Freemasonry. Separating myth from fiction.

[duane washum]

You'd think that after all these years your compression skills would get better.

Never asked you to obey me, nor did I say to ignore God's calling.

Just another wild tale you spun to attempt to make your dishonesty look good.

Quit spinning wild tales and strawman dw. All this does is confer your inability to be honest with your fellow man. Or brother as it were.

There we have it, Skip. It's a problem with my compression skills.

 

[drjean]

I hate to remind you of this, but you also believed it when you were told that it cost $25,000 to join the Masons.

Yes, and that's why I told you these things ( in that post) I know personally.

 

[circuitrider]

Yes, and that's why I told you these things ( in that post) I know personally.

Drjean if someone hasn't told you I'm sorry to say your ex lied to you big time. There is no Masonic organization that charges anywhere near that kind of money for membership in any body of Freemasonry. I'm sorry you were told something like that.

The most money so far I ever paid for anything Masonic was for an invitational organization that I paid about $250 to. But for that $250 I was getting $200 is degree related clothing which were worth most of that $250. I've been a Mason for 14 years and in that total time of 14 years I've not even spent total near $25,000. My local lodge only charges me $75 per year for dues.

 

[Simpleman25]

There we have it, Skip. It's a problem with my compression skills.

Well golly shucks dw, my phone has that fancy auto spell feature.

Of course you know what I meant. It's easier being snarky than following up with a real answer.

Spin your wheel.

 

[Simpleman25]

Yes, and that's why I told you these things ( in that post) I know personally.

Every mason here has told you that what you thought you knew was wrong.

 

[Skip Sampson]

He misunderstood the promise he made to not share with the outside world.

The question was actually directed toward circuitrider, who stated concerning Duane:

His views are based largely on misunderstanding and misinterpretation of Masonic teachings and also misunderstandings of Christian theology.

Humor is such a personal thing; I find it humorous that the same guy who doesn't want me weighing in on the other thread now presumes to answer questions not directed toward him. Perhaps you don't trust circuitrider to answer correctly? Or is it that you see yourself as a cult leader and feel you must speak first so others would know what to say? I was pretty sure he was capable of speaking for himself, but I guess you know him better.

Still, if you are unable to constrain yourself, feel free to identify which 'Masonic teachings' and 'Christian theology' circuitrider was referring to. So far, you haven't done so. Cordially, Skip.

 

[Skip Sampson]

There we have it, Skip. It's a problem with my compression skills.

And all these years we had been referring to you as the Great Compressionist. At least he corrected himself, so all hope is not lost.

It might be just me, but somehow I think Simpleman25 will find fault with you everywhere he can, since you are the type of person Masons simply cannot accept. Pretty sad for them to feel they have to destroy an ex-Mason to save Masonry. Its comparable to how those leaving the Watchtower, LDS church and Scientology are treated. Pretty pathetic also. Cordially, Skip.

 

[Simpleman25]

The question was actually directed toward circuitrider, who stated concerning Duane:Humor is such a personal thing; I find it humorous that the same guy who doesn't want me weighing in on the other thread now presumes to answer questions not directed toward him. Perhaps you don't trust circuitrider to answer correctly? Or is it that you see yourself as a cult leader and feel you must speak first so others would know what to say? I was pretty sure he was capable of speaking for himself, but I guess you know him better.

Still, if you are unable to constrain yourself, feel free to identify which 'Masonic teachings' and 'Christian theology' circuitrider was referring to. So far, you haven't done so. Cordially, Skip.

Humor is an awesome thing. You crack me up every time I read you and dws circular nonsense.

First off I know who the post was directed at. Secondly, this is my thread and if I feel like giving my two cents I will. Has nothing to do with the other thread. I know how you like to add two and two and come up with apple.

The only cult that's been established is emfj. Not at any time in my comments did I tell circuit not to answer. He's a grown man and doesn't need approval. Unlike yourself who needs dw or kankle to approve your comments. We've known this for years.

No constraint needed. My thread, I'll jump on whenever I desire.

Funny thing is, all dw did was dance around my comment anyway. So he gets you to step in
for him. He must be proud.

 

[Simpleman25]

And all these years we had been referring to you as the Great Compressionist. At least he corrected himself, so all hope is not lost.

It might be just me, but somehow I think Simpleman25 will find fault with you everywhere he can, since you are the type of person Masons simply cannot accept. Pretty sad for them to feel they have to destroy an ex-Mason to save Masonry. Its comparable to how those leaving the Watchtower, LDS church and Scientology are treated. Pretty pathetic also. Cordially, Skip.

It is just you. You and your cult buddies that is.

