I recently recieved this article in an email sent to me by a Brother Mason. I had read it before, but had never applied some of the content to Masonry. Read this with particular consideration of the talk of "light" and the "absence of darkness". I found it rather interesting. Derek.
God vs. Science
Let me explain the problem science has with religion.' The atheist professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his new students to stand.
'You're a Christian, aren't you, son?'
'Yes sir,' the student says.
'So you believe in God?'
'Absolutely.'
'Is God good?'
'Sure! God's good.' 'Is God all-powerful?
Can God do anything?'
'Yes.'
'Are you good or evil?'
'The Bible says I'm evil.'
The professor grins knowingly. 'Aha! The Bible!' He considers for a moment, 'Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person over here and you can cure him. You can do it. Would you help him? Would you try?'
'Yes sir, I would.'
'So you're good!'
'I wouldn't say that.'
'But why not say that? You'd help a sick and maimed person if you could.. Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't.'
The student does not answer, so the professor continues. 'He doesn't, does he? My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even though he prayed to Jesus to heal him. How is this Jesus good? Hmmm? Can you answer that one?'
The student remains silent.
'No, you can't, can you?' the professor says. He takes a sip of water from glass on his desk to give the student time to relax. 'Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?'
'Er...yes,' the student says.
'Is Satan good?'
The student doesn't hesitate on this one, 'No.' '
Then where does Satan come from?'
The student falters, 'From God.'
'That's right. God made Satan, didn't he? Tell me, son. Is there evil in this world?'
'Yes, sir...' 'Evil's everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything, correct?'
'Yes.'
'So who created evil?' The professor continued, 'If God created everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to the principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil.'
Again, the student has no answer.
'Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things, do they exist in this world?'
The student squirms on his feet. 'Yes.'
'So who created them?'
The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his question,
'Who created them?' There is still no answer... Suddenly the lecturer breaks away to pace in front of the classroom. The class is mesmerized. 'Tell me,' he continues onto another student. 'Do you believe in Jesus Christ, son?'
The student's voice betrays him and cracks. 'Yes, professor, I do.'
The old man stops pacing, 'Science says you have five senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen Jesus?' 'No sir. I've never seen Him.' 'Have you ever felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or smelt your Jesus? Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus Christ, or God for that matter?'
'No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't.'
'Yet you still believe in him?'
'Yes.'
'According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your God doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?'
'Nothing,' the student replies. 'I only have my faith.'
'Yes, faith,' the professor repeats. 'And that is the problem science has with God. There is no evidence, only faith.'
The student stands quietly for a moment, before asking a question of His own.
'Professor, is there such thing as heat?'
'Yes,' the professor replies. 'There's heat.'
'And is there such a thing as cold?'
'Yes, son, there's cold too.'
'No sir, there isn't..'
The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested. The room suddenly becomes very quiet. The student begins to explain... 'You can have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat, mega-heat, unlimited heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we don't have anything called 'cold'. We can hit up to 458 degrees below zero, which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go colder than the lowest -458 degrees.' 'Everybody or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat. You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.' Silence across the room. A pen drops somewhere in the classroom, sounding like a hammer.
'What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as darkness?'
'Yes,' the professor replies without hesitation. 'What is night if it isn't darkness?'
'You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light, but if you have no light constantly you have nothing and its called darkness, isn't it? That's the meaning we use to define the word. In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?'
The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him. This will be a good semester.
'So what point are you making, young man?'
'Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed.'
The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time, 'Flawed? Can you explain how?'
'You are working on the premise of duality,' the student explains... 'You argue that there is life and then there's death; a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought.' 'It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it...' 'Now tell me, professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?'
'If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man, yes, of course I do.'
'Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?'
The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he realizes where the argument is going. A very good semester, indeed. 'Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a preacher?'
The class is in uproar. The student remains silent until the commotion has subsided. 'To continue the point you were making earlier to the other student, let me give you an example of what I mean.' The student looks around the room, 'Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the professor's brain?'
The class breaks out into laughter. 'Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor's brain, felt the professor's brain, touched or smelt the professor's brain? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, with all due respect, sir.' 'So if science says you have no brain, how can we trust your lectures, sir?'
Now the room is silent. The professor just stares at the student, his face unreadable. Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man answers, 'I guess you'll have to take them on faith.'
'Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists with life,' the student continues, 'Now, sir, is there such a thing as evil?' Now uncertain, the professor responds, 'Of course, there is. We see it everyday. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil.'
To this the student replied, 'Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light.'
The professor sat down.
PS: The student was Albert Einstein.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Bloggers recognize NC GL's Passing of the PH Resolution.
This from "Freemasonry for Dummies" Blog
GL of North Carolina AF&AM Recognizes Prince Hall Counterpart
The 221st meeting of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina AF&AM convened yesterday in Winston-Salem.
The Resolution for Mutual Recognition of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina and Its Jurisdictions, Inc., and the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina officially passed on September 19, 2008. The vote was 642 Yeas and 328 Nays.
Bravo, brethren. Bravo.
The following US mainstream Grand Lodges remain that do not recognize Prince Hall Freemasonry:
Alabama*
Arkansas*
Florida*
Georgia*
Kentucky
Louisiana*
Mississippi*
South Carolina*
Tennessee*
West Virginia
(* Former Confederate states)
This from the "Widows Son" Blog
Yesterday the Grand Lodge of North Carolina officially passed by a vote of 642 yeas to 328 nays the Resolution for Mutual Recognition of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina and Its Jurisdictions, Inc., according to an article posted on Bro. Chris Hodapp's blog on Friday.
"Bravo, brethren. Bravo," he wrote.
Brother blogger Palmetto Bug, a Mason working under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina, writing in the comments section to the announcement, responded to the news by saying, "The train wreck continues," evidently refering to the past decade's trend towards recognition between maintream Masonry and Prince Hall Masonry.
The Grand Lodge of South Carolina, along with those of nine other states — all in the South — still remains steadfastly against mutual recognition between mainstream and Prince Hall Masonry, much to my continued embarrassment. I am a member of a Georgia lodge working under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Georgia.
Besides South Carolina and Georgia, the mainstream grand lodges of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and West Virginia do not recognize Prince Hall Masons as "true and lawful brothers" or as even being Masons.
Within moments of my being raised a Master Mason in a Georgia lodge several years ago, I was official told, while the ceremony was still being conducted, that I was not to hold "Masonic discussion with clandestine Masons, and the only clandestine Masons that we know of are the black Masons."
I join with Bro. Chris and open-minded Masons throughout the world in saying "Bravo!"to the North Carolina Masons who have joined the 21st century by finally accepting brother as brother, based not on the color of his skin but the content of his heart.
GL of North Carolina AF&AM Recognizes Prince Hall Counterpart
The 221st meeting of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina AF&AM convened yesterday in Winston-Salem.
The Resolution for Mutual Recognition of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina and Its Jurisdictions, Inc., and the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina officially passed on September 19, 2008. The vote was 642 Yeas and 328 Nays.
