason allowed to not obey his life to government rules,i dont mean start crimes and such,but you know what i mean. if i see policeman raping a woman,i cant just walk away,couse policeman are "good"

Originally posted by ashanu90
how do you get kicked out of a lodge? like whats the number one freemason no no?

Being convicted of a felony.

Originally posted by KSigMason
reply to post by GrandKitaro777

 

I hate this "low level" vs "higher up" obsession with the conspiracy theorist.

So I'm guessing your atheist or at least not Christian.

I'm a agnostic-theist.

I guess I can visit my local freemasonry club, and be a 32nd degree mason upon signing up. Since you know there's no higher up or low level masons.

P.S. I'm not a conspiracy theorist.

[edit on 22-4-2010 by GrandKitaro777]