Lost Keys

[guest7654]

I disagree.  Its like saying Theology and Physics are nearly the same, because both go into into areas with overlap, sometimes.  By your definition, everything from airplanes to the sun could be considered gods, in some sense.

Which is really fucking stupid.

Well, many things have been considered gods in some since.  Not that it isn't stupid. 

A quote from closertogod.net from an email sent by a freemason

Freemasonry is essentially exactly what your web site claims to be; an attempt to understand God, and our relationship with whatever it is we find God to be.

This was kind of my point.  What is God?  If you say there is no God, then couldn't you reevaluate your definition or concept of God.  Now while the term "higher power" obviously implies God, I feel that it is less specific.  But I could be wrong.  The masons frequently say, The Great Architect of the Universe, which seems to imply intelligence or a being, but could also just mean a personification of nature and its laws.  Which wouldn't even have to go against an atheist or an agnostic view.  Even though they wouldn't accept an atheist or agnostic into their fraternity(or so i hear.)

[East Coast Hustle]

But your argument isn't characteristic derived, as far as I can tell.  