Bravo, brethren. Bravo.
The following US mainstream Grand Lodges remain that do not recognize Prince Hall Freemasonry:
Alabama*
Arkansas*
Florida*
Georgia*
Kentucky
Louisiana*
Mississippi*
South Carolina*
Tennessee*
West Virginia
(* Former Confederate states)
This from the "Widows Son" Blog
Yesterday the Grand Lodge of North Carolina officially passed by a vote of 642 yeas to 328 nays the Resolution for Mutual Recognition of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina and Its Jurisdictions, Inc., according to an article posted on Bro. Chris Hodapp's blog on Friday.
"Bravo, brethren. Bravo," he wrote.
Brother blogger Palmetto Bug, a Mason working under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina, writing in the comments section to the announcement, responded to the news by saying, "The train wreck continues," evidently refering to the past decade's trend towards recognition between maintream Masonry and Prince Hall Masonry.
The Grand Lodge of South Carolina, along with those of nine other states — all in the South — still remains steadfastly against mutual recognition between mainstream and Prince Hall Masonry, much to my continued embarrassment. I am a member of a Georgia lodge working under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Georgia.
Besides South Carolina and Georgia, the mainstream grand lodges of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and West Virginia do not recognize Prince Hall Masons as "true and lawful brothers" or as even being Masons.
Within moments of my being raised a Master Mason in a Georgia lodge several years ago, I was official told, while the ceremony was still being conducted, that I was not to hold "Masonic discussion with clandestine Masons, and the only clandestine Masons that we know of are the black Masons."
I join with Bro. Chris and open-minded Masons throughout the world in saying "Bravo!"to the North Carolina Masons who have joined the 21st century by finally accepting brother as brother, based not on the color of his skin but the content of his heart.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
The Letter in the East
The Letter in the East
The significance of the letter "G" is addressed in the second degree. When the brother arrives in the East after gaining admission through the partially opened but strongly guarded doors, he is received under the letter "G" and given the lecture that explains it. The most important significance of the letter "G" is the one given last--that it is the Initial of God-- The Great Artificer of the Universe--The One Living and True God in whom we professed to put our trust in the first degree. He is told that before him every good freemason from the newest entered apprentice who stands in the northeast corner of the lodge to the worshipful master who presides in the east should with reverence most humbly bow. Thus the second degree ends where the first degree starts. In the first degree he is asked in whom he put his trust. The candidate cannot be prompted in the answer. If he does not answer that he puts his trust in God, his degree goes no further. At the end of the second degree, he is led to the initial of God which we find in the center of our symbol of brotherhood. The brother is reminded that we must bow before God in reverence and walk humbly giving Him due reverence as our Creator, Sustainer, and Guide. This most important meaning of the letter "G" is emphasized by giving it last in the lecture--saving the best for last.
The other meaning of the letter "G" is that it is the initial of "geometry". The G-lecture proceeds to give the moral advantages of it. If a brother merely thinks of geometry as the subject that he took in high school, he misses the true meaning of the lecture. Geometry in masonry means more than a mathematical discipline. It refers to the character and activity of God--The Great Architect of the Universe. If you stop to think about it, our God was the first Builder. He created the heavens and the earth and without Him was nothing made that was made. He set our universe and world in motion according to an order where the sun rules the day and the moon governs the night. He created all things and beings according to a plan and a purpose. What we measure by geometry is our understanding of God's plan and purpose as He would allow us to know it and to grow in His will. We as freemasons are to honor our God by being builders also. We are to build brotherly love and live by truth. We show brotherly love by relieving the distresses of every human being for whom we are able do so. We are to be so devoted to our God that we build to Him lives that glorify Him and please Him. We see and understand God in three ways. First we see Him in His workmanship--in the order and care with which He created our world, the universe, and all people, creatures, and things therein. Second. we know and understand Him through His revelations to us. That is why the Holy Book is in the center of our altar in the center of our lodge--at the heart of all. Third, we know Him by experiencing Him in our lives. This is what we do when we humbly bow before Him to walk before Him and walk with Him. This is where we are left in the second degree before receiving the charge to continue our walk with and our relationship with The Supreme Architect of the Universe. We are encouraged, in our study and development, to seek Him. We are to be builders for The One Living and True God in whom you professed to put your trust.
There is a lot more to geometry as masonry uses it than what a brother learned in high school geometry class . We cannot make masonry more than what it tells you that it is. Masonry is moral teaching--not religion, but it directs us to our own religion for the eternal answers we seek and for our true relationship with God. Masonry tells us to do our duty to God, our neighbor, and ourselves and our families. It sends us to do them in that order, placing itself fourth. By a proper ordering of our time, most of us have time to do service both our place of worship and our lodge. The lodge teaches us to find time for what is most important to the lodge--to worship and serve God. Our duty to God is the first care of Freemasons. Geometry is doing that duty.
Rev. Roy L. Gilkey 32 Dg, KYCH
The significance of the letter "G" is addressed in the second degree. When the brother arrives in the East after gaining admission through the partially opened but strongly guarded doors, he is received under the letter "G" and given the lecture that explains it. The most important significance of the letter "G" is the one given last--that it is the Initial of God-- The Great Artificer of the Universe--The One Living and True God in whom we professed to put our trust in the first degree. He is told that before him every good freemason from the newest entered apprentice who stands in the northeast corner of the lodge to the worshipful master who presides in the east should with reverence most humbly bow. Thus the second degree ends where the first degree starts. In the first degree he is asked in whom he put his trust. The candidate cannot be prompted in the answer. If he does not answer that he puts his trust in God, his degree goes no further. At the end of the second degree, he is led to the initial of God which we find in the center of our symbol of brotherhood. The brother is reminded that we must bow before God in reverence and walk humbly giving Him due reverence as our Creator, Sustainer, and Guide. This most important meaning of the letter "G" is emphasized by giving it last in the lecture--saving the best for last.
The other meaning of the letter "G" is that it is the initial of "geometry". The G-lecture proceeds to give the moral advantages of it. If a brother merely thinks of geometry as the subject that he took in high school, he misses the true meaning of the lecture. Geometry in masonry means more than a mathematical discipline. It refers to the character and activity of God--The Great Architect of the Universe. If you stop to think about it, our God was the first Builder. He created the heavens and the earth and without Him was nothing made that was made. He set our universe and world in motion according to an order where the sun rules the day and the moon governs the night. He created all things and beings according to a plan and a purpose. What we measure by geometry is our understanding of God's plan and purpose as He would allow us to know it and to grow in His will. We as freemasons are to honor our God by being builders also. We are to build brotherly love and live by truth. We show brotherly love by relieving the distresses of every human being for whom we are able do so. We are to be so devoted to our God that we build to Him lives that glorify Him and please Him. We see and understand God in three ways. First we see Him in His workmanship--in the order and care with which He created our world, the universe, and all people, creatures, and things therein. Second. we know and understand Him through His revelations to us. That is why the Holy Book is in the center of our altar in the center of our lodge--at the heart of all. Third, we know Him by experiencing Him in our lives. This is what we do when we humbly bow before Him to walk before Him and walk with Him. This is where we are left in the second degree before receiving the charge to continue our walk with and our relationship with The Supreme Architect of the Universe. We are encouraged, in our study and development, to seek Him. We are to be builders for The One Living and True God in whom you professed to put your trust.
