widows son
Premium Member
You are entitled to nothing that is Masonic. Period. You are a Cowan and an eavesdropper. Your obsession to bring it down entitles you to absolutely nothing. Cowan.
Please provide me, through a PM, with the contact information of the person you obtained the NY materials from. As a MM in a lodge under the jurisdiction of the GLoNY, I have every right to know sold you those items so that I may investigate further. You personally, as a non-mason, do not have any right to be in possession of those materials, period. You have not earned that right, no matter what you may believe. In the ritual book, it clearly states that they are intended for use by Master Masons and is to be returned to the GL upon the release of a new version or the death of the member in possession of it.That's true, but I did not obtain my GLoNY materials directly from the GL, nor have I ever made that specfic claim. They were purchased legally from a seller via Ebay. The GLoNY certainly intended them for use by the Craft in its jurisdiction, but their intent does not carry the cover of civil or criminal law, and has no sway over my actions. I'd guess the person selling them, if a NY Mason, might be subject to Masonic legal action, but that's about it. As I noted, mine was legally purchased; therefore, I am entitled to them. To say the intent of the GL is binding on non-Masons is neither logical nor a legally accurate view. Cordially, Skip.
And clearly believes he is entitled to anything he wants.....in this case, he has not earned that right, nor will he ever.He clearly is blind
We are in agreement here. But if you can make the statement that Freemasonry is a worthy organization, then I can take the opposite view under the same logic. We tolerate each others viewpoint, as both of us have the right to our positions. Now if a man took the view that all members of a group should be murdered, that's something neither of us would tolerate. Similarly, if a man's views against Freemasonry could not be backed up by fact, neither of us would tolerate that either. So, where we draw the line between tolerance and intolerance is the key to it all.What I'm trying to say is tolerance can only go so far.
I beg to differ. That is totally wrong as, like you, I already know he cannot be found in Freemasonry.Again another reason i think you would be denied membership is because you are looking for christ in freemasonry,
I think you are wrong on both counts. As I have pointed out, Masonry only demands that its members live up to their own moral standards. Christianity demands that they live up to God's standards. I doubt if any of us actually live up to either. O, wretched men that we are!if you interpreted your Masonic research properly you would find that Masonic behavior demands the highest standards of of morality and citizenry by it members, which in some cases exceeds the christian behavior standard.
I think you are conflating two things. First, the Bible can be translated many ways, the most common being literal (word for word) and thought-for-thought (what they meant) I prefer the literal, which is really the translation of the words they used in the Hebrew/Greek books to their modern English equivalents. The second element is the infallibility and inerrancy of the original manuscripts. It is more true to say I believe that the Bible is inerrant (no errors of fact) and infallible (reliable about spiritual matters). I prefer the literal translations, such as the NIV 1984, to any other translation, but any translation is acceptable as long as it faithfully keeps to the meanings of the manuscript record.As for my implication, it was directed to you skip and here's why: correct me if I'm wrong but you believe in the literal translation of the bible. Word for word. Truth or should i say fact.
He taught far more than that, including the fact that no one comes to God except through him.Jesus taught the simple values of love, honesty, and belief in God. That's it .
Again, that is not true. My Bible is the source of my authority, and the indwelling spirit my guide. Any church I attend must use the Bible as its authority.Now your church leaders are the authority in your specific faith,
If you mean the churches which condemn Freemasonry do so on Biblical grounds, you are correct.They condemn freemasonry and others in the quotes I cited because they don't conform to their beliefs of "christianity," or " christian behavior."
Others may have that mindset, but I do not. If you've read my criticisms elsewhere, you will note that they are firmly based on Masonic GL documentation, which is truly the authority for Freemasonry within the various juisdictions. Quite simply, I don't assume much about Freemasony, but have concluded much based on what Freemasonry says about itself and what it teaches.That mindset allows you to assume things about Freemasons that simply aren't true and are without foundation of fact.
Each of us can make that determination for himself, so both outcomes can be reached.As for the Fatherhood of God, the Torah or old testament which is part of the holy book, which to you is factual and historical, states that the Israelites are Gods children and chosen people only. Who's to say that Jews aren't right and Christians have it Wrong?
You should be careful in casting too wide a net. We worship Jesus because he is God, not a separate being. Catholics certainly worship the saints, but not 'Christians' in general. Catholic doctrine includes the dead as part of the church, and the 'worship' (our characterization, not theirs) of those made saints is seen as beneficial. But it's not an essential 'Christian' belief. As to Judaism, you might want to consider that God set apart the Jews as the race through which the Messiah would come. I'm not really sure he classified them as his children, though; I'd have to check on that. He did indeed choose them for that honor, but once the prophecy was fulfilled, the way was opened for all men to become children of God, through faith in Jesus. Again, this is Christian doctrine 101.We know that Jesus was a Jew, and that Christianity would not exist without Judaism. We also know that the old testament said that man will worship God only, and it seems that Christians worship Jesus and the saints more than God itself.
