Do masons build?

[Simpleman25]

Have you never been in court, become a naturalized citizen, joined the army, or such...because they all require the very same thing?

I don't know any of my Christian fellows who felt compromised when they did it then. Could the churches, pastors, and theologians who tell us that the verse means something else be right about that? This would be an interesting subject for you to research further, don't you think?

Good explanation brother.

 

[pyramid33]

Have you never been in court, become a naturalized citizen, joined the army, or such...because they all require the very same thing?

I don't know any of my Christian fellows who felt compromised when they did it then.

Turning a blind eye against the Word of God doesnt compel me to swear.

 

[AFM]

I've heard that Mennonites refuse to take judicial oaths (from one of their tracts). Supposedly you can choose to refuse to take an oath. Either way persecution is supposedly the natural result of True Christianity.

A lot of Christians go behind verses to find different meanings. It's ridiculous. It's like going behind an elephant and trying to find out what the elephant really is. You can tell from the front. It's not hard. Take the elephant at face value instead of looking for something in the bushes. The elephant is an elephant.

 

[Albion]

Turning a blind eye against the Word of God doesnt compel me to swear.

Nevertheless, we can see that the great majority of Christians of almost all denominations (other than Mennonites, it's been said) know that your interpretation of that verse is wrong. It doesn't really have anything to do with Masonry.

 

[americanvet]

Masonry does not teach me to turn a blind eye to the Word of God. It teaches that the Word of God is of extreme importance.

 

[apache1]

Masons? I thought they were an urban legend.

Someone on CF Singles claims to be one..

They are a large fraternal organization. In fact, the Shriners (famous for their Shriners hospitals in various cities) are an advanced degree of the Masons. Yes,they are real, and not the Illuminati/religious-satanic cult/Nazi/Communist/traitors/spies (etc.) that some make them out to be.

 

[Albion]

They are a large fraternal organization. In fact, the Shriners (famous for their Shriners hospitals in various cities) are an advanced degree of the Masons. Yes,they are real, and not the Illuminati/religious-satanic cult/Nazi/Communist/traitors/spies (etc.) that some make them out to be.

It may be hardly worth clarifying, but the Shriners are not actually an 'advanced' order or degree. All full-fledged Masons are eligible to belong, just as they can opt for a dozen or more other related Masonic organizations.

You certainly are correct that the Shrine does an enormous amount of charitable work, such as the Children's hospitals that are available, without charge, to anyone. I personally know Shriners who regularly volunteer to drive patients across two state boundaries--at their own expense--so that some of those patients can meet their appointments in those hospitals.

 

[Skip Sampson]

It doesn't really have anything to do with Masonry.

While I agree that the verses do not prohibit oath-taking, I do not concur with your view that they have nothing to do with Masonry. Here are the verses in context:

Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. (Matt 5:33-37)

The last sentence condemns the Masonic obligations which require the candidate to invite all sorts of violent penalties upon his person should he improperly reveal the 'secrets' of Masonry. So to is the common ending: "So help me, God, and keep me steadfast." Cordially, Skip.

 

[smaneck]

Turning a blind eye against the Word of God doesnt compel me to swear.

So you don't recite the pledge of allegiance?

 

[smaneck]

So to is the common ending: "So help me, God, and keep me steadfast." Cordially, Skip.

So swearing to "tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God" like we do in our courts is unchristian?

 

[smaneck]

I've heard that Mennonites refuse to take judicial oaths (from one of their tracts).

Quakers and Amish won't swear oaths either. And I think Jehovah Witnesses.

 

[Albion]

While I agree that the verses do not prohibit oath-taking, I do not concur with your view that they have nothing to do with Masonry.

If the verses do not prohibit oath-taking, that means that this isn't a valid criticism of Masonry, that's all.

Here are the verses in context

Ah, so no we're going to be hearing YOUR incorrect (and therefore, irrelevant) interpretation of the same verses?

The last sentence condemns the Masonic obligations which require the candidate to invite all sorts of violent penalties upon his person should he improperly reveal the 'secrets' of Masonry.

Well, that does not happen, so there's no problem on that account, either.

 

[pyramid33]

Masonry does not teach me to turn a blind eye to the Word of God. It teaches that the Word of God is of extreme importance.

A swear/oath, is like a debt.

 

[Albion]

A swear/oath, is like a debt.

You may think of it that way, but it's not part of the definition of an oath or implied by the word.

 

[pyramid33]

You may think of it that way, but it's not part of the definition of an oath or implied by the word.

The Bible says don't swear though. Maybe you can clarify your own definition?

 

[pyramid33]

Here are the verses in context:The last sentence condemns the Masonic obligations which require the candidate to invite all sorts of violent penalties upon his person should he improperly reveal the 'secrets' of Masonry.

Surely that isn't the case. Maybe it is saying that the fraternity will be disappointed but forgiving.

 

[pyramid33]

So swearing to "tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God" like we do in our courts is unchristian?

We aren't even supposed to swear to Heaven. (Matthew 5:34)

 

[pyramid33]

A swear/oath, is like a debt.

Ecclesiastes 5:4

When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.

Proverbs 22:7

The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

 

[Albion]

Surely that isn't the case. .

No. It isn't.

 

[Skip Sampson]

If the verses do not prohibit oath-taking, that means that this isn't a valid criticism of Masonry, that's all.

Untrue. The verses simply state that a Christian's oaths should be of the 'yes or no' variety, and not adding other qualifiers, such as 'So help me God and keep me steadfast.' Since Masonry adds so much more to the oath to make it more binding, it violates the both letter and spirit of the verses cited, at least if a Christian is taking or giving them.

Ah, so no we're going to be hearing YOUR incorrect (and therefore, irrelevant) interpretation of the same verses?

Slow down, take a deep breath, think about what you are trying to say before you hammer on the keyboard. And think about proofreading your posts before submitting them.

Well, that does not happen, so there's no problem on that account, either.

Whether it happens or not is immaterial, only that the verses are contravened. If you were really sure about the character of the men you allow in, such garbage would not be needed. If those men were actually Christian, they'd recognize the impropriety of the obligations and oath. That might be why so many EA's never come back. Cordially, Skip.