There is a lot more to geometry as masonry uses it than what a brother learned in high school geometry class . We cannot make masonry more than what it tells you that it is. Masonry is moral teaching--not religion, but it directs us to our own religion for the eternal answers we seek and for our true relationship with God. Masonry tells us to do our duty to God, our neighbor, and ourselves and our families. It sends us to do them in that order, placing itself fourth. By a proper ordering of our time, most of us have time to do service both our place of worship and our lodge. The lodge teaches us to find time for what is most important to the lodge--to worship and serve God. Our duty to God is the first care of Freemasons. Geometry is doing that duty.
Rev. Roy L. Gilkey 32 Dg, KYCH
Monday, September 1, 2008
Montgomery#426 and Cherokee#146 Combine forces to raise 3 new Master Masons!
On Saturday night August 30th, the 2 Lodges joined together for a very special Master Mason's Degree. Brothers Mark Laney, Danny Carder, and Jim Haskett Jr. were all raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. The Lodge Hall was nearly full and a great BBQ dinner was enjoyed by all present. Derek Cheek WM#426 conferred the first section, and Reggie Pendley PM of Cherokee#146 was King Solomon in the second section. Henry Hiss PM of Montgomery #426 represented Hiram King of Tyre. David Sumpter PM of Cherokee#146 presented the charge, and Henry Hiss presented the Holy Bibles. Olen Murphy PM of Montgomery#426 presented the Lecture in fine fashion. And, finally 41st Masonic District DDGM Mike Hooper PM of Sonoma Lodge closed the Lodge in due form.
From L-R: Brothers Mark Laney, Danny Carder, and Jim Haskett Jr.
L-R: Ron Ledford WM Cherokee#146, Mark Laney, Danny Carder, Jim Haskett Jr., and Derek Cheek WM Montgomery#426.
WM Derek Cheek and DDGM Mike Hooper of the 40th Masonic District.
From L-R: Brothers Mark Laney, Danny Carder, and Jim Haskett Jr.
L-R: Ron Ledford WM Cherokee#146, Mark Laney, Danny Carder, Jim Haskett Jr., and Derek Cheek WM Montgomery#426.
WM Derek Cheek and DDGM Mike Hooper of the 40th Masonic District.
2nd Annual Montgomery Lodge Butt Smoking was a GREAT Success!
The 2nd annual butt smoking/plate sale was a great success! This joint effort between Montgomery, Marble Springs, Clay, Cherokee, and Andrews Lodges is always such a great show of Brotherhood and cooperation between the Lodges! Over 220 Boston Butts were smoked from thursday morning(8-28) thru late, LATE friday(8-29)night. Martha Chapter #146 Eastern Star also joined in with Montgomery in having a BBQ plate sale.
I'd like to thank ALL the Brothers who assisted. And, i'd like to thank DDGM Jim Hyde for helping me take a few pictures. I can't wait til next year!
Tom O'Day, Joe Poteete, and Olen Murphy un-boxing the butts.
Mitch Arrowood PM of Marble Springs Lodge joins in to help.
Loading 1 of 3 smokers on hand for the job!
Mitch gets up close and personal with the smoker belonging to Sweetgum Lodge #542 of Mineral Bluff, Ga.....loaned to Montgomery for this fundraiser.
Mitch getting ready to shut in the smoke!
Mitch takes a peek inside Montgomery's new smoker!
Montgomery's smoker getting the job done!
Montgomery's own Past Masters Cecil Allen and John Dyer pokin' the fire a lil!
PIG PULLIN' HEAVEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'd like to thank ALL the Brothers who assisted. And, i'd like to thank DDGM Jim Hyde for helping me take a few pictures. I can't wait til next year!
Tom O'Day, Joe Poteete, and Olen Murphy un-boxing the butts.
Mitch Arrowood PM of Marble Springs Lodge joins in to help.
Loading 1 of 3 smokers on hand for the job!
Mitch gets up close and personal with the smoker belonging to Sweetgum Lodge #542 of Mineral Bluff, Ga.....loaned to Montgomery for this fundraiser.
Mitch getting ready to shut in the smoke!
Mitch takes a peek inside Montgomery's new smoker!
Montgomery's smoker getting the job done!
Montgomery's own Past Masters Cecil Allen and John Dyer pokin' the fire a lil!
PIG PULLIN' HEAVEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
"If Religion It May Be Called"
I ran across this great writing in the summer edition of the Royal Arch Magazine. I read it and thought that many of you could use it in defending our great fraternity. I'd like to thank the Reverend Roy Gilkey for his willingness to let me re-print it here....and for allowing me to discover a new found Brother! Derek.
If Religion It May Be Called
by Rev. Roy L. Gilkey
INTRODUCTION
As a pastor and a master mason, I have had experiences with the misconceptions of freemasonry. It is the purpose of this paper to relate some of these experiences and how I have answered these misconceptions. In the process of doing so, I will be examining the connection of freemasonry with religion. Freemasonry makes this connection very clear. Not every brother is sure of this connection nor have masons have always done well in informing those outside of fraternity. Those who would deem themselves enemies of the fraternity have distorted the relationship of freemasonry and religion especially to make their point that masonry is a cult or a false religion. I have encountered these attitudes and have had to answer them as a pastor and as a brother master mason. In this discourse, I want to share those answers with all who might find them of benefit.
This paper is in the form of a narrative not a research paper. Several members of the craft have done research in this area. I have benefited from their study. I am most grateful to those brethren who so long ago developed the wording of the ritual. A person doesn't need to look further than the the ritual itself to see the true nature of masonry's relationship to religion. Over the years, there have been many brethren who have offered further clarification in masonic books and articles. I have benefited greatly from their eloquence which is far greater than mine. The knowledge that I have gained from them is a part of me from my forty years as a master mason reading and growing in masonic knowledge. It would be exhaustive to go back and catalog the material I have read and studied over those years. It is not my purpose to do so or footnote quotes from those sources of my knowledge. The plan is to make this a narrative of my observations as a brother who happens to work as a pastor. I apologize for the weakness of such an approach. I pray that along with the weakness there might also be some strength.
WHAT IT IS
Freemasonry has always been crystal clear as to what it is. At the beginning of a brother's masonic journey, he learns that:
FREEMASONRY IS A BEAUTIFUL SYSTEM OF MORALS
VEILED IN ALLEGORY AND ILLUSTRATED BY SYMBOLS.
ITS TENENTS ARE BROTHERLY LOVE, RELIEF, AND TRUTH.
