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Post by thisisnecessary on Mar 3, 2012 11:29:47 GMT
So in your lodge, everyone who joins swears on the Bible? No. I'd think that at this point in our side-stepping of the topic that we might have already established the fact that other VoSLs are used at the request of the candidate. If you wish to continue this side discussion please pm me, otherwise, any insight into the Mark Degree is more than welcome.
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Post by jackson on Mar 4, 2012 10:02:51 GMT
Thank you for answering my question
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Post by jackson on Dec 28, 2012 21:22:01 GMT
I really find it hard to believe that the Royal Arch Degree has anything to do Christianity; I do think however that it is related to something most Freemasons believe about the keys of Solomon.
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Post by Hubert (N. Z.) on Jan 2, 2013 22:55:41 GMT
Hi All, On the Key stone & Religion, etc.
Primarily Freemasonry appears to be related to "the Bible" with many of it's allegories, tho' we know not all is actual "bible fact". The allegory & symbol is just that to impart a sound message for further investigation.
The Keystone in the Mark degree teaches us a sound lesson physically, in rewarding "good works", but there is also aspiritual message - how to lock together what we have been taught., how we must search for the hidden meanings over & beyondhe rituals.
Meditation/contemplation here is as important as physical work.
For most of us Mark preceeds HRA, which to my thinking is the proper progression. Mark & it's Keystone is two dimensional (a simple brick arch) whilst HRA is three dimensional with it's Keystone "locking" a vault. - This being the on the physical plane.
If you then extend this to the 'spiritual' plane far more emerges. Mark to me is a beautiful degree in the simple/joyfull lesson it teaches, but is merely a precurser to the message of the HRA Keystone - Lift the Keystone & look within. In Mark we are prepared to do the physical work, ready for the greater dimension of HRA where the spiritual work must be begun.
When you lift the vault keystone, you open up your own "fontanelle" to the greater understanding of spiritual values from on high, thus allowing you to look deep within yourself for answers to what Freemasonry teaches.
So the Mark Keystone is a lesson in preparation for what is to come. We must first construct/build perfect irregular(difficult) forms to qualify us for deeper insight to come.
Freemasonry after all is a progressive learning system.
Kind Regards, Hubert
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Post by beejay on Jan 6, 2013 6:47:10 GMT
I really find it hard to believe that the Royal Arch Degree has anything to do Christianity; I do think however that it is related to something most Freemasons believe about the keys of Solomon. A close examination of HRA may disclose Egyptian, Sumerian, Hebrew, Templar and Christian elements. If the veils are included then I suggest also Hindu elements. Over the centuries various interest groups have taken possession of the ritual and each has edited it to include its own teachings
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