Questions and Answers about Masonry

[circuitrider]

Has anyone here considered starting a Masonic social group here on Christian Forums?

 

[americanvet]

Has anyone here considered starting a Masonic social group here on Christian Forums?

I had at one point but there was little interest. I think the brother Masons on the site should have a way to unite and be able to get away from anti-Masons. As well as people who might want to have a conversation without the clutter.

 

[Simpleman25]

I would welcome discussion without all the clutter.

 

[Skip Sampson]

This is the prayer given over the candidate in the Entered Apprentice degree in most, if not all, US jurisdictions (minor deviations may be found):

Vouchsafe thine aid, Almighty Father of the Universe, to this our present convention; and grant that this candidate for Masonry may dedicate and devote his life to thy service, and become a true and faithful brother among us. Endue him with a competency of thy divine wisdom, that, by the secrets of our art, he may be better enabled to display the beauties of godliness to the honor of thy holy name.

In this prayer, a deity is being asked:
1. To grant his aid to the meeting;
2. To allow the candidate to devote his life to the deity's service;
3. To allow the man to become a true and faithful Mason;
4. To invest him with divine wisdom that would allow him to use what he learns to display a godliness that would honor the deity's name.

Questions:
1. Have I interpreted the prayer correctly? If not, how should its parts have been interpreted?
2. To whom is the prayer directed? If the candidate is a Muslim or a Catholic, is the prayer to a different deity? Or is the speaker directing it to his own deity? Or does the listener determine that himself?
3. Just why is 'divine wisdom' required in a man to understand the secret parts of Freemasonry? Are those secret arts themselves divine? And just how do they help a man better display godliness?

Cordially, Skip.

 

[Skip Sampson]

Some of the best men I've ever had the pleasure of knowing have been atheists.

Just curious: in your belief structure, what happens to the atheist after his death? Cordially, Skip.

 

[Armoured]

Just curious: in your belief structure, what happens to the atheist after his death? Cordially, Skip.

Typically, they stop moving around very much, and eventually start to smell.

 

[Skip Sampson]

I would welcome discussion without all the clutter.

And this from the same guy who said about us:

Even though they pout and stomp their feet, the last thing they want is an open and honest discussion.

I'd say you've just described the average Mason. We are all about open discussions on the topic; you are the guys who hide behind the door. Cordially, Skip.

 

[Skip Sampson]

Typically, they stop moving around very much, and eventually start to smell.

So your view is that a human has no immortal soul? Cordially, Skip.

 

[Armoured]

So your view is that a human has no immortal soul? Cordially, Skip.

Um, check my faith icon, then look up "facetious" in the dictionary.

 

[Albion]

Typically, they stop moving around very much, and eventually start to smell.

Good one! I'd have missed it if you hadn't had to post the message just before this one.

 

[Simpleman25]

And this from the same guy who said about us:I'd say you've just described the average Mason. We are all about open discussions on the topic; you are the guys who hide behind the door. Cordially, Skip.

Since I wasn't describing a mason, your comment is worthless.

Who's hiding?

 

[Skip Sampson]

look up "facetious" in the dictionary.

I'd suggest you do the same. Cordially, Skip.

 

[americanvet]

Facetious | What is the Definition of Facetious? | Dictionary.com

I decided I'd do you both a favor and look up the word. It seems it can have more than one meaning, like other things in life.

 

[americanvet]

Typically, they stop moving around very much, and eventually start to smell.

I'm sorry but your humor was lost (and by lost I mean intentionally taken out of context) by another poster.