ITS CARDINAL VIRTURES ARE TEMPERANCE, FORTITUDE, PRUDENCE, AND JUSTICE.
ITS RELIGION, IF RELIGION IT MAY BE CALLED,
IS AN UNFEIGNED BELIEF IN THE ONE LIVING AND TRUE GOD.
Not only is the brother at the beginning of his masonic journey told what masonry is in these words, but he is given the opportunity to stop his journey at that point should he object in any way. It has been my observation that some brothers never fully understand what they have been told here. On more than one occasion, I have had a brother say to me that if a brother would just live according to the promises he made in his obligation and just lives according to the principles of masonic teaching, he would be right with God, be saved, and go to heaven. There is nothing in the ritual that says that. The brother is making of freemasonry something that it does not claim to be. Enemies of freemasonry who claim it to be a religion may get that idea from ill-informed brethren who make it their religion by such statements. Freemasonry is not a religion. It HAS a religion--if religion it may be called. That religion it has is an un-pretended belief in the one living and true God. It is not defined beyond that statement. This is hardly what could constitute or be defined a religion. In the York Rite and Scottish Rite degrees which are sometimes referred to as the universities of freemasonry, that line is never crossed that would take a brother into a religion. Freemasonry draws on examples from the Judio-Christian scriptures to illustrate morality, but never as statements of religious doctrine or creed. Freemasonry must always be taken as what it is and it tells us what it is--A BEAUTIFUL SYSTEM OF MORALS with one requirement from religion--AN UNFEIGNED BELIEF IN THE ONE LIVING AND TRUE GOD.
It is hard criticize a person as a truck driver when he is a doctor. It is unfair to criticize a person for being a bad carpenter when he is a lawyer. It has been my observation that the most common criticism of masonry is that it is a false religion. It can never be fairly criticized as a religion. It can only be fairly criticized as a system of moral teaching. I have known several brothers who foster that misconception in others about masonry. We need to correct our lesser informed brethren. We also need to answer those outside the fraternity who would claim us to be a religion. It has been my observation that masonry is doing better now at informing those outside the fraternity than it did in past years. When some members of the Southern Baptist Convention in the 1990's proposed a ban on masonic membership, masons became more active in putting forth the truth. The Scottish Rite Journal at that time published a special issue which is still a must read for anyone who would answer the critics who make the charge that freemasonry is a religion. The fraternity's position in the past was that masonry should ignore its critics. That has changed and to the better, I believe.
The sword against falsehood is the truth. A truth I start with is that I was a Christian before I became a mason. If I ever had encountered in masonry something that conflicted with my belief in Christianity or my personal devotion and relationship with Christ as my Lord, I would not now be a mason. I add that if I ever hereafter should encounter such a thing, I will still leave the fraternity. It has not happened in the forty years that I have been a mason. Having been through the York and Scottish Rites, I feel sure that it never will happen.
I find that it is really easier to correct the conceptions of those outside of the fraternity than to correct the misconceptions of the brothers in it. To masons, our faith is a personal matter and not to be discussed or approached unless invited by the brother by his opening the subject. This is true as we act as masons in the lodge or relate to each other in the context as masons. There are many brethren who do not bring up the subject of religion. Once a brother does, it is appropritate to draw his attention to religious claims that he is according to masonry that masonry does not make. It is my observation that misinformed brethren do more harm to masonry in this matter than our enemies. In these days when proficiencies are no longer required and brethren no longer have a coach, it seems to me that we have more ill-informed or partially informed brethren.
Another statement from the ritual refers to the obligation and to the masonic membership which the obligation that the obligation entails. It says that FREEMASONRY IS NOT TO INTERFERE WITH YOUR DUTIES TO GOD, YOUR NEIGHBOR, OR YOURSELF. The first thing we notice in this statement is that masonry places itself forth at best. The second thing is that masonry assumes that we HAVE duties to God, our neighbor, and ourselves outside of the lodge. God is placed first in our priority of duties. This would presume that your duty to God would be well above your duty to masonry. This you are to perform in your own way and through your own faith. Freemasonry recognizes that your highest duty is to God--the one living and true God in whom you professed your trust to become a mason. By being faithful to your trust in God, you are living the highest duty that masonry recognizes. Freemasonry does not presume to direct this most sacred and personal duty. Your duty to your neighbor is one that recognizes your obligation to society. If you are a good neighbor in your community, a good worker in your place of employment, and faithful in all civic responsibilities you have fulfilled the second highest responsibility that masonry recognizes. Your duty to yourself includes all of your household. Your duty to your family and the well-being of yourself and family is the third duty that masonry recognizes. Finally, in forth position we have our duty to the lodge. It is a wonderful brotherhood with moral teachings that should help us realize the other duties that go before it in a better way. I remember the description of masonry that I received early in my masonic education that masonry is not a religion, but it is a help in living the life that you desire to live for God. A BEAUTIFUL SYSTEM OF universally accepted MORALS, what else can it be but a aid to one's religion.
Freemasonry says what it is. It is important that we also say what it is and what it is not.
WHAT IT IS NOT
The main charge I have heard from Christians is that freemasonry is a false religion. Most commonly, it is stated or inferred that masonry is "devil worship", a cult, or some practice of the occult. There seems to be more and more anti-masonic "hate" literature available that makes these claims. One case in point is the Chick Publishing Company which produces materials in comic book format. They produce a series of pocket sized comics that present their position on various issues. Some of these are attacks on masonry. One of these makes the claim that masons worship a goat-headed demon named Baphomet. We are in very good company as the Catholic Church and many other groups are also attacked by them. Some television evangelists such as John Ankerberg have had series of broadcasts attacking masonry as a cult of false religion. We have already established that freemasonry is not a religion let alone a false religion. It is imperitive that masons refute this charge whenever it is made. This is one charge where silence is not a response that will work.
Not long after I took over my current pastorate, a wonderful lady of faith made the statement that masons worship another God. I had no trouble in speaking to her in Christian love and correcting her misconception. She had encountered some of this anti-masonic broadcasts and literature. It was a matter of explaining to her what masonry is and also what it is not. It helped that many local masons belong to our church. We in masonry refer to the one living and true God by the term THE GREAT ARCHITECT OF THE UNIVERSE. This title of the Deity is sometimes abbreviated GAOTU in masonic literature. Those who are making the case that freemasonry is a false religion like to seize upon this abbreviation and claim that it is the name of a false god that we worship. In explaining the term to which the letters refer, it is easy to show that we are referring to God whom all major religions approach in their own way. We show that we recognize Him as the creator and sustainer of our universe and our lives. I always like to say that as God created the universe and us who inhabit it, masonry has us reflect on the fact that we also are to be builders. We are to build the moral character which is taught in our place of worship as pleasing to God.