I don't take dw to task on everything. Just when he's wrong. Which does seem to happen with regularity.

 

[circuitrider]

The only cult that's been established is emfj. Not at any time in my comments did I tell circuit not to answer. He's a grown man and doesn't need approval.

Quite true Simpleman. I just decided I was tired of emfj baloney. I've blocked Skip and DW's posts. I can no longer see their posts. What a nice feature of the forum software.

 

[Simpleman25]

Quite true Simpleman. I just decided I was tired of emfj baloney. I've blocked Skip and DW's posts. I can no longer see their posts. What a nice feature of the forum software.

Perhaps with minimal effort they will both understand. As long as dw understands, he'll tell skip to understand.

 

[duane washum]

Skip,

Throughout my entire life, I still, to this day, believe that some of the finest men I have ever met in my life were Masons. Probably the finest of them(not including my own family members) were a Past Master of Vegas Lodge No. 32, who was my Masonic mentor, so to speak; and perhaps even moreso, the man who was WM the year I was Senior Warden, who went on to become Grand Master of Masons in Nevada. After I left Freemasonry, I saw him twice. And on both occasions, the encounter was the same. Each time it began with a handshake, followed by a big hug, combined with a mixture of smiles and tears from both of us. John and I were from two different factions within the lodge, and that means there were times when our relationship was quite strained. But through it all, the final product was one of mutual admiration, mutual respect, and a friendship that was mutually cherished. That seems to be to deep for some folks to fathom. At least one such person is on this thread.

You are right, Skip. Simpleman doesn't know how to handle the fact that some men will leave Freemasonry in order to follow Jesus Christ, and the part that is frustrating to him is, there is absolutely nothing he can do about it. Jesus spoke of the narrow path that leads to Him, and the wide path that leads to destruction. I left the wide path. I hope others will follow, but in far too many cases, I fear my hope to be in vain.

 

[duane washum]

Quite true Simpleman. I just decided I was tired of emfj baloney. I've blocked Skip and DW's posts. I can no longer see their posts. What a nice feature of the forum software.

Hey, Skip, let's see how long this lasts. Unfortunately, as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end.

 

[Simpleman25]

Skip,

Throughout my entire life, I still, to this day, believe that some of the finest men I have ever met in my life were Masons. Probably the finest of them(not including my own family members) were a Past Master of Vegas Lodge No. 32, who was my Masonic mentor, so to speak; and perhaps even moreso, the man who was WM the year I was Senior Warden, who went on to become Grand Master of Masons in Nevada. After I left Freemasonry, I saw him twice. And on both occasions, the encounter was the same. Each time it began with a handshake, followed by a big hug, combined with a mixture of smiles and tears from both of us. John and I were from two different factions within the lodge, and that means there were times when our relationship was quite strained. But through it all, the final product was one of mutual admiration, mutual respect, and a friendship that was mutually cherished. That seems to be to deep for some folks to fathom. At least one such person is on this thread.

You are right, Skip. Simpleman doesn't know how to handle the fact that some men will leave Freemasonry in order to follow Jesus Christ, and the part that is frustrating to him is, there is absolutely nothing he can do about it. Jesus spoke of the narrow path that leads to Him, and the wide path that leads to destruction. I left the wide path. I hope others will follow, but in far too many cases, I fear my hope to be in vain.

Sniff, sniff, that was so touching dw. NOT!

Just another folksy tale from the warped mind of a delusional cultist.

You see skip, it doesn't factor in why men leave the lodge. I mean I'm sure it meant something to the, well, dozens of men your cult led blindly away from the lodge.

What matters is that your ilk will sink to any level to justify what YOU believe to be true.

If God led you away from lodge, ok. I can live with that. What I can't live with is anyone telling me that to remain is unchristian.

I can't live with vermin like dw that spins these heartwarming stories to make himself look almost human.

You're asking us to believe the word of someone that turned their back on family and friends at least once already?

Dw had proven himself on numerous sites to be nothing more than someone that can spin a good yarn.

Tell such a good story that he himself believes it happens.

Sad. Truly sad.

 

[Drudgeon]

The biggest error being committed among anti-Masons in discussions like this is an error common to ChristianForums in general. Nearly everyone here who posts as a Christian believes that they are in the correct denomination or sect and that those who disagree with them are wrong. They cannot all be right, obviously, as they believe so many different, contradictory things. Unfortunately, as obvious as this is, nearly every Christian here claims to speak for Christianity as a whole, as if that is something reasonable. All religion is interpretation. I think it would be valid for Skip and Duane to say everything they want to say with the caveat that Freemasonry is incompatable with Christianity as they interpret it.

