Freemasonry. Separating myth from fiction.

[Simpleman25]

I actually don't know what the faith is of many men in my lodge because we don't ask that. We ask he the person believes in God. If the answer is yes that is where the questions stop. The ones do know I know because they've told me or because they attend the church I pastor.

I totally understand why you feel that way. We know because of how we investigate the candidate. If the investigation is done as thorough as ours is, you would know everything you need to know about the man.

It's also said we don't discuss politics. My introduction into politics came from the Wed morning coffee group at our lodge. I was asked to run for a local office. Since that time I've been fortunate enough to hold numerous local and state offices in two states.

 

[circuitrider]

I totally understand why you feel that way. We know because of how we investigate the candidate. If the investigation is done as thorough as ours is, you would know everything you need to know about the man.

It's also said we don't discuss politics. My introduction into politics came from the Wed morning coffee group at our lodge. I was asked to run for a local office. Since that time I've been fortunate enough to hold numerous local and state offices in two states.

You have a different experience than I do. It would be considered improper investigating behavior in Iowa to ask a man what his specific religious faith is.

Also I've only been appointed to the church I'm in right now for a year. So the lodge I'm now active in has a lot of members that I didn't know before I started joined. So I've not had a lot of time to hear them mention their church/synagogue/mosque etc. in another context.

In the lodge I hold membership in Des Moines I happen to know the faith of several members just because we've discussed it elsewhere.

 

[circuitrider]

I'm also finding that blocking the anti-masons here isn't that effective since I see others quote them. Oh well.

 

[Simpleman25]

At least in my case the calling is very distinct and undeniable. So I'd have to agree with your uncle.

I love to hear him talk about it. He was well on his way to becoming a Marine DI. He left because he could not kill another human being. He came back home and landed an incredibly lucrative job. His salary at that time in the mid 60's was $40,000 per year. He said he was walking from his car to the office when an undeniable voice literally came at him from the heavens. He moved his family from Kansas to Massachusetts so he could attend seminary. His first church paid him $6,789.00 pet year. Quite a difference!

You might be interested in knowing he started a foundation to assist those in the pulpit that need help. When his baby brother, my dad, was killed in a car accident he was devastated. It dawned on him that he was always there for his community. Where do preachers go when they need help? It's an amazing story.

An interesting side note. He became a mason in the early 70's. He's served as chaplain in numerous lodges and numerous grand lodges. I guarantee that every prayer he gave it started with, "Our heavenly father", and end with, "all this we offer to your son who gave his life for us". I know because I've heard him pray thousands of times. They all begin and end the same way.

 

[circuitrider]

I love to hear him talk about it. He was well on his way to becoming a Marine DI. He left because he could not kill another human being. He came back home and landed an incredibly lucrative job. His salary at that time in the mid 60's was $40,000 per year. He said he was walking from his car to the office when an undeniable voice literally came at him from the heavens. He moved his family from Kansas to Massachusetts so he could attend seminary. His first church paid him $6,789.00 pet year. Quite a difference!

You might be interested in knowing he started a foundation to assist those in the pulpit that need help. When his baby brother, my dad, was killed in a car accident he was devastated. It dawned on him that he was always there for his community. Where do preachers go when they need help? It's an amazing story.

That is a great story! I felt a call to ministry at a service of worship in High School. I've had a lot of experiences in ministry but that call remains strong. I'm approaching the 25th anniversary of my ordination next year.

 

[duane washum]

What I can't comprehend is how you can't choose a side.

That's because you can't comprehend what I said. Keep working at it.

So, when are you going to entertain questions about Freemasonry? Isn't that what this thread supposed to be about?

 

[Simpleman25]

That's because you can't comprehend what I said. Keep working at it.

So, when are you going to entertain questions about Freemasonry? Isn't that what this thread supposed to be about?

As soon as you come up with a good one.

Or when you and your cult buddy quit derailing the thread.

 

[Simpleman25]

That is a great story! I felt a call to ministry at a service of worship in High School. I've had a lot of experiences in ministry but that call remains strong. I'm approaching the 25th anniversary of my ordination next year.

Congratulations brother.

Go back and read the additional paragraph I added at the end of my last post.

 

[circuitrider]

Congratulations brother.

Go back and read the additional paragraph I added at the end of my last post.

Great addition brother! Right now I'm Senior Steward of one lodge and Chaplain of another. PM of two lodges. So far I've held one Grand YR office. Time is a constraint on some of those kind of activities. I pastor an active church and that takes the majority of my time.

I enjoy the Craft and am a member of most of the usual organizations and a few of the invitational bodies.

 

[Skip Sampson]

Given this statement, do you believe that including non-Christians makes masonry anti-Christian?

