RE: [HOE] Faith and Protection

[gvan@ispchannel.com]

> this I realize.  my dad was one, but I haven't followed in his footsteps.
> BUT, as most Masons are Christians of one denomination or another, how can
> Christianity Exclude THEIR saints???

Heh, I AM a Mason :) And most Masons are Christians, though there are also Jewish, Muslim, and even a few Hindu members. The tricky thing is that Freemasonry (and the related fraternal organizations) are not in any way religions or even "religious" organizations. Sure, there is some non-denominational prayer, but you see the same from the Boy Scouts and the United States Congress. The hanging point is the ritual and the degree of secrecy that surrounds those rituals. Certain people of high esteem in various Christian churches (Roman Catholics about 100 years ago, Southern Baptists more recently) have felt that Freemasonry is incompatible with Christianity because A) they just misunderstand the purpose and intent of those rituals and B) some people think that ANY ritual of any sort that isn't performed in strict accordance with their belief system is unholy :) This includes roleplaying, by the by..

I ramble on tangents (one of my best skills!), but basically Christianity in a broad sense (Catholicism more specifically) can reject the Templar saints because, while they were martyred for noble causes, they did not die for specifically Christian causes. And as far as Catholics go, you ain't a saint unless they say you are :)

Grant Vanderhule