Again, be careful on such statements. The Allah of the Koran is unrestrained by anything, and is descrbed as a being of pure will. Thus, anything he does is right, and he can punish or not punish anyone, regardless of belief. One of the reason Muslims have been so anti-science over the years is due to that 'free will' element of Allah's nature. Christian scientists over the years did their research with the assumption that God had specific laws in effect; essentially, they wanted to read his mind about his creation. Muslims long fought that view as it would impede on Allah's free will.Also the Koran states that those who don't worship Allah will be punished,
The Koran rejects the Biblical view of Jesus, which their view of Jesus is one reason that Muslims hate both Christians and Jews. Christians were taught to hate Muslims for one reason: Muslim attacks against Christians have been ongoing and relentless since the 7th century. The intolerance Muslims brought to bear against Christians and Jews was eventually learned and used by Christian armies. There is a view out there that has, with some credence, pointed out that Christianity was a pretty pacifistic religion up until the Islamic holy wars drove them nearly to extinction.but reveres Jesus as a prophet and Christians and Islamist hate each other.
I'd like to know your sources because that conclusion is false. One only need read the Koran to see that Allah is nothing like the God of the Bible, nor is the Muslim Jesus anything like the real one. Whoever told you that all three 'recognize' the same God is simply ignorant of the facts.Now biblical and theological study has shown us that these three faiths recognize the same God, the God of Abraham.
I've found it interesting that the Koran also changes the elements of the Biblical stories it copies. In my view, the Koran is a mess from any investigatory viewpoint and is probably nothing resembling what Mohammad actually taught.the Koran features biblical stories, characters, and landmarks.
No, we can't. Islam, in general, is not about peace at all, but about warfare, hatred and violence.at the core, every religion is about peace, love for God and thyself, which I think we can at least agree on.
I hope not, as that would make me the only Christian viewer who understands the implications of John 1:12-13. Cordially, Skip.Skip I think your the only one who doesn't believe in equality in the eye of God on this forum.
A true statement, but an issue different from your question, which asked:You can not be serious !? Making a profit off of someone's copyrighted material IS VIOLATING COPYRIGHT LAWS !
I answered 'yes' for this reason: once a book has entered the public domain, anyone can take the book, someone's 'intellectual property' and repackage it for sale. 1923 is currently the year for books to leave copyright status and enter the public domain. Kessinger Publications has made an industry of this practice.I guess I may take some authors book , their intellectual property , place it in CD format and sell it then .
Well, I once was.... Cordially, Skip.He clearly is blind
Well, actually it was. The SBC came out of the Baptists who fought against slavery from their establishment in America in the 18th century on. They certainly did lose their way after the Revolution, but have apologized for it since. Not sure I've ever seen a Masonic GL apologize for the same thing, but I might have missed it. At least one GL has had a black GM.
I truly sympathize with you and understand your anger; however, I must respectfully decline to provide that information.Please provide me, through a PM, with the contact information of the person you obtained the NY materials from. As a MM in a lodge under the jurisdiction of the GLoNY, I have every right to know sold you those items so that I may investigate further.
A true statement, but an issue different from your question, which asked:I answered 'yes' for this reason: once a book has entered the public domain, anyone can take the book, someone's 'intellectual property' and repackage it for sale. 1923 is currently the year for books to leave copyright status and enter the public domain. Kessinger Publications has made an industry of this practice.
So, yes you can take someone's intellectual property, place it on a CD and sell it, as long as it's in the public domain. But no, you cannot do the same to property still under copyright. And now you know. Cordially, Skip.
And why is it that you decline? Is it that you did not truly get them in the manner that you described? Must be, because if you were truly the upright person you try to claim you are, you would honor my respectful request. And, by the way, you have yet to see me angry. Anger is an emotion that we Masons are so far above that you profane cannot comprehend it.I truly sympathize with you and understand your anger; however, I must respectfully decline to provide that information.
I will, however, in respect for your request, ensure this material is returned to the GLoNY at some point prior to my death, and ensure that action is codified in my will in case of accidental death. I make that offer in all sincerity. Cordially, Skip.
I already knew, as my post indicated. Cordially, Skip.And now you know .
And NO Skipper , if a book is revised or the copyright is updated to keep the copyright in good standing then it can not be repackaged and resold . The Ky Monitor HAS NEVER been in the public domain as the copyright has been kept up to date no matter the year said Monitor being repackaged and resold was printed . The only time anyone's intellectual property becomes "public domain" is when they owner's of said property fail to update their copyright and allows it to lapse.
I don't think organizations can 'practice' slavery, but individual Masons certainly have. Worse they carried their viewpoints into the political environment. The list of famous Masons includes a large number of racists. More to the point, U.S. Masonry excluded blacks from membership for centuries. Historically, the 'brotherhood of man' did not count for much if a man's skin were black or his faith were Catholic in the eyes of many GL's. Fortunately for us all, those practices have pretty much come to an end.So far I haven’t seen a Masonic GL that practiced slavery,
Indeed they do, and they are stubborn things that just don't go away. Cordially, Skip.but the facts remain.
Let's just say that I protect my sources. Cordially, Skip.And why is it that you decline?
Let's just say that I protect my sources. Cordially, Skip.
I don't think organizations can 'practice' slavery, but individual Masons certainly have. Worse they carried their viewpoints into the political environment. The list of famous Masons includes a large number of racists. More to the point, U.S. Masonry excluded blacks from membership for centuries. Historically, the 'brotherhood of man' did not count for much if a man's skin were black or his faith were Catholic in the eyes of many GL's. Fortunately for us all, those practices have pretty much come to an end.
Indeed they do, and they are stubborn things that just don't go away. Cordially, Skip.