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My Concerns regarding Masonry

osiris

Registered User
I'm a newly raised MM but have been researching the subject of freemasonry which consequently is the one of the broadest subjects out there but from what I get out of it is that there is one true God who exists in every culture even though he has many name. Freemasonry in my opinion is an echo of the old mystery rites that were performed in the middle east, Europe , china and even north and south America
 

scialytic

Premium Member
Eric your post seem similar to an anti-Mason I have met that post at Ephesians 5-11 and I wonder, due to the nature of your post if your goal is to find out about Freemasonry or to "witness" to what you believe are a group of men who are not living within their Christian obligations if, in fact, they are Christians who are Freemasons. [...]

[...] If you are here under a false pretense and you are trying to "witness" and have lied about your interest in Masonry; I don't think that is either Christian or Masonic and although your zeal and love for God might have led you to this decision, the ends do not justify the means and you will eventually be discovered.

I bet that kind of thing happens pretty frequently...shame. Eric, you mentioned that you have a close friend that is a 32nd Degree SR Mason, you should probably seek more counsel from him or have dinner at the Lodge you are considering. That may be the best way to get your specific concerns addressed.
 
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Eric Edwards

Registered User
I bet that kind of thing happens pretty frequently...shame. Eric, you mentioned that you have a close friend that is a 32nd Degree SR Mason, you should probably seek more counsel from him or have dinner at the Lodge you are considering. That may be the best way to get your specific concerns addressed.


To answer am I here to witness...Not at all actually.
I find it easier to ask tough questions here than at a
lodge I am petitioning because I would hate my
questions to make me seem like I think ill of
your craft. I also get a diverse group of men from
many lodges here to respond. I have found your
responses to be truthful and sincere.

I really am joining lodge 438 in arlington,tx my friend is
Bobby Washburn whose entire family are masons and
actually most of them are pastors. My posts may sound
anti-masonic (which I am not) because some of the concerns
I brought up are echoed by some anti masonic groups on the net.

I actually bring these issues up to masons because I know in
Texas most of you are probably believers in Christ. I really wanted
to see how your faith and masonry coincide.

I was actually thinking of this prior to getting on here today.

My conclusion so far is this...

Christianity as taught by Jesus is complete and wanting in nothing.
Christianity as expressed by modern society and most churches is correct
in doctrine but wanting in practice and practical expression.



For example...

Helping your brothers, helping widows,
giving time to give back.

It is my honest opinion one could belong to a church
and if they fell on hard times the church in most churches
would simply pray.

That's wonderful. God can solve all things with prayer.

I think if a man was a member of the lodge and fell on hard
times the brothers would help in any way they could.

That might even mean financially.

I think this goes back to where Jesus said if your brother is cold
and you tell him be warm but do not give him a blanket that's not
really love.

I think masons are practicing this by being doers and not just
hearers of the word.

I see masonry as a way to assist me in the practice element of faith.
 
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scialytic

Premium Member
To answer am I here to witness...Not at all actually.
I find it easier to ask tough questions here than at a
lodge I am petitioning because I would hate my
questions to make me seem like I think ill of
your craft. I also get a diverse group of men from
many lodges here to respond. I have found your
responses to be truthful and sincere.

I really am joining lodge 438 in arlington,tx my friend is
Bobby Washburn whose entire family are masons and
actually most of them are pastors. My posts may sound
anti-masonic (which I am not) because some of the concerns
I brought up are echoed by some anti masonic groups on the net.

I actually bring these issues up to masons because I know in
Texas most of you are probably believers in Christ. I really wanted
to see how your faith and masonry coincide.

I was actually thinking of this prior to getting on here today.

My conclusion so far is this...

Christianity as taught by Jesus is complete and wanting in nothing.
Christianity as expressed by modern society and most churches is correct
in doctrine but wanting in practice and practical expression.



For example...

Helping your brothers, helping widows,
giving time to give back.

It is my honest opinion one could belong to a church
and if they fell on hard times the church in most churches
would simply pray.

