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Please explain how the Constitutions of a Masonic Jurisdiction (a valid VSL in many jurisdictions) teach morality.The Multiple Volumes of Sacred Law are used for teaching masons morality they are used for instruction only given by masonic light, contrary to the one and only absolute truth contained in the Holy Bible.
Thank you for the tweak of correction.It's not accurate anywhere, because even in jurisdictions where Jesus is not used, it is not because it is "forbidden." It's the same principle that is employed in civic settings, where many municipalities have guidelines for public prayer for situations in which, whether potentially or actually, gatherings could be interfaith in nature. It's the same principle that was employed at the hospital at which I did my CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education), when we entered into agreement that as we as chaplains took our individual turns at conducting prayer over the all-hospital intercom channel, we would not offer prayers with any religion-specific terms, including "names for God," or "in Jesus' name." In such situations, it's simply a matter of common courtesy.
I find it odd that with the higher standards to which Jesus calls us as Christians, that members of other religions have less problem observing such a simple matter of respect for others, than do some members of the Christian faith. We ARE told, after all, to "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Respectiing another person's religion does not constitute agreement with it, which is the only possible justification I could imagine anyone offering for intentionally dissing another person's religious beliefs.
The fact is, many adherents of other religions have less problem accepting the Bible as a book of truth, than do Christians in regard to the sacred texts of other religions.The presence of multiple VSL's are 100% determined by jurisdiction--it is not mandatory across all of Freemasonry. And the presence of multiple VLS's doesn't imply in any way equal standing among them. In many jurisdictions, the Holy Bible, and only the Holy Bible are required for opening a tyled lodge.
As Wayne stated above, the Holy Bible, not any other VSL, is foundational to Masonic ritual, regardless of location--that is fact. And the presence of any other VSL is to provide something personal that that the candidate can symbolically consider a source of personal trust during the obligation. It is symbolic of trust and loyalty, not of any specific religion.
This is actually a very HUGE statement. Masonic Attackers are quick to misinterpret or misinform much of what Freemasonry is all about. In practice, Freemasonry is NOT the huge religious, theological, or spiritual organization that Masonic Attackers claim it to be. They just can't seem to understand that teaching morality, fellowshipping, and providing charitable assistance does not equate to practicing religious dogma. Yes, it may be just jurisdictional differences, because so much of what these supposed "former Masons" claim is just not evident in what I have witnessed or experienced in Freemasonry.It doesn't work that way in real life...
Exactly.But in reality, the presence of multiple VSL's means one thing and one thing only: that if you are in a lodge where this is the practice, then you are in a lodge whose membership is constituted by members of the religions represented by those particular books. And that's all it means.
Masonry allows the teachings and beliefs of false gods and false prohets, to be placed along side the Holy Bible thats the demonstrating act of the mason that the Holy Bible's absolute truth can be intergrated with and into any other Volume of sacred law, i.e the Quran( false doctrine), the lodge agrees to place on the alter, as a christian this is viewed as intolerable.
To every Mason. whatever may be his peculiar religious creed, that revelation of the Deity which is recognized by his religion becomes his trestle-board. Thus, the trestle-board of the Jewish Mason is the Old Testament; of the Christian, the Old and the New; of the Mohammedan, the Koran.
Please explain how the Constitutions of a Masonic Jurisdiction (a valid VSL in many jurisdictions) teach morality.
Yes, the Bible is used for teaching morality.Does the Bible teach morality Jim ??
Yes, the Bible is used for teaching morality.
All I can say is, if they "agitated against the Church and propagated ideas of revolution," congratulations to them. Martin Luther did the same thing and is a Protestant hero of the faith. Of course, "the Church" in that context being the Catholic Church, we can't really fault Masons for doing what we applaud the Protestant Church for doing, now can we?Even if Masonry was neutral in terms of religion and not hostile to the religion of Christianity in the abstract it still agitated against the Church and propagated ideas of revolution and liberalism. Yes, many of the early Masons embraced a type of "Christianity" but it was one highly colored by the fashionable thoughts of the so called "enlightenment".
Ideas of revolution and liberalism are not all contrary to Christianity. Some are, but all are not. If the united States of America suddenly adopted Sharia Law, would Christians sit back idly or would they consider revolution?Even if Masonry was neutral in terms of religion and not hostile to the religion of Christianity in the abstract it still agitated against the Church and propagated ideas of revolution and liberalism. Yes, many of the early Masons embraced a type of "Christianity" but it was one highly colored by the fashionable thoughts of the so called "enlightenment".
No. And this is certainly not a problem, even for a Christian. "Morality" is a "moral discourse, statement, or lesson" with "moral" being defined as "of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior". And the topic of morality is certainly not by default a religious discussion. To a Christian, the Holy Bible may be THE source for teaching morality, but to presume that nothing else can provide any insight into understanding principles of right and wrong in behavior is plain ludicrous.Does Masonry meaning the masonic lodge solely use the Holy Bible as instruction for morality to man?
All I can say is, if they "agitated against the Church and propagated ideas of revolution," congratulations to them. Martin Luther did the same thing and is a Protestant hero of the faith. Of course, "the Church" in that context being the Catholic Church, we can't really fault Masons for doing what we applaud the Protestant Church for doing, now can we?
The fact is, Mason or not, most people do not even understand Pike, nor even mangage to comprehend how to read him in context.Did Albert Pike understand Masonry?
