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Retired military, retired teacher, social security, and substitute teaching. They keep the wolf from my door. Cordially, Skip.smaneck said:So how do you support yourself, Skip?
Are you stating for the record that a candidate in your jurisdiction is walked through the cipher ritual book before taking his EA degree, and that he has read through the obligation before he is asked to take it?
Again, you really should read my posts before responding to them. Here's what I actually said:See if you can improve on your accuracy from here on out. Cordially, Skip.
Cornerstone Ministries, Fayetteville, NC, research, writing & teaching about cults and false religions (i.e., non-Christian), and my income from it averaged $0.00 per month, which is the norm for my ministry work.
It is a private foundation under the IRS Code, Section 501(C)(3). It is 'mine' because I am its director, and sole employee. I see it as a support entity for those interested in matters under its purview.Albion said:What IS "Cornerstone Ministries?" Is that a church? And if so, to what extent is it your organization? and what is meant by your "ministry?"
Thought you already knew that. I am not a Mason, nor have I ever been one. I have, however, been referred to as a WM in some circles. Cordially, Skip.And of course, the other question you didn't answer: How long you were a Mason?
Well, I remembered something about a foundation or something like that, but I hadn't concerned myself with the details before. But I'm wondering what one needs a tax-free foundation for--just to go about the country denouncing churches and organizations with which you disagree--especially if (as you said) you take no money from it??It is a private foundation under the IRS Code, Section 501(C)(3). It is 'mine' because I am its director, and sole employee. I see it as a support entity for those interested in matters under its purview.
Thought you already knew that.
I see.I am not a Mason, nor have I ever been one.
In his obligations, he repeats exactly what the WM says to him. In other places the candidate may be prompted in his reply, showing that it is all new to him, and that he has memorized nothing.Simpleman25 said:During the EA degree the candidate recites his part of the ceremony. How do you think he knew what to say?
I'm sure you were, but not before the EA degree. Sorry, but I've never heard of an EA candidate memorizing his parts before he undergoes the EA degree. I think you are referring to the EA catechism which the newly initiated Mason must recite from memory, following the degree, and which does include the obligation in many of the rituals I've seen.I was taught by my coach how to read the cipher.
So, let's have a direct answer to that question.Are you stating for the record that a candidate in your jurisdiction is walked through the cipher ritual book before taking his EA degree, and that he has read through the obligation before he is asked to take it?
Indeed, that's true for the officers and members having speaking parts; however, the candidate has no parts to memorize during the degree nor has the lodge provided him with the degree itself in advance, your comments notwithstanding. He has a very passive part, and very little to say. Cordially, Skip.All degree work is done from memory. No script can be used inside the lodge during degree work.
Hate to seem disrespectful, but I really don't believe you are being entirely truthful on this matter. I think you and Albion have decided to resort to deception in an attempt to neutralize my questions. He denies the EA obligations has any penalties; you claim to have seen the entire EA degree cipher so you could memorize your parts before you actually went through the degree.
That's certainly a good way to have a civil discussion, all right.Finally, I look forward to hearing the views of the other Masons on this forum on your statements. Hate to seem disrespectful, but I really don't believe you are being entirely truthful on this matter. I think you and Albion have decided to resort to deception in an attempt to neutralize my questions.
Frankly, I think this is much ado about nothing.Indeed, that's true for the officers and members having speaking parts; however, the candidate has no parts to memorize during the degree nor has the lodge provided him with the degree itself in advance, your comments notwithstanding. He has a very passive part, and very little to say. Cordially, Skip.
Seemed like a good idea when I first started out. It was more an organizational vehicle than anything else as money has little to do with my efforts. I travel very little, by the way, and it's not a matter of whether I disagree with a group or not; rather, it's a matter of them teaching doctrine inconsistent with Biblical Christianity. My goal is merely to point out such differences so people interested in such matters can know about it. I present the facts, the reader can decide for himself.Albion said:But I'm wondering what one needs a tax-free foundation for--just to go about the country denouncing churches and organizations with which you disagree--especially if (as you said) you take no money from it??
