The issue of topics critical of Masonry on AboveTopSecret.com ##UPDATED 2009##

Whether Mason or Non Mason, ALL should be allowed a rebutal, without fear of being censored.

If not, it's a conspiracy

Agreed. And that is our intent. However, all should also be able to feel free to post their opinions with out responses that come across as an organized gang-up.

I think it only comes across as organized because many of the answers are similar. While disparities between Masonic jurisdictions are present and their will always be a indivdual interpertation of certain esoteric aspects of the Fraternity some tenets always remain constant. For example, the addmission of Atheists will always be considered 'irregular' and will be commented on a such.

If a person posts that 2+2=5 and a six people respond by saying, no, it really equals 4, they are not ganging up, they are presenting truth.

Pardon me for saying so, but that only enforces the point. Six people don't need to say it. It's true whether said by one or by one hundred. Truth is a sword and shield all its own.

This is just my .02 as someone who happened across the thread and took an interest from an "outside" perspective since I don't contribute to this board, nor do I have any interest in it.

reply to post by SkepticOverlord

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It would seem then that the only fair, equitable and unbiased answer to this impasse is to allow a Mason on the moderator list for the Secret Societies board. If there are masons on the mods list, then have them monitor more closely their brothers' replies for "aggressive defenses" and moderate appropriately and offer defense of their Fraternity.

I was not a Mason when I joined ATS a while back. But I AM a proud 32* Scottish Rite Mason as of last weekend. I have not been a mason nor a member of ATS as long as many here, but I do have the ability to discern from truth as some see it and just plain misinformation or propaganda as my posts (no matter how few they have been) will show. I would be more than happy to offer my services in such an endeavor, if seen as needed.

Slan

Agreed. I must admit I find all the repetition can affect the integrity of a thread. Personally I use stars, and I would encourage everyone to star a good post rather than go right ahead and repeat the message. Quite frankly a post with a number of stars on it stands out far more than a series of repetitive ones.

Star for you TravelerintheDark

Nice thought, but I think this is counter-productive. Quite apart from feeding the paranoia some members exhibit, I think this is the wrong approach for ATS to take on any topic. There may be masons, non-masons, anti-masons and even brickmasons on this site but we are all first and foremost ATS members and if more folks remembered this fact then dialog would probably be more civil.

reply to post by Trinityman

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True, but to keep the vigorous defenses down, it would be good to know no one group was being discriminated against.
Hey, I'm the first to look for conspiracies, but knowing that an informed Brother was on the mods list would help alleviate some of the defensiveness, I think.

Slan

There is at least one supermod who has a roaming brief and he appears from time to time in the SS section.

Most freemasons who have posted on ATS for some time are well aware that the very nature of the site discriminates against freemasonry in the sense that we are discussing conspiracy theories about it. We are quite comfortable with this natural bias - indeed I welcome it as without it there would be nothing to discuss.

In the past ATS has actually been accused of being run by masons. This site has its own credibility to keep sight of in the wider conspiracy community.

reply to post by TravelerintheDark

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It sounds like your suggesting we actually organize and appoint a leader of this mythical group everyone thinks exist as our spokesperson?

I don't post much in this forum anymore due to the acceptance of bias treatment, among other reasons. I don't know the other Masons on the forum, I know some of their opinions, but that's it. I thought that being individuals we where allowed to express our opinions, and correct misconceptions when we see them. But to have this belief sadly reflected in even the staff that to be a Mason and to post with other Masons it is considered "ganging up". Which to us Masons is the most absurd statement. The reasons why some of our posts are identical is quite simply it's the truth.

It's a conspiracy site. I get that. Not complaining about the presence of Masonic topics, hell, without them I wouldn't be a Mason! But I do find the notion that we are in any way shape or form organized, intentionally or unintentionally, very .. concerning.

Yes, but if 60 or 600 who don't actually know any better keep vocally insisting that it's 5, what's the one guy to do even if the truth is on his side? Let 4 be ignored? Let the reputation of 5 be maligned? (you know, it eats babies, promotes the gay agenda (being a Prime number and all), builds obelisks and runs the Denver Airport)

Having been an ATS member much longer than a Mason, I feel that I have a need to post the following.
I AM still a conspiracy buff. BUT, I come HERE to ATS to discuss just that, conspiracies. This is not the only forum on the net. TO DISCUSS MASONIC THINGS I GO TO MASONIC BOARDS. To discuss conspiracy I come here. SINCE I am pretty darn sure that (I personaly am the ONLY Mason involved in taking over the world) then I don't have any reason to (gang) up on those who would think it is actually a bunch of other Masons who are involved in this plot to rule this mudball.
Having said that, I will conclude with this... Why argue when I know I am right. If those who wish to stir up garbage want to do so, let them... I am not willing to give more than a few moments in time to the ignorant (uninformed)
I bid thee all peace and may the MAN in charge (me very soon) keep you in his prayers to the One And Only True And Living Architect of The Universe.
Laters...
MaxxLarge™

blah... never mind sorry...

[edit on 23-6-2009 by jouseroni]