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Albert Pike's Morals and Dogma, Freemasonic canon or apocrypha?

hfmm97

Premium Member
Question: I wonder if this business with “Morals & Dogma” regarding “canon” and “apocrypha” has anything to do with ANTI-masons and their FALSE CLAIMS that PIKE was a Masonic “POPE” and MORALS & DOGMA being the Masonic “BIBLE”?


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LK600

Premium Member
There is NO SUCH THING as Masonic canon. The end.

Oh my brother... you are so wrong....

can.jpg
 

Bloke

Premium Member
Snort! I've got a Table Lodge shot glass that gets called that. One letter of spelling sometimes makes a big difference.
We argue about if glasses at the Table lodge should be "cannon" or "cannons".. we've decided to go for "cannons" - but it comes up at most Table Lodges - towards they end when someone rises to protest. We always fine them :)
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
We argue about if glasses at the Table lodge should be "cannon" or "cannons".. we've decided to go for "cannons" - but it comes up at most Table Lodges - towards they end when someone rises to protest. We always fine them :)

I do like to offer a prayer when I drink, but a cannon is not canon no matter that they are pronounced the same whey. Or is it weigh.
 

KSigMason

Traveling Templar
Site Benefactor
My two cents on Morals & Dogma comes from the Preface of the book where Pike states "Everyone is entirely free to reject and dissent from whatsoever herein may seem to him to be untrue or unsound."
 

Center

Registered User
I gently suggest to read it for who goes trough the Y rite for three reasons
1) Being divided per degrees is interesting to see some Scottish degrees that have a similar function.(even if one does not read all the book);
2) Pike is a great author and thinker. I definitely advice to look into other books as well from him;
3) Is continuously quoted by the anti-masonic people for a famous passage that who is not seeking the light cannot understand (unfortunately), so can be interesting in the case one have to speak about it;
 

Elexir

Registered User
I gently suggest to read it for who goes trough the Y rite for three reasons
1) Being divided per degrees is interesting to see some Scottish degrees that have a similar function.(even if one does not read all the book);
2) Pike is a great author and thinker. I definitely advice to look into other books as well from him;
3) Is continuously quoted by the anti-masonic people for a famous passage that who is not seeking the light cannot understand (unfortunately), so can be interesting in the case one have to speak about it;


Regarding 3) you can just point out that its one persons ideas about freemasonry. It is at times annoyibg when people lift it up as one of the most important books ever written (wich is why the antis qoute it.)
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
I gently suggest to read it for who goes trough the Y rite for three reasons
1) Being divided per degrees is interesting to see some Scottish degrees that have a similar function.(even if one does not read all the book);
2) Pike is a great author and thinker. I definitely advice to look into other books as well from him;
3) Is continuously quoted by the anti-masonic people for a famous passage that who is not seeking the light cannot understand (unfortunately), so can be interesting in the case one have to speak about it;
Agreed!
 

Center

Registered User
Regarding 3) you can just point out that its one persons ideas about freemasonry. It is at times annoyibg when people lift it up as one of the most important books ever written (wich is why the antis qoute it.)
Interesting point, in some cases one should reply a question with other questions, or minimize/avoid. Even if I am not initiated in the masonic way, people that do not go trough the initiation ( or better the time to absorb the teachings in their lives), profanes( literally out from the temple, the sacre) do not have the "building blocks" to understand the deepest meanings of this royal art. And in a certain way, if are not dogmatic are not to blame for that.
 

Elexir

Registered User
Interesting point, in some cases one should reply a question with other questions, or minimize/avoid. Even if I am not initiated in the masonic way, people that do not go trough the initiation ( or better the time to absorb the teachings in their lives), profanes( literally out from the temple, the sacre) do not have the "building blocks" to understand the deepest meanings of this royal art. And in a certain way, if are not dogmatic are not to blame for that.

There are also more intressting authors and for people who work other ritual then the once described in M&D its confusing as there are things that differ in whats happening.
 

MarkR

Premium Member
Much of M&D is compilation and shameless lifting from classics such as “Les Miserables” according to Arturo De Hoyos


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Pike himself says so, right at the beginning. Referring to himself in the third person, he writes in the preface:
"In preparing this work, the Grand Commander has been about equally Author and Compiler; since he has extracted quite half of 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."
 

Rifleman1776

Registered User
Yes, one of the weaknesses in the organization of Freemasony in the U.S. is the fact that we do not have a central governing authority. States can go their own way. And sometimes that direction is far from the basic tenants of what Masonry teaches. This can be seen in my home state of Arkansas. The GL is a mess and thousands of members have demited to Lodges in bordering states. My lodge is in Missouri. It is my understanding some state GLs no longer even recognize Arkansas GL as being Masonic. Sad.
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
OTOH, as a member of a national GL and as an officer in national bodies, the lack of a central governing authority is not always a weakness. You can now have an additional layer of bureaucracy between you and the decision maker, with no guarantee the decision making will be any better.There is a financial burden to participation at a national level which is not practical for some. You have the added cost of the national grand lodge. If you think we have politics now, you ain't seen nothing.

There is the thought that a national grand lodge will avoid policies found to be distasteful. I am not convinced that will be the case. There is the possibility such policies will be perpetuated on a national basis. Then, some states will withdraw, and we’re back to where we started.
 
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Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
Yes, one of the weaknesses in the organization of Freemasony in the U.S. is the fact that we do not have a central governing authority. States can go their own way.
A national governing does not assure that things will go smoothly. I kind of like Masonry like it is in the U.S.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
In Australia the financial woes of some GLs following the adverse extraction of their funds and the ongoing decline in membership is likely to result in the formation of a national GL. This should reduce costs as various GL temples will no longer be maintained.
it's been discussed, but I doubt it would happen. (even being aware of the current situation in your State.. not good.)
 
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