the emperor has no clothes...
Thank you, A New Dawn.
So, it is a fraternity that includes members of different religions but is not a religion itself. We all belong to clubs or social organizations that fit that definition, none of which are defined as Unorthodox Theology if they come up in discussion here.
You are mistaken my friend... and should be completely wary of telling folks what others do or believe...
Masonry is NOT "steeped with oaths," and I would challenge the idea that Jesus taught against oaths of this sort.
masonry requires a blood oath of loyalty to sinners, one cannot get much more against God than that
Matthew 5:33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:
35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
In any case, I now have to ask please for an answer to this question:
Where in THE NICENE CREED (which elsewhere on this thread you have said is the standard by which these classifications have been made) are oaths--such as we take in court or when becoming a naturalized citizen or upon joining the Army--forbidden (or even mentioned)?"
Edit: I just saw the following comment from another post and FWIW it seems to me like a reasonable (and fair) solution.
swearing on the bible is forbidden in the bible... that is how little sense the courts of men are...
swearing your life to a sinner is even more insane than swearing it to Satan by commitment to sin when God commands Love... just brings one conflicyt within with one's own spirit of Love God is persistently persuading one to listen to... the way of living death known by all sinners, servants to Satan, which all saints reject in favour of Jesus' command to Love...
John 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever
committeth sin is the servant of sin.
PS the Nicene creed ,nor any creed since the old covenant, is not of God , but Satan set up, as historically proven now, by a bunch of some of the worst rogues in history under the pagan Ronman emperor who destroyed the saints of God ... God simply requires Love, no more sin, and these powermonger sinners had no intention of Love for anyone...but did have a use for unified religion of sinners in their plans to rule mankind for their own coffers...
God defines a 'Christian' as a saint , no longer a sinner... no creed is reqired because God teaches all who are His few saints in spirit baptism, as promised by Jesus to all who obey him and Love as he commands, no more sin... the very first step, water baptism, dying to the old ways of sin...
2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.