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If anything this thread has taught me to stop and attempt to understand - fully - the perspective of others prior to offering my own opinion or criticism. As understanding that perspective may often help me to reshape my own. Thank you for that as it has helped me grow.
Originally posted by kozmo
Perhaps I have been too judgemental and have allowed my sweeping generalizations to cloud my ability to realize that what is important to one may not be to another - and for that I am truly sorry. Please accept my apologies.
If anything this thread has taught me to stop and attempt to understand - fully - the perspective of others prior to offering my own opinion or criticism. As understanding that perspective may often help me to reshape my own. Thank you for that as it has helped me grow.
Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't the "secrecy" part of masonry really head-off a bastardization or secularization of its teachings? I would see that as the biggest threat.
All the old religions were mystery religions: they had "outer teachings" for those with no real interest, and then the real stuff was only taught to initiates of the tradition
basically the only thing changing is the interpretation of the teachings, which becomes more rich and complex. Really what you learn, isn't something I can really see as being something you could just sit down and talk about with someone who hasn't already been exposed to the same things, because of how ineffective day-to-day language is.
Originally posted by Rockpuck
You are implying that the secret of Freemasonry is an experience, not a word, a signal, a handshake, but instead what each individual finds within him self in the process of true initiation, and that this experience cannot be described in words...
Most of the real old religions where mythological, or fabled stories .. the actual meaning was rarely held secret.. Christianity is the only religion I can think of that did that
Originally posted by bsbray11
So then what I was trying to express in my last post, was the idea that trying to break this stuff down into the stuff of casual conversation, especially with people who have no experience with it, is never satisfactory and something vital is always lost. It's a real crime in a way, you know? Maybe the secrecy is an attempt to force everyone through the actual rituals and formalities, that apparently are more effective.
Originally posted by LightinDarkness
Part of the problem with claiming that this is true is that many of these faiths were jealously independent and rejected any external influence on their theology with great fervor.
That they end up using methods that are at the surface similar
Originally posted by coven
reply to post by Remmyjones
Man... This dude is DESPERATE to berate the masons, eh?
Originally posted by spirit7
reply to post by Rockpuck
There is nothing funny at all about Baphomet or Freemasonry at all. It should be completely abolished and one day it will be!
Originally posted by spirit7
reply to post by The Oak
Then they want to accuse me of having a tin foil hat because I am religous?
Originally posted by spirit7
You don't have to become a freemason to honor your grandfather and father.
Originally posted by spirit7
Originally posted by coven
reply to post by Remmyjones
Man... This dude is DESPERATE to berate the masons, eh?
There's no desperation when you believe in the almighty and what he has done for us when he himself provoked and beaten the devil. It's not always easy to follow my Lord and savior but I will do my very best to follow his example.