It looks like you're using an Ad Blocker.
Please white-list or disable AboveTopSecret.com in your ad-blocking tool.
Thank you.
Some features of ATS will be disabled while you continue to use an ad-blocker.
Originally posted by gottago
I thought it very interesting that you stress the linkage with the past and tradition, since both are increasingly diluted and enfeebled in today's world.
Politically then, are Masons predominantly conservatives?
Have you seen a growth in membership from those seeking a deeper grounding in--for lack of a better word--tradition?
Do you feel that the secrets Masonry imparts enrich your life? And if so, in which ways?
And if I understand Masonry correctly as broadly Humanistic, then what is the reason for not sharing these enriching secrets with everyone, as one does with religion?
Historically it is a society of the ruling classes, the elites, so one could draw the conclusion that the secrecy is serving to perpetuate these structures--your thoughts?
As for the Mormon religion, what do you think the purpose of incorporating Masonic ritual is? Isn't this then a commingling of Christianity and Masonry, since the ritual has a meaning and purpose created and defined by Masonry and is basic to the practice of the Mormon faith?
Originally posted by gottago
Thanks for your reply. I thought it very interesting that you stress the linkage with the past and tradition, since both are increasingly diluted and enfeebled in today's world. Politically then, are Masons predominantly conservatives? Have you seen a growth in membership from those seeking a deeper grounding in--for lack of a better word--tradition?
Do you feel that the secrets Masonry imparts enrich your life? And if so, in which ways? And if I understand Masonry correctly as broadly Humanistic, then what is the reason for not sharing these enriching secrets with everyone, as one does with religion?
Historically it is a society of the ruling classes, the elites, so one could draw the conclusion that the secrecy is serving to perpetuate these structures--your thoughts?
As for the Mormon religion, what do you think the purpose of incorporating Masonic ritual is? Isn't this then a commingling of Christianity and Masonry, since the ritual has a meaning and purpose created and defined by Masonry and is basic to the practice of the Mormon faith?
Originally posted by gottago
Trinity Man and Masonic Light,
Thanks very much for your replies, they're very helpful in understanding Masonry from "the inside."
Freemasonry was quite important and influential in the Age of Enlightenment; many of the founding fathers were high-level Masons, and in the last decades before the French Revolution, the aristocracy were all essentially Masons, so fervently so that they were accused of abandoning the Church.
In fact, Masonry was practiced so intensely and to such an extent that many aristocrats built extensive Masonic landscape gardens for themselves, with broken columns, pyramids, lodges, and other symbols--enormous investments and opulent tableaux of their beliefs.
Would you say then that Freemasonry has subsequently declined markedly in "worldly" influence and importance? Putting aside the moral aspect for the moment, has it honestly subsided into little more than a private fraternity with some strange, abiding customs?
And could anyone offer to explain the hierarchy of the lodges; the political structure if you will?
Originally posted by gottago
Would you say then that Freemasonry has subsequently declined markedly in "worldly" influence and importance?
Putting aside the moral aspect for the moment, has it honestly subsided into little more than a private fraternity with some strange, abiding customs?
And could anyone offer to explain the hierarchy of the lodges; the political structure if you will?
Originally posted by Aton-Scott
1) If politics are left at the door then why do so many city signs host masonry and sister organizational symbles?
2) Has anyone that is a mason reading this done Then Landmark Forum? Did you find them to be compatible? Similar?
3) What is the link between Free Mason and say Rotery, and other common secret groups?
Originally posted by Aton-Scott
and other common secret groups?
I would say that the "secrets" are probably the least important part of Freemasonry. ......