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The Secret Teachings Of All Ages

Eric Edwards

Registered User
Bought this book today...

I want opinions on it please and specifically
to Christian brothers...

Do you believe Christ was crucified literally, raised from dead literally? etc...

In brief looking over this I became very weary of it but the book is very interesting.
 

Spring TX MM

Premium Member
I haven't read the book in reference but to answer your questions, I'm assuming you're sort of polling this, yes, I believe in it literally. Aside from the Lord himself, telling me otherwise, I'm not going to be changing what I believe. Doesn't mean I'm not open minded to learn new things. I'm just going to keep my faith while doing so.

I think it comes down to what one was taught and believes. If you believe the Christian Bible or holy book was inspired by divine influence, then in my opinion, it would be difficult to sway ones beliefs. I guess it depends on the strength of ones faith.

S&F
Kyle
 

Eric Edwards

Registered User
I haven't read the book in reference but to answer your questions, I'm assuming you're sort of polling this, yes, I believe in it literally. Aside from the Lord himself, telling me otherwise, I'm not going to be changing what I believe. Doesn't mean I'm not open minded to learn new things. I'm just going to keep my faith while doing so.

I think it comes down to what one was taught and believes. If you believe the Christian Bible or holy book was inspired by divine influence, then in my opinion, it would be difficult to sway ones beliefs. I guess it depends on the strength of ones faith.

S&F
Kyle

wheres the "like" button lol
 

Frater Cliff Porter

Premium Member
The Secret Teachings is an encyclopedic volume, so it is not provided by Brother Hall as a definitive text of his beliefs or of Freemasonry. It is written as an encyclopedic volume of all things metaphysical from the fairly grounded to the fringe (trolls, etc.)

THE IMPORTANT THING ABOUT FREEMASONRY ERIC IS THAT IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT A SINGLE BROTHER BELIEVES OUTSIDE OF A BELIEVE IN DEITY. IT SHOULDN'T MATTER FOR YOU, AND YOUR SPECIFIC BELIEFS DO NOT "MATTER" TO THEM.

You will be embraced regardless. What concerns me is that you might not find yourself able to likewise as this seems of an extraordinary concern to you.

In Masonry, the idea is that you don't need to ask your Brothers specific belief because being under the fatherhood of God, additional clarification is unimportant. God loves us all, we can love one another.

I, for instance, will not answer your question. That is between God and I....
 

Eric Edwards

Registered User
The Secret Teachings is an encyclopedic volume, so it is not provided by Brother Hall as a definitive text of his beliefs or of Freemasonry. It is written as an encyclopedic volume of all things metaphysical from the fairly grounded to the fringe (trolls, etc.)

THE IMPORTANT THING ABOUT FREEMASONRY ERIC IS THAT IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT A SINGLE BROTHER BELIEVES OUTSIDE OF A BELIEVE IN DEITY. IT SHOULDN'T MATTER FOR YOU, AND YOUR SPECIFIC BELIEFS DO NOT "MATTER" TO THEM.

You will be embraced regardless. What concerns me is that you might not find yourself able to likewise as this seems of an extraordinary concern to you.

In Masonry, the idea is that you don't need to ask your Brothers specific belief because being under the fatherhood of God, additional clarification is unimportant. God loves us all, we can love one another.

I, for instance, will not answer your question. That is between God and I....

Thank you for your response.

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 1st Peter 3:15
Therefore brother if your VSL is the KJV then God requires a answer.

Also does God love us all?
As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
By the way sorry for the big letters I'm not yelling I copy and pasted something and the font won't go down.

Also are we all under the "fatherhood of God"
<< John 8:44 >>
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

I do embrace men regardless of their beliefs. I just am researching probably more than any person would normally do and
making sure I can with clear conviction become a Mason. I want to badly but not my will but His be done.
 
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Eric Edwards

Registered User
I would also like to add...

And if Christ be not risen,.... If this is a truth, and must be taken as granted, as it must be, if there is no resurrection at all:then is our preaching vain; false, empty, delusory, unprofitable, and useless; not only that part of it which more especially concerns the resurrection of Christ, but even the whole of it; preaching Christ as the Son of God, which was the subject of the apostle's ministry, and which he set out with, is to no purpose, if he is not risen; for one considerable proof of his sonship depends upon his resurrection, which is the declaration of it; for who can believe him to be the Son of God, if he is detained under the power of the grave? one reason why he could not be held of death, and the pains and cords of it, any longer than was necessary, and was his pleasure, was because he was the Son of God, as well as surety of his people, who had paid the whole debt: so the preaching of his incarnation, obedience, sufferings, and death, is of no use and avail, if he has not abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light, first in himself, and then for his people:and your faith is also vain; either the grace of faith, by which they believed on Christ, or the doctrine of faith; or since this is repeated, 1 Corinthians 15:17 the one may be meant here, and the other there. The doctrine of faith they had given their assent to, not only respecting the resurrection of Christ, but any other truth relating to his person and office, must be vain and empty, and without any foundation; even that faith which is one, uniform, harmonious, and consistent, which was once delivered to the saints; which they are to stand fast in, to strive, contend, and fight for, and not part with at any rate, upon any account whatever; and yet this, and the preaching and belief of it, are useless and insignificant things, if Christ is not risen; such wretched absurdities must follow upon the denial of that truth.
Vincent's Word StudiesVain (κενὸν)Empty, a mere chimaera.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
so is the apostle Paul a heretic?
 
