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Recognizing Ignorance (from a previous post)

A post from the FrmTheEast Email List:

From: FrmTheEast@aol.com
Sent: Saturday, January 20, 2001 4:18 PM
To: FrmTheEast@aol.com
Subject: Re: Recognizing Ignorance (from a previous post)

If a Mason wishes to learn, he must "recognize his own ignorance" and also make the room to all the room to accumulate new ideas, points-of-view, and facts. Many people say that they want to learn, and they often get angry when any new information is presented which conflicts with their own previously accepted education. Most conflicts occur when the old information is supported and surrounded by feelings of survival, such as in emotional, political, and religious beliefs.

A true Mason would then allow discussion of all points of view, and let others share their own points of view; Especially in the United States, where Free Speech is paramount under US Constitutional Law.

The "belief in God" is very important in Masonry, as it binds each candidate to the Obligations of Free Masonry during each of the first 3 degrees. Thus, a "belief in God" is absolutely required in our system of Freemasonry, and our system does not recognize other masonry systems that do not include a "belief in God" in their systems, such as the "other" "grand lodge" in France.

I understand that a few religious groups have a yearly prayer that their members recite that absolves and releases them from all of the obligations that they had taken previously. Even if those groups have a "belief in God", then those members should NOT be allowed to become or remain Masons.

The "belief in God" and the Obligations are what binds Masons together in our system of Freemasonry with common promises, expectations, and support.

I do not know what other "pledges" or "vows" could replace that.

Patrick Bailey, PM
Los Altos Lodge No. 712
http://www.calodges.org/no712/
pgb@padrak.com

[The Previous Post:]

Date: Wednesday, January 17, 2001

This was forwarded to me without the name of the author. I now forward it to you.
===

One on my Masonic mentors says that a Mason is in his heart a philosopher, an awakening Man. If nothing else he has began to see the mystery. He is almost "alone" in a very strange "paradise." He recognizes his "ignorance" and the presence of a "system" which sustains him, apparently creates him while simultaneously devouring him. My Masonic friend suggests that it is the quality of this "ignorance" that we as "as a brotherhood of seekers" a Lodge are attempting to test.

What does the response, during the ritual, to the question "Do you belive in God?" tell us about the candidate and ourselves?

Webpage of the Masonic Poets Society: Craftlodge.org
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