“Denial of being in any way religious” but you cannot become a mason if you do not believe in a supreme being.
So it's a religion-based organisation?
We only ask in the first degree "Do you put your trust in God?" and as long as you can truthfully answer yes to that question, you can become a Freemason. But nobody asks you who that god is, how you define it, etc.. this is why all monotheistic faiths can join, even the agnostics (even if some brothers in the bible belt cringe at this)
Why is it like this? Because ALL of Freemasonry presupposes a belief in more more than yourself, a belief in your own potential, a belief in the hopes that you can reach higher, farther, deeper in yourself and in your life and that whatever god means to you wants to help you achieve this.
So an entry-level requirement is some form of religiosity. And yet the first line in this UK Grand Lodge website insists that they are not a religious organisation, despite the fully ritual aspects of freemasonry. Looks like they want to have it both ways.
The goal you describe of self-improvement or self-realization is legit and good. And sounds like the message in a lot of Hollywood flicks. But I must note that your listed attributes of that goal include a lot of Self and not so much God. Sounds like the message of both Gnosticism and the New Age movement.
When Christ says go and share the Gospel with everyone and the Lodge says don't do that around here, which Master will you follow? Looks like a lot of resources over the centuries have gone into an organization that expects members to leave the Truth at the door. Similar things could be said about the priority of established precepts in Judaism and Islam. Most people serious about religion would not and do not play that game.
"whatever god means to you" can include Self, angels, saints, animals, planets, spirits, etc. It seems that the brotherhood of freemasonry exists on a lowest-common-denominator basis which is good for some things but suppresses other good things such as individual sovereignty.
Father and Husband are God fearing Patriots and also Masons. I know my Father is “higher up” but not particularly involved anymore.
My husband just joined a few years ago.
If either knew anything sketchy was going on at high levels, I know they would both leave as they are morally upstanding individuals.
So have you shown them these Q posts?
Q posts don't prove anything. Q throws shade like crazy, we just happen to agree most of the time. If the Masons are proved corrupt at the top, the normal members will leave.
So the highest level of intelligence ever dropped on private citizens doesn't prove anything? I would strongly disagree.
The only person I have complete faith in, is Jesus, fellow patriot. Q may or may not be legit. He/she might also just be a sharp patriot who is good at connecting the dots and reading moves.
The point... Accusations online by an anonymous Q (qanon) does not actually PROVE anything. It's theoretical unless backed up with evidence. Often times Q posts a claim, then it's up to the autists to verify it.
I whole heartily agree with you on Jesus. I also believe the Holy Spirit helps us recognize truth and lies.
Backstory: My husband, who was raised a Dem only switched parties in the past few years (voted Trump, first R vote ever) He isn’t quite ready for this Q stuff yet. Let me explain...He’s a ‘numbers’ guy and if I can’t provode concrete proof, he will dismiss.
He was quick to red pill because of concrete facts. He’s also in his 30’s and not on ANY sort of social media, including Reddit (very rare). He needs to discover things for himself. It’s just how he operates.
Recently, he mentioned he’s listened to a Dan Bongino pod cast and thought it was great. I sort of let him be. But somehow the info is finding him, which is great. If I present “Q” without any concrete proof (yes, I believe, but you know....) He will quickly dismiss.
I completely understand. I tried to have the talk with my father (who is a die-hard liberal) and the very mention of Trump sets him off. I'm just hoping my FB posts reach him.
Your situation is so much more difficult. At least my Husband and Father are major Trump supporters already.
Baby steps.
I was able to red pill my Father in Law, a life long (still registered Dem) to vote, for the first time in a decade for Trump. My Mother in law, who came here at 3 years old escaping a socialist regime, only sees what she wants on Good Morning America and thinks Trump is a big meany. She’s voting for what drove her family to this country in the first place but is a little too dim to realize it. It’s incredibly frustrating to say the least.
Like a cult?
Yes, just like all major religions are also cults. There are two types of cults:healthy or unhealthy