What do u think?
2006-09-03 11:45:18 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Option 1.
2006-09-03 11:48:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 5⤋
I find it so amusing how those that do not know the true answer ALWAYS have the most to say.
For such an organization to be called evil just amazes me, especially when I think of the Shrines and what they do for crippled children (male, female, any race, and any religion). Why do I mention them? Because to be a Shriner you must be a Master Mason first.
Now a little history of Freemasonry... Many belive that it began during the building of King Solomons Temple, and those that built it were members of a Masons Guild (or Union). There were 3 classes of masons, the first being the Entered Apprenticed, next is the Fellow Craftman, and finally the Master Mason. All these being known by degrees, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, the 3rd degree being the Master level. During the times of the Masonic Guilds a Mason would be paid their wages according to their level, therefore they developed handshakes (grips) and secret words for their level. This was to keep a lower level from collecting a higher wage that they did not deserve. Throughout the years freemasonry has changed from a Masonic Guild to a Charitable Society, and many people are masons today. There are even Lodges that accept women, but usually the women join the Order of the Eastern Star which is like an Auxillary of the Freemasons.
The main reason for the secrecy of the Masons is mainly due to it being the heritage of the lodge. All Masons who enter into the lodge do so in the same manner as some of the first masons, all the grips are the same, as are the secret words. They keep the business of the lodge private for other reasons, none of which would be considered a conspiracy.
Also I must add that it strikes me as odd for a group who bases alot of what they do on Biblical teaching, and always have an open Bible present when work is being performed in the Lodge, to be considered as evil. Most Masons are very strong Spiritual men, and the Lodge states that its mission is to take Good men and make them better. You can look at many leaders and prominate men who were, and are, masons as to being in such a place because they are a Mason. Not due to a conspiracy, but because of what the Masonic Teachings has molded them as a human being.
So to answer your question, I can tell you that the Masons are in no way evil, and for those who do not chose to believe this, then the only way you will know is to see for yourself.
2B1ASK1
2006-09-03 12:30:34 · answer #2 · answered by trauma_force 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Freemasonry and its appendant organizations like the Shriners, Scottish Rite, and Eastern Star is one of the largest charitable bodies in the world. They are not a secret organization, but an organization with secrets. And, indeed, in modern Masonry, the only true secrets are the signs of recognition. The ceremonies are all posted on the internet. We conduct our rituals behind closed doors still to emphasize the seriousness of the principles being taught and the seriousness of the obligations being taken.
There is an excellent book about Freemasonry: Freemasons for Dummies. It is an outstanding source of good information for both members and nonmembers. It can be found at: http://www.amazon.com/Freemasons-Dummies-History-Biography-Politics/dp/0764597965/sr=8-1/qid=1157395099/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-1582163-3650234?ie=UTF8&s=books
There's another new one that I haven't read yet, but it looks to be in the same vein: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Freemasonry at http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Guide-Freemasonry/dp/1592574904/sr=8-2/qid=1157395099/ref=pd_bbs_2/103-1582163-3650234?ie=UTF8&s=books
2006-09-04 04:39:35 · answer #3 · answered by Taivo 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If they have nothing to hide, why do they hide it... ? from personal experience they are evil because they cover for the evil deeds of members. Also because they exclude women and at the same time give each other help up the employment ladder.This ensures that women find it difficult to get through the proverbial glass ceiling because they cannot avoid freemasons as they dont know who they are.That itself is evil. Freemasonry should be illegal.
There is nothing good about them and no decent honorable person would wish to be one
2006-09-03 11:56:50 · answer #4 · answered by pol 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Charitable society with nothing to hide.
2006-09-04 00:48:07 · answer #5 · answered by Asher S 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Option 3:
Middle-aged white men who like to dress up fancy without thinking of themselves as fairies, and mumble "ancient" and "secret" phrases that some drunk in the 19th century thought up and that you can read in any book on the subject.
And after they've spent the evening doing that, they donate to charity.
Ditto the Knights of Columbus, the Rosicrucians, the Moose, the Elks, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Sons of Polanski, the Holy Name Society, the Shriners...ditto ditto DIT-OH.
2006-09-03 11:55:40 · answer #6 · answered by St. Hell 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Evil as compared to what other religion or religions that condone and even encourage and are the cause of killing? I think its a harmless secret society that might be construed as evil by any different "religion."
2006-09-03 11:53:13 · answer #7 · answered by igɳo★ 3 · 2⤊ 3⤋
Option 2.5...charitable..but...secret....
2006-09-03 11:49:57 · answer #8 · answered by ? 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
follow the link and make your own mind up. hardly secret. just watch out for the funny handshake
2006-09-03 12:40:47 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Masons are just a bunch of business men networking for more work thats all, world domination is a good job to be in.
2006-09-03 11:54:36 · answer #10 · answered by David 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