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Skip, you state that the MasonicInfo page contains information that is totally untrue. Can you please elaborate for the uninformed what that untruth is?
I'd be happy to point out a few for you.ChristianMasonJim said:Skip, you state that the MasonicInfo page contains information that is totally untrue. Can you please elaborate for the uninformed what that untruth is?
MI is quoting from the preface of Steven’s book, but the above is not what he wrote. Here are the relevant passages:MI: “Some will remember the song lyrics, "I heard it on the radio...." and 'hearing it on the radio' is exactly how the author came to his position that Freemasonry was evil. As he describes it, just after hearing a radio program in 1985, he called his Father who was a Mason and tried to convince him to leave the organization.”
Note three things: 1) Steven did not directly refer to Freemasonry as being 'evil.' I'd guess he, like me, made such a conclusion, but he did not describe it as such in his preface. 2) He didn’t come to a position about Freemasonry until after he had studied it’s literature. Based on what he heard on the program, he was certainly concerned and related his concerns to his father. 3) Steven does not say that he tried to convince his father to leave Masonry right after the program; rather, he raised his concerns with his father about what the program had to say. One can assume the issue of membership came up, but MI goes too far in its assumptions.In 1985, one and a half years after becoming a Christian, I heard on the radio something that alarmed my young Christian heart—Freemasonry stood in opposition to Christian doctrine. My father was a Christian and a Mason. Sitting in my kitchen, I listened intently as the radio show host explained that Freemasonry was a religion because it taught about God and the afterlife, and that it claimed that men may go to heaven apart from faith in Jesus Christ. Having just lost my wife to leukemia, and thankful to Christ for bringing us both to faith before her death, I was convinced that Jesus was the only way, the only truth, and the only life. So I was greatly concerned for my father.
After the program ended, I immediately called my dad, but he resisted everything the radio host had to say. I loved my father dearly, so the last thing I wanted was for him to be involved in something that might hinder his relationship with the Lord. I decided to research the subject on my own. After all, I needed to give my father reasons why he should not be a Mason. ... The more I read, the more convinced I became that Masonry was neither Christian nor compatible with Christian doctrine as some Masons argue. (Masonic Rites and Wrongs, pg. ix.)
Here is what Steven wrote in the same preface:MI: In fact, Mr. Tsoukalas seems to take great pride in having convinced his father to give up his membership shortly prior to his death in 1989.
Steven does not say he convinced his father to leave, nor is any ‘great pride’ indicated in his comment. He probably did have much to do with his father’s decision, but the MI folks put words into his mouth for their own reasons.It is therefore with all praise and honor to Jesus Christ that I dedicate this book to the memory of my father, who, in case you are wondering, did renounce Masonry a few months before his death in 1989.
The above is an outright lie, followed by a falsehood. In the first place, Steven did properly cite the quote in his footnote 17 on page 39 of his book (he also referenced Coil's in footnote 11, same page, and in the book's bibliography). The MI statement is an example of intentional deception, which they have left intact. They ignored his cite and substituted instead the 2nd edition of Coil’s Masonic Encyclopedia which came out the same year as Masonic Rites and Wrongs. The 2nd edition was a hatchet job intended to remove the embarrassing conclusions reach by Coil. As to the falsehood, the MI statement implies that Steven corrected the cite, when in fact he didn’t: it was correct from the beginning, as they well knew.MI: As but one example of this, the chapter on "The Masonic Burial Service" contains this quote: "Freemasonry has a religious service to commit the body of a deceased brother to the dust whence it came and to speed the liberated spirit back to the Great Source of Light. Many Freemasons make this flight with no other guarantee of a safe landing than their belief in the religion of Freemasonry. If that is a false hope, the Fraternity should abandon funeral services and devote its attention to activities where it is sure of its ground and its authority." - Henry Wilson Coil, Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia. In our initial presentation of this review, we couldn't find that reference anywhere in the cited book; since then Mr. Tsoukalas has provided the cite –
In the first place, it’s not “T. A.; rather, it’s “T.N.”. Secondly, they avoided the issue. I never said “the amount spent by Masons per year is far too small!” That is a complete fabrication and has not been withdrawn.MI: After carefully computing the published figures of Masonic charitable contributions, T. A. "Skip" Sampson finds fault. When we first wrote here about Mr. Sampson's position, we said that "(He) has determined that the amount spent by Masons per year is far too small!" Since then, we've received an e-mail from Mr. Sampson who states, "The bottom line is that the view that Masons are out there working hard to support charitable concerns is simply not supported by the data. What is apparent is that today's Masonry is merely taking credit for earlier work by Masons and non-Masons alike, while keeping their main focus on other Masons, which, of course, they are obligated to do. I doubt very much if any of this data will ever come to light on your home page, but now you know the truth."