I made a great decision in masonry when I decided to join the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. The very first thing I did after joining was to read through the entire volume of Albert Pike's MORALS AND DOGMA. This was a exciting and wonderful journey well worth the time and the labor to do so. Albert Pike was a remarkable scholar in comparative religions. His scholarship stands well not only for his own time, but also in ours. His fascination was for the ancient religions and ancient rites. They made excellent points of departure for studying morality and comparing religious dogma because they were dead religions. Since nobody believed or practiced these religions, they could be use without offending any faith that brethren held sacred. They could also show trends that mankind has made in the practice of religion and their understanding of Deity. It has been my observation that most of the arguments used to substantiate that freemasonry is a false religion comes from quotes taken from MORALS AND DOGMA. These are taken out of context and Pike's intention in the lectures. I feel that few brethren read MORALS AND DOGMA any more, but masonry's critics do. It is hard to rebuke those argument that come from it if one does not know what Pike said and context in which he said it. True brother that he was, Albert Pike spoke of religious matters, but never crossed that line we mentioned before--that line that leaves religion, beyond the unfeigned belief in the one living and true God, to the individual brother's own spiritual journey. For the brother who would refute the critics of masonry claiming it to be a false religion, he does need to be prepared to read MORALS AND DOGMA. This is the only place I've ever found where the name Baphomet is mentioned, only in twice in passing as related to an ancient religion. Pike can be tough sledding so be prepared. You will find that Albert Pike advocated one thing that many of his critics and the critics of masonry are not fond of. That is the freedom of thought not only academically but also in the examination of one's religion. So you must also be prepared to abandon the fight if you find yourself talking to one outside of masonry who is sure that he or she knows more about masonry than you do. You can never convince those who say, "Don't confuse me with the facts. My mind is already made up." You will find that those who thus stand have a brief day in the sun before others realize who they are and how they think.
Another thing that freemasonry is not is that it is not a secret society. It seems that all the time there are new writings that claim that freemasonry is part of what will lead to a one world government, or part of a conspiracy to establish a one world order. This hints of the coming anti-christ that is spoken of in the Bible. The only world order that freemasonry can be accused of is that of democracy as evident in the United States, England, and other democratic nations in Europe and the world. The freedom of thought and the freedom of religion taught in masonry has had an effect on the world, but not one that a totalitarian ruler of the world would welcome. It has been effective for me to point out freemasonry's influence on our American Revolution and the establishment of our government in answering these charges. It is hard for people to conceive of George Washington and the other founding fathers who were masons as those who would attempt and ungodly one world order or even a totalitarian order. As you add to the list of prominent people in history who were masons, the argument of their being a part of a sinister secret society becomes patently ridiculous.
The very listing of famous people who were masons further proves that freemasonry is not a secret society. Their masonic membership was well known. One can point out that those who are masons in the community today are well known. Their pictures appear in the local paper in articles about lodge functions. The place and time of lodge meetings are publicized. You can draw people's attention to books in local bookstores and libraries that present the teachings and principles of masonry. I like to mention the kinds of things that ARE secret in masonry and that those relate to similar kinds of secrets that are in other organization as well. In fact, I make the point that many other organizations to which they belong or might join were formed in imitation of masonry.
We live in a world which seems to be fascinated by conspiracy theories. We can expect that some will target masonry as a factor in their conspiracies. I believe there was even one trying to tie the Jack the Ripper murders on masons. We also live in a world that is fascinated with eschatology (the study of how the world may end). It will be popular to for some to target masonry in scenarios of the end of time. We are not a religion, a secret society, or a political body that might be utilized by either. We are a BEAUTIFUL SYSTEM OF MORALS VEILED IN ALLEGORY AND ILLUSTRATED BY SYMBOLS.
SYMBOLS
The last thing that I will discuss from my observation of those who do not understand that masonry is not a religion is that they misunderstand and react at symbols that we use. Symbols are powerful images in carrying meanings. The flag of our country is the symbol of our country. As such, many citizens have powerful feelings about how it should be treated and respected. The dove that represents peace, the skull and crossbones that represents poison, the icons on our traffic signs, all communicate powerful meanings or warnings. From the development of speculative masonry, symbols have been one of masonry's prime methods of communication. A big part of the degrees of masonry is learning these symbols and their moral meanings. They are potent symbols with certain meanings to the craft, but the uninformed do not share these meanings. Many if not most of these meaning can be shared to clarify meaning to those who do not understand. Freemasonry is an organization with a few secrets, but it is not a secret organization. What we believe and teach morally is not secret.
The most frequent symbol I have found myself explaining to those who do not understand is the Eastern Star symbol. I will use it therefore as an example. The question I often get is, "Why is there a pentagram on the masonic lodge's signs?" By pentagram, they are referring to the satanist symbol of the five-pointed star with the single point pointed down and the head of a goat often inscribed inside with the goat's horns in the two upper points and the goat's beard in the lower point. The star is oriented the same as the eastern star symbol. In answer, I mention that symbols are not the property of one group. They do not have the same meaning from one group to another nor do they have the same meaning at different times in history. The swastika before the Nazis was a revered symbol to the ancient Greeks. The Eastern Star symbol refers to the scripture For we have seen His star in the east and are come to worship Him--Matthew 2:2. The star points down in indication that God was coming down to be among men according to this scripture. By showing the true meaning of the symbol and explaining that the Eastern Star is based on heroines of the Bible and the moral teachings suggested by their lives, I find that the issue is almost always resolved. There will always be those among the uninitiated who will not understand our use of symbols. We must be prepared to answer them with the truth.
CONCLUSION
I am proud to be a Christian pastor and I am proud to be a master mason of forty years. I have known pastors who are masons who tended to keep the fact a secret. I do not hide my masonic membership or service. God is truth. That is a statement that I feel must be universal to all who would know the Great Artificer of the Universe. Not only is it my greatest duty which is recognized by masonry to seek my Creator with all my being, but I must stand for truth, walk in truth, and speak the truth. It is my duty to speak the truth about masonry to those who would misunderstand it as a religion. I must speak truth of masonry as to its relationship to religion. To do less would be a violation to my duties to God, my neighbor, myself and family, and the brotherhood of masonry. This has been my narrative of my doing so. I apologize for any weakness of scholarship or things I might have added to make this narrative more complete. It is my prayer and hope that what I have shared might be of use to any who might read it. I leave it in the care of the one living and true God in whom I profess to put my trust.
Roy L. Gilkey
June 29, 2006
Rev. Roy L. Gilkey 32 Dg, KYCH
12249 Hwy KK
Crocker, Mo 65452
(573) 736-5328 Cell: (573) 842-7591
lgilkey@windstream.net
Pastor, Brays Advent Christian Church
Iberia, Missouri
PM, Waynesville Lodge # 375, Waynesville, Mo.
PM, Rolla Lodge # 213, Rolla, Mo.
WM, Iberia Lodge # 410, Iberia, Mo.
PHP, Rolla Chapter # 32, RAM, Rolla, Mo.
PIM, Rolla Council # 39 R&SM, Rolla, Mo.
