My point is and was that there is but one Holy Bible (all translations included)
Actually, that would make for several editions (not "one and only one") of the Xtian Bible, each with a slightly different version of "the complete and unerring word of God". Yes, we're splitting hairs here, but that's exactly the point. All the "other stuff", over which mankind has quibled, argued, or even fought wars over, that stuff that the profane would use to set "the other" apart, or more precisely,
beneath himself, is that which we, as Masons, are to avoid other than as regards our own spiritual path.
and if that is the text that one was obligted on and the faith one claims/practices, as men and Masons we should walk a closer line to our faith and guide setting the highest example. My original point to Bro. Bennet's comment was that I too have issues with some....not all.....but some Brothers that claim a book and faith walk h yet show practices/behaviors that are far removed from both.
No argument. The particular spiritual path a Brother choses is not our concern. That he walks it faithfully and honestly, is. Again, that walk is his to make. As a Brother we can celebrate his advancement along that path and, as best we can, we can provide guidance when he strays, but the steps are all his to make.
If a Brother's belief is only in the acknowledgement of the existence of a power higher than one's self but does not practice faith of any kind, then there is no relevance to my point. I have seen my entire life and in the time since I became a Brother in this great and ancient Fraternity of ours, those that claim a high faith and practice but show things differently in their actions
Again, we agree. In fact, most of the Masons I know do a poor job of observing all the tenets of their chosen faith, if for no other reason than that they are simply ignorant of those tenets. As their Brother, do we not have at least some responsibility to understand spiritual task our Brother has set for himself and to assist him where we can? To be sure, our cable tow is only so long; we are not talking about "saving the world" here, only having the love and respect to gain at least a fundamental understanding of the challenges he has set for himself.
Hey, weren't we supposed to be talking about women, and ritual, and stuff?