I am simply being honest and polite in this forum. I am attempting to have a serious debate on the merits. Buy my Catholic Friends call me “ignorant” and my lodge “putrid.” Because of the passions inspired by religious debate, from simple insults all the way to executions, Freemasonry’s main point is respect for others views and treating all men with respect and in fact, seeing them as brothers. I am Catholic and I believe this.
The Catholic Church once controlled the world. This is not really possible due to our human nature so as such, the Church maintained control by any means necessary. This at best was to deny access to bibles, at worst it included torture, beheading,and execution. The church believed (as Leo XII so eloquently elaborates below) that it had the Divine right to rule over all people.
In this forum Humanum Genus has been referenced a number of times. Since Leo XIII seems to be the favorite here, I decided to post what he actually said. Below are exerpts:
In those matters which regard religion let it be seen how the sect of the Freemasons acts, especially where it is more free to act without restraint, and then let any one judge whether in fact it does not wish to carry out the policy of the naturalists. By a long and persevering labor, they endeavor to bring about this result - namely, that the teaching office and authority of the Church may become of no account in the civil State; and for this same reason they declare to the people and contend that Church and State ought to be altogether disunited. By this means they reject from the laws and from the commonwealth the wholesome influence of the Catholic religion; and they consequently imagine that States ought to be constituted without any regard for the laws and precepts of the Church.
another:
Then come their doctrines of politics, in which the naturalists lay down that all men have the same right, and are in every respect of equal and like condition; that each one is naturally free; that no one has the right to command another; that it is an act of violence to require men to obey any authority other than that which is obtained from themselves. According to this, therefore, all things belong to the free people; power is held by the command or permission of the people, so that, when the popular will changes, rulers may lawfully be deposed and the source of all rights and civil duties is either in the multitude or in the governing authority when this is constituted according to the latest doctrines. It is held also that the State should be without God; that in the various forms of religion there is no reason why one should have precedence of another; and that they are all to occupy the same place.
I won’t even argue the point that he classifies freemasons as “naturalists” even though it is a lie. There is a much more salient point to be made.
This is a Pope making a last gasp to maintain his power. He was the first Pope to not also be a King. This encyclical is a condemnation not only of freemasonry but of freedom of religion. It is interesting that some of the same words of the American Constitution are characterized as evil. It is a lament or even a reminiscence of what was and a deep seated fear of what is or is about to be.
None of us can deny that due to Freedom of Religion the world is in a better place. I only have to worry about being insulted on a Catholic Answers forum, not having my arms tied behind my back and being lifted up by my wrists until my arms come out of my sockets or I “confess.”
Does anyone believe that we would be better off with a Catholic Theocracy again?
God Bless,
R