PEC, Rolla Commandry # 59, Rolla, Mo.
EC, Prince of Peace Commandry # 59 KT, Jefferson City, Mo.
PDDGHP, Region 4-B, RAM of Missouri
PDDGL, Region 4-B, RAM of Missouri
GM3V, RAM of Missouri
If Religion It May Be Called
by Rev. Roy L. Gilkey
INTRODUCTION
As a pastor and a master mason, I have had experiences with the misconceptions of freemasonry. It is the purpose of this paper to relate some of these experiences and how I have answered these misconceptions. In the process of doing so, I will be examining the connection of freemasonry with religion. Freemasonry makes this connection very clear. Not every brother is sure of this connection nor have masons have always done well in informing those outside of fraternity. Those who would deem themselves enemies of the fraternity have distorted the relationship of freemasonry and religion especially to make their point that masonry is a cult or a false religion. I have encountered these attitudes and have had to answer them as a pastor and as a brother master mason. In this discourse, I want to share those answers with all who might find them of benefit.
This paper is in the form of a narrative not a research paper. Several members of the craft have done research in this area. I have benefited from their study. I am most grateful to those brethren who so long ago developed the wording of the ritual. A person doesn't need to look further than the the ritual itself to see the true nature of masonry's relationship to religion. Over the years, there have been many brethren who have offered further clarification in masonic books and articles. I have benefited greatly from their eloquence which is far greater than mine. The knowledge that I have gained from them is a part of me from my forty years as a master mason reading and growing in masonic knowledge. It would be exhaustive to go back and catalog the material I have read and studied over those years. It is not my purpose to do so or footnote quotes from those sources of my knowledge. The plan is to make this a narrative of my observations as a brother who happens to work as a pastor. I apologize for the weakness of such an approach. I pray that along with the weakness there might also be some strength.
WHAT IT IS
Freemasonry has always been crystal clear as to what it is. At the beginning of a brother's masonic journey, he learns that:
FREEMASONRY IS A BEAUTIFUL SYSTEM OF MORALS
VEILED IN ALLEGORY AND ILLUSTRATED BY SYMBOLS.
ITS TENENTS ARE BROTHERLY LOVE, RELIEF, AND TRUTH.
ITS CARDINAL VIRTURES ARE TEMPERANCE, FORTITUDE, PRUDENCE, AND JUSTICE.
ITS RELIGION, IF RELIGION IT MAY BE CALLED,
IS AN UNFEIGNED BELIEF IN THE ONE LIVING AND TRUE GOD.
Not only is the brother at the beginning of his masonic journey told what masonry is in these words, but he is given the opportunity to stop his journey at that point should he object in any way. It has been my observation that some brothers never fully understand what they have been told here. On more than one occasion, I have had a brother say to me that if a brother would just live according to the promises he made in his obligation and just lives according to the principles of masonic teaching, he would be right with God, be saved, and go to heaven. There is nothing in the ritual that says that. The brother is making of freemasonry something that it does not claim to be. Enemies of freemasonry who claim it to be a religion may get that idea from ill-informed brethren who make it their religion by such statements. Freemasonry is not a religion. It HAS a religion--if religion it may be called. That religion it has is an un-pretended belief in the one living and true God. It is not defined beyond that statement. This is hardly what could constitute or be defined a religion. In the York Rite and Scottish Rite degrees which are sometimes referred to as the universities of freemasonry, that line is never crossed that would take a brother into a religion. Freemasonry draws on examples from the Judio-Christian scriptures to illustrate morality, but never as statements of religious doctrine or creed. Freemasonry must always be taken as what it is and it tells us what it is--A BEAUTIFUL SYSTEM OF MORALS with one requirement from religion--AN UNFEIGNED BELIEF IN THE ONE LIVING AND TRUE GOD.
It is hard criticize a person as a truck driver when he is a doctor. It is unfair to criticize a person for being a bad carpenter when he is a lawyer. It has been my observation that the most common criticism of masonry is that it is a false religion. It can never be fairly criticized as a religion. It can only be fairly criticized as a system of moral teaching. I have known several brothers who foster that misconception in others about masonry. We need to correct our lesser informed brethren. We also need to answer those outside the fraternity who would claim us to be a religion. It has been my observation that masonry is doing better now at informing those outside the fraternity than it did in past years. When some members of the Southern Baptist Convention in the 1990's proposed a ban on masonic membership, masons became more active in putting forth the truth. The Scottish Rite Journal at that time published a special issue which is still a must read for anyone who would answer the critics who make the charge that freemasonry is a religion. The fraternity's position in the past was that masonry should ignore its critics. That has changed and to the better, I believe.
The sword against falsehood is the truth. A truth I start with is that I was a Christian before I became a mason. If I ever had encountered in masonry something that conflicted with my belief in Christianity or my personal devotion and relationship with Christ as my Lord, I would not now be a mason. I add that if I ever hereafter should encounter such a thing, I will still leave the fraternity. It has not happened in the forty years that I have been a mason. Having been through the York and Scottish Rites, I feel sure that it never will happen.
I find that it is really easier to correct the conceptions of those outside of the fraternity than to correct the misconceptions of the brothers in it. To masons, our faith is a personal matter and not to be discussed or approached unless invited by the brother by his opening the subject. This is true as we act as masons in the lodge or relate to each other in the context as masons. There are many brethren who do not bring up the subject of religion. Once a brother does, it is appropritate to draw his attention to religious claims that he is according to masonry that masonry does not make. It is my observation that misinformed brethren do more harm to masonry in this matter than our enemies. In these days when proficiencies are no longer required and brethren no longer have a coach, it seems to me that we have more ill-informed or partially informed brethren.
Another statement from the ritual refers to the obligation and to the masonic membership which the obligation that the obligation entails. It says that FREEMASONRY IS NOT TO INTERFERE WITH YOUR DUTIES TO GOD, YOUR NEIGHBOR, OR YOURSELF. The first thing we notice in this statement is that masonry places itself forth at best. The second thing is that masonry assumes that we HAVE duties to God, our neighbor, and ourselves outside of the lodge. God is placed first in our priority of duties. This would presume that your duty to God would be well above your duty to masonry. This you are to perform in your own way and through your own faith. Freemasonry recognizes that your highest duty is to God--the one living and true God in whom you professed your trust to become a mason. By being faithful to your trust in God, you are living the highest duty that masonry recognizes. Freemasonry does not presume to direct this most sacred and personal duty. Your duty to your neighbor is one that recognizes your obligation to society. If you are a good neighbor in your community, a good worker in your place of employment, and faithful in all civic responsibilities you have fulfilled the second highest responsibility that masonry recognizes. Your duty to yourself includes all of your household. Your duty to your family and the well-being of yourself and family is the third duty that masonry recognizes. Finally, in forth position we have our duty to the lodge. It is a wonderful brotherhood with moral teachings that should help us realize the other duties that go before it in a better way. I remember the description of masonry that I received early in my masonic education that masonry is not a religion, but it is a help in living the life that you desire to live for God. A BEAUTIFUL SYSTEM OF universally accepted MORALS, what else can it be but a aid to one's religion.
