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Post by LorrB on Sept 14, 2011 9:08:47 GMT 9.5
The Admins of this forum stand accused of bringing the Craft into disrepute by several people, not for anything we have done, but because we hold some ideas about symbols, allegories, ritual, etc that are not held by them.
I was rather under the impression that Freemasonry was Free of dogma, and that each brother was Free to interpret the symbols and allegories of the Craft according to his own nature and understanding. These thoughts and ideas changing over time maybe as the individuals evolve and experience more and more of the Mystery of Life.
What think you?
What of the Centre from which we cannot err? Is the Centre unique to each individual, what is right for one might be error for another?
Is the friction that occurs from time to time necessary for smoothing the rough ashlar?
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Post by tamrin on Sept 14, 2011 12:05:44 GMT 9.5
The Admins of this forum stand accused of bringing the Craft into disrepute by several people, not for anything we have done, but because we hold some ideas about symbols, allegories, ritual, etc that are not held by them. What you have done is to publish your ideas, as Freemasons, under the aegis of Freemasonry. If doubting and questioning what appear to be florid delusions, under the objective DSM-IV guidelines, and making insider claims about the Craft, is bullying, then I’m guilty. However, I tend to use standard English. As for bringing Freemasonry into disrepute, please consider David Icke’s claim that masons of high degree are reptilian, shape-shifting aliens (remember he does not claim to be a mason and he later admitted he had been unwell). Does anyone consider that claim presents Freemasonry in a favourable light? What if Icke was a Freemason, would that make a difference? The next step depends on the nature of the replies given.
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Post by paul on Sept 14, 2011 12:53:27 GMT 9.5
...What you have done is to publish your ideas, as Freemasons, under the aegis of Freemasonry..... That is not my view. I publish my experiences as a human in the hope that some true brethren will find some benefit. Freemasonry as we know is highly fragmented. Which orders are true to the GAOTU is highly contested. On this board we are pleased to promote the Masonic principles of: - brotherly love - relief - truth. The principle of truth is expressed on this board by each speaking his/her individual truth with tolerant goodwill. While many readers here may find truth hard to distinguish, most will easily discern the presence of brotherly love. I commend the practice.
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Post by paul on Sept 14, 2011 12:54:30 GMT 9.5
... The next step depends on the nature of the replies given. Is that a repeat of the threat I deleted last month? If so it is a sad state of affairs indeed.
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Post by tamrin on Sept 14, 2011 13:05:45 GMT 9.5
... The next step depends on the nature of the replies given. Is that a repeat of the threat I deleted last month?
If so it is a sad state of affairs indeed.I meant the next step in the debate (I had not finished making the conditional point I have in mind). I am not aware of any "threat." What is it you are referring to?
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Post by tamrin on Sept 14, 2011 13:08:03 GMT 9.5
...What you have done is to publish your ideas, as Freemasons, under the aegis of Freemasonry..... That is not my view.
I publish my experiences as a human in the hope that some true brethren will find some benefit.Then refrain from commenting as a mason, on a "masonic" forum.
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Post by paul on Sept 14, 2011 13:32:34 GMT 9.5
[..Then refrain from commenting as a mason, on a "masonic" forum. I do not comment as a Mason. I speak my truth as myself on an Esoteric Freemasonry forum. This is a forum for those who desire an esoteric Freemasonry or have an interest in the hidden mysteries of nature and science. Those who do not desire esoteric Freemasonry have many other forums to choose between.
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Post by tamrin on Sept 14, 2011 13:41:52 GMT 9.5
I do not comment as a Mason.
I speak my truth as myself on an Esoteric Freemasonry forum. You are being disingenuous: You post here commenting on "masonic" matters as an administrator of this "masonic" forum.
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Post by paul on Sept 14, 2011 13:43:51 GMT 9.5
Tamrin
You have said your piece and it has been heard.
Kindly move on.
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Post by tamrin on Sept 14, 2011 13:46:56 GMT 9.5
I will wait for other comments and I reserve my right to comment accordingly.
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Post by acrogers on Sept 14, 2011 19:22:47 GMT 9.5
Freedom of thought can never bring The Craft into disrepute. The only things that could achieve that end are outright lies, or bad conduct on the part of individual Freemasons. People who slander Freemasonry, and spread rumours having no basis in fact--which usually amounts to the same thing, are not bringing Freemasonry into disrepute, only themselves.
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Post by tamrin on Sept 14, 2011 20:11:52 GMT 9.5
What then IS the generate perception of the Craft (i.e., its reputation or repute)? Consider masons, elsewhere discredited, associating it with florid delusions about giants, aliens, unicorns, etc., who seek to deny responsibility for their own thoughts (yet claim supernatural powers), who deny the greatness of human accomplishments and who attempt to add further layers of illusion, drawing us away from an appreciation of the essential oneness of life. Do they add or distract from the luster of that reputation?
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Post by LorrB on Sept 15, 2011 8:43:13 GMT 9.5
What about George Washington's Visions & Prophecies? Should we consider him unstable and delete him from the Famous Freemasons list? www.crystalinks.com/gw.html
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Post by paul on Sept 15, 2011 8:46:27 GMT 9.5
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Post by LorrB on Sept 15, 2011 9:01:41 GMT 9.5
Benjamin Franklin, statesman and inventor might well qualify being struck off the famous Freemason list... they would not even allow him a Masonic funeral.... Benjamin Franklin was a Modern and a Deist, for instance, but by the time he died, his Lodge had gone Antient, and would no longer recognize him as one of their own, declining even to give him a Masonic funeral (see Revolutionary Brotherhood, by Steven C. Bullock, Univ. N. Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, 1996).
It has been speculated that the Antients desired a more Christian style of Masonry, since they made popular a higher degree, called the "Holy Royal Arch", which is generally thought of as having a more Christian flavour than the first three degrees. www.crystalinks.com/freemasons.html
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Post by LorrB on Sept 15, 2011 9:08:44 GMT 9.5
It seems human desire for particular styles of Freemasonry is a problem.
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Post by paul on Sept 15, 2011 9:11:52 GMT 9.5
The lack of amity between Grand Lodges must be a mystery to non-Masons
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Post by LorrB on Sept 15, 2011 9:14:49 GMT 9.5
It shouldn't be to Christians ...
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Post by tamrin on Sept 15, 2011 12:01:13 GMT 9.5
For what we do presage is not in grosse, For we are brethren of the Rosie Crosse; We have the Mason Word and second sight, Things for to come we can foretell aright. ...Mathematics were once considered diabolical but were essential to calculate the material, labour, nature and cost of their work. They had to tread carefully in such close association with the ecclesiastical authorities who, while it suited them, turned a blind eye to what must have seemed like second sight in the stonemasons' ability to foretell aright the outcome of the work with nothing left over (slight excesses being reduced to rubble and used as fill)...
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Post by tamrin on Sept 15, 2011 12:04:18 GMT 9.5
Benjamin Franklin, statesman and inventor might well qualify being struck off the famous Freemason list... they would not even allow him a Masonic funeral.... I doubt that Franklin would have been a fan of any "masonic" forum of unreason.
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