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Frater Cliff Porter

Premium Member
Eric the fact that you are drawn into these debates I do not believe the Craft will be right for you. I believe that you might be a good man and a loving man and a man who loves his God. That does not mean you will be comfortable as a Freemason. I think you should pray for comfort that Freemasonry might not be right for you.

The verse you quote:
"Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their [h]intimidation, and do not be troubled, 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; 16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. "
Is really about defending slander and not about answering every question asked of you.

The Word also says:

The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly.

and

He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.
Proverbs 21:22-24

and

And a soft tongue breaks the bone.


I referred to the Brotherhood of man under the Fatherhood of God. The Scriptures also provide:

Acts 17:29
Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God.

We can always use the Bible to prove a point. It is filled with enough wisdom and enough contradiction that we can "make" it agree with us.

Again, Eric I find your arguments familiar from those anti-Masons that I have dealt with, but will take you on your word.

I think you are passionate, that you love Jesus and do not feel that Masonry at all levels is consistent with your faith.

If your God is filled will hate, if your God excludes some of his children and if you can not subdue this passion to proselytize then you will find yourself in the wrong place in Masonry.

You should know that some of Masonic ritual in many States and countries, men you will call Brother, refer to Hephaestus, to Vulcan and to Fidelis...all Pagan names for God in some regard.

There is imagery in Texas that refers to ancient name of God when he was worshipped under the name of Kronos. It is symbolized in a beautiful symbol of a virgin weeping over a broken column and the ringlets of her hair counted by time in the form of the old pagan Deity.

I tell you these things because you will need to completely comfortable joining hands even (in some jurisdictions) but at a minimum, meeting "on the level" and extending an equality to all men who are Freemasons and praying with them, saying amen with them, and calling them Brother...meaning that you will defend their beliefs, their right to be free and not, even outside of lodge, disparage the beliefs of your Fellows.

I don't honestly think you will be comfortable.

I think that you are fascinated by Freemasonry and you would like to prove how Christian you are....but Freemasonry isn't the place to do that.
 

mattcaler

Registered User
I must say that many of the posts that I have read from you come off to me as antagonistic. I too am a Christian (and former Pastor) and feel uncomfortable when reading these posts. Either come in to this wonderful fraternity with the love of Christ on your heart and tongue or don't come at all. I can't imagine any lodge wanting a member who brings so much discord and dissension with him. This fraternity isn't about one particular person's own personal theology so don't try to make it about that.

Besides, if you are trying to "win anyone for Christ" this certainly is not the way. Jesus was followed by the masses because of the unconditional love that exuded from his being. If you want to display Christ to those in your workplace, family and lodge etc. then do so in the way that He did it himself. If we more followed Christ's example, we would end up only arguing and debating with the people in our churches and not those people at our jobs, homes and lodges.

I do not say any of this to discourage you but instead to ENCOURAGE you to truly search your heart and motives before you follow through with joining this wonderful fraternity of men. This could be one of the greatest experiences of your life or one of the emptiest...one thing is certain though; it WILL UNDOUBTEDLY be what YOU make of it.
 

Eric Edwards

Registered User
I must say that many of the posts that I have read from you come off to me as antagonistic. I too am a Christian (and former Pastor) and feel uncomfortable when reading these posts. Either come in to this wonderful fraternity with the love of Christ on your heart and tongue or don't come at all. I can't imagine any lodge wanting a member who brings so much discord and dissension with him. This fraternity isn't about one particular person's own personal theology so don't try to make it about that.

Besides, if you are trying to "win anyone for Christ" this certainly is not the way. Jesus was followed by the masses because of the unconditional love that exuded from his being. If you want to display Christ to those in your workplace, family and lodge etc. then do so in the way that He did it himself. If we more followed Christ's example, we would end up only arguing and debating with the people in our churches and not those people at our jobs, homes and lodges.

I do not say any of this to discourage you but instead to ENCOURAGE you to truly search your heart and motives before you follow through with joining this wonderful fraternity of men. This could be one of the greatest experiences of your life or one of the emptiest...one thing is certain though; it WILL UNDOUBTEDLY be what YOU make of it.