Freemasonry says what it is. It is important that we also say what it is and what it is not.
WHAT IT IS NOT
The main charge I have heard from Christians is that freemasonry is a false religion. Most commonly, it is stated or inferred that masonry is "devil worship", a cult, or some practice of the occult. There seems to be more and more anti-masonic "hate" literature available that makes these claims. One case in point is the Chick Publishing Company which produces materials in comic book format. They produce a series of pocket sized comics that present their position on various issues. Some of these are attacks on masonry. One of these makes the claim that masons worship a goat-headed demon named Baphomet. We are in very good company as the Catholic Church and many other groups are also attacked by them. Some television evangelists such as John Ankerberg have had series of broadcasts attacking masonry as a cult of false religion. We have already established that freemasonry is not a religion let alone a false religion. It is imperitive that masons refute this charge whenever it is made. This is one charge where silence is not a response that will work.
Not long after I took over my current pastorate, a wonderful lady of faith made the statement that masons worship another God. I had no trouble in speaking to her in Christian love and correcting her misconception. She had encountered some of this anti-masonic broadcasts and literature. It was a matter of explaining to her what masonry is and also what it is not. It helped that many local masons belong to our church. We in masonry refer to the one living and true God by the term THE GREAT ARCHITECT OF THE UNIVERSE. This title of the Deity is sometimes abbreviated GAOTU in masonic literature. Those who are making the case that freemasonry is a false religion like to seize upon this abbreviation and claim that it is the name of a false god that we worship. In explaining the term to which the letters refer, it is easy to show that we are referring to God whom all major religions approach in their own way. We show that we recognize Him as the creator and sustainer of our universe and our lives. I always like to say that as God created the universe and us who inhabit it, masonry has us reflect on the fact that we also are to be builders. We are to build the moral character which is taught in our place of worship as pleasing to God.
I made a great decision in masonry when I decided to join the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. The very first thing I did after joining was to read through the entire volume of Albert Pike's MORALS AND DOGMA. This was a exciting and wonderful journey well worth the time and the labor to do so. Albert Pike was a remarkable scholar in comparative religions. His scholarship stands well not only for his own time, but also in ours. His fascination was for the ancient religions and ancient rites. They made excellent points of departure for studying morality and comparing religious dogma because they were dead religions. Since nobody believed or practiced these religions, they could be use without offending any faith that brethren held sacred. They could also show trends that mankind has made in the practice of religion and their understanding of Deity. It has been my observation that most of the arguments used to substantiate that freemasonry is a false religion comes from quotes taken from MORALS AND DOGMA. These are taken out of context and Pike's intention in the lectures. I feel that few brethren read MORALS AND DOGMA any more, but masonry's critics do. It is hard to rebuke those argument that come from it if one does not know what Pike said and context in which he said it. True brother that he was, Albert Pike spoke of religious matters, but never crossed that line we mentioned before--that line that leaves religion, beyond the unfeigned belief in the one living and true God, to the individual brother's own spiritual journey. For the brother who would refute the critics of masonry claiming it to be a false religion, he does need to be prepared to read MORALS AND DOGMA. This is the only place I've ever found where the name Baphomet is mentioned, only in twice in passing as related to an ancient religion. Pike can be tough sledding so be prepared. You will find that Albert Pike advocated one thing that many of his critics and the critics of masonry are not fond of. That is the freedom of thought not only academically but also in the examination of one's religion. So you must also be prepared to abandon the fight if you find yourself talking to one outside of masonry who is sure that he or she knows more about masonry than you do. You can never convince those who say, "Don't confuse me with the facts. My mind is already made up." You will find that those who thus stand have a brief day in the sun before others realize who they are and how they think.
Another thing that freemasonry is not is that it is not a secret society. It seems that all the time there are new writings that claim that freemasonry is part of what will lead to a one world government, or part of a conspiracy to establish a one world order. This hints of the coming anti-christ that is spoken of in the Bible. The only world order that freemasonry can be accused of is that of democracy as evident in the United States, England, and other democratic nations in Europe and the world. The freedom of thought and the freedom of religion taught in masonry has had an effect on the world, but not one that a totalitarian ruler of the world would welcome. It has been effective for me to point out freemasonry's influence on our American Revolution and the establishment of our government in answering these charges. It is hard for people to conceive of George Washington and the other founding fathers who were masons as those who would attempt and ungodly one world order or even a totalitarian order. As you add to the list of prominent people in history who were masons, the argument of their being a part of a sinister secret society becomes patently ridiculous.
The very listing of famous people who were masons further proves that freemasonry is not a secret society. Their masonic membership was well known. One can point out that those who are masons in the community today are well known. Their pictures appear in the local paper in articles about lodge functions. The place and time of lodge meetings are publicized. You can draw people's attention to books in local bookstores and libraries that present the teachings and principles of masonry. I like to mention the kinds of things that ARE secret in masonry and that those relate to similar kinds of secrets that are in other organization as well. In fact, I make the point that many other organizations to which they belong or might join were formed in imitation of masonry.
We live in a world which seems to be fascinated by conspiracy theories. We can expect that some will target masonry as a factor in their conspiracies. I believe there was even one trying to tie the Jack the Ripper murders on masons. We also live in a world that is fascinated with eschatology (the study of how the world may end). It will be popular to for some to target masonry in scenarios of the end of time. We are not a religion, a secret society, or a political body that might be utilized by either. We are a BEAUTIFUL SYSTEM OF MORALS VEILED IN ALLEGORY AND ILLUSTRATED BY SYMBOLS.
SYMBOLS
The last thing that I will discuss from my observation of those who do not understand that masonry is not a religion is that they misunderstand and react at symbols that we use. Symbols are powerful images in carrying meanings. The flag of our country is the symbol of our country. As such, many citizens have powerful feelings about how it should be treated and respected. The dove that represents peace, the skull and crossbones that represents poison, the icons on our traffic signs, all communicate powerful meanings or warnings. From the development of speculative masonry, symbols have been one of masonry's prime methods of communication. A big part of the degrees of masonry is learning these symbols and their moral meanings. They are potent symbols with certain meanings to the craft, but the uninformed do not share these meanings. Many if not most of these meaning can be shared to clarify meaning to those who do not understand. Freemasonry is an organization with a few secrets, but it is not a secret organization. What we believe and teach morally is not secret.
