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Originally posted by liamoohay
As an example let me point out an obvious symbol that everyone is aware of that has it's origins in freemasonry. Where I live, painted on either side of a police car is a star (a seven pointed one to be exact), now, when the tentacles of any organization regardless of any direct or indirect involvement, have spread as far as having a police force (not to mention one that has guns) it goes without saying that people are going to feel-to quote a post on this site "under duress". IMHO
I stopped reading after seeing this. If there's one thing I've learned while being a part of this site, it's that one line right there that is a huge red flag for BS. It has got to be the #1 go to card to play out of the enlightenment playbook. "beyond comprehension" is just another way of saying, "it's impossible for you to understand, therefore I don't have to provide any evidence because you couldn't understand it as evidence."
Originally posted by applebiter
beyond our comprehension.
Originally posted by liamoohay
It's the irony of the phrase pertaining to actual masons trade work i.e. mortar, concrete, stone, etc. "set in stone" get it?
But in writing this I have noticed ...and in no way am I presuming to know your ideologies-you are in fact being a bit hypocritical. "fueled by their hatred and bigotry"? (sorry if the quote is not exact, If I press the back button I will lose what I have written). The hypocrisy being that it seems your mind is "set in stone" about a generalization of a group of people. I am not trying to pick apart semantics here. I just thought it was funny.
Originally posted by ThirtySecond
Expect. I expect those that have questions to ask and find out the true answers. I do not expect those who have questions to make up their own answers for the simple act of either easing or complicating their minds.
When i was younger I use to see a dead man's face in my bedroom closet door. It would look at me, it would laugh at me... when i was younger... today... that dead man is just a shape in cut of the wood.. nothing more.. nothing less.
Originally posted by Rockpuck
reply to post by liamoohay
Haha-Dead men don't laugh.
Are you so certain?
I'm just razzin you along here, but would you walk into a fire if you could not see it?
Originally posted by Rockpuck
reply to post by liamoohay
I don't cast judgements on that which I cannot see.
Ironically, anti Masons could imply the same philosophy.
Originally posted by ThirtySecond
The most symbols in Freemasonry are more complex than they look. As you know, We use geometry as a "text book" or even a "cheat sheet" of sorts to help us recall our lessons ( indiviual lessons or otherwise) You need to break down the shapes.. the angles and there you will find the reality of the symbole. No one symbole that is most common to a non-member is more important than another. Personally.. the seven point star you spoke of before is not linked to any branch of Masonry that I am apart of. I think you maybe confusing it with the eastern star which is a five pointed star.. the confusion is valid because the seven pointed star is often used in pagan sects and i have seen some even hold the similar colourings. With that being said, stars have long been used as a symbole of power, importance, or mystical meaning... why? Because for thousands upon thousands of years.. stars in the night sky have been all of those things to mankind. I would expect humans to use ( and yes i am a human) the same symboles to denote similar meaning even today.. be it personal, professional or government. Also know that I have not seen a seven pointed police badge.
( i hope that has anything to do with the question you asked)
Symbols you see are also basic things that are found in life. We just use them as stated above. My favourite symbole is the beehive and I see it every where I go in my day to day life. At the end of the day... our symbole.. or any symbole holds as much power as you allow it to. If you look at it and say.. hey.. thats pretty cool... then cool is the only power it has. If you look at it ( in the case the square and compass) you say.. yes that looks cool.. BUT... it really does help me remember how i should act, how i should conduct myself through out my day.. to my God, my family and to my craft.
EDIT: that thing laughed at me so much.. i would not want to go near my closet... if it was late at night I would get on my toy box and pee out my window so i didn't have to walk passed it.
[edit on 12-6-2008 by ThirtySecond]
I'm just razzin you along here, but would you walk into a fire if you could not see it?
BTW I have seen (for lack of any other explanation) a dead man's soul and he was not laughing.