Letter of the month: January 2001

Message-Id: <000e01c07aae$612e5b20$02000003@oemcomputer>
Reply-To: "Michael David Tripp" <mtripp@sheltonbbs.com>
From: "Michael David Tripp" <mtripp@sheltonbbs.com>
To: <masonry-ask@MIT.EDU>
Subject: question
Date: Tue, 9 Jan 2001 20:38:11 -0600
--------

I heard on the radio today that the mason's hate christians that believe salvation can only come through Jesus Christ. Is this true?

And do the mason's have a so called hit list of relligious leaders who oppose the mason's.

I mean no disrespect just trying to give you a chance to defend yourself if you want to.

To: "Michael David Tripp" <mtripp@sheltonbbs.com>
Subject: Re: question
In-Reply-To: Your message of "Tue, 09 Jan 2001 20:38:11 CST."
             <000e01c07aae$612e5b20$02000003@oemcomputer> 
--------

} I heard on the radio today that the mason's hate christians that believe
} salvation can only come through Jesus Christ. Is this true?
} 
} And do the mason's have a so called hit list of relligious leaders who
} oppose the mason's.
} 
} I mean no disrespect just trying to give you a chance to defend yourself
} if you want to.

dear Mr. Tripp,

That stuff you heard is nonsense!

And it was probably said by somebody who was trying to sell you something (books? pamphlets? donations to their ministry?), right?

How could Masons hate Christians? In this country, and in most of Europe, most Masons ARE Christians. Many Masons are reverends and ministers of many different Christian denominations.

I'm surprised that this kind of attack can even be made anymore, that people don't know the truth, but there are always those willing to put their own hate and suspicion on a pedestal to be worshipped as a false god.

Masonry is "ecumenical," that is, it teaches respect for all religions -- that each person must do their best to follow their own conscience towards God. There are some people who hate this kind of outlook, and maintain that they have the ONLY POSSIBLE TRUTH for EVERYONE, that their way is the only way. Well they are welcome to believe that for themselves, but then they begin using it to bear false witness against others...

I have been a Mason for almost 18 years now, am now a "32nd degree Mason" and have been a presiding master of two lodges am now a grand representative to our grand lodge, and I can assure you I have never heard of any kind of "hit list" of religious leaders. You know what Masons do about religious leaders or other people they don't like? They ignore them. Period. Or sometimes we write a letter like this one, to a web-site or newspaper, giving our side of the discussion. (Not much of a "hit list," huh?)

And besides, since we are of all different denominations and religions, for every "leader" that I might not like, there's probably somebody else in my lodge who does. We don't discuss religion or politics in lodge. So who I might not personally care for -- well that never even comes up at meetings. It's not appropriate.

You should take a look at the excellent website www.masoninfo.com which has quite a bit of material about anti-Masons, and why they say the things they do.

Please look around on my web-site and read whatever you like. And go to many others. And try to meet Masons in your own town, and ask them to look at this letter. See if they'll agree with most or all of what I've said here. Don't take that radio guy's word for it, but don't take my word either. Find out as much as you can, from as many different sources as you can. I think you'll like what you find out about Masonry. And if you do, please let others know.

Thanks for writing.

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| Gary L. Dryfoos | PM: Ocean Lodge AF&AM, Saugus, MA
| P.O.Box 425400, Camb, MA 02142  | PM: Mt. Scopus Lodge AF&AM, Malden, MA
| http://web.mit.edu/dryfoo/Masonry/  | Richard C. Maclaurin Lodge, MIT, MA
| w: 617.253-0184 f: 617.258-6875 | Internet Lodge #9659, E. Lancs UGLE
|                                 | 32~; MPS; B'hood o/t Blue Forget-Me-Not
|                                 | R.W. Grand Rep. GL Russia near GL Mass.
| "...one sacred band, or society of Friends and Brothers, among
|  whom no contention should ever exist, save that noble contention,
|  or rather emulation, of who best can work and best agree."
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