That's wonderful. God can solve all things with prayer.

I think if a man was a member of the lodge and fell on hard
times the brothers would help in any way they could.

That might even mean financially.

I think this goes back to where Jesus said if your brother is cold
and you tell him be warm but do not give him a blanket that's not
really love.

I think masons are practicing this by being doers and not just
hearers of the word.

I see masonry as a way to assist me in the practice element of faith.

Then you are in the same boat as me. I asked similar questions when I was researching the Craft while deployed in Baghdad. My ultimate conclusion is that it is entirely up to the individual what Light they receive. I expect that the "koinonia" enhances this relationship, as fellowship is only deepens your relationship with God.

You come across as an interesting fellow. Feel fre to PM me. I'd love to meet for lunch and chat. Especially since it looks like we'll be going through a lot of study in the coming months. I wish you the best on your Journey!
 

Frater Cliff Porter

Premium Member
Well then you are in a good place Eric and I hope that your Masonic journey is an extraordinary one.

To the Muslim man asking about the Fraternity. I have sat in lodge in Muslim countries with rooms full of Muslim Brothers and here in Colorado with some Muslim Brothers. All good men with a faith in God are welcome.
 

Eric Edwards

Registered User
Well then you are in a good place Eric and I hope that your Masonic journey is an extraordinary one.

To the Muslim man asking about the Fraternity. I have sat in lodge in Muslim countries with rooms full of Muslim Brothers and here in Colorado with some Muslim Brothers. All good men with a faith in God are welcome.

I see you wrote a very well reviewed book.

Graham - pm me your contact info. :thumbup:
 

polmjonz

Registered User
Well unfortunately it sounds that during search for compatibility you may have stumbled upon some of the processes of ritual within masonry. I truly hope that you choose to forget them prior to participating in any ritual. The anticipation and trying to figure out where you are and what is next takes away from the overall experience and can detract from the lessons that are being presented. Good luck on your journey and let us know when you decide.
 

cog41

Premium Member
"He would become an accomplished Mason must not be content merely to hear, or even to understand the lectures: he must, aided by them, and they having as it were, marked out the way for him, study, interpret, and develop these symbols for himself."
 

Frater Cliff Porter

Premium Member
Locate a local lodge in your area, find out their meeting times, introduce yourself around and then ask to join if you feel that you and the lodge are a good fit and they feel the same, you will receive a petition and the process starts from there.

Can I ask why you would like to join?

and

Where do you live, city/state?
 

hilal200

Registered User
I live in the sultanate of Oman. In muscat ..and I would like to join because I think I can contribute and help other members..I'm a commercial pilot
 

Eric Edwards

Registered User
I can only say this...If I am approved. I will probably become one of the louder voices for masonry to the world.

I think I could explain things in a way that more people would want to join and remove much suspicion since

I approached my decisions with sincere concerns and some heavy research.
 

sands67

Premium Member
Eric...As many have suggested that although there is good info on the internet, but there is an awful lot of misinformation about Freemasonry. I would not be afraid to ask questions once you start your journey as there should be no brother who would not want to answer. If anything your questions may serve as a refresher for many who may have forgotten the answers to what you are asking:) There is no such thing as a silly question. That is where you will find your best information. With respect to your question of the question about the Shriners it is not a degree. It is a volunteer organzation run by and supported by Masons to help burned and crippled children. There is no obligation to join and no issues if you don't.
 

jwhoff

Premium Member
Sounds like Brother Porter read his last book! He's got a nose for that sort of thing you know.

