Would You Join a Masonic Lodge?

[risingstar]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

It is not atheism that is at issue with the Church, the Church considers the theology propagated by Masonry to be incompatible with that of the church. (Got any issues with that statement, take it up with them, not me, I'm not really an expert at anything but googling)

It's still an excommunicable offense.

I have heard this before. I really think it is just a strong misunderstanding. I have heard everything from us being the mob to us being satan worshipers with strong disbeliefs in God. It is, in fact, the total opposite. In all actuality, the theology propagated by Masonry is very much compatible with that of the church. I know this based upon my travel and the fact that I work for my church full-time.

[ISUKappa]

Originally Posted by risingstar

I have heard this before. I really think it is just a strong misunderstanding. ... In all actuality, the theology propagated by Masonry is very much compatible with that of the church. ...

But who's church? There are a LOT of churches. The ideology of quite a few Christian churches is incompatible with my own Christian church, and ours is incompatible with others. Not every church is going to embrace the Masons. Misunderstanding or not, that's just how it is. So what? FWIW, I don't think the Mason's are evil devil worshippers, and nor does my Synod.

It's quite clear you have a strong attachment to your organization. That's wonderful. Nobody is discounting your organization. Those of us who belong to churchs that discourage membership in Masonic organizations are simply relaying the church's official position. Again, if you have issue with that, take it up with them.

[risingstar]

Maybe it is my misunderstanding, I thought the post I quoted was talking about The Church in general. That is what I was responding to. I thought it was saying that The Church, in general, was incompatible with the Mason theology. I didn't think the post was talking about individual churches.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by risingstar

I have heard this before. I really think it is just a strong misunderstanding. I have heard everything from us being the mob to us being satan worshipers with strong disbeliefs in God. It is, in fact, the total opposite. In all actuality, the theology propagated by Masonry is very much compatible with that of the church. I know this based upon my travel and the fact that I work for my church full-time.

Perhaps, but it doesn't change the fact that if you're a Catholic and a Mason, you are out of communion with the Church.

There are multiple things that the Chuch finds inappropriate about Masonry and it has nothing to do with my personal opinions. However it also has nothing to do with Satan worship or atheism, in fact it is that the theology does not agree with what the Catholic Church teaches and they feel swearing yourself to an organzation with such theology is a conflict of interest.

Your beliefs on the matter don't change the Pope's or the Church's.

[risingstar]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Perhaps, but it doesn't change the fact that if you're a Catholic and a Mason, you are out of communion with the Church.

There are multiple things that the Chuch finds inappropriate about Masonry and it has nothing to do with my personal opinions. However it also has nothing to do with Satan worship or atheism, in fact it is that the theology does not agree with what the Catholic Church teaches and they feel swearing yourself to an organzation with such theology is a conflict of interest.

Your beliefs on the matter don't change the Pope's or the Church's.

The teachings are the same, but we can go back and forth about this all day long. No one said that I was trying to change anything. My beliefs are just what they are, my beliefs.

[ForeverRoses]

My great-uncle was a mason, and when he died I remember they had some sort of ceremony at the funeral home. All I really remember of it was lots of older men wearing aprons. My Dad was a junior mason when he was in high school, but dropped out because the lodge in his town wouldn't accept his best friend.
I'm Catholic and a female, so joining the lodge is definitely out for me, but my husband did consider becoming a Knights of Columbus (mainly for the life insurance).

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by risingstar

Maybe it is my misunderstanding, I thought the post I quoted was talking about The Church in general. That is what I was responding to. I thought it was saying that The Church, in general, was incompatible with the Mason theology. I didn't think the post was talking about individual churches.

When Catholics talk about the Catholic Church as an institution or whole they often just shorten it to The Church. This is true for others as well. Are you refering to Christianity in general?

Originally Posted by risingstar

The teachings are the same, but we can go back and forth about this all day long. No one said that I was trying to change anything. My beliefs are just what they are, my beliefs.

You can seriously tell me that Mason theology, as it were, is identical to Catholic theology? Or do you just mean "Christian" theology?

[risingstar]

I am talking about the Christian theology in general. Not the Catholic theology in general. Maybe this is where my confusion is coming in.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by risingstar

I am talking about the Christian Church in general. Not the Catholic Church in general. Maybe this is where my confusion is coming in.

Ok, and you understand that the Catholic Church believes in different things than other Christian churches (who believe in different things than each other as well of course) and thus you can understand that the Catholic Church doesn't agree with what the Mason's teach/do as far as theology is concerned.

Good

No one's ripping on Masons, some Church's just don't allow membership.

[risingstar]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Ok, and you understand that the Catholic Church believes in different things than other Christian churches (who believe in different things than each other as well of course) and thus you can understand that the Catholic Church doesn't agree with what the Mason's teach/do as far as theology is concerned.

Good

No one's ripping on Masons, some Church's just don't allow membership.

Oh yes, definitely. I understand what you are saying clearly now. Now it makes a lot of sense to me.