freemasonpha
Registered User
Thank you Brother for you comments. I would point out that you missed the meat of my post when you left out, "- believing all religions lead to salvation/heaven/God. For Christians the exclusive claims of the Gospel and the exclusivity of Christ makes this branch theory, all religions are branches of legitimate faith, contrary to the Christianity."
To flesh this out a little more, I didn't mean ecumentist in a Christian sense, rather, I was referring to the idea that all religions are equal expressions of the mysterious. There is no hierarchy of beliefs since belief is subjective.
Of course but what are reasons for your disagreement Brother?
So mote it be! lol
I am on a never ending journeying, a lifetime of learning if you will and having worked in a library for just shy of 25 years offering me the opportunity to read and research. I hope to learn a lot visiting this forum Br. Bloke and picking your brain from time to time.
Yes, I would agree with you in most cases, however, some Fraternities have an underlying philosophy that crosses the line into religion or the realm of faith.
Freemasons have a way of thinking about God and man (GAOTU, Fatherhood of God, brotherhood of man, making good men better, etc.) which is essentially a "theology." Without getting into too much detail the Rituals we use offer us instruction on how we should think about God and man, they are theological to a certain extent and since theology means "the study of God and man" I would surmise you reject the definition of terms and not really the objection offered by Christian institutions themselves.
Absolutely.
Yes Sir, this is a common belief. How is the unknowable known if it can't be known? It's a self defeating position since all Masons must believe in God - all Masons are presupposing that God can be known.
If God is beyond human understanding than one person can't speak to another's faith (including their belief in divine inspiration) without creating an exception for themselves that allows them to judge universally. Like the old analogy of the elephant and the blind men. One man grabs the tusk, another the tail and all claim to have found elephant. You say, "that's not the elephant" assuming you have the best vantage point. It would be the same when it comes to God, to claim "he/she/it will always remain a mystery" assumes you are the exception and have the best vantage point. And that's not really an argument against religion but a personal, subjective opinion when it is claimed God "is beyond human understanding..."
I mean this post to be understood in the best possible light, as two brothers talking about deep subjects, and with respect.
Thank you.
To flesh this out a little more, I didn't mean ecumentist in a Christian sense, rather, I was referring to the idea that all religions are equal expressions of the mysterious. There is no hierarchy of beliefs since belief is subjective.
I would disagree and so would those churches that see Freemasonry as incompatiable with their dogma.
Of course but what are reasons for your disagreement Brother?
Some research will set you straight, but at the same time
So mote it be! lol
I am on a never ending journeying, a lifetime of learning if you will and having worked in a library for just shy of 25 years offering me the opportunity to read and research. I hope to learn a lot visiting this forum Br. Bloke and picking your brain from time to time.
I would say a Fraternity is not a Religion,
Yes, I would agree with you in most cases, however, some Fraternities have an underlying philosophy that crosses the line into religion or the realm of faith.
and hence their objections are something I reject
Freemasons have a way of thinking about God and man (GAOTU, Fatherhood of God, brotherhood of man, making good men better, etc.) which is essentially a "theology." Without getting into too much detail the Rituals we use offer us instruction on how we should think about God and man, they are theological to a certain extent and since theology means "the study of God and man" I would surmise you reject the definition of terms and not really the objection offered by Christian institutions themselves.
Or they could all be wrong.
Absolutely.
I think God is a mystery, hence, despite some Church's claim to "divine inspiration" where God explains himself to mortals, he/she/it will always remain a mystery and is beyond human understanding...
Yes Sir, this is a common belief. How is the unknowable known if it can't be known? It's a self defeating position since all Masons must believe in God - all Masons are presupposing that God can be known.
If God is beyond human understanding than one person can't speak to another's faith (including their belief in divine inspiration) without creating an exception for themselves that allows them to judge universally. Like the old analogy of the elephant and the blind men. One man grabs the tusk, another the tail and all claim to have found elephant. You say, "that's not the elephant" assuming you have the best vantage point. It would be the same when it comes to God, to claim "he/she/it will always remain a mystery" assumes you are the exception and have the best vantage point. And that's not really an argument against religion but a personal, subjective opinion when it is claimed God "is beyond human understanding..."
I mean this post to be understood in the best possible light, as two brothers talking about deep subjects, and with respect.
Thank you.