Originally posted by eudaimonia
Actually, you got it wrong too.
Actually, I didn't. Nice try though, but as I have the book right in front of me I can be certain I am not misquoting. What you did was past a line
from page 213 in front of a passage from page 104-5. But you didn't do that on
purpose, right?
At any rate, you gave me the page number, which I asked for. Thank you.
First, let's see what the definition of "religion" is, eh?
from www.dictionary.com...
re·li·gion
1. Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
2. A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.
3. The life or condition of a person in a religious order.
4. A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.
5. A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.
Ah. So the word religion can be used to mean a "cause, principle, or activity." Not necessarily to refer to a standardized
form of worship to a
Diety. Good to know.
Now then, let's take a look at Chapter 13, shall we?
M&D, pp 212-13
Books, to be of religious tendency in the Masonic sense, need not be books of sermons, of pious exercises, or of prayers. What-ever inculcates
pure, noble, and patriotic sentiments, or touches the heart with the beauty of virtue, and the excellence of an up-right life, accords with the
religion [principle] of Masonry, and is the Gospel of literature and art. That Gospel is preached from many a book and painting, from many a poem and
fiction, and review and newspaper; and it is a painful error and miserable narrowness, not to recognize these wide-spread agencies of Heaven's
providing; not to see and welcome these many-handed coadjutors, to the great and good cause. The oracles of God do not speak from the pulpit
alone.
[...]
Every Masonic Lodge is a temple of religion [principle]; and its teachings are instruction in religion [principle]. For here are inculcated
disinterestedness, affection, toleration, devotedness, patriotism, truth, a generous sympathy with those who suffer and mourn, pity for the fallen,
mercy for the erring, relief for those in want, Faith, Hope, and Charity. Here we meet as brethren, to learn to know and love each other. Here we
greet each other gladly, are lenient to each other's faults, regardful of each other's feelings, ready to relieve each other's wants. This is the
true religion [principle] revealed to the ancient patriarchs; which Masonry has taught for many centuries, and which it will continue to teach as long
as time endures. If unworthy passions, or selfish, bitter, or revengeful feelings, contempt, dislike, hatred, enter here, they are intruders and not
welcome, strangers uninvited, and not guests.
[brackets in the quote are mine to make a point.]
So you see, Masonry in and of itself is not a religion, it is a principle, and not only that, but one that is highly compatible with any Religion of
the world worth its salt.
Your feeble attempts to make Masonry something it is not are useless, becasue you strive to prove that which is Truth untrue.
[edit on 8/16/05 by The Axeman]
