Masons: For the love of Pete, GET A GRIP!

[angellous_evangellous]

Masons have been the brunt of vile rumors for one simple reason: they are a secretive fraternity. They don't worship the devil, eat children, or have a sinister plot to do anything vile.

Some of the crap on this forum is baseless, tasteless, and blatantly hostile to a group that although secretive is not criminal or hostile to the cause of our communities.

I've known Masons all my life, and they come from every walk of life. I'm not a Mason, but I've known pastors, doctors, policemen, hippies, and every other vocation live a life of fellowship and brotherhood with the Masons and contribute greatly to the cause of our community.

The allegation that Masons use evil symbols is rooted only in their secretive nature and completely ignores the goodness of their fellowship.

 

[Katzpur]

Amen!

 

[angellous_evangellous]

Amen!

Are Masons strong among the Mormons in Utah... they are pretty strong here in Texas amongst the Protestants...

I've been invited several times, but secrets aren't for me (I'm fairly confident that it's something like - don't tell your wife that all we do is drink and play poker at our meetings). I have nothing but respect for Masons and have no reason to do otherwise.

 

[jonny]

Are Masons strong among the Mormons in Utah... they are pretty strong here in Texas amongst the Protestants...

I've been invited several times, but secrets aren't for me (I'm fairly confident that it's something like - don't tell your wife that all we do is drink and play poker at our meetings). I have nothing but respect for Masons and have no reason to do otherwise.

There are masons in Utah, but I wouldn't say there are a lot of them.

 

[Katzpur]

Are Masons strong among the Mormons in Utah... they are pretty strong here in Texas amongst the Protestants...

We do have a very impressive-looking Masonic Temple here in Salt Lake City, and I'm sure there are some Latter-day Saints among the Utah Masons. To the best of my knowledge, though, they're not particularly strong here. I obviously know thousands of Mormons, but not a single LDS Mason. The funny thing is that there was a period of time --during the early 1900s, I think -- that the Masonic lodge in Utah would not accept Mormons as members. The Church has always allowed its members to be Masons, but the opposite hasn't always been the case. So, we've even had the Masons discriminating against us!

I have nothing but respect for Masons and have no reason to do otherwise.

I think you're right that as soon as something is said to be secret, it's always assumed to be evil. What absolute nonsense!

 

[Booko]

:bow:

My uncle was a Mason, my aunt in Eastern Star, one of my fav college buds was a Mason. There are plenty of Masons where I'm from.

I've never met one I didn't like yet.

"By their fruits shall ye know them."

 

[Feathers in Hair]

I think you're right that as soon as something is said to be secret, it's always assumed to be evil. What absolute nonsense!

Sometimes, I wonder if people sometimes assume secretive things to be evil simply because they're disappointed that they didn't get invited.

 

[Booko]

Sometimes, I wonder if people sometimes assume secretive things to be evil simply because they're disappointed that they didn't get invited.

Yeah, I think so. Especially in this day, when we have lost any sense of the "sacred" or "sacred space."

 

[Bishka]

Yeah, I think so. Especially in this day, when we have lost any sense of the "sacred" or "sacred space."

Amen!

 

[XAAX]

The allegation that Masons use evil symbols is rooted only in their secretive nature and completely ignores the goodness of their fellowship.

AE, just because you have known a number of masons doesn’t mean you know anything about their core belief. I have many family members that are masons. That means nothing. You don't learn anything until you reach the higher levels in the Masonic order. To claim that the symbols used is because of their secretive nature is very illogical. Their symbols have definite meanings, as well as their organization. As I have stated, do your on research and make your own decision. Just don't make the assumption because you know a number of lower level masons that are good people, that their organization is rooted in good (Most masons don't get above 4th degree).

 

[Comprehend]

AE, just because you have known a number of masons doesn’t mean you know anything about their core belief. I have many family members that are masons. That means nothing. You don't learn anything until you reach the higher levels in the Masonic order. To claim that the symbols used is because of their secretive nature is very illogical. Their symbols have definite meanings, as well as their organization. As I have stated, do your on research and make your own decision. Just don't make the assumption because you know a number of lower level masons that are good people, that their organization is rooted in good (Most masons don't get above 4th degree).

um, maybe that is because in regular masonry there are only 3 degrees.

