imakegarb
Member
One wee, sleeket, cowran, tim'rous beastie
Posts: 3,573
|
Post by imakegarb on Jun 1, 2008 19:14:58 GMT
Bro. Russell, I am even happier than usual with your posts. Most excellent insight. You're making me think. I like it when you do that. I'm glad this thread exists for this reason alone ;D
Angelo, you remain welcome, despite your baiting.
Please note that the rules you agreed to when you signed up here apply to you as they do everyone else here, Mason or nonMason. Please pay particular attention to this:
We have some other policies here as well but you get the idea: post nice or don't post at all. That Golden Rule thing that you don't have to be a Freemason to understand.
I also want to reassure you that you are on a level playing field here. Unlike the forums of the antiMasons, your posts will not be edited (though they may be deleted if you start getting vulgar) and you will not be tag-teamed. You have the option, here, of a fair and open exchange, something you simply won't find at the so-called "Christian" antiMasonic forums.
I'm hoping you take advantage of that option by speaking as respectfully as you would like to be answered. If not, please reread the beginning of this post.
Oh, and I'm not kidding about being the child of an Evangelical preacher. I know all your tricks, how to evade them and I can fire back at you better than anything in your arsenal. I probably could reduce you to a quivering lump of weeping uncertainty. I will, therefore, not be debating with you.
Peace to you.
|
|
|
Post by elshamah on Jun 1, 2008 22:24:05 GMT
I probably could reduce you to a quivering lump of weeping uncertainty. I will, therefore, not be debating with you. Peace to you. another threat..... you know, these last words say more than 1000 words about the character of freemasonry. " If you are our brother, we threat you well, friendly, and with respect, and help you. If you are our enemy, against us, well, oh boy..... prepare yourself, for what will come..... sorry , that's not giving a positive first impression, actually, it makes me feel, that all that is beeing written agains freemasonry, might be true. So : bad initial attempt to try draw a positive picture about it.
|
|
|
Post by keith on Jun 1, 2008 22:35:18 GMT
All you are being told is "Do as you would be done by". Be courteous and we'll debate with you - courteously. Imakegarb knows what she's talking about, it's not a threat, just a statement of fact
|
|
|
Post by billmcelligott on Jun 1, 2008 22:42:14 GMT
Look Angelo, first the name gives a good indication as to your purpose [The meaning of the name Angelo is 'Messenger'] Now that's OK, I have debated for many years with many who believe they are a messenger sent by the Almighty - to save the sinners.
The character of Freemasonry is we don't care who or what you are Christian, Muslim, Hindu , you are welcome to come here whenever you wish.
You have not been threatened or forced into coming here or leaving , but you try to portray that we have done so. You are welcome to stay you are welcome to go.
You say we are not giving a good first impression, but everything you have said shows your mind is already closed. Therefore someone else external to Freemasonry has already given you an impression.
We have or I should say I have no reason to give you a good or a bad impression, it makes no difference to me if you like Freemasonry or you do not.
If you disapprove of Masonry on Religious grounds you will find not one Mason who will object to you in any way. The hatred and condescending rhetoric does not originate from this side of the argument.
Now if you have come here to form an opinion then fine , if you have come here to tell Freemasons they are only fit for the pits of hell, we have heard it a hundred times before.
All I can share with you is I am a good person , the other people here are good people. That I have found far more Christian behaviour inside Freemasonry than I ever found outside.
If you wish to debate certain points then fine. But just posting links to 'cutting edge' or my old pals at 'Ephesians 5-11' just does not warrant the effort we know they hate Freemasons , its no news. We dont hate them, just don't want to be bothered with them.
|
|
|
Post by maximus on Jun 2, 2008 0:19:13 GMT
So , that means, you are threatening me ? Don't be so dam silly, what's he going to do throw an email at you. I couldn't possibly top that. ;D
|
|
|
Post by bluebeard on Jun 2, 2008 0:22:01 GMT
Just to throw in my input here: it is *because* of Freemasonry that I started to re-read the bible again. So... there you go :-)
|
|
imakegarb
Member
One wee, sleeket, cowran, tim'rous beastie
Posts: 3,573
|
Post by imakegarb on Jun 2, 2008 0:38:01 GMT
Y'know, now that you mention it, some of the best Bible study I *ever* had has been with Freemasons. Ezekiel, especially, but all parts of it really. In fact, on a separate email list on which I am a member, only today there was mention of the Widow's Mite and one member announced he always wears one when he attends certain Masonic functions. And, also earlier today, I read words penned in the early 19th Century by an Freemason: See full text hereYup, you're right, being a Freemason can well encourage a body to study all Sacred Texts, including the Bible. Very cool observation ;D
|
|
|
Post by droche on Jun 2, 2008 1:12:29 GMT
Angelo, like another poster, I don't care to debate with you either, for I have found that no amount of reasoning with someone who is against Freemasonry will change their views on the matter. It is a waste of time for both parties. I will only comment that in a post above, you asked, "Can a freemason be a true christian, and follower of Christ ?" That question strongly implies that you think you know what a true Christian is. How can any human on this earth definitively say what a true Christian is? One of the less publicised purposes of Freemasonry is to search for the truth. In my own opinion, I would submit that one who is searching for truth is a "truer" Christian than one who already thinks they know the truth. "Judge not, lest ye be judged."
|
|
Tamrin
Member
Nosce te ipsum
Posts: 3,586
|
Post by Tamrin on Jun 2, 2008 8:28:56 GMT
why do you think this is necessary ? Not always necessary, but useful. As I wrote elsewhere: The trouble is, outside of institutions such as Freemasonry, a moral lecture a month and a pleasant supper normally does not suffice and this most basic of lessons ['Know Thy Self'] usually goes largely unlearnt: The ritual is needed.
