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But note there are no specific statements regarding what those actual "principles of morality" are nor what parts of the Bible lay out those principles. One man could take away "adherence to the Laws of Moses" while another could take away "mercy to all, whether they deserve it or not". I'm sure...

Ah, but what are the "Holy Scriptures"? They could just as easily be the Bhagavad Gita, the Koran, or many other works. A "Holy Scripture" does not have to be a specific edition of a specific book.

Why not believe that the Operatives were sensible enough to recognize deficiencies? However, the Operatives did not add the majority of ritual or mythology. That stuff was bolted on in the Speculative era, with lots of unverifiable claims of more ancient uses. As for invoking Occam's razor...

"Assuming" that in our society is like "assuming" that most people in the USA in 2014 speak English to at least some extent. In our society, God is an anthropomorphic being by default. One must note otherwise if not using "God" in this way. It would be like me using "competent" to mean "able to...

Influenced? I'd say that Freemasonry followed various ancient mysteries into dark alleys, bashed them on their heads, and then went through their pockets for anything that looked interesting.

The definition of "God" implicit in your question is, at very least an anthropomorphic spiritual entity distinct from humanity. However, it is possible for someone to acknowledge a "God" acceptable to Freemasonry that need not meet those requirements. I could see a philosophical deist whose...

A good description of the Psalm, but I am surprised that a very common exegesis wasn't mentioned. The anointing of Ps 133 is the same as the anointing of a King of Israel or Judah. Likewise, by extension, for Christians, it is the anointing poured upon us all at our Baptism (or Confirmation for...

Far as I can tell, the secrets of high-ranking Masonry are generally about kitchen cleanup.

Depends on your individual take on "lucifer". "Light bearer" or "light bringer" appears many times in the Bible, usually in reference to Christ, but it's not translated as "lucifer" in those contexts, originally out of deference to Medieval folk superstitions, now out of simple habit.

Masons have been political since day one. Masonry is only political to the extent that it promotes unfettered individual participation in the political process.

"The Church" did not rule with an iron hand. Kings routinely got into fights with "the Church" and very often spanked "the Church". The resolution of the Investiture Controversy, for example, was that the Pope appointed all Bishops in German lands--but only from lists provided by the King of the...

And then it will be institutionalized discrimination against IPhones.

Warfare and "violent" tendencies on an individual level are unrelated or even opposite traits. Individual propensity for violence goes along with individual propensity for willfulness, insubordination, and general unsuitability for any cooperative activity. Individual propensity for violence...

Man is born inherently rough stone.

The Eagle is also the traditional symbol of St. John, the beloved disciple.

This has nothing to do with Freemasonry.

I have autism. Sarcasm and I are only passing acquaintances, I'm afraid. So, I completely fell for it.

The irony is delicious, to read you praising someone so highly when this SAME person also is totally convinced that the Pope and Freemasons are conspiring together to destroy democratic governments and rule the world. As far as he is concerned, Freemasonry is the enemy of humanity. Irony can be...

It makes sense that you feel that its usefulness for self-study is limited. The Zohar was written in the context of groups of Jewish mystics, particularly the Merkabah mystics. They weren't hermits. They worked together.

There are at least three for every Christian: What he thinks his Church teaches. How he thinks he ought to live up to it. How he actually lives.