FREE MASONRY - the Principles

[JX]

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No one knows just how old Masonry is, because its actual origin has been lost in time. Most probably,
it arose from the guilds of stonemasons who built the castles and cathedrals of the Middle Ages.
Possibly, they were influenced by the Knights Templar, a group of Christian warrior-monks formed in
1118 A.D. to help protect pilgrims making trips to the Holy Land. The name Freemason appeared as early
as 1212 AD in connection with the master builders who traveled throughout Europe erecting the
magnificent cathedrals and churches. These builders were called Freemasons because they were a
privileged class, not subject to feudal servitude or bondage to a lord. They were free to travel about
Europe practicing their building craft, while ordinary people labored as serfs under feudal lords.

Masonry does have its secret (or private) rituals. These are the modes by which they instruct new members.
These rituals originated with the old cathedral builders and have been handed down
over the centuries.

Most of these secret rituals are based upon writings in the Holy Bible and the writings of other great
philosophers, so they are 'secret' only in their unique adaptation and presentation. This ritualistic
mode of instruction has proven remarkably effective over the centuries and its use, being peculiar to
Freemasonry, has kept the Fraternity apart from those who would imitate it. The lessons taught in the
Masonic ritual are in no way secret; they may be obtained from many and various Masonic writings
available to all.

Over the centuries, its bonds of friendship, compassion and brotherly love have survived even
the most devisive political, military and religious conflicts. Freemasonry is neither a forum, nor a
place for worship. Instead, it is a friend of all religions which are based on the belief in one God.

[SPRINGFIELD_XD_40]

@ GIIDYBOY ..

When we say FREEMASONRY arose from OBSCURE ORIGINS , that is what they want to send as a message . Of course that term came from a researcher who is not a FREEMASON .

When we say the word FRAT , FRATERNITY or FRATERNAL ... a lot of people get confused by its core definition . It does not limit only to Greek Lettered Societies , it is bound why that organization existed .

Now going back to CONFRATERNITIES , it does not also limit to being an affiliation of the ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH . Opus Dei though kana daghan nagsulti KULTO na sila .

@JX ...

Nice read there fafah ..

[giddyboy]

@ GIIDYBOY ..
When we say FREEMASONRY arose from OBSCURE ORIGINS , that is what they want to send as a message . Of course that term came from a researcher who is not a FREEMASON .

well, i guess wikipedia studied it carefully and still has used the correct term "obscure origins" in describing freemasonry...it doesnt matter whether the researcher or group of researchers are not freemasons...

When we say the word FRAT , FRATERNITY or FRATERNAL ... a lot of people get confused by its core definition . It does not limit only to Greek Lettered Societies , it is bound why that organization existed .

true. sometimes they are used interchangeably...fraternity, from the latin "frater", means "brother".

Now going back to CONFRATERNITIES , it does not also limit to being an affiliation of the ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH . Opus Dei though kana daghan nagsulti KULTO na sila .

well, as wiki stated, Opus Dei is an organization within the Catholic church, and not a confraternity. if dghn nagsulti nga "kulto" cla, it could be true or not...it's their opinion...maybe sensationalized thru the fictional movie "Da Vinci Code"? hehe

anyways, basin naa dre sa description:

cult (n).
1.
a. A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an
unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader.
b. The followers of such a religion or sect.
2. A system or community of religious worship and ritual.
3. The formal means of expressing religious reverence; religious ceremony and ritual.
4. A usually nonscientific method or regimen claimed by its originator to have exclusive or exceptional power in curing a particular disease.
5.
a. Obsessive, especially faddish, devotion to or veneration for a person, principle, or thing.
b. The object of such devotion.
6. An exclusive group of persons sharing an esoteric, usually artistic or intellectual interest.

[SPRINGFIELD_XD_40]

well, i guess wikipedia studied it carefully and still has used the correct term "obscure origins" in describing freemasonry...it doesnt matter whether the researcher or group of researchers are not freemasons...

Well the funny thing is , WIKEPEDIA does not study anything . All its contents are mere contributions that are subject to EDITS by guest , members or visitors who has something to add . Though I am not saying something that WIKEPEDIA is not CREDIBLE but it could be baseless also and inclined more on speculations and assumptions that has some infos sourced from the net itself that has journeyed cyberspace for sometime .

well, as wiki stated, Opus Dei is an organization within the Catholic church, and not a confraternity. if dghn nagsulti nga "kulto" cla, it could be true or not...it's their opinion...maybe sensationalized thru the fictional movie "Da Vinci Code"? hehe

And just like the FREEMASONS that Dasn Brown sensationalized in the book .