The most frequent symbol I have found myself explaining to those who do not understand is the Eastern Star symbol. I will use it therefore as an example. The question I often get is, "Why is there a pentagram on the masonic lodge's signs?" By pentagram, they are referring to the satanist symbol of the five-pointed star with the single point pointed down and the head of a goat often inscribed inside with the goat's horns in the two upper points and the goat's beard in the lower point. The star is oriented the same as the eastern star symbol. In answer, I mention that symbols are not the property of one group. They do not have the same meaning from one group to another nor do they have the same meaning at different times in history. The swastika before the Nazis was a revered symbol to the ancient Greeks. The Eastern Star symbol refers to the scripture For we have seen His star in the east and are come to worship Him--Matthew 2:2. The star points down in indication that God was coming down to be among men according to this scripture. By showing the true meaning of the symbol and explaining that the Eastern Star is based on heroines of the Bible and the moral teachings suggested by their lives, I find that the issue is almost always resolved. There will always be those among the uninitiated who will not understand our use of symbols. We must be prepared to answer them with the truth.
CONCLUSION
I am proud to be a Christian pastor and I am proud to be a master mason of forty years. I have known pastors who are masons who tended to keep the fact a secret. I do not hide my masonic membership or service. God is truth. That is a statement that I feel must be universal to all who would know the Great Artificer of the Universe. Not only is it my greatest duty which is recognized by masonry to seek my Creator with all my being, but I must stand for truth, walk in truth, and speak the truth. It is my duty to speak the truth about masonry to those who would misunderstand it as a religion. I must speak truth of masonry as to its relationship to religion. To do less would be a violation to my duties to God, my neighbor, myself and family, and the brotherhood of masonry. This has been my narrative of my doing so. I apologize for any weakness of scholarship or things I might have added to make this narrative more complete. It is my prayer and hope that what I have shared might be of use to any who might read it. I leave it in the care of the one living and true God in whom I profess to put my trust.
Roy L. Gilkey
June 29, 2006
Rev. Roy L. Gilkey 32 Dg, KYCH
12249 Hwy KK
Crocker, Mo 65452
(573) 736-5328 Cell: (573) 842-7591
lgilkey@windstream.net
Pastor, Brays Advent Christian Church
Iberia, Missouri
PM, Waynesville Lodge # 375, Waynesville, Mo.
PM, Rolla Lodge # 213, Rolla, Mo.
WM, Iberia Lodge # 410, Iberia, Mo.
PHP, Rolla Chapter # 32, RAM, Rolla, Mo.
PIM, Rolla Council # 39 R&SM, Rolla, Mo.
PEC, Rolla Commandry # 59, Rolla, Mo.
EC, Prince of Peace Commandry # 59 KT, Jefferson City, Mo.
PDDGHP, Region 4-B, RAM of Missouri
PDDGL, Region 4-B, RAM of Missouri
GM3V, RAM of Missouri
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Open Letter from the Grand Master
August 28, 2008
Dear Worshipful Masters and Brethren,
Thank you to the more than 100 lodges who have notified the Grand Secretary of your desire to co-sponsor the resolution for Prince Hall Recognition. The recognition of Prince Hall Masons in North Carolina will serve to help silence some of our opponents’ charges of racism and certainly affirm our Masonic tenets of brotherly love and truth. Found in our Bahnson Manual on page 32, in the lecture of the Entered Apprentice Degree, are these teachings. “By the exercise of brotherly love we are taught to regard the whole human species-the high and low, the rich and poor-as one family; who, as created by one Almighty parent, and inhabitants of the same planet, are to aid, support, and protect each other. On this principle Masonry unites men of every country, sect, and opinion, and conciliates true friendship among those who otherwise might have remained at a perpetual distance.” I am greatly saddened and disappointed by the cowardly approach of some Masons who have recently chosen to hide behind the veil of an unsigned anonymous letter campaign. The information circulated through their mailing is an attempt to discredit Prince Hall Masonry. The letter refers to a newspaper article released in the Raleigh newspaper this past February in which three prominent officers of Prince Hall have been charged with mail fraud. Their case is pending trial later this year. As with all persons, individuals are supposed innocent until proven guilty, except when the evil forces of racism and prejudice seek to hold trial before justice. I know of no movement by Prince Hall to withdraw their recognition of our Grand Lodge when our own prominent Mason Jim Black, Speaker of the State House of Representatives, was convicted and sent to prison. Therefore, the only thing this anonymous letter proves is that racism dies hard! For the last three years, we have allowed forty per cent of our membership to speak for the other sixty per cent of us. We have been the silent majority long enough!
Thank you to each lodge for your courageous endorsement, IN WRITING, in support of the Prince Hall Resolution. I also appreciate the less than 30 lodges who responded unfavorably. To both groups, I applaud you for your integrity and character. Masonry is better served by “…that noble contention, or rather emulation of who can best work and best agree.”
Thank you Worshipful Master, for reading this letter at your next stated communication. And as a whisper of good counseling to all men and Masons, whenever you receive any correspondence that is not properly vouched for and signed, I hope you will not honor it. Instead, act on the square, and trash it immediately!
Sincerely and fraternally,
David R. Cash, Sr.
Dear Worshipful Masters and Brethren,
Thank you to the more than 100 lodges who have notified the Grand Secretary of your desire to co-sponsor the resolution for Prince Hall Recognition. The recognition of Prince Hall Masons in North Carolina will serve to help silence some of our opponents’ charges of racism and certainly affirm our Masonic tenets of brotherly love and truth. Found in our Bahnson Manual on page 32, in the lecture of the Entered Apprentice Degree, are these teachings. “By the exercise of brotherly love we are taught to regard the whole human species-the high and low, the rich and poor-as one family; who, as created by one Almighty parent, and inhabitants of the same planet, are to aid, support, and protect each other. On this principle Masonry unites men of every country, sect, and opinion, and conciliates true friendship among those who otherwise might have remained at a perpetual distance.” I am greatly saddened and disappointed by the cowardly approach of some Masons who have recently chosen to hide behind the veil of an unsigned anonymous letter campaign. The information circulated through their mailing is an attempt to discredit Prince Hall Masonry. The letter refers to a newspaper article released in the Raleigh newspaper this past February in which three prominent officers of Prince Hall have been charged with mail fraud. Their case is pending trial later this year. As with all persons, individuals are supposed innocent until proven guilty, except when the evil forces of racism and prejudice seek to hold trial before justice. I know of no movement by Prince Hall to withdraw their recognition of our Grand Lodge when our own prominent Mason Jim Black, Speaker of the State House of Representatives, was convicted and sent to prison. Therefore, the only thing this anonymous letter proves is that racism dies hard! For the last three years, we have allowed forty per cent of our membership to speak for the other sixty per cent of us. We have been the silent majority long enough!
Thank you to each lodge for your courageous endorsement, IN WRITING, in support of the Prince Hall Resolution. I also appreciate the less than 30 lodges who responded unfavorably. To both groups, I applaud you for your integrity and character. Masonry is better served by “…that noble contention, or rather emulation of who can best work and best agree.”
Thank you Worshipful Master, for reading this letter at your next stated communication. And as a whisper of good counseling to all men and Masons, whenever you receive any correspondence that is not properly vouched for and signed, I hope you will not honor it. Instead, act on the square, and trash it immediately!
Sincerely and fraternally,
David R. Cash, Sr.
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