Letter of the month: November 1998

From: <Leartes@aol.com>
Message-Id: <f0dc1a4a.364927b0@aol.com>
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1998 00:59:12 EST
To: masonry-ask@MIT.EDU
Subject: Question

I have many family members that are or have been masons. My father was a thirty- second degree master mason before resigning from the fraternity. I have also been raised in church all my life and I proud to say that I am a born again Christian. My question to you is this-- if The Masonic Lodge is a Christian oriented fraternity and The King James Vesion --- Bible is used, why do members take oaths when it is strictly forbidden by Jesus in the word of God? Also why do members perform hazing rituals for rank like clutest groups and religion? One last question...did Jesus keep any secrets? I would greatly appreciate it if you would reply to leartes@aol.com.

Thank You,

leartes

To: Leartes@aol.com
Subject: Re: Question 
In-reply-to: Your message of "Wed, 11 Nov 1998 00:59:12 EST."
             <f0dc1a4a.364927b0@aol.com> 
--------

Dear "Leartes"

Whoever told you that Masonry was a "Christian oriented fraternity"? That's just not true. Masonry is not "Christian". But Masonry is not "anti-Christian" either. Some people just can't tell the difference between "not Christian" and "anti-Christian".

Also there is absolutely no "hazing" in Masonry. But I am a Mason, so perhaps you won't believe me.

Also, I don't know what "clutest" is.

Yes, it seems to me that Jesus kept many secrets. He proclaimed his "secrets" to the world, but judging by some of the "Christians" I hear from every week, he used such plain and simple language that he fooled them. Apparently they have remained "secret" (from some people at least) for 2000 years!

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| Gary L. Dryfoos <dryfoo@mit.edu>| PM: Ocean Lodge AF&AM, Saugus, MA
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