For those who believe/think that cults etc.. are evil...

If you're not careful, we will have another installment of the Princess Bride.

Sorry my friend...never heard of the Princess Bride...

Love anda Light
Phoenix

Prices Bride, great movie and I mean it!

Anyone want a peanut? Andre the Giant should have won the Acedemy award for that role .

For those of you who are PB-challenged, I offer a tidbit from a fellow poster:
www.abovetopsecret.com...

I hope you enjoy.

The Princess Bride is a "Cult Classic", did I just say that?

GRANDFATHER
I brought you a special present.
THE KID
What is it?
GRANDFATHER
Open it up.
The Kid does. He does his best to smile.
THE KID
A book?
GRANDFATHER
That's right. When I was your age, television was called books. And this is a special book. It was the book my father used to read to me when I was sick, and I used to read it to your father. And today, I'm gonna read it to you.
THE KID
Has it got any sports in it?
CUT TO:
THE GRANDFATHER
Suddenly passionate.
GRANDFATHER
Are you kidding? Fencing. Fighting. Torture. Revenge. Giants. Monsters. Chases. Escapes. True love. Miracles.
CUT TO:
THE TWO OF THEM as the Grandfather sits in a chair by the bed.

THE KID
(manages a shrug)
It doesn't sound too bad. I'll try and stay awake.
GRANDFATHER
Oh. Well, thank you very much. It's very nice of you. Your vote of confidence is overwhelming. All right.
(Book open now, be begins to read.)
The Princess Bride, by S. Morgenstern. Chapter One. Buttercup was raised on a small farm in the country of Florin.

As always, "The Princess Bride".

p.s. When I was a kid, discussion boards were called letters.

During this, Inigo has gone close to FEZZIK, who is very distressed at the insults he's just received. As Inigo casts off.

INIGO
(softly)
That Vizzini, he can fuss.
(a slight emphasis on the last word)

FEZZIK
(looking at Inigo)
... fuss ... fuss ...
(Suddenly, he's got it again, emphasis on the last word.)
I think he likes to scream at us.

INIGO
Probably he means no harm.

FEZZIK
He's really very short on charm.

INIGO
(proudly)
Oh, you've a great gift for rhyme.

FEZZIK
Yes, some of the time.
(he starts to smile)

VIZZINI
(whirling on them)
Enough of that.

As they sail off, we hear their voices as the boat recedes.

INIGO
FEZZIK, are there rocks ahead?

FEZZIK
If there are, we'll all be dead.

VIZZINI
No more rhymes now, I mean it.

FEZZIK
Anybody want a peanut?

******

Still makes me laugh.

Originally posted by Mirthful Me
p.s. When I was a kid, discussion boards were called letters.

Now, you know that's not true. When you were a kid, discussion boards were called "two homeless and sadly demented men screaming at each other on the street." It is simply now the case that our ramblings, be they foolish or psychotic, can be offered up for the delectation of the Internet-reading public.

(Do you like how I snuck the word "delectation" in there?)

It's very very sad to see that people have not seen or read "The Princess Bride." Please go to the library, and get a copy right away. Then, when you're depressed from reading the book, watch the movie, and you will be happy again! Yaaay!

Actually, e-mail was called letters.... Forums were called penpals......
Ohhhh, remember the word penpal? Wow, I was in love with a girl from greece and had to wait weeks to recieve a letter from her. Really taught me patience...... Now-a-days, I can write something stupid like this and it will take AK on minutes to set me straight... And NO AK.... I do not wait for your return mails like I did my lost penpal.

^

Ah, yes the penpal..........

I had one when I was a child, and like you JCM I had quite the crush on her. I remember she lived in Santa Barbera or Santa Rosa California. Our mothers were old friends or something and decided they wanted to play match maker, so they made us penpals. We wrote for years and then I remember one day we flew out to California to see them. I havn't heard from her in a long long time, although my mother recently brought her up in conversation, maybe ill find a way to contact her............

Originally posted by Khonsu
^

Ah, yes the penpal.......... (cut)

......maybe ill find a way to contact her............

Actually, I was just thinking about doing this. I actually still have some letters from her. I wonder if I can still contact her at the address.
See.... see how secret societies bring people good and fond memories... ha ha

Sky, I won't bother trying to convince anyone that Masons don't control the world. I've learned their minds are fixated on this fantasy.

But a Mason cannot become a member of Freemasonry unless he declares a sincere belief in the Creator of the Universe. That doesn't include Mother Earth. I believe that most Masons are somewhat familiar with Wiccan beliefs. I don't intend to try to convince a Wiccan he or she is misled, but my understanding is that each of us will someday face judgment for our behavior in life.

I will suggest only that Wiccans should familiarize themselves with the more widely accepted religion as much as I am familiar with the Wiccan beliefs. Please do not accept this as a derogatory remark. Masons are concerned with the souls of humankind.

www.onealclan.com

Originally posted by 2012
But a Mason cannot become a member of Freemasonry unless he declares a sincere belief in the Creator of the Universe. That doesn't include Mother Earth.

To quote George Carlin by way of "The Simpsons," "This man does not represent us."

2012, I'm sure you're a nice guy, but what you're saying is nonsense. Wiccans are perfectly well allowed to join Lodge, at least in my jurisdiction. And if you believe in a Supreme Being, then you can join, even if that Supreme Being is to you "Mother Earth," even if She is "Diana."

Now, because many Wiccans are not monotheists, I can't say I one hundred percent agree with their beliefs, but although I try to do what I believe God wants me to do, I've never seen God face to face. I doubt you have either. Even Moses was not vouchsafed that privelege. So, how can we foolish mortals say to each other "you are wrong: your theology is completely bankrupt!" We can't. And Masonry doesn't.

To all Wiccans who wish to become Masons: You are completely free to join, and I for one will welcome you with open arms and an open heart if you join my Lodge.

I agree that lots of people overruse the terms "cult" and "evil". What's funny about this is that in Christianity's early days, it was labeled as a "cult" by the Romans too. When people are part of a belief system that doesn't conform to mainstream society, of course they congregate quietly and keep their doings secret! It's not that we have anything to hide per se, but rather that we don't need ignorant fools causing trouble at the workplace or in our communities. It's happened to me and many others I know, all because there are are those who would rather make assumptions, malign & preach against what they don't understand instead of actually trying to learn what it's all about.

Originally posted by AlexKennedy
To quote George Carlin by way of "The Simpsons," "This man does not represent us."

Right on AK, I'm obligated to aid 2012's reformation; it ain't so... there, I feel better. I have included a link that has the New Mexico Petition (it's a PDF link so you know ahead of time), check question #14, Do you believe in a Supreme Being or Deity? End of story. The only belief system that automatically excludes you from Freemasonry is Atheism; this being said you can still be denied the Degrees if found wanting in character (this is the slippery slope of it all, and where the term "Black Ball" comes from).

New Mexico Petition for the Degrees of Freemasonry.

Holy Crow!

The petition you put up, MM, looks almost exactly the same as the one we use up here. Odd.

There's a little almost 1-line post for you