Letter of the month: January 2001

Date: Sun, 28 Jan 2001 11:17:55 CST
From: "dewitt c. rowlett" <deemar@alltel.net>
Subject: freemasonry

As I continue to research the pros and cons of masonry I find one of the main objections from my "church friends" is the reference to the chief character in the lodge as "worshipful master" which I must admit rings a sour note.

Does this not imply that this person is worthy of being worshipped? I understand from conversations with my 32nd degree (now deceased) father that he is not worshipped, but can you explain if it only means "honorable" why that word"honorable" is not used instead to eliminate this objection from various churches?

extremely interested

D.C.Rowlett.

--- incidently my fathers name was Andrew Rowlett- Thornburge lodge (not sure of spelling) Alicia Arkansas

To: "dewitt c. rowlett" 
Subject: Re: freemasonry
Date: Sun, 28 Jan 2001 12:39:21 -0500

Of course it doesn't mean 'one who is worshipped' and no one in Masonry thinks it does. Honi sois qui mal e pense!

It does mean one who is held in honor, and considered as honorable, and we use the word we do because it's an old English word that means exactly what it means. In fact, the word implies that someone is worthy of honor and respect because he himself worships or is full of worship, in other words, someone who is respected because of the strength of his faith in and reliance on Deity.

Anyone who objects to that shows their own ignorance of word origins, and their willingness to fiddle with what they think is the mote in someone else's eye.

Some advice: Don't choose the words YOU use on the basis of the prejudices of those who dislike you, Mr. Rowlett. It's no way to live. "Various churches" don't object, only a very few that are already looking for a reason to object.

If they didn't have that word to complain about, they would find something else. They always have. They always will.

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