No. Cordially, Skip.

 

[Skip Sampson]

I'll pass.

Didn't think you'd be able to back up your claim. You simply do not take the time to do your research before blurting out posts. Sad, but not uncommon for some types of Masons. Cordially, Skip.

 

[Skip Sampson]

Uh, maybe that's because it begins with "Our Father"? ... on the other hand, if a UMC pastor makes known his opposition to Freemasonry, what do you suppose would happen to him?

Oh, yeah! Nice! Cordially, Skip.

 

[circuitrider]

Oh, yeah! Nice! Cordially, Skip.

No, not really. Y'all don't know much about United Methodists. I don't work for a fundamentalist denomination. I can have my own personal opinions and views without getting in trouble with anyone. And United Methodists have no official position on Freemasonry one way or another.

Sorry you live in such a narrow little world.

 

[Skip Sampson]

Most anti-masons have not been Masons so they get info either from a few disgruntled ex-Masons or from conspiracy theorists who talk about black helicopters and world domination.

What are you basing that view on? Do you have any facts to back that up?

it is estimated that Mr. Washum and and Mr. Sampson have only a handful of followers.

Estimated? No need to settle for estimates from a biased source: I have exactly no followers, nor has Duane, to my knowledge. We do not seek followers, but see ourselves as followers. But your comment is just another example of how little you understand either of us, our backgrounds or objectives.

Also Freemasonry is seeing a resurgence of younger members and revitalization of lodges...

I've heard that claim for several years now and yet the numbers keep dropping. Personally, I think it's because Freemasonry has little to offer anyone except a new and improved vanity. Cordially, Skip.

 

[Simpleman25]

Didn't think you'd be able to back up your claim. You simply do not take the time to do your research before blurting out posts. Sad, but not uncommon for some types of Masons. Cordially, Skip.

For those of us that follow this stuff, we know what happened. As do you.

If I had not done my homework I would have said you were booted from all those sites for the same reason. I didn't do that armchair. I claimed that on one particular site you were booted for rules violations. I can make that claim because I witnessed it. If you can't take credit for your own mistakes, don't blame me.

It's ok though. I never expected you to own up to anything.

 

[Skip Sampson]

No, not really.

Yeah, really. I sat in a UMC church where the pastor had a speaker discuss Freemasonry to his congregation.
The pastor was out of his job by Tuesday, and he and his pregnant wife were removed from their house on the same day. All because he dared have a presentation that criticized Freemasonry. Cordially, Skip.

 

[Simpleman25]

What are you basing that view on? Do you have any facts to back that up?

Estimated? No need to settle for estimates from a biased source: I have exactly no followers, nor has Duane, to my knowledge. We do not seek followers, but see ourselves as followers. But your comment is just another example of how little you understand either of us, our backgrounds or objectives.

I've heard that claim for several years now and yet the numbers keep dropping. Personally, I think it's because Freemasonry has little to offer anyone except a new and improved vanity. Cordially, Skip.

Another claim from the armchair.

If you knew where to get the correct information you would know the answer.

The largest reason for membership decline is due to a larger generation passing away at a much larger rate than new members.

The generation that is now passing away was the second largest group of men that joined in the US.

Then again you're not known for letting facts disrupt your one sided viewpoint.

 

[circuitrider]

Yeah, really. I sat in a UMC church where the pastor had a speaker discuss Freemasonry to his congregation.
The pastor was out of his job by Tuesday, and he and his pregnant wife were removed from their house on the same day. All because he dared have a presentation that criticized Freemasonry. Cordially, Skip.

There had to be a lot more to it than that Skip. UMC elders are never "out of a job." We have guaranteed appointment. We don't work for the local church. We work for the Conference in the local church.

 

[Simpleman25]

Yeah, really. I sat in a UMC church where the pastor had a speaker discuss Freemasonry to his congregation.
The pastor was out of his job by Tuesday, and he and his pregnant wife were removed from their house on the same day. All because he dared have a presentation that criticized Freemasonry. Cordially, Skip.

Where's your proof?

 

[circuitrider]

What are you basing that view on? Do you have any facts to back that up?

Estimated? No need to settle for estimates from a biased source: I have exactly no followers, nor has Duane, to my knowledge. We do not seek followers, but see ourselves as followers. But your comment is just another example of how little you understand either of us, our backgrounds or objectives.

I've heard that claim for several years now and yet the numbers keep dropping. Personally, I think it's because Freemasonry has little to offer anyone except a new and improved vanity. Cordially, Skip.

Skip, I'm not interested in dispelling your misperceptions or debating with you about Freemasonry. Obviously that's been tried before. It is immaterial to me what you and DW believe about Freemasonry.