[pijavier]

Dan Brown sensationalized a lot of things but they are not true. Dan Brown is simply making money out of many things... good marketing scheme.

[giddyboy]

Well the funny thing is , WIKEPEDIA does not study anything . All its contents are mere contributions that are subject to EDITS by guest , members or visitors who has something to add . Though I am not saying something that WIKEPEDIA is not CREDIBLE but it could be baseless also and inclined more on speculations and assumptions that has some infos sourced from the net itself that has journeyed cyberspace for sometime .

OT:
as for me, it's a good reference site...even for students & professionals...

Wikipedia is written collaboratively by volunteers from all around the world. Since its creation in 2001, Wikipedia has grown rapidly into one of the largest reference Web sites.

Even if the contents are contributions that are subject to EDITS by guest , members or visitors who has something to add, their other editors are always around to advise or correct obvious errors...

And i think that they could not be baseless. Anyone is welcome to add information, cross-references or citations, as long as they do so within Wikipedia's editing policies and to an appropriate standard. For example, if you add information to an article, be sure to include your references, as unreferenced facts are subject to removal.

And just like the FREEMASONS that Dasn Brown sensationalized in the book.

i agree...anything saleable can be sensationalizable.


to add on the "cult" issue: ..."while Rome has a self-confessed salvific religio-political mission to redeem the world,...In the final analysis, every cult is now a religion because no-one is perceived to have the political right or the spiritual authority to tell anyone else what they should or should not believe, or what they may and may not do. Liberty has become a deity." --- archbishop cranmer

[SPRINGFIELD_XD_40]

I myself also refer to WIKIPEDIA from time to time but I dont just get the information there to support the knowledge I look for , I always make sure I come across multiple sources that validates and we call these sources specially if it is net related as OFFICIAL SITES .

Unless we talk about FREEMASONRY , if we dont refer to their OFFICIAL WEBSITE , chances are we are absorbing misleading and inaccurate general information .

[knockout]

I myself also refer to WIKIPEDIA from time to time but I dont just get the information there to support the knowledge I look for , I always make sure I come across multiple sources that validates and we call these sources specially if it is net related as OFFICIAL SITES .

Unless we talk about FREEMASONRY , if we dont refer to their OFFICIAL WEBSITE , chances are we are absorbing misleading and inaccurate general information .

what is an official website for you? do you think other websites in freemasonry are not official even if there is a bunch of team who organize to publish the website? just like other related sites provided above in some members who posted this thread.
and base from your post, can you give us one OFFICIAL WEBSITES of freemasonry?

[giddyboy]

there are no official sites for that matter...all that are available are reference sites and books...well, maybe except if u r a member and u will have access to "official" reference materials intended for the fraternity...

take the case for the definition of freemasonry. we have tons of them, but it will still lead to similar descriptions...

few examples:

(1) "Freemasonry is the oldest and largest world wide fraternity dedicated to the Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of a Supreme Being. Although of a religious nature, Freemasonry is not a religion. It urges its members, however, to be faithful and devoted to their own religious beliefs."

source: http://freemasonry.org/

(2) "Freemasonry has sometimes been referred to as a "secret society." This is an inaccurate statement. Freemasons certainly don't make a secret of the fact that they are members of their Lodges. We wear rings, lapel pins, and tie clasps with Masonic emblems like the Square and Compasses, the best-known of Masonic signs that, logically, recall our early symbolic roots in stonemasonry. Masonic buildings are clearly marked and usually listed in the phone book. The only thing that could be referred to as "secret" -- although we prefer the word "private" -- are the methods of recognition such as grips, words, signs, and our ritual by which we induct new members."

source: http://web.mit.edu/dryfoo/Masonry/

(3) "So what is Masonry, anyway?" For the uncountable thousands of Masons who have stumbled over that question, or who have avoided the struggle by simply answering, "It's all secret; I can't tell you," that alone is worth the price of admission.

"...the grips (handshakes), passwords, and signs (gestures) that are modes of recognition, and some details of the Masonic degree ritual ceremonies.

source: freemasons for dummies---Reviewed by Gary L. Dryfoos

[pijavier]

So wala gyud d ay official website.... puro lang unofficial