Freemasons and Political Discussions - Page 2

D. W. Brown · 07-25-2008, 08:10 PM

Back to the thread though, I agree that churches over the years were great meeting places as they were the only buildings during that time period that was suited for that purpose.

I don't say your religious beliefs should not be a part of your decision making process when choosing a candidate but I'm saying that the elected official cannot vote purely based on his religious beliefs. He has to vote how is constituents wants him to vote. This is going to lead into a discussion of states rights I can see it coming.

Tinker · 07-25-2008, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D. W. Brown

Back to the thread though, I agree that churches over the years were great meeting places as they were the only buildings during that time period that was suited for that purpose.

Yes, absolutely. One of the most interesting topics to me is the intersection of civil religion with sacred religion.

Quote:

I don't say your religious beliefs should not be a part of your decision making process when choosing a candidate but I'm saying that the elected official cannot vote purely based on his religious beliefs. He has to vote how is constituents wants him to vote. This is going to lead into a discussion of states rights I can see it coming.

Well theoretically sure.

And yes, states rights are inevitable in these sorts of things. I would argue that the state level is the perfect venue to decide issues of morality. Then the individual has more of an opportunity to actually affect the decisions and it encourages engagement at the local level.

Psi Brr · 08-04-2008, 10:41 AM

Brandt, I agree with Tinker; you make an excellent point. Learning takes place when the mind is challenged, and I believe greater light is gained through discussion, understanding, and resolution of any topic that challenges our emotions and our sense of morality. It's how we grow, and more importantly how the human race evolves.

Avoiding politics and religion precipitates gaps in the totality of what we learn. It keeps us from being greater than the sum of our intellectual parts.

Bob Hunter

chgregory · 08-04-2008, 01:26 PM

Psi Burr,

There is no secret in anything written here. The largest contribution comes from a non-mason who is clearly "anti-mason", but that is not why you should be free to read it, itis because all that has been written here is pretty much available at any libirary you might visit, or by using google.

The secrets of freemasonry are simply few and pretty far between. Here in the US the secrets tend to be ritual and recognition based issues and are not truly any kind of secret because you can find them online from legitimate masonic sources.

These "secrets" are only kept secret by the promise of the members and have over time become pretty public often without a source of their release being clear. I watched all three Blue Lodge rites on TV a few months ago. Was it wrong for a lodge to allow that to happen? I don't really kow because I don't know the rules of every lodge in every jurisdiction.

The greatest secrets in all of freemasonry (get the cameras and recorders ready boys!!!) is that brothers working together can change the world for the better. Not earth shattering news. The second biggest secret is that if you apply the golden rule to all situations, you can't ever fail, because you can't be wrong. I know by now your heart is racing and you are seeing spots before your eyes (pun intended) The final big secret is that many hands make for light work, or as I see it, if we all pull together we can move anything. Brothers offering helping hands to brothers, brothers offering a kind ear to brothers and brothers wispering good council to brothers make masons able to perform wonderous things in the name of good.

I have said it before, but I am happy to say it again. The nobility is always in the attempt (in the heart and what the doers has goaled) Choosing the noble path for the good of all can't ever be wrong. You might well make a mistake, but you will be able to gracefully recover and continue your soujourn.

For me, I love the path and sharing these kinds of open dialog. I might well help a brother down the path with words of encouragement. I might help a good man see a path to being a better man or a more enlightened man, even if that plan does not include our fraternity. If I can offer one small bit of advice "Be you own man and always try to remember that it is those manly traits of honor, humility and nobility that will serve you well on the journey."

I often save these posts (mine and others) to share with my son as he grows into manhood, because these are the lessons that will heal a mans soul when the journey gets tough.

S&F,

Psi Brr · 08-04-2008, 02:05 PM

Cliff,

Thank you for the thoughts and the kind words. While not a Mason, I DO believe many hands make for light work (I did, after all, grow up on a farm), and that many working together can make the world a better place.

Best regards,

Bob Hunter

cavscout9753 · 08-12-2008, 10:49 PM

MY 2 cents. I have spent almost 3 years in Iraq so far, and while they may be the far end of the spectrum it gives me pause when I begin to consider a fully integrated church/state. Our forfathers where wiser than we may ever respect. I am Christian. I love God, Jesus and my country. That being said, I also love my ability to accept other peoples beliefs, even religous. And from what I have seen in the east, peoples beliefs can be used as a justifaction to commit horrible crimes on thiere fellow men. With the backing of a goverment office...sheesh, the impact is ten-fold.

chgregory · 08-13-2008, 07:44 AM

Well said Luke... man's inhumanity to man is well demonstrated by fundmentalist groups who refuse to accept that one man's belief is just that. When compounded by a government who wants to take all it can you get Nazi Germany, Stalin's Russia, and the rest, but in the end it is all acts of terrorism in the name of god and country without the controls of civilization. Our brotherhood is based on treating everyone as you would be treated, such acts as those taken by evil national terrorists can't exist in a world where everyone holds the values we hold dear. Maybe that is why the Anti-masons are so rabidly against us. They see that their tactics of fear will not work in an enlightened world.

S&F,

NewYorkCentral · 09-22-2008, 07:32 AM

Lets not kid ourselves. The masons are not enlightened. The enlightenment was about the freedom to speak openly about things. Masons limit discussion to strenghten their brotherhood. Trying to create enlightenment by limiting discussion is like trying to drive cross-country in reverse. You might actually get there someday but I wouldnt count on it.

chgregory · 09-22-2008, 09:58 AM

Bob,

You have not experienced any of freemasonry but what you read in the conspiracy press.

I have a couple of good reading assignments for you if you are willing.

Read a Bridge to Light and The Scottish Rite Ritual Monitor and Guide. These will give you some deep insight into the reason behind the rhyme.

There is nothing further from the values of our order then abdication of responsibility especially in politics. Certainly we incalcuate the ideal that masons should be model citizens, certainly we believe in brotherly love and friendship above all else, we believe in the golden rule of doing to others as you would have done to you, but none of that relieves us from the responsibility of living our lives as men, standing up for what is just and right.

Spouting "political slogans" is not how things are made better, if is through effort and giving of time and resources. Each mason does exactly that, and does it in a way that does not impact his duty to his God, Counrty, Family or Neighbor. How many men living in the getto can say that?

How enlightened is it to call names, and make threats without the full understanding of the men you accuse? I have lived in the lowests of places, and I can promise you would be shocked, in the pursuit of doing the right thing, of making the world a better place. How many men can say that?

We, as masons never abdicate responsibility, we shoulder it and do what must be done. How many men can say that?

So down with all facists, down with all low life criminals, down...Oh to heck with that negative stuff...up with all good men willing to work and fight for their rights. Up with good men willing to care for their families and up with good men working to make the world a better place.....maybe I should have just said "Up with masons."

cgedmonds · 09-22-2008, 10:36 AM

Well said Cliff, well said!