Religion
In reply to the discussion: Ever visited a Masonic Temple? [View all]Phillip McCleod
(1,837 posts)starting at age 19.. most recently about five years ago i was chatting up the director/steward of a local museum owned and operated by the Masons.. let's call him 'Bill'. well since he's the public face of the museum, there was no way for him to deny being a mason, and he's a really decent, ultra-progressive guy. bald as a cue ball.
anyway, i was at this bar with my pal Mark.. a multiple published author, BA in comparative religion.. and a couple friends who knew nothing about the Masons other than what they'd seen on National Treasure. I could tell that Bill *wanted* to answer our questions, wanted to defend the order.. but could not. they are prohibited from defending themselves or correcting misconceptions. they can't say what it is or is not.
i suggested that it was a quasi-religious order that focused on memorization and reenactment of 'rituals' that look like pointless parliamentary procedure, and involve the manipulation of ancient symbols. they believe that Reason is the Lantern that Lights the Way, and adhere to Enlightenment-era humanistic ethics.. any man from any religion may join, be they christian, jew, muslim, or other.
Bill liked my description and invited me to join on the spot.
i said, 'Don't you have to swear an oath that you believe in a higher power?'
he said, 'yes..'
i said, 'yeah. i'm an atheist. besides, you need people on the outside who know you're not conspiring to take over the world.'
they may be many things.. a good ole boys' club in the south.. a philanthropic organization in the north.. a hermetic order with deep roots in Europe..
but what they aren't is evil. they're a religion.