I was accepted into the masons, what next?

Originally posted by Orangemonkey
Well all it has been a while since i wrote, but i was accepted into the masonic order, and will be going into my initiation on a day this week.

Welcome to the club, ol' boy. You will live a long, and prosperous life. Your connections will shield you and you will rub shoulders with society's finest.

As long as you do not believe that Jesus Christ is your personal savior, you will do fine.

Originally posted by EastCoastKid
Welcome to the club, ol' boy. You will live a long, and prosperous life. Your connections will shield you and you will rub shoulders with society's finest.

As long as you do not believe that Jesus Christ is your personal savior, you will do fine.

From the moment little kids play together, they have the desire to start clubs and feel special about being part of a "select group" of kids and playing the one in charge.
It's all so childish.

Eastcoastkid, was your post ment as a joke/sarcasm?

Originally posted by Jakko

Originally posted by EastCoastKid
Welcome to the club, ol' boy. You will live a long, and prosperous life. Your connections will shield you and you will rub shoulders with society's finest.

As long as you do not believe that Jesus Christ is your personal savior, you will do fine.

Eastcoastkid, was your post ment as a joke/sarcasm?

I was being humorously sarcastic; although my grandfather was a 33rd degree mason. When I was a kid we used to have to get all gussied up and go to the functions. I hated it and wanted no part of it. It also contradicts my Christian faith (the allegience thing). My brotherhood is the US Army and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Ah okay, phew.
There was indeed a core of truth in your joke, as being a christian and being part of the masons does not seem to combine that well.

Originally posted by Jakko
Ah okay, phew.
There was indeed a core of truth in your joke, as being a christian and being part of the masons does not seem to combine that well.

I hearya.

I find it particularly amusing when folks toss out the casual statement about Masonry being incompatible with Christianity, given that 99% of the Masons in the United States and Canada ARE Christians...

Would either of you gentlemen, taking swipes at this good man for joining the honorable and ancient fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons like to attempt to justify your attack?

ask if you can ride the goat afterwards.

Seriously: enjoy yourself, listen carefully and pay attention.

Yopur journey to the sublime is just starting.

As I stated, I grew up in it. I found no reason to believe my grandpa was anything other than a fine man and leader in his community. As I grew up, I became a Christian. My highest oath is to the Lord Jesus Christ. I will not supplant his authority with any oath of membership. (I don't think my oath to the U.S. constitution going into the Army applies in this context.) As I pointed out, for those who are not believers, it's a great thing.

Just for the record, I don't believe there's any real conspiracy going on with the large body of Masons; other than perhaps the possibility of members protecting each other after a member has committed some crime. There is also a good amount of social, professional and political favoritism inherent among members. I do believe, though, that some in the very top tier (33nd degree & above) do have plenty of secrets to keep.

Originally posted by EastCoastKid
As I stated, I grew up in it. I found no reason to believe my grandpa was anything other than a fine man and leader in his community. As I grew up, I became a Christian. My highest oath is to the Lord Jesus Christ. I will not supplant his authority with any oath of membership. (I don't think my oath to the U.S. constitution going into the Army applies in this context.) As I pointed out, for those who are not believers, it's a great thing.

Why would an oath of allegiance to a fraternity go against your religion, but a pledge of allegiance to a nation, and even the oath to the constitution upon entrance into the Army , be acceptable? Mere convience?

There's plenty of information available to those who seek true knowledge concerning what I've said.

The bottom line - why the secrecy? Secrecy invites corruption.

I took an oath to defend this country for a period of time. Although, that oath still means everything to me in theory, it no longer controls my physical life. I do, with God's help.

If you guys have no interest in being a part of the Free and Accepted Masons, you should at least read a book that informs you of the (real) truths and 'secrets' of Masonry. Throwing out your uneducated opinions on this does nothing but make you look bad, and insults those who are Masons or are wishing to petition.

Expect surprises but don't worry about it. Stay confident in appearance and don't complain about what some may feel is humiliation.. Smile as much as possible and often. Do whatever you are told as best as you can.

Some lodges in some districts allow one day classes for Masonic catechisms. Others require lengthy memorization which can take six months or more to become a Master Mason, dependent upon how often each degree is offered.

You will be accepted, supported and never let down by the Brotherhood. If you are an ambitiious personality and wish to move up within the organization, you will find support and training freely given. If you do not wish to hold any office, no pressure will be put on you to do so.

