Do freemasons serve GOD and Satan ?

[Warrior1256]

As all of us here know all of the conspiracy theories concerning Masonry are simply nuts. However, we will never convince those that are predisposed to to believe such things that they are untrue. Trying to convince them is a waste of time.

 

[pointwithinacircle2]

As all of us here know all of the conspiracy theories concerning Masonry are simply nuts. However, we will never convince those that are predisposed to to believe such things that they are untrue. Trying to convince them is a waste of time.

Have you ever noticed that people who ask questions about Freemasonry and satan never offer a definition of satan?

 

[Brother JC]

Everyone on The Earth, more or less, "feedin'" satan. By makin' sins.
The sad point is that -- Freemasonry, unfortunately, does not offer "solution" to "win" the satan, so that it'll dissapear.

Once again, I have no idea what you're on about. "Satan" is pretty specific to certain religions, and the "fight against him" is specific to them as well. Freemasonry is not a religion, and you really need to comprehend that if you truly want to join.


Sent from my iPhone using My Freemasonry

 

[pointwithinacircle2]

Freemasonry, unfortunately, does not offer "solution" to "win" the satan, so that it'll dissapear.

The fact that would use the word "unfortunately" in this sentence shows that you do not understand Freemasonry at all. It is both fortunate and deliberate the Freemasonry offers neither salvation nor a solution to Satan. Those are religious objectives that are totally inappropriate in a Masonic setting.

 

[Chaz]

Because man is more than just body, you can not improve upon man without touching on things of the spirit. Freemasonry excludes itself from the prejudices of the secular world, mainly religion and politics, which, IMO, is why it's teachings have proven timeless.

 

[pointwithinacircle2]

you can not improve upon man without touching on things of the spirit.

Chaz, well said! This is simple, direct, and true.

 

[Chaz]

But, if I want my spirit to be "touched" -- I'll go to Church and make rituals there.
Why "rituals" also needed in Freemasonry?

Church's are generally self seeking and many have changed from their original teachings, Freemasonry has taught the same message from it's inception. The "rituals" are, IMO, a means of remembrance, the allegorical symbols brought to life.

 

[phulseapple]

But, if I want my spirit to be "touched" -- I'll go to Church and make rituals there.
Why "rituals" also needed in Freemasonry?

You are hung up on the term ritual. It is merely a way of doing the same thing the same way to ensure a common frame of reference. You take part in ritual every day whether you realize it or not. Wake up, shower, dress, eat breakfast, go to work/school, go home repeat. That is a daily ritual that is not religious based.

 

[jjjjjggggg]

Churches don't have exclusive right to the use of ritual. Many organizations use ritual... even some businesses. Ritual is very effective in conveying the principles held by an organization, and masonry has capitalized on this fact.

I would also point out that many non-denominational churches don't use ritual as they consider it a hinderance to the "flow of spontaneous worship".

I think our use of ritual is one of the highlights of our fraternity that puts us a step ahead of other fraternal organizations.

 

[phulseapple]

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ritual "c : an act or series of acts regularly repeated in a set precise manner " . This can be anything, so my example above is in fact, accurate.

 

[jjjjjggggg]

Could you, please, sir, explain more detailed these words?

Rituals unite its participants... kind of like country line dancing if you've ever seen it. There are lots of fraternal organizations who use no ritual simply because it serves them no purpose. Paying dues and gathering every once and a while seems to be enough for them.

But our rituals expound on the principles of masonry, especially those of brotherly love, relief, and truth. The rituals form the core of what makes us masons. We've all been the candidate and have a common shared experience, and studies have shown the efficacy of the "trial" and it's psychological effects. If I can find a link to the study and it's details I will post it, but basically those who go through an initiation rite tend to show greater appreciation for the organization than just someone who paid some dues and becomes a full member.

And ritual must serve a purpose, otherwise the participants eventually come to despise the formality. In our ritual we are constantly reminded of our purpose and the high ideals of our craft. It truly is a beautiful system of morality veiled by allegory and illustrated by symbols.

 

[Chaz]

But the purpose is to make adept more spiritually strong, right?
Cause you said that: to remember allegorical symbols. It means to be: moral for adept. For me so.

That's more the ideology of a lot of the clandestine masonic associations I've seen, as far as the first 3 degrees are concerned. An adept is someone already proficient in a certain field, the blue lodge is more like a blue print in that aspect. I believe your trying to make a deeper religious/spiritual connection than is actually present in the blue lodge, although I could be mistaken.

 

[crono782]

Even since ancient times, rituals have been used not only to initiate, but to teach lessons themselves. I think Mackey said it best when he notes the distinction between freemasonry's ritual and freemasonry's philosophy. He theorizes that the philosophy predates the ritual by thousands of years. It does have a deeper spiritual side which is evident to anyone exploring beyond the ritual given. The ritual is a vector to initiate into and teach the philosophy.

 

[Chaz]

They portray the lessons of Freemasonry in another light for the initiates, IMO, to help retain the information and that we might have the shared experiences there of, once again in my opinion. There's tons of people that put a spiritual twist on all of it but it's up to individual interpretation and the beliefs of the member.

 

[crono782]

You need to ask yourself, is there a difference between "spirituality" and "religion". If you say they're the same thing, then you will always be confused. If you can see the difference, then you may learn what we're saying.

 

[Chaz]

Freemasonry is related with Religion! Why you say that it's not!

The Holy Bible says true and proper religion before God is taking care of the widows and orphans and keeping oneself unstained from the world. With that definition, yes, Freemasonry would be true religion before God, in a christian/Jewish/Islamic sense. Yet that discriminates against those of other beliefs, which is unmasonic. Freemasonry is different than the world, so the world has an issue understanding it.

 

[jjjjjggggg]

Contrary to my comments in another thread that got me accused of all sorts of un brotherly things, freemasonry isn't a religion, in that it has no doctrine defining deity, worship, or religious practice. Masonry offers no path to salvation, no path to release one from the rounds of "rebirth", and no unique system of morality. It's rituals are not meant to placate the expectations of any deity.

Masonry's ritual isn't worship. That's why the whole idea of some folks saying we worship satan is silly and way off base. But some folks will look for whatever connections they can find to prove their point... like the lady in the news this week who is saying that Monster energy drinks are secretly promoting satanism.

If and when you decide to petition for the degrees, and then get initiated, I think you'll understand what we are all trying to say.

 

[NY.Light]

Post deleted.

 

[Warrior1256]

Contrary to my comments in another thread that got me accused of all sorts of un brotherly things, freemasonry isn't a religion, in that it has no doctrine defining deity, worship, or religious practice. Masonry offers no path to salvation, no path to release one from the rounds of "rebirth", and no unique system of morality. It's rituals are not meant to placate the expectations of any deity.

Masonry's ritual isn't worship. That's why the whole idea of some folks saying we worship satan is silly and way off base. But some folks will look for whatever connections they can find to prove their point... like the lady in the news this week who is saying that Monster energy drinks are secretly promoting satanism.

If and when you decide to petition for the degrees, and then get initiated, I think you'll understand what we are all trying to say.

Absolutely, great reply.

 

[BRO. SQUARE]

I AM A CHRISTIAN AND I AM A MASON.
MASONRY IS NOT A RELIGON.