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The Freemasons
Sabine
Veteran
Anybody know anything about them? I've googled some stuff, but I haven't found anything really in depth.
I've heard of Freemasonry before, but today, one of my friends brought this big, gilded Masonic Bible to school. I asked where on earth he got it, but he was kinda secretive. However, he did tell me that he's a Freemason, as well as his parents, and theirs, and theirs...I don't think I'll be getting too many answers from him, though.
I've heard of Freemasonry before, but today, one of my friends brought this big, gilded Masonic Bible to school. I asked where on earth he got it, but he was kinda secretive. However, he did tell me that he's a Freemason, as well as his parents, and theirs, and theirs...I don't think I'll be getting too many answers from him, though.
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Comments
Their Creed and organisation is based on the Book of Solomon, his temple, the Pillars and his Creed for Living...There is a massive element of 'You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours' to every conceivable level....
You have to be nominated by someone, (there is an awful lot of credit attached to recruiting new members....) and providing your sponsor can show and prove your good unblemished character, who you are, what you do and where you've come from is no barrier.
Women are not permitted to join, although new Freemason Lodges exclusively for women have been founded....Though what any mature, sensible and articulate woman would want to be doing playing over-grown boys' games, is totally beyond me...
An ex-boss of mine was a Freemason, and he recruited my ex-husband, but living in France as he does now, his membership has fallen to the wayside....
Technically speaking, you never stop being a Freemason, although you are encouraged to keep up with your membership, and attend Lodge gatherings....
There is also a hierarchy system, whereby you climb through the ranks.....
And most Lodges hold an annual Ladies' Night - by way, I would guess, of thanking these long-suffering partners for their patience and indulgence - !!
And that's all I know.
Hey, bro. Where ya been? Long time no see.
cheers,
Richard.
A friend of mine is one-but we haven't seen each other for about two years so i can't tell u a great deal more about them, except that In my opinion they are okay-almost Buddhist in their approach to humanity and friendship.
Hm, getting some conflicting stuff here. I've asked a few people about the FMs, and I've gotten a different story from each - one said, "Aren't they Satanist?"; another, "Aren't they uber-Christian?"; yet another, "Oh, you mean those dudes from The Da Vinci Code?"; but I've read articles about them that say anybody (with excess testosterone) can join, no matter what religion they are.
:wtf:
My FM friend is still keeping pretty silent, but he told me about the ranking system - they use degrees. The highest degree a FM can reach is 40. He didn't exactly say how to reach this level, though.
One of my teachers is apparently one, too - he has a very obvious sticker on the back of his car that looks like their compass symbol.
Thanks for the background, everybody!
These are not available to purchase over the counter in jewellery shops, although I have seen Freemason symbols as tie pins, cufflinks, rings and pendants, for sale...
I did know the significance of this lapel pin, but I have forgotten....
in case you didn't know, the G in the masonic symbol stands for God, and also Bill Gates is a freemason. (just had to add that)
this thread has sparked my attention back up on Freemasonry, if i find some good info i'll post it up here.
With love,
Wes.
In the 19th century, French Masonry was deeply anti-clerical but, at the same time, interested in esoteric, quasi-Satanic ritual and invocation.
No Roman Catholic may become a Mason. It is one of the proscribed organisations, along with the Communist Party (although the latter stricture has been lifted).
In Britain, English Masonry (the Brotherhood) has tended to be a source of charitable work, building schools and hospitals. Membership used to be secret but this is no longer the case. Senior (male) members of the Royal Family are Masons of High Degree, as have been (and may still be) bishops and archbishops.
In order to move from Degree to Degree requires a lot of studying, particularly of arcane lore concerning the alleged "Temple of Solomon". The basic tenets of belief are theist so that all people who believe in a deity of any stripe are welcomed. There used to be very strong Police Lodges and I have received a number of invitations from senior officers. Police officers must now declare their membership. although, for many years, it was suspected that there was Masonic collusion between judiciary and police.
As far as I am aware, Scottish Masonry has always accepted women as members, within their own lodges, but Scottish Masonry has remained much closer to the ideals of the Enlightenment and the Age of Revolution.
It's interesting how a lot of major European countries have their own branches.
As with so many other things, the US has adopted and adapted European structures/ideas in their own particuliar way. The English language gives example! LOL
Is this a Catholic or Masonic rule? I'm curious since my brother is Roman Catholic and a Mason.
Membership of and participation in the rituals of the Masonic 'brotherhood' has been subject to excommunication by the Roman Church since 1738! This is ipso facto (automatic) and reserved to the Holy See (i.e only the Pope can lift the sentence on an individual). Your brother needs to decide where he stands, I think. At the higher degrees of Masonry, anti-Catholic statements and rituals are an integral part of the belief structure.
*curiosity piques once again*
Botyh the Catholic Church and the Brotherhood appear to be surviving each other's opprobrium!