Blaming Freemasons for diaster, can anyone blame them for good things?

Question

Just wondering because as a Freemason who has served in Iraq. I have been told I worship devils, goats, just about anything. With all these negative attitude in the states about Freemasons I am starting to think Iraq was safer. I mean after all Saddam and members of AlQuieda just behead Freemasons not try to crucify them with the sin of the world. Here is another thought for you if you decide to research my details. When was the last time you heard of a Catholic and Lutheran priest being beheaded by Islamic radicals. The fact that they are Christians known as infidels to such radicals would express their discontent for them. If you must know Saddam beheaded Islamic Freemasons because they would not allow him to jion.

Answer 1

The Freemasons have given many millions of dollars to charity, and the Shriner hospitals are well-known for treating children free of charge. Many people who have fought for liberty in my own country, and many other countries, have been Masons.

Answer 2

Hi roberts_iv

OK I'll blame the Freemasons for Rosslyn Chapel, generally recognized as one of the most beautiful examples of the stonemasons craft. The Sinclairs (St. Clairs) were affilliated with early Freemasonry and (legend has it) the Knights Templar.

As a son and grandson of Freemasons, though never initiated myself, I don't think it is really the evil organization that some pretend. There is, though, a problem between Freemasonry and orthodox Christianity in that there are certain, mutually exclusive oaths that each demands. As G. K. Chesterton once wrote, "If a man wishes to bind himself with an oath, perhaps we should do him the honour of taking him at his word."

That is, if you wish to take an oath of fealty to Freemasonry and its rites, that's fine by me. If you wish to take an oath to (fill in the blank) Christianity, that's fine by me, too. But if the two oaths are mutually exclusive, don't be surprised if one says you must leave the other.

I will not argue that there are a great many Christians out there who are less than humble and loving in their apologetics for the faith. There are others who are positively repulsive (the "reverend" Fred Phelps comes to mind), and some are just plain ignorant, but the bottom line is that you "cannot serve two masters."

I am surprised that you have found so much antagonism to Freemasonry in the US. After all, most of the founding fathers were Freemasons and the Shriners have done wonders with the Circus and children's hospitals. I would have thought eh mythological severed head of the Templars would have gone the way of the Dodo years ago. I guess I should remember my favorite maxim, "Never underestimate the power of human stupidity!"

God Bless, Dave

Answer 3

I have never gottent he whole blame the freemason for everything. There are many secret societies out there who have bad or evil agendas, such as the Illuminati, but I ahve never seen any proof that freemasons are anything but good people with a very open mind when it coems to religion. Of course to many that is what makes you evil. I would apologize for all of the ignorant people out there, but as a Pagan I'm often lumped in the devil worship eating goats category myself. Your secrets or lack thereoff are your won and should be allowed to stay that way. By the way Sylvia Brown ahs a book on secret societies that gives you guys a big thumbs up. It's a very interesting read. I'm sorry that freemasons are once again being on the recieving end of such ignorance and ridiculous accusations.
Bright Blessings on you and all of your brothers.

Answer 4

Well, "blaming" for good deeds is a bit of an intersting way of looking at it - credit for good deeds is often not applied, but Masons do not perform works of relief for credit or notoriety - they do it, as you know, for the benefit of all - often at the lengths of remaining anonymous or, at least, in the background.

"To relieve the distressed is a duty incumbent on all men, but particularly on Freemasons, who are linked together by an indissoluble chain of sincere affection. To soothe the unhappy, to sympathize with their misfortunes, to compassionate their miseries, and to restore peace to their troubled minds, is the great aim we have in view. On this basis we form our friendships and establish our connections."
Illustrations Masonry, p. 72 William Preston, 1772.

Numerous Masonic homes for the elderly, or Masonic homes for children are throughout the USA as well as other countries in which Freemasonry is practiced - every Masonic jurisdiction has cornerstone charities that recieve money and support for their endeavours, oerational costs, guidance, etc. There are always additional charitable efforts at the local, community level that are identified and helped at the Craft Lodge level as well, not to mention supporting our own distressed Brother Masons, their widows and orphans.

Let us not forget the great charitable works conducted by our apendant and concordant bodies:

Shrine = Hospitals for children
York Rite = Opthamology/Eye surgery
Scottish Rite = Childrens language and speech care "RiteCare"
Grotto = Dental care for handicapped
Tall Cedars = Muscular Dystrophy

Many others abound, of course - and since many Masons are also members of other appendant or concordant bodies, or have children or sponsor Rainbow, Job's Daughters, DeMolay, etc. they are quite philanthropic.

The wonderful charitable spirit, fraternal bonds worldwide, and tolerance to belief systems, with intolerance to tyranny throughout the world make the conspiracy theories laughable - the shame is that so many people believe them without any bit of research to see for themselves.

Answer 5

I've encountered more anit-masonic rhetoric on the Internet and YA than I have in my daily life. I don't need to explain all of the good that the craft does in today's world and all of the good that we have done through history.

The uninformed and uneducated as well as the people with hidden agenda's are going to spread lies about everyone and everything connected with Masonry. You will never get these people to change their minds. So aside from answering one of their ridiculous questions here on YA, I don't even bother entertaining their crazy theories.

Take Care and Good Luck Brother.

P.S. Thanks for your service to the great USA

Answer 6

A long-standing member of my Shrine unit just resigned because the principle of the Lutheran school told him they couldn't allow his children in the school if their father was in the Cartoon Unit.

But it's good that tyrranical forces see the Craft as a threat.

Answer 7

I'm a Freemason in the USA, it isn't that bad here... There are a few people who are anti-mason and spread lies, but that is nothing new. Without freemasonry, there would be no America.

Answer 8

Yes. Many of the men who founded the U.S.A. were Masons

Answer 9

I blame them for collecting money and raising money to help children. I blame them for taking their time and energy to do so. I know they do plenty of good stuff.

Answer 10

Just one question, why is this group so secretive? It's not like Scientology or Mormonism, is it?