Frankly, we're not too very sure of his point.
There is no ‘tax avoidance’ involved in the group’s funding. The truth of the matter is that Ephesians 5-11 is a 501(C)(3) entity, meaning it has met all the requirements to become one. In seeking such a status, the organization must state its purpose and file annual returns of its income. If MI is so interested in the organization’s funding, they only need to ask the IRS for a copy of its tax return.MI: Mr. Kunk uses the tax laws of the United States to provide tax avoidance for monies he receives in his quest to spread his 'message'. (A self-addressed envelope is included with every mailing, conveniently!). His "Ephesians 5-11" entity has obtained approval from the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(C)(3) corporation - i.e. tax exempt - even though the only thing they appear to do is rail against Freemasonry. Will Mr. Kunk reveal the records of his funding? If not, why not? He is, after all, claiming to be a 'non-profit' entity under the 'religion' exemption to the tax code .... ... That notwithstanding, Mr. Kunk's "Missions to Masons" is an excellent tax ruse allowing him to escape tax liabilities which other US taxpayers must bear.
The comment above is untrue. Ephesians 5-11 is in full compliance with the copyright laws of this nation, as MI knows. MI also implies that the age of the Masonic document somehow impacts on its veracity. Yet I have a 1997 NC GL Monitor (Bahnson) that is a direct copy of the original, which was published in 1892. For Masonic rituals and monitors, changes occur very slowly over time; thus older documents are usually good references.MI: In the late 1990s, Larry began offering a number of (mostly quite old) Masonic Monitors (the books published with the various 'rituals' in them) for sale and/or download on his web site in violation of copyright laws.
Skip, you state that the MasonicInfo page contains information that is totally untrue. Can you please elaborate for the uninformed what that untruth is?
Is there any way one could go about becoming a Mason if they don't personally know any members? I've heard you have to be invited by someone who is already a member. I've wanted to become a mason for a while now actually. I like the charity work I see the Masons doing, the way Masons seem to help each other out, and also have an interest in Masonic philosophy and ritual.
Is there any way one could go about becoming a Mason if they don't personally know any members? I've heard you have to be invited by someone who is already a member. I've wanted to become a mason for a while now actually. I like the charity work I see the Masons doing, the way Masons seem to help each other out, and also have an interest in Masonic philosophy and ritual.
Is there any way one could go about becoming a Mason if they don't personally know any members? I've heard you have to be invited by someone who is already a member. I've wanted to become a mason for a while now actually. I like the charity work I see the Masons doing, the way Masons seem to help each other out, and also have an interest in Masonic philosophy and ritual.
How have I been forced to admit that? Cordially, Skip.Albion said:he's forced to admit that Masonry is not evil as charged.
By the way, Freemasonry is so deeply steeped in the Judeo-Christian tradition and respectful of our country's flag and history that, although the fraternity is as open to men of liberal religious and political views as it is to those of other persuasions, it is hardly an assembly of men who see themselves as above or beyond all of that.
I find in my Grand Lodge men of many religious and political persuasions left, right and middle. But since we don't discuss religion or politics in lodge it is a great place to meet people of many different backgrounds that you might not meet otherwise.
Of course that's so. But anyone expecting Masonry to be so neutral as to be devoid of references to God and Country will find himself mistaken. For one example, you not only present the flag of the United States in lodge but salute it and recite the Pledge.
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