This is never what happens. In contradiction of the rules of the forum, common decency, and good sense, they make the blanket declaration that those Masons who profess Christianity are not, in fact, Christian. This relies upon several assumptions. First, that they are Christians. I have no reason to doubt that they are. As I interpret the Bible, Romans 10: 9-10 is very clear. I find no mention of societies or memberships therein, incidentally. Second, that there is a method to determine whether or not another is a Christian. Here, I think Matthew 7:16 is clear (Again, this is my interpretation). I have met Masons (not all, to be sure) who bear abundant, good fruit. Third, that they have the right and authority to judge the salvation of another. This is where they are, in my interpretation, on dangerously shaky ground. Skip has judged deceased family members of a member of this forum, who proclaimed Christ as Lord, who lived lives of faith, and who bore much good fruit, as unChristian for being Masons. Again, as I interpret the Bible, Matthew 7:1 is very clear. While not an "anything goes" license, I don't see Christ as giving any man either the insight or authority to judge good men who believed in Jesus in their hearts, confessed with their lips, and lead lives of virtue. Matthew 15:11 makes it clear that it is not what goes into a man that defiles, but what comes out. When faith, hope, and charity flow from a person, a multitude of Skips and Duanes spewing condemnation are meaningless, in my estimation.

With all of this said, let me say for the fourth? fifth? more? time, this is how I interpret the scriptures. As a Protestant, I do not believe in the need for a human intermediary to interpret scripture for me. I have the Word of God to study, and study it, I do. I read the criticisms of anti-Masons. Neither of these stop me from attending my Lodge with a clear conscience. I will not tell you that Christianity and Freemasonry are either compatible or incompatible, because I cannot speak for an entire religion made up of tens (hundreds?) of thousands of denominations.

Skip and Duane think they can, and I think they're wrong.

 

[Skip Sampson]

Duane:
Nice thing about a friend is that the friendship isn't dependent upon our acts. Like God's love, it focuses on the person himself. It has been said that, given the choice between my country and my friend, I hope I would be honorable enough to choose my friend. So it is. The men who ended their friendship with you upon your departure from Freemasonry were never your friends. Hardship and adversity tend to burn away the dross of false friendship, which is a good thing in a way.

Too many Masons can't see beyond the filter of the lodge to be honest about things. I've seen the same thing among Mormons and JW's, who really do not care about the truth so they can remain as they are. It is sometimes difficult for folks to drop their blinders and look carefully and honestly at the truth of the matter. It is somewhat easier for us to see it because we do indeed have the Truth. As the man said, Christianity is like the sun, for not only do I see it, but I see all things by it. Too many Masons see things by the light of the lodge, and spiritual blindness is the result; the hoodwink is never removed.

I think other Masons just hate, perhaps because Masonry is the only thing that gives meaning to their lives, or just inflates their vanity. Any criticism of Masonry becomes criticism of them and they react negatively, violently and beyond all reason. They simply show no class in their behavior, and I feel the need to wash my hands every time I read their posts. But, Jesus died for them also.

As to blocking our posts, no surprise there: when have Masons every really wanted an open debate? I've been booted off three Masonic fora for the sole offense of quoting Masonic GL materials and commenting upon them. In each case, the lip service was there to have an open discussion, but they simply couldn't handle what I was bringing up. They had no factual response to the facts of the matter. Freemasonry simply cannot live in the light of reason and truth, which is why I've said we've damaged them by stripping away their mystique and exposing what they really do for all to see.

We've been at this a long time, but I see little that is new on the masonic side. Same people, same lame replies, same avoidance of reasoned discussion. Still, other folks read what we say and one can hope it bears eternal fruit.

Have a good one, my brother, and stay healthy. In Christ, Skip.

 

[Albion]

ALL:

Interested parties who are curious to learn what membership in a Masonic lodge is like, what the truth is concerning the various myths you may have read or heard about from non-members, and what Masons stand for are still warmly invited to ask their questions here and receive an answer from currently active Masons.

Please excuse other distractions from teams of posters with another agenda. The participating Christian Masons here will do our best to keep the thread open.

Thank you for your patience.

 

[duane washum]

ALL:

Interested parties who are curious to learn what membership in a Masonic lodge is like, what the truth is concerning the various myths you may have read or heard about. . .[/quote]

Additionally, if interested parties are curious to learn what the truth is about Freemasonry, as opposed to any strawman "myths", you are also invited to ask questions as to what Freemasonry actually teaches, in particular, regarding God, what one must do to be saved, and God's Written Word.

 

[Simpleman25]

Xxx

 

[morningstar2651]

Let's say I have questions about Christianity. Should I seek my answers from an ex-Christian?