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Grand Lodge of Idaho. What Are They Saying About Freemasonry?. The Agenda. Source: The Annual Report of the Masonic Service Association of N.A. Year Ending December 31, 2003. Anderson Cooper 360 (CNN) – “Secret Societies” Anti-Masonry – Religion & Politics
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Grand Lodge of Idaho What Are They Saying About Freemasonry?
The Agenda Source: The Annual Report of the Masonic Service Association of N.A. Year Ending December 31, 2003 Anderson Cooper 360 (CNN) – “Secret Societies” Anti-Masonry – Religion & Politics Why is a Master addressed as Worshipful? Why do we use “So mote it be”, instead of “amen”? What Masonic Penalties are Enforced?
Things May Be Improving • Anderson Cooper 360 (CNN) – December 11, 2003 • Several interviews with Masonic Information Center • Gary Leazer – Georgia Mason / Baptist Minister • Show painted a very positive image of the Fraternity • Producer said “They had great difficulty finding an anti- • Mason to appear on camera.” • Audiotape may be available from the Information Center Masonic Service Association of N.A. / 8120 Fenton Street / Silver Springs, MD 20910-4785 www.msana.org
Religion & Politics Religion – A Christian cannot be a Mason!!! Politics – A Conspiracy to take over the World!!! Two subject most often used to attack Freemasonry Only two subjects forbidden in Lodge
Worshipful? Why is the Master addressed as Worshipful? Worchyppe or worchyp – Old English – “Greatly Respected” Title often given to Canadian & UK leaders / magistrates, etc. Wycliffe Bible – “Worchyp thy fadir and thy modir” Continues an ancient word meaning “greatly respected” It does NOT have any religious connotation associated with it
So Mote It Be? • Why do we say “So mote it be”, instead of “Amen”? • The book Cults says that “So mote it be” is a witchcraft oath • Therefore, Freemasonry must be a cult • Final words in the Regius Poem • “Mote” is old English for “may” • Brings the sanctity of age and continuity of • ritual from ancient days to modern times • We are therefore saying, “So may it be”
Bloody Penalites? • The ONLY penalties known to Freemasonry are • Reprimand – Suspension – Expulsion • And, the penalty which comes to anyone • who loses all or part of his reputation! • Ancient penalties – legal punishment in middle ages • Based upon religious beliefs of that time • An incomplete body could not “rise from the dead” • A body buried in unconsecrated ground (as between • high and low tide) could not ascend into heaven • Not now, and never have been enforced Masonic penalties
More Information? • Masonic Service Association of North America • Idaho Lodge of Research #1965 • Philalethes Society • Scottish Rite Research Society • Southern California Research Lodge • 101 Questions About Freemasonry (MSA) • Grand Lodge Library