Initiation involves all the usual domains of learning—Cognitive, behavioural and affective: There is much to learn, one is led to perform and is emotionally involved. There is also the spiritual domain, where symbolism and the good will of the Brethren leads one toward an awareness of that ineffable, Mystic Tie. All this is done by turning the usual dynamic of learning on its head: In a normal lecture, a class of students is more or less focused on one teacher: In an initiation, there is a class of teachers focused on one student who, as all eyes are on him or her, cannot fail to be attentive—Powerful stuff. Even more powerful when, on participating in or witnessing the initiation of others, the memory of one's own initiation is recalled anew and is thereby reinforced in one's own psyche.
I guess interventions by concerned family members, friends, professionals and victims coming together to confront an individual about the consequences of their actions are the closest approximations to this method in the profane world. However, institutions such as Freemasonry are not reform societies, their genius lie in the ability to make good wo/men better: Such people are more receptive than are recalcitrants; the message is positive and therefore more acceptable, being one of inspiration and aspiration, rather than one of guilt and shame; and the selectivity of the membership is essential in ensuring the spiritual domain is brought to bear during the proceedings.
|
|
|
Post by corab on Jun 2, 2008 11:22:04 GMT
Hi Angelo,
And welcome to the forum.
I've read the posts on this thread so far and have some thoughts, but first I would like to ask you a question -- not to be answered lightly, but after serious consideration: "What is your objective in posting here? What do you want to achieve?"
I look forward to your reply.
Cora
|
|
|
Post by 2 BOWL CAIN on Jun 2, 2008 12:47:34 GMT
anytime one lets an agitator know that their games will be checked, they respond with " are you threatening me?"
We are on the internet, miles away from each other, do not know real identities, and actually think we can follow through on a threat? Letting one know that equal but opposite reactions may occur is interprted as a threat?
Letting an individual know that intelligent, free thinking minds will not tolerate childish attacks without being met head on, is considered threatening?
Oh yeah, we masons are in league with satan, so I guess we could threaten people who are 1000's of miles away! I forgot how far reaching our tentacles are!
|
|
|
Post by leonardo on Jun 2, 2008 14:19:13 GMT
Great post, P. Don't stay silent too long. Please?
|
|
imakegarb
Member
One wee, sleeket, cowran, tim'rous beastie
Posts: 3,573
|
Post by imakegarb on Jun 2, 2008 16:29:41 GMT
Most excellent post, Bro. Prom. Bro. 2BC, you have tentacles? Where did you get tentacles? Is that one of them upper degree things? I don't have tentacles. I have to make due with wafting smoke of evil. (Puh and pout)
|
|
|
Post by corab on Jun 2, 2008 16:47:22 GMT
I have to make due with wafting smoke of evil. Darn, Bro:., what kind of incense do you guys use?!
|
|
imakegarb
Member
One wee, sleeket, cowran, tim'rous beastie
Posts: 3,573
|
Post by imakegarb on Jun 2, 2008 17:04:08 GMT
Only the best ;D
|
|
|
Post by leonardo on Jun 2, 2008 17:19:37 GMT
|
|
|
Post by maximus on Jun 2, 2008 17:20:02 GMT
Most excellent post, Bro. Prom. Bro. 2BC, you have tentacles? Where did you get tentacles? Is that one of them upper degree things? I don't have tentacles. I have to make due with wafting smoke of evil. (Puh and pout) Only the loyal followers of the Great Chthulhu are blessed with tentacles! We also have the privilege of being among the last eaten, when our master awakens from his aeons long slumber (when the stars are right). "Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn"
|
|
imakegarb
Member
One wee, sleeket, cowran, tim'rous beastie
Posts: 3,573
|
Post by imakegarb on Jun 2, 2008 19:00:05 GMT
I didn't know Cthulhu is a Freemason. I mean, we're all required to be minions of Satan. Cthulhu is a minion of no one. I don't think.
|
|
|
Post by maximus on Jun 2, 2008 19:26:54 GMT
I didn't know Cthulhu is a Freemason. I mean, we're all required to be minions of Satan. Cthulhu is a minion of no one. I don't think. Cthulhu is the High Priest of the Great Old Ones. Satan trembles before them like a leaf in the wind. As to him being a Freemason, I don't know, but the stories always reference cyclopean archetecture and non-Euclidean geomertry.
|
|
|
Post by billmcelligott on Jun 2, 2008 20:08:49 GMT
"Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn"
That's easy for you to say.
|
|