Masonry is not a religion. He who makes of it a religious belief, falsifies and denaturalizes it. (p. 161)
Happens at civic gatherings quite often--not to mention, the U.S. Senate. Unless you happen to think they are all Christians."Masonry, around whose altars the Christian, the Hebrew, the Moslem, the Brahim, the followers of Confucius and Zoroaster, can assemble as brethren and unite in prayer to the one God who is above all the Baalism."
(p. 226)
No. And this is certainly not a problem, even for a Christian. "Morality" is a "moral discourse, statement, or lesson" with "moral" being defined as "of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior". And the topic of morality is certainly not by default a religious discussion. To a Christian, the Holy Bible may be THE source for teaching morality, but to presume that nothing else can provide any insight into understanding principles of right and wrong in behavior is plain ludicrous.
Albert Pike knew quite a bit about Freemasonry, and he was also interested in and well-studied in comparative religions. It is therefore expected that many of his writings, particularly Morals and Dogma which you quote, reflect that interest. But let's put Morals and Dogma into a better perspective, so here we read the Preface to Morals and Dogma (which is omitted by most Anti-Masonic sites) and you will discover the true value that the Scottish Rite places this work:Did Albert Pike understand Masonry
I think this speaks volumes (not sacred volumes....In preparing this work, the Grand Commander has been about equally Author and Compiler; since he has extracted quite half its contents from the works of the best writers and most philosophic or eloquent thinkers. Perhaps it would have been better and more acceptable if he had extracted more and written less.
Still, perhaps half of it is his own; and, in incorporating here the thoughts and words of others, he has continually changed and added to the language, often intermingling, in the same sentences, his own words with theirs. It not being intended for the world at large, he has felt at liberty to make, from all accessible sources, a Compendium of the Morals and Dogma of the Rite, to re-mould sentences, change and add to words and phrases, combine them with his own, and use them as if they were his own, to be dealt with at his pleasure and so availed of as to make the whole most valuable for the purposes intended. He claims, therefore, little of the merit of authorship, and has not cared to distinguish his own from that which he has taken from other sources, being quite willing that every portion of the book, in turn, may be regarded as borrowed from some old and better writer.
The teachings of these Readings are not sacramental, so far as they go beyond the realm of Morality into those of other domains of Thought and Truth. The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite uses the word "Dogma" in its true sense, of doctrine, or teaching; and is not dogmatic in the odious sense of that term. Every one is entirely free to reject and dissent from whatsoever herein may seem to him to be untrue or unsound. It is only required of him that he shall weigh what is taught, and give it fair hearing and unprejudiced judgment. Of course, the ancient theosophic and philosophic speculations are not embodied as part of the doctrines of the Rite; but because it is of interest and profit to know what the Ancient Intellect thought upon these subjects, and because nothing so conclusively proves the radical difference between our human and the animal nature, as the capacity of the human mind to entertain such speculations in regard to itself and the Deity. But as to these opinions themselves, we may say, in the words of the learned Canonist, Ludovicus Gomez: "Opiniones secundum varietatem temporum senescant et intermoriantur, aliæque diversæ vel prioribus contrariæ renascantur et deinde pubescant."...
Yes, it does. Just as colleges and universities use many sources to teach many subjects. Like colleges and universities, Freemasonry is not a religion, it is more of a study.1. Masonry does use other sources other than the Holy Bible, to teach Morality.
The definition of morality I used, being an accepted dictionary definition, absolutely contends that morality can be taught without being reliant on the teachings of the Holy Bible. We're not talking about teaching religious doctrine or dogma here, we're talking about universal concepts that are the basis for almost every religion, philosophy, and worldview. And the definition also does not exclude the Holy Bible.2. By your own definition of "morality" you believe man can teach man (the masonic lodge) principles of right and wrong in behavior, rather than God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
As a Christian, my understanding of morality is based on my understanding of the Holy Bible. And Freemasonry has provided me with tools that exemplify and illustrate through allegory and symbolism, those very teachings of morality that are found in the Bible.3. One who proclaims to be a christian usually does not follow lessons in and of morality from other sources other than the Bible and the word of JESUS Christ, nor would that person be a member of an organization that practiced just that.
A false conclusion based upon a false premise.Why, simply because its not Christ-like meaning not of Christianity, meaning , not of the God of the Holy Bible.
And to paraphrase a Mason interviewed on one of those history shows on TV....And Masonry has no secrets, not anymore, everything about them can be found at the touch of a keyboard on the internet.
Yes, it does. Just as colleges and universities use many sources to teach many subjects. Like colleges and universities, Freemasonry is not a religion, it is more of a study.
The definition of morality I used, being an accepted dictionary definition, absolutely contends that morality can be taught without being reliant on the teachings of the Holy Bible. We're not talking about teaching religious doctrine or dogma here, we're talking about universal concepts that are the basis for almost every religion, philosophy, and worldview. And the definition also does not exclude the Holy Bible.
But wait! The Bible IS used as the basis of morality in the Masonic degrees! Morality is taught as directly inspired from writings and teachings of the Old and New Testaments. Do you see that morality taught by the Koran, the Vedas, the Constitutions of a Masonic jurisdiction, or other VSL being used in the degrees?
As a Christian, my understanding of morality is based on my understanding of the Holy Bible. And Freemasonry has provided me with tools that exemplify and illustrate through allegory and symbolism, those very teachings of morality that are found in the Bible.
A false conclusion based upon a false premise.
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