Different group, having nothing to do with me. Cordially, Skip.That said, everything online that refers to the Cornerstone Ministries of Fayetteville, NC indicates that it is a functioning church, not your office or home--and you are not shown anywhere as a minister or employee, so what is that all about...or do you just use their mailing address?
Assess the facts presented by both sides and decide for yourself. You've made conclusions on the Tea Party, even though you are not a member. So too, you can make conclusions on Masonry from the facts presented.And we should believe you over them, why?
More direct than that. I ask again: does the EA candidate read and memorize the EA obligation before he is initiated?Simpleman25 said:How more direct do I need to be?
In the obligation he does. In the ritual books I have, and I have many, they are uniform in telling the candidate to repeat what the WM says during the obligation. Only after the degree, during the proficiency work, is that man required to memorize the obligation.The candidate does not repeat what the WM says.
Sooo, among my many sins is that I don't immediate answer your questions? And this from a man who won't even identify his GL jurisdiction and avoids my question concerning EA candidates memorizing ritual beforehand? Bit of a reach, I'd say, or a sign of desperation. Cordially, Skip.Albion said:Skip has apparently signed off without responding to my post
"Immediately" wasn't the issue. I noticed that you went on to discuss something else with another poster after our questions were posted--then signed off. I would ordinarily not do that, but you're right that some other people might think it routine.Sooo, among my many sins is that I don't immediate answer your questions?
Seemed like a good idea when I first started out. It was more an organizational vehicle than anything else as money has little to do with my efforts. I travel very little, by the way, and it's not a matter of whether I disagree with a group or not; rather, it's a matter of them teaching doctrine inconsistent with Biblical Christianity.
Oh, you do protest too much, Skip. The words--the accusations--you've leveled at Masonry cannot fairly be described in such neutral or inoffensive terms. What you do in the case of religions and churches that you disagree with, I of course don't know.My goal is merely to point out such differences so people interested in such matters can know about it. I present the facts, the reader can decide for himself.
Albion said:That said, everything online that refers to the Cornerstone Ministries of Fayetteville, NC indicates that it is a functioning church, not your office or home--and you are not shown anywhere as a minister or employee, so what is that all about...or do you just use their mailing address?
Skip Sampson said:Different group, having nothing to do with me. Cordially, Skip.
Nice you have so little to do that you can follow my presence on this forum, but here are some things to consider:Albion said:I noticed that you went on to discuss something else with another poster after our questions were posted--then signed off. I would ordinarily not do that, but you're right that some other people might think it routine.
No, it's a matter of them disagreeing with Biblical Christianity.That IS a matter of you disagreeing with them.
Your standards of analysis and proof leave much to be desired. They do not have the same address, beyond the fact that they too are located in Fayetteville, NC, which has a population of about 200,000.Different group using the same name and same address as your organization, but having nothing to do with you??
Here are some things to consider:
1. Albion denies there are penalties in the obligations of the degrees, even though the same ritual containing them refers to them as such in the discussion concerning temperance. Too, the EA sign (hand across the throat) is also in reference to those penalties. These are facts that you can research and confirm yourself; thus, you can determine for yourself who is telling the truth.
I am willing to do that, but I began my questioning of who, exactly, you are and what your operation is all about...previous to that. In my online experience, it's understood that questions are taken in order.Now perhaps you might find enough time to respond to my post #459.
"Cornerstone Ministries, Fayetteville, NC, research, writing & teaching about cults and false religions (i.e., non-Christian), and my income from it averaged $0.00 per month, which is the norm for my ministry work."Your standards of analysis and proof leave much to be desired. They do not have the same address, beyond the fact that they too are located in Fayetteville, NC, which has a population of about 200,000.
Albion, you are making a fool of yourself by such absurd comments. Perhaps you should try attacking my credibility and veracity on the basis of facts, not emotion, innuendo or falsehoods. Start by remembering that truth is one of the 'tenets' of your Masonic 'profession,' and not just an idea limited to Masonic ritual. Cordially, Skip.
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