divine authenticity of the Holy Scriptures

My lodge doesn't typically do a Bible presentation, and as such I have yet to see one. Read through it in my monitor. I know it may be a radical idea to suggest, but would it really be that hard to alter the presentation to a person's individual beliefs, if so desired? For a Torah, or Bhagavad Gita, etc?

THe bible presentation is not part of the ritual so you can write your own or like the brother said leave it out all together. I have seen several different presentations for the bible and I know 148 has given new MM something equal in monitary value as the Masonic Bible.

Benton said:

My lodge doesn't typically do a Bible presentation, and as such I have yet to see one. Read through it in my monitor. I know it may be a radical idea to suggest, but would it really be that hard to alter the presentation to a person's individual beliefs, if so desired? For a Torah, or Bhagavad Gita, etc?

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Reference materials abound, so crafting a suitable presentation should not difficult at all. The hard part is the "...if so desired..." part. Call me cynical, but I have seen little evidence that a Qur'an (or Torah, or Bhagvad Gita, etc.) presentation would be well received, or even permitted, in a great many Lodges. That such a situation could exist in a Lodge of Freemasons, of all places, is..., let's just say "discouraging". Don't get me wrong. I am cheered immensely by the open-minded Brothers who, like yourself, genuinely embrace the idea that celebrating our Brother's faith does nothing to diminish our own. Witnessing, or even hearing about, a sincerely delivered and well received, presentation of a non-Christian VoSL would be a singular treat. It's just that I see so little of even such an inclination that I sometimes despair for what is becoming of our Fraternity. Why, oh why, would any Freemason wish to deprive a newly raised Brother of so profound a gift as the formal recognition of the importance of his own personal faith?

This is interesting. As far as I understood, "divine authenticity" of the Bible or any other book is not the deciding point in what recommends a man to be a Mason. It is the belief in a Supreme Being (God, Vishnu, Allah or however He is perceived by any given person) and in the immortality of the soul. I myself don't subscribe to any major religion but I do believe there is one God who represents Himself in many facets/characteristics so that it is easier for our tiny human minds to comprehend Him. And whether that is through a Southern Baptist's, Mormon's, Pagan's, etc perception or otherwise is not the issue. Which is why we can all strive to "best work or best agree" without worrying about trivial differences in belief structures.

jhodgdon said:

As far as I understood, "divine authenticity" of the Bible or any other book is not the deciding point in what recommends a man to be a Mason. It is the belief in a Supreme Being (God, Vishnu, Allah or however He is perceived by any given person) and in the immortality of the soul.

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You understand well, Brother. :14:

JohnnyFlotsam said:

You understand well, Brother. :14:

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No. Check Article 397 of the laws of the Grand Lodge of Texas.

---------- Post added at 11:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:05 AM ----------

That was the initial point of this thread. In Texas it IS a deciding point.

tomasball said:

No. Check Article 397 of the laws of the Grand Lodge of Texas.

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I am not familiar with the GL of Texas bylaws. I was not aware of the differences between CA and TX. I was going strictly off my understanding of my own Grand Lodge laws.

As I recall this thread originated as a discussion about whether that particular requirement needed to be changed or dropped from the Laws of the Grand Lodge of Texas.

tomasball said:

As I recall this thread originated as a discussion about whether that particular requirement needed to be changed or dropped from the Laws of the Grand Lodge of Texas.

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In that case. Yes it should be dropped  From a respectful California opinion 

Seems like every time it comes up at Grand Lodge the resolutions fail.

I was reading the 1857 proceedings for GL of TX when this question was added and I was shocked to see the argument the GM and Committees made to pass the resolution. After reading the 1857 proceedings I know this resolution would go down in flames in Texas Masonry today.

What was their argument?

The last thing I read before I closed the proceedings was the Grand Master saying something to the effect that it would take an intellegent man only a short time to deduce that only the Holy Bible held the truth and Masons who place another book on the alter are in error for doing so. Their desires where very clearly stated and approved.

Wow. That sort of attitude is disgusting and shameful for any man, more especially a Mason. Sounds like a sick prejudice biased his integrity...

Keep in mind it was 1857 but still shocked me. I would highly recommend reading them if you can get your hands on them.

We happen to have that volume in the library. I picked it up and was thumbing through it on Tuesday.