Good luck. And oh yes, one more thing, ignore all the one-world conspiracists who insist the Masons are out to take over the world, run by aliens, control governments, etc. You'll soon find this out. However, I cannot deny that many privileges are offered and gained simply by being a Mason.

I hadn't noticed the one comment, "As long as you don't believe Jesus Christ is your personal savior, you'll do fine."

This is not a true statement. Most Masons are Christians but the Masonic Order is based upon Judaic history and teachings - from the Old Testament. A Muslim may also be accepted into Masonry, although many more Jews than Muslims are members. As to religion, the Order requires only that any applicant believe in God. An atheist cannot be a member, and Masons have clever ways to determine one's belief in a Creator prior to his becoming a Master Mason.

You may believe Jesus Christ is your personal savior. Whoever wrote that either is not a Mason and is repeating some non-Mason's propaganda - or is misleading you. If he is misleading you, he should not be a Mason.

Originally posted by EastCoastKid
As I stated, I grew up in it. I found no reason to believe my grandpa was anything other than a fine man and leader in his community.

Well, that's nice.

As I grew up, I became a Christian. My highest oath is to the Lord Jesus Christ. I will not supplant his authority with any oath of membership. (I don't think my oath to the U.S. constitution going into the Army applies in this context.) As I pointed out, for those who are not believers, it's a great thing.

There is nothing in the obligation that supplants, supercedes or competes with your obligation to god. Thinking so is simply a demonstration of a lack of understanding about what you are promising to do... I could give you over 200 examples within the bible of oaths, promises and swearing to do something as evidence that there is NOTHING in opposition to god in promising to aid and support a fellow mason and to keep your word.

Just for the record, I don't believe there's any real conspiracy going on with the large body of Masons;

Oh, that's a relief.

other than perhaps the possibility of members protecting each other after a member has committed some crime.

Well, my obligation is NOT to do that... so any MAN that commits the crime or aiding and abetting a criminal IS a criminal, and is NOT acting masonically. Period.

There is also a good amount of social, professional and political favoritism inherent among members.

And? If I am hiring or doing business with someone, I tend to do business with someone I know and trust. If I have a chance, I do business witha mason... there is nothing unethical in that, and I resent the implication that there is soemthing wrong. Don't you do business with YOUR friends?

I do believe, though, that some in the very top tier (33nd degree & above) do have plenty of secrets to keep.

Oh? And upon what do you base THIS belief? A lack of knowledge or evidence is NOT evidence of wrongdoing... paranoia is internal, not external.

Man, you guys had it easy!
I had a tutor that came by my office for at least a month of study after work on the history of masons and preparation for my apprenticeship.

He made sure that I had my act together for the big night, my masonic tutor took time out of his life to make sure I was properly prepared to enter.

MM john

Originally posted by SIRR1
Man, you guys had it easy!
I had a tutor that came by my office for at least a month of study after work on the history of masons and preparation for my apprenticeship.

He made sure that I had my act together for the big night, my masonic tutor took time out of his life to make sure I was properly prepared to enter.

MM john

I too was recently accepted to recieve the degrees of masonry. Due to the fact that my local lodge is dark for the summer I have to wait until September, no problem there. I wish my lodge tutored like you described, I don't think of me being luck, quite honestly I think your the lucky one.

east coast youre not making any sense, really, because the masons and the illumanati when formed were against the church, they were for their own beliefs.

upon knowing this, why do you still congratulate the masons?

Oh comon topsecret, is it that hard?
The whole idea behind having a secret "club" that only certain people may join, with all kinds of rituals and traditions in it, is not really in harmony with Jesus teachings.

Maybe instead of claiming we don't know enough about the masons, you should do some research on Christianity.

Originally posted by EastCoastKid
The bottom line - why the secrecy? Secrecy invites corruption.

Actually secrecy can deter corruption as well. As someone involved in the Military I would think you could appreciate secrecy as some of the greatest deeds go unheard of by the general public, done by anonymous heros who like you took an oath to defend this country, so are they evil as well?

Evil and corruption can be found in an abundance of places, both in the dark and in the light. To think that organizations which hold secrets are more likely to be associated with negative things is rediculous. Additionally you being a Christian, this is quite a contridicting standpoint as Christianity and the groups, orders, and organizations which empower it contain thousands of secrets. Before you go trying to point out the flaws in someone elses house make sure yours is squared away first.

HOTEP

Originally posted by drbil
ask if you can ride the goat afterwards.

He's got a couple more steps to take before Betsy is let out of the stable.