kcraig1011
32° Scottish Rite
Greetings, Brothers. I just figured I would throw out a topic, and see what kind of responses I get from the other members. I welcome any and all responses, and will certainly not judge anyone based on their standpoints. Perhaps this will bring some interesting discussion to our board.
Among my interests outside of Masonry are history, particularly early American history, politics, and government. We have all been drawn in to one topic or another within the past year regarding the current government and political state of our own country. As Masons, one thing we are obligated to do is follow the laws of our country.
My first topic is this: To what law does this refer to for those of us in the United States? Is it the law of the Constitution, which was hand written and highly influenced by early American Freemasons? Is it all of the laws as prescribed by our current government, even the ones that seem detrimental to our country? To simply use a popular concern in our country, if the government were to ban firearm ownership by a common law-abiding citizen, would we, as Masons, be obligated to follow this law, even though it is in direct conflict with our national Consititution, almost all state Constitutions, and potentially leaves citizens without a fighting chance should the government pursue further control of our people? I would like to point out that I am not trying to spread conspiracy theories, or promote anti-gun control beliefs. I just want to see how other Brothers feel about this topic.
Secondly, what are we to think of Patriot groups such as Tea Party groups, the Constitution Party (which I am a registered member of, to be honest), or webpages such as Resistnet.com? Obviously, many of our Founding Fathers had something in common with these types of people. As citizens in British colonies, our Masonic founding fathers were clearly violating their promise, if it were the same as today, to follow the laws of their country. Yet, these men are some of the most historically known Masons. Which leads me to my third question.
At what point are we, as Masons, able to resist some of the laws of our country, in good conscience, should the laws be destructive of freedom?
Again, I am not trying to push any political agenda, or spread fear. I hope to turn this into a civil and deeply thought debate. Since we are not in the body of an open Lodge, we can discuss such topics . I hope that my inquiries will not offend or irritate any Brothers. I truly look forward to all of your replies.
Among my interests outside of Masonry are history, particularly early American history, politics, and government. We have all been drawn in to one topic or another within the past year regarding the current government and political state of our own country. As Masons, one thing we are obligated to do is follow the laws of our country.
My first topic is this: To what law does this refer to for those of us in the United States? Is it the law of the Constitution, which was hand written and highly influenced by early American Freemasons? Is it all of the laws as prescribed by our current government, even the ones that seem detrimental to our country? To simply use a popular concern in our country, if the government were to ban firearm ownership by a common law-abiding citizen, would we, as Masons, be obligated to follow this law, even though it is in direct conflict with our national Consititution, almost all state Constitutions, and potentially leaves citizens without a fighting chance should the government pursue further control of our people? I would like to point out that I am not trying to spread conspiracy theories, or promote anti-gun control beliefs. I just want to see how other Brothers feel about this topic.
Secondly, what are we to think of Patriot groups such as Tea Party groups, the Constitution Party (which I am a registered member of, to be honest), or webpages such as Resistnet.com? Obviously, many of our Founding Fathers had something in common with these types of people. As citizens in British colonies, our Masonic founding fathers were clearly violating their promise, if it were the same as today, to follow the laws of their country. Yet, these men are some of the most historically known Masons. Which leads me to my third question.
At what point are we, as Masons, able to resist some of the laws of our country, in good conscience, should the laws be destructive of freedom?
Again, I am not trying to push any political agenda, or spread fear. I hope to turn this into a civil and deeply thought debate. Since we are not in the body of an open Lodge, we can discuss such topics . I hope that my inquiries will not offend or irritate any Brothers. I truly look forward to all of your replies.