The third level mason is a master mason and that is where most everyone is because that is the highest level. There are other groups, such as the Scottish Rite masons who have 33 levels.

If 3rd degree masons don't know anything, how do you, a non-mason know anything? did you find a juicy website?

 

[Booko]

My uncle got way above 4th degree. (Yeah, Scottish Rite)

Hey, AE...why in tarnation did you stick this in "Home Town" anyway?

 

[Comprehend]

Masons have been the brunt of vile rumors for one simple reason: they are a secretive fraternity. They don't worship the devil, eat children, or have a sinister plot to do anything vile.

Some of the crap on this forum is baseless, tasteless, and blatantly hostile to a group that although secretive is not criminal or hostile to the cause of our communities.

I've known Masons all my life, and they come from every walk of life. I'm not a Mason, but I've known pastors, doctors, policemen, hippies, and every other vocation live a life of fellowship and brotherhood with the Masons and contribute greatly to the cause of our community.

The allegation that Masons use evil symbols is rooted only in their secretive nature and completely ignores the goodness of their fellowship.

Mormons get a lot of that too.

Imagine if you were a Mormon AND a mason!!!

I have to agree with you, for some reason a few people have gone on a mason witch hunt. I haven't seen many facts presented nor compelling arguments. Mostly insinuation and conspiracy theories.

 

[nutshell]

I've considered joining masons. I want to look into it more.

 

[darkpenguin]

Masons have been the brunt of vile rumors for one simple reason: they are a secretive fraternity. They don't worship the devil, eat children, or have a sinister plot to do anything vile.

Some of the crap on this forum is baseless, tasteless, and blatantly hostile to a group that although secretive is not criminal or hostile to the cause of our communities.

I've known Masons all my life, and they come from every walk of life. I'm not a Mason, but I've known pastors, doctors, policemen, hippies, and every other vocation live a life of fellowship and brotherhood with the Masons and contribute greatly to the cause of our community.

The allegation that Masons use evil symbols is rooted only in their secretive nature and completely ignores the goodness of their fellowship.

What he said!

 

[SoyLeche]

Hey, AE...why in tarnation did you stick this in "Home Town" anyway?

That's exactly what I was wondering. Is this a distress code telling us that the Masons have taken over your home town. Do we need to come and save you?

 

[SoyLeche]

For the love of Pete... Peter... Peter... Pumpkin Eater!

That's it! The Masons aren't letting AE buy pumpkins without knowing the correct GRIP!

Those evil, evil Masons!

Good thing that AE used Pete - the universal symbol for pumpkin.

 

[opensoul7]

I am not a Mason yet , but have been through the First degree. Masonry is not even a secret society , it is however a society with secrets. You can see the membership of the Masons anytime , you can know alot about the Masons what they do and what happens at the lodge without being a member ( I hardly call that a secret society).On the other hand there are some things disscussed and experienced that are not spoken about .These things are not talked about not because of some conspiracy or some evil plot.But because some things experienced are meant to have a positive and powerfull effect on a person joining. And if those people knew in advance what they would be going through it would diminish the impact of the message and experience for them. No matter what group, there are always good and bad people involved , but that does not mean the whole should be Judged because of the few.All the Masons I know and interact with are around the 30th degree, they are good men and they are all also Christian.If your researching on the internet most of what you come across is baseless claims that should be treated as a sad joke by people who are to busy judging others instead of focusing on themselves and their own spiritual walk.If you want to know go talk to Masons , go to the lodge and ask for a tour .Find out first hand.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

My uncle got way above 4th degree. (Yeah, Scottish Rite)

Hey, AE...why in tarnation did you stick this in "Home Town" anyway?

Because I understand the Masons to be more a community organization than a religion. It seems a last remnant of the ancient Roman religion = publically known and privately secret, and they are masters at keeping the core of their secret hidden, which apparently raises fears in the people who are too stupid or insecure to find something better to do.