:sneaky2:
 

towerbuilder7

Moderator
Premium Member
Eric, I wish you well in your quest for membership in this Brotherhood. I also wish you well in your continued quest for knowledge. Your concerns about what you may have seen and/or read on an Anti-Masonic website are valid. I grew up Roman Catholic, as 5 generations of my family before me in SW Louisiana did; so, I heard all of the old Anti-Masonic banter from my Mother and a few other uninformed relatives before I joined. I did what the Brothers here are suggesting that you do-----consult the Brothers in the Lodge in which you seek membership. I looked at the character of Men in the Lodge in which I sought membership, and each of them happened to be Christian, Family Oriented, Community Minded Individuals who were seeking to become BETTER MEN. (I am a member of a Prince Hall Affiliated Lodge here in Houston, Texas)

When I learned about the CHARACTER of the Men in the Lodge, THAT is all I needed to know before submitting MY petition. It appears by some of the questions asked regarding the Ritual that you want answers to some things before its proper time. Masonry provides the test that one cannot study for prior to Initiation-----it is a test that will allow you to focus on that with which you are presented, and you will have the opportunity to choose whether or not to to MOVE FORWARD and apply the study of our tenets and teachings to your life ON YOUR OWN FREE WILL AND ACCORD. If you do not feel comfortable with something you hear or are asked, you will have an opportunity to leave. It's that simple. But, judging from the faith in GOD that you profess, I do NOT see your beliefs being diametrically opposed to anything you will see or hear.

Last point that I want you to consider-----I want to strongly echo the sentiments of the Brethren that have commented before me-----while you are going through your Degree Work, I would strongly suggest that you rely ONLY on the teaching of the BROTHERHOOD, and stay off of the Internet for that period of time. Allow the knowledge to enter your "attentive ear", and be patient. Trust me, the Brothers in the Lodge in which you seek admission will ensure that you are taught the information needed to possess proficiency in the Degrees you are pursuing. The Internet has some valuable information,(and plenty which is NOT) but you must ALWAYS CONSIDER THE SOURCE OF THE INFORMATION. If the information is provided by some RECOGNIZED MASONIC BODY with which your Lodge is affiliated, such as the Grand Lodge of Texas, or the Research Lodge, that would be all that I would ingest for the moment.

If you are as dedicated as you tell us, you should have ENOUGH on your plate with what your Lodge will have waiting for you in regard to your Memory Work to keep you busy for a while.......BE PATIENT, Brother. Two things that any good Mason pursues during his LIFELONG investigation of the Mysteries of Man and World are the PURSUIT OF TRUTH, and KNOWLEDGE OF SELF. Some of the questions you had on your posts will be answered during Initiation or at other points in your Degree Work. If we told you the answers ON AN INTERNET FORUM, we would be doing a HUGE disservice to your Lodge as well as YOU, and the Man who answered any question on this Forum related to the Ritual wouldn't be in adherence to the obligations that we all took and hold as solemn.

Please keep us informed on your progress. I will be praying for your progress in Masonry, as you seek the LIGHT Masonry can provide..........Fraternally, Bro. Vincent C. Jones, Sr., Lodge Chaplain, Bayou City Lodge #228, Houston, Texas, Prince Hall Affiliation, Free and Accepted Masonry, Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Texas

 

Cigarzan

Premium Member
Eric wrote: I really am joining lodge 438 in arlington,tx my friend is
Bobby Washburn whose entire family are masons and
actually most of them are pastors. My posts may sound
anti-masonic (which I am not) because some of the concerns
I brought up are echoed by some anti masonic groups on the net.

Cigarzan: Then by God stay off the stinkin' internet and TALK to your friend. You don't know us from Adam.


Eric wrote: I will probably become one of the louder voices for masonry to the world.

Cigarzan: I'm not so sure Masonry needs loud voices.
 
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Alhambran

Registered User
I know Arab Christians. These Arab Christians come from families that have been Christian since before the fall of the Western Roman Empire--that is, before the foundation of Islam, and before any English-speakers became Christian. Do you know what word they use when they want to refer to "God" as we English-speaking Christians refer to Him?

They use "Allah", because that is the word that Arab-speaking Christians have been using long before Mohammed was even born.

"Allah" means "God" (as in "The God", distinct from any old "god"), and it has meant "God" to Arab-speaking Christians before any English-speakers used the word "God" to refer to Him.

Just to add further clarification, "Allah" is Arabic for "Yahweh" - the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and God the Father of the Christian Trinity.
 
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