I am earnestly wanting to join. I am not trying to win people here for Christ though I suppose that should ever be our purpose.

I am a king of sinning...so I am not trying to prove how christian I am. I live with my girlfriend. I don't feel condemned about it but God may want us to marry etc... I have read things from some antimasonic sites in my search for truth there are always 2 sides.

Acts 17:29 is only talking to believers.

I agree with you guys on most things. If masonry were simply a fraternity I could join with no hesitation and have no question about the right or wrong of it. What confuses me is....Is masonry a religion that accepts all religions?

Is it the religion of which all men can agree?
 
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mattcaler

Registered User
I agree with you guys on most things. If masonry were simply a fraternity I could join with no hesitation and have no question about the right or wrong of it. What confuses me is....Is masonry a religion that accepts all religions?

Is it the religion of which all men can agree?

Freemasonry is not a religion...you REALLY do need to get off the internet AND quit asking advice from OTHER people that know absolutely nothing about the fraternity. You wouldn't go to a chef and ask his/her professional opinion about the difference between a Variable Universal Life Insurance policy and an Indexed Universal Life Insurance policy. So why in God's name would you ask any Non-Masons about being a Freemason??? Go spend some time at Arlington Lodge.
 

towerbuilder7

Moderator
Premium Member
Eric, Let me repeat myself again-----stay off of the internet, and If you DO plan to join the Lodge, you need to realize that Masonry is NOT a religion. It allows for free practice of various religions, in that a Brother must only profess belief in a Deity to join. Quoting scripture and professing your convictions and beliefs on this forum is fine, as each of us Christian Men will tell you, but that has NO PLACE inside the Lodge. Discussion of religion and politics is forbidden in lodge.

We always state that Masonry is a WAY OF LIFE, because it teaches moral lessons using allegory, symbolism, Ritual, and lecture/discussion. Brothers may also dig deeper with discussion of esoteric teachings, Masonic History and Philosophy, Architecture, and other subjects that spark interests within the confines of a study group.

This Fraternal Order has not withstood the test of time on a whim or by a thread. It has done so by Brethren entering our doors with their MINDS, HEARTS, and most importantly our EARS OPEN. My advice to you is this----if you have the SLIGHTEST reservation about joining the Lodge, WAIT,or DON'T JOIN AT ALL. THIS MAY NOT BE YOUR TIME. You can do ALL of the research you want, but this is a Brotherhood that has prospered because we are FREE THINKERS.

FREEmasonry embraced free speech, freedom of religion, separation of Church and State, and democracy at a time when the Papal Government ruled countries with an Iron Hand. If you have ANY reservation about joining, take your time. However, if you plan on joining, and your mind is already made up, "follow your guide and fear NO danger"........

You have to trust your friend and sponsor enough to know that he wouldn't lead you into anything that would conflict with your beliefs, your duty to GOD, or your Country. You should have another sit down with HIM and the Brothers of the Lodge which you intend to join, Eric. Give THEM the respect of addressing your concerns.
Bro Vincent C. Jones, Sr., Bayou City Lodge 228, PHA, F&AM, Houston, Texas
 

Eric Edwards

Registered User
Freemasonry is not a religion...you REALLY do need to get off the internet AND quit asking advice from OTHER people that know absolutely nothing about the fraternity. You wouldn't go to a chef and ask his/her professional opinion about the difference between a Variable Universal Life Insurance policy and an Indexed Universal Life Insurance policy. So why in God's name would you ask any Non-Masons about being a Freemason??? Go spend some time at Arlington Lodge.

Are you a insurance guy...I am...your analogy made me think you were.
 

daddyrich

Registered User
Go to a Lodge. Go a few times, make it a regular visit to a Stated Dinner to meet with the bretheren. If you like what you see and are eased in your heart and mind, then petition. You are either trying to talk yourself out of joining or trying to preach a message. But, please, let men be free in their hearts and minds to believe what they want. I read earlier in one of your posts that you believe Islam is a 'made up' religion (or somesuch, the words you used escape me now), you will be joined in Masonic work w/men of ALL faiths, should you join. Accept that not all of us are Christians, much less the types to quote scripture, ad infinitum, on a message board. This whole discussion and hand holding is getting ridiculous. I speak only for myself. Petition, or don't. We are nor in the business of selling Freemasonry.
 

SeeKer.mm

Premium Member
Eric, I have a question for you. Do you really want to join freemasonry, or are you just fascinated by it? Join or don't, whatever you decide, make sure it is of your own free will and accord.
 

Eric Edwards

Registered User
Eric, I have a question for you. Do you really want to join freemasonry, or are you just fascinated by it? Join or don't, whatever you decide, make sure it is of your own free will and accord.

both...
want to join freemasonry and fascinated by it
 
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