- Catholics are obliged NOT asked to not become members of associations that plot against the Church and it is clear from the CDF 1983 Document at the Masonic Order is one of those groups.
The Masonic Order does not actively “plot against the Church”, no moreso than the Jews, Buddhists, or any other fraternal organization “plots against the Church”.
Masonry is apolitical. You don’t see political ads from the Masons. Nor do you see them advocating for particular political candidates, liberal or conservative. Instead, Masonry is a private fraternity where members are admonished to not speak of politics nor religion in the Lodge room.
It is based solely upon the ‘Principles’ of Freemasonry, which inveigh greatly against the ‘Principles’ of the Catholic Church.
The principles of Hinduism run counter to the principles of the Catholic Church. Same with Judaism, and hundreds of other religions. Why doesn’t the Church attack these religions as well? Certainly their principles, religious practices, and belief systems do not acknowledge Christ, and advocate a different spirituality.
What about Greek fraternities on college campuses? They don’t acknowledge Christ either, and advocate promiscuity, drunkenness, and hazing rituals. Why doesn’t the Church single out these groups?
My point: The Church attacks Masonry strictly for political reasons. It has nothing whatsoever to do with spirituality. If it did, then the Church would be quite hypocritical in singling out just the Masons.
The Church didn’t like the idea of public education. They don’t like this concept for monetary reasons – it hurts their pocketbook – plus it hurts the Church’s opportunity to influence young people into the Church’s theological leanings.
2a. The keystone of those Principles of Freemasonry that inveigh against the Principles of the Catholic Church has to do with Jesus Christ.
Most Masons are Christians. In fact, the entire York Rite of Freemasonry is designed for Christian Masons.
2b. You see, there is a spiritual dimension at work here that you have to tune your eyes into to see. …Therefore, while being apart of ANY organization outside of the Church your soul is always at risk in ways that you cannot imagine. The lie is a sneaky thing.
I don’t see much “spiritual risk” in charitable and philanthropic activities, and fraternal brotherhood with like-minded men from different walks of life, the large majority of whom are Christian men of good morals. If anything, it is what Christ has called us to be: fraternal brothers, and engaged in helping others in need.
You are talking to a guy here whose religion was Freemasonry. It is what I practiced and it is what failed me miserably. …It is like a slow process of demonic possession.
You made Masonry an idol, which is no different from people that make Sunday night football an idol. Masonry isn’t to blame – Your idolatry is.
Demonic possession? Laughable. Like anything, a person can overboard in anything. Masonry is no different.
But Masonry is not to blame – In fact, in the Entered Apprentice degree, the inductee is admonished to take part in Masonry in a balanced, measured manner – not to go overboard and become obsessive over the fraternity, and instead lead a balanced life of work, rest, and devotion to God and his fellow man — and certainly never at the expense of their family or religious duties.
‘Why can I not accept the Church’s teaching on this?’ and begin examining the stories that you have been telling yourself like this idolizing of men (George Washington and many of founding Fathers).
I don’t idolize men, and certainly not George Washington. Respect perhaps, but that’s not idolizing.
I don’t accept the Church’s teaching because it is patently false, and the Church’s teaching can easily be refuted when anyone takes a moment to examine the factual evidence to the contrary.
In fact, the Church condemns Freemasonry quite unfairly, and has even gone so far as to persecute Masons throughout the ages to the point of execution, as in the case of the tragic story of the Knights Templar who were executed under false allegations.
Here is another story you have told yourself "the Church opposes Freemasonry for political grounds: anti-freedom, anti-public education, anti-liberty’ Is that true? I have just offered a different reason that is actually ON RECORD as to why the Church opposes Freemasonry. So we know that my answer is true - is yours? Examine it and test it.
Just as the Church has made moronic blunders in the past, and then later acknowledges these blunders decades later, this is another prime example where Freemasons will one day be reconciled with the Church, and the Church will finally acknowledge what the Freemasons already know to be true:
That these are good men, charitable, philanthropic, and seekers of freedom, and equality for all. That they have done more to help crippled children, the blind, and dyslexic children, than any other fraternal organization on earth. If anything, the Church should applaud the Masons, not denigrate them on political grounds.
We can agree to disagree. The Church hierarchy – not the Church faithful – has lost a great deal of its moral authority, based on its historical actions alone. Yes, I am open to listening to Church authority, but not when the Church is quite clearly in the wrong, branding millions of good, charitable men as unfaithful to the ideals of Christ.
. Especially with all these Dan Brown-type novels (which I actually enjoyed
) around portraying Masonry sympathetically, such thorough discussion, that systematically goes through all the bases, is needed.