So, this morning, during a Bible study we're doing...my Pastor and I were talking, and I brought up the Craft to illustrate and expand on one of my points... He handled it well, but went on to say he had "Reservations" about Masonry. Now, he admitted as much that his perception is really based on what he hears, and what he sees on TV, and the "cult-like" role that is somehow assigned to us. I explained to him that I could go on and on about it (without violating any 'secrets'), and would be happy to do so--and he seemed like he truly wanted to hear it. He's the type who wants to learn about something before passing judgement. Anyway, I was wondering if anybody had some good go-to statements that they usually issue out in cases like this, or should I just answer his questions as they come up?
My suggestion is: … make a copy of the Regius Manuscript and give out. High light the requirements for a belief in God. .... Point out during the building of the Great Cathedrals all the Masons (aka; workers) were required to be of the Christian religion specifically Roman Catholic; and after England split from the Roman Catholic/Pope, the Masons & workers were required to be of the Church of England (Christian). … Then in 1717 modern speculative Freemasonry, as we know it today, was formed. The first modern ‘Rituals’ were written by Dr. & Rev. James Anderson, a Presbyterian Minister, and the Dr. & Rev. John Theophilus Desaguliers, an ordained Clergy of the Church of England. Then after about 1725 (???) the requirement to be ‘Christian’ was changed to allow any man who professed a belief in a Supreme Being and the immortality if the sole to join. … So the question would then be: Why would well-known Ministers of the 1700’s invent a ritual being claimed today as being Occults and/or demonic? … The fact is, these accusations are not true. You could do this as a Bible class lesson. Then I would have a picture of the Holy Alter with the 3 Great Lights and give the Greats Lights lecture (not a secret).
I'm not familiar with the Regius Manuscript, but am familiar with the petition requirement. We're both from GA, so where can I find this document? Grand Lodge, or is it a more widely-used manuscript? The rest of it sounds GREAT!
A copy of the Regius Poem, AKA the Halliwell Manuscript, with translation beside it is available at: Regius Poem with translation S&F
The link to the Regius Poem is good. The point here is it was wrote about 1390 AD; and is believed to be a copy of an older manuscript. ... Down about line 497 is specific reference to God almighty and Mary and about line 510 specific reference to Christ by name. Also, this section of the poem is referencing the 'Four Crowned Ones' who are Christian Martyrs put to death because they refused to make a golden idol and renounce their faith. ... This is documentary evidence that operative Masons in Brittan at that time were require to be Christian. Now, do you have a copy of the Georgia GL Manule? I think what you are looking for will be in the 'Propounded Questions' in the Preparation Room to the Candidate.
On page 24 of my Georgia Masonic Manual, question number 4, the following is asked: “ Do you believe in the existence of one supreme and everlasting God, in some revelation of His will and in the immortality of the soul?” (note: the last part is printed in italics) Affirmative answers to all four questions are required before making a man a Mason. A religious belief in one God is required, as it was in 1390 AD as shown by the Regius Poem. All of this is to show for more than 800 years, a Mason was required to have a faith & bellied in God. A Mason was of a Christian faith up until about 1725. After, 1725 a Freemason could be of any of the Major Religious faiths, ie Jewish or Muslim, in most GLs. However, the Swedish Rites still require a Mason to be Christian. You asked for suggestions, this is about all I can help with while trying to keep things simple and provide proof to those willing to listen.
Check out this: Here is an excellent refutation of the silly claims of anti-masonry: http://jimmymckiel.com/MysteryTeachings/The Truth About Freemasonry.htm
Anyway, back to the OP...I printed up the document that was a Q&A between a Brother and a "candidate" and gave it to him this AM, at least as a starting point. We'll see...
You'll get a kick out of this, though. I posted the "Definition of a Freemason" from the MA almanac that somebody had posted on here, to my facebook wall. Anyway, a couple of my friends pipe up, asking me if I was a Mason, and I get a message from my pastor (a different one)'s wife, saying that if I want to know about Masonry, he's got a lot of information and insight, and he knows a lot about it. Well, immediately my "hmm" alarm goes off. Every non-mason I've ever known, who claims to have a lot of insight, seems to be not just a "non," but an Anti-. So, I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, and ask if he IS a mason, just to extend a little bit of rope to him. Nope, she says...Allllright. So, I tell her that I don't really need much insight, considering I've been a Mason for the last six years. She didn't say much after that, but I told her I'd be willing to hear what he has to say. It seems like, in my experience, if a man has that kind of knowledge, and hasn't joined the fraternity, it's likely because he's an anti-. Add to that the fact that he's a pastor, and you have the makings of some tension. And the fact that my primary pastor (the one in the OP I mentioned) said he's got some "reservations" about it (Although, to his credit, he admitted his "reservations" were based off of the media and other writings)...I'm concerned where my church family is trying to take this. They like me, but I'm not so sure they'll be willing (if they're Anti's) to hear the "truth." So I'm kind of nervous. I'm just apprehensive of where it'll go, since I've known a few Brothers who've left the Craft because of their church. I want to give them the benefit of the doubt, but I honestly don't know which way they'll take it. I love my church and don't want to be forced to leave because of small-minded individuals. But I've never known any of my pastors to be particularly small minded. For the most part, they're open to "receiving more light." Then again, one of the elders/trustees at the church is/was a Brother, though he's not active anymore. I don't think it's because of the church, since he still wears his ring--I just think he's got more on his plate than his CT will allow him. But, since I don't think they know about his affiliation, I don't want to bring it up, as it seems like that's his business and I don't want to toss his stuff out into the street. Any thoughts?
If they can believe the anti stuff, then they should be able to understand the truth. Isn't Truth what they preach? Give it a shot, enlighten them to the correct thoughts of Masonry. If they have information they want to share with you, use that as the oppurtunity.
That's my hope. I already gave my main pastor the dialogue between a candidate and a Brother, written by the Priest (can't remember his name, its at the beginning of this thread). I just feel like since most non's/anti's have their little preconceived notions, (that are difficult to dispel), it won't work in my favor. But I'm gonna try.
Hey! Let's not get embroiled in discord, guys. We're waaaay off topic and it's starting to get prickly. That's not what this thread, or even this forum, is about.
Thread has been pruned of off topic banter and will be re-opened. Hopefully it will still make sense. Please stay on topic per TS request.
Thread Starter or Topic Starter Some people will use OP for Original Poster, but I'm used to it meaning something else on another site which most men would not like to be called so I do not use it often.
