Freemasonry. Separating myth from fiction.

[Skip Sampson]

Good question. I'm currently a 32nd degree Scottish Rite mason. As my brother mentioned in his post, there are no degrees higher than a third degree Master Mason. There are those out there that believe the higher you go, more secrets are revealed. Just isn't isn't the case.

I'll assume you are in the Southern Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite, meaning your degree is entitled Master of the Royal Secret. While Masonic PR is uniform in that a Master Mason is the highest you can be, I'm not sure the SR ritual bears that out. I can make the case that further 'secrets' (aka mysteries) are revealed in follow-on degrees.

F'rinstnce, in your 32nd degree, you are called to be several things, among them a Soldier of the True Religion:

To be a Soldier of the True Religion is to recognize the corruption of the true religion given to man. Thus, we must combat, with reason and truth, all spiritual tyranny over the souls and consciences of men. Finally, we war against all who would, with superstition, bigotry and fanaticism, prescribe what men may believe. (A Bridge to Light, 2010, pg. 316)

Can't recall where the Blue Lodge degrees call a man to assume such a role, nor where it warns that the 'true religion given to man' has been corrupted. Cordially, Skip.

 

[circuitrider]

I see there is quite a long thread here on Freemasonry. And I'm not surprised to see Skip Sampson here. I bet you spend more time talking about Freemasonry than most Masons do Skip.

 

[Skip Sampson]

I bet you spend more time talking about Freemasonry than most Masons do Skip.

It would appear so from this forum, but Masons on their own fora have long discussions as well, to which I am not welcome. But I think it more true to say that I spend more time studying Freemasonry than most Masons. In that Masonry is not alone, as I study other religions and cults as well. It's my calling. Cordially, Skip.

 

[circuitrider]

It would appear so from this forum, but Masons on their own fora have long discussions as well, to which I am not welcome. But I think it more true to say that I spend more time studying Freemasonry than most Masons. In that Masonry is not alone, as I study other religions and cults as well. It's my calling. Cordially, Skip.

Skip, your reputation preceeds you. I'm well aware of your "calling" to bash Freemasonry and try to convince people it is a religion. I'm sorry to see that you are still spending your time doing so.

Yes, you probably read more about Masonry than some Masons do. But I also have found that with the advent of the internet the younger members of our fraternity have studied much more than some in the older generation have.

Freemasonry has a number of research and education societies that are full of educated Freemasons who know in depth the history and philosophy of Freemasonry. A lot of those Masons are on forums on the internet.

I guess I was just a little surprised, after all these years, that you haven't given up on this pursuit of yours. But it is a free country.

 

[drjean]

It could very well be that my now-ex was lying through his teeth about the amount of money he needed. But the other facts I know personally: He could not advance in rank to Chief without being a Mason, a requirement at BMB at least. The Eastern Star ladies know much of what is going on in the lodge, just hear from too many sources that are Masons and they gossip too....to verify what you heard from your mason.

I believe the lodge has good works with good intentions. I'm Scots myself and hate the thought of having to condemn any of us...but we all know where good works and good intentions lead. The Masons are a religion within themselves, imo, much like the Agnostics were (same sense.)

 

[Simpleman25]

Skip, your reputation preceeds you. I'm well aware of your "calling" to bash Freemasonry and try to convince people it is a religion. I'm sorry to see that you are still spending your time doing so.

Yes, you probably read more about Masonry than some Masons do. But I also have found that with the advent of the internet the younger members of our fraternity have studied much more than some in the older generation have.

Freemasonry has a number of research and education societies that are full of educated Freemasons who know in depth the history and philosophy of Freemasonry. A lot of those Masons are on forums on the internet.

I guess I was just a little surprised, after all these years, that you haven't given up on this pursuit of yours. But it is a free country.

Good insight.

One issue I've always had with him and many other anti masons is that they know more than we do. Skip can read and study all he wants. Until he sits through meetings and applies what he's read, it means very little.

Consider this analogy. Would you want your Dr to be someone that has applied his knowledge, or just read about it.

 

[circuitrider]

If someone required someone to be a Mason to advance they were violating Masonic teachings. That doesn't mean it didn't happen of course. But it isn't supposed to happen.

Masonry isn't a religion. It doesn't offer salvation, sacraments, religious rites, etc. It is a philosophy of life primarily and a fraternal organization. Men of just about every known religion are Freemasons. Most Masons in the US are Christians.

 

[Eudaimonist]

Masonry isn't a religion. It doesn't offer salvation, sacraments, religious rites, etc. It is a philosophy of life primarily and a fraternal organization.

Do the other masons posting here agree that masonry is a "philosophy of life"? Would you please describe this philosophy?


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[circuitrider]

Good insight.

One issue I've always had with him and many other anti masons is that they know more than we do. Skip can read and study all he wants. Until he sits through meetings and applies what he's read, it means very little.

Consider this analogy. Would you want your Dr to be someone that has applied his knowledge, or just read about it.

Agreed. Also not being a Mason means anti-masons don't know what works to actually give credence to. Anyone can write a book about Freemasonry and claim to know something without knowing Freemasonry at all since only Masonic members would easily be aware of what is fact and what is fiction.

Since Masonic meetings are private someone can claim all kinds of things are going on or taught that just aren't true and it is harder for the non-mason to know how to debunk that.

Skip is a professional anti-mason. So he has other motivations. He isn't an unbiased source either.

 

[Eudaimonist]

I tend to write off scare stories about masonry as coming from paranoid conspiracy theorists.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[circuitrider]

Do the other masons posting here agree that masonry is a "philosophy of life"? Would you please describe this philosophy?


eudaimonia,

Mark

Mark,

Others can join in. But by "philosophy of life" I mean that Freemasonry teaches good moral behavior, how to treat others, and how to behave in society. The catch phrase is "friendship, morality, and brotherly love."

By the way, if you hadn't guessed already, I am a Freemason.

 

[circuitrider]

I tend to write off scare stories about masonry as coming from paranoid conspiracy theorists.


eudaimonia,

Mark

As well you should. A whole lot of baloney has been made up about the fraternity over the years.

 

[duane washum]

Skip is a professional anti-mason. So he has other motivations. He isn't an unbiased source either.

Actually, Skip is a Christian, sounding the trump of warning; something anti-Christians never seem to be able to grasp.

 

[circuitrider]

Oh, Mr. Washum you are here too? It is just a whose who of anti-masonry in this thread isn't it?

If you are implying that I'm "anti-Christian" you are mistaken. I am an active Christian as well as a Freemason.

Again, most Masons in the US are Christians so Masons aren't anti-Christian. We aren't attacking Christianity the way you and Skip go after Freemasonry.

But that is a good rhetorical line to try to brand Christians who are Masons as anti-Christian. It is easier than actually coming up with a valid argument against Freemasonry. Not that I expect one from you all. But it keeps your web sites running and your books selling doesn't it?

 

[Simpleman25]

Oh, Mr. Washum you are here too? It is just a whose who of anti-masonry in this thread isn't it?

If you are implying that I'm "anti-Christian" you are mistaken. I am an active Christian as well as a Freemason.

Again, most Masons in the US are Christians so Masons aren't anti-Christian. We aren't attacking Christianity the way you and Skip go after Freemasonry.

But that is a good rhetorical line to try to brand Christians who are Masons as anti-Christian. It is easier than actually coming up with a valid argument against Freemasonry. Not that I expect one from you all. But it keeps your web sites running and your books selling doesn't it?

Actually their website has virtually no status any longer. They have resorted to trolling the internet looking for Christian masons to attack.

It never ceases to amaze me that people accept them as Christians, yet they do not share that courtesy.

I had a thread running on another site that showed that e511 & emfj are actually cults themselves. Unfortunately that site is an extremist, evangelical site. Good ole dw found another kindred spirit that likes to bash masonry. Lo and behold the thread got shut down.

 

[morningstar2651]

Rules reminder

Flaming and Harassment
Do not state or imply that another member or group of members who have identified themselves as Christian are not Christian.

 

[morningstar2651]

I tend to write off scare stories about masonry as coming from paranoid conspiracy theorists.


eudaimonia,

Mark

I tend to write of scare stories about anything, whether it's Masons, Obama, violent video games, dungeons & dragons, Jews, Muslims, etc.

If it's been made into a Chick tract, you can safely discard it.

 

[circuitrider]

Actually their website has virtually no status any longer. They have resorted to trolling the internet looking for Christian masons to attack.

Interesting Smpleman, I've not been to one of their sites in a number of years. I just ran across this thread and am new on this forum spending most of my time in the Wesleyan/Methodist forum.

 

[circuitrider]

Rules reminder

Flaming and Harassment
Do not state or imply that another member or group of members who have identified themselves as Christian are not Christian.

Thanks for that gentle reminder morningstar!

 

[duane washum]

Oh, Mr. Washum you are here too? It is just a whose who of anti-masonry in this thread isn't it?

If you are implying that I'm "anti-Christian" you are mistaken. I am an active Christian as well as a Freemason.

Again, most Masons in the US are Christians so Masons aren't anti-Christian. We aren't attacking Christianity the way you and Skip go after Freemasonry.

But that is a good rhetorical line to try to brand Christians who are Masons as anti-Christian. It is easier than actually coming up with a valid argument against Freemasonry. Not that I expect one from you all. But it keeps your web sites running and your books selling doesn't it?

I am implying no more than whatever you, or any of your brethren are implying when they label myself, Skip, or others, as being anti-Mason. It's a two-way street. Until the time comes that you, or others of the "gentle craft" cease with that nonsense, traffic will run both ways.

We do come up with valid points, point which are basically obtained from your own rituals, monitors, and other such GL publications. So, if it your contention that there is no validity to our positions, then I can only assume it to be your position that you consider your own rituals and monitors to have no validity.

BTW, I don't sell books. Nor do I engage in hall rental for strippers and orgies.