Quote:
| Originally Posted by D. W. Brown David,
Would you please clarify what you meant by this quote for everyone? |
Surely.
I'm sorry if you (or anyone) take offense to those terms, but that is my honest observation - which I believe is what was asked for.
In actual point of fact, any group calling themselves masons
(regardless of the actual practice and history of the group) which my GL does not recognize, must be considered clandestine to any mason made by a lodge chartered by my GL. That is not up for debate.
As much as I may empathize with this recent group, I may not recognize them as regular masons - nor can I (or any member of a lodge under my GL) recognize any group as masons unless they enjoy fraternal relations with my GL.
I am obligated to stand by that, and stand by that I will.
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But perhaps I answered the wrong question - your post was very long. As to your question:
Quote:
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I explained that ‘at the higher levels of Freemasonry’ it simply suggests that there is only one living and true God, the creator of the Universe, and that all organized religions are created by men and for men. Whether you might be a Hindu, Moslem, Christian, or in any other way identify with any paritcular religious dogma, you are doing litte more than putting your human prejudices on God and these predjucides do not affect the creator itself in any way.
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No. I feel that freemasonry allows an individual to hold that opinion, or to believe that only his particular concept of diety is correct - provided he allows others to believe that only their particular concept is correct. Freemasonry, as I have come to know it, leaves the particulars of understanding, worshiping, and following the will of Diety up to the individual. I have seen education about (and fine examples from) several faiths explained in the Scottish Rite; yet these were provided for education only.
Each brother is encouraged to follow his own path, while allowing others to do the same. Nowhere is there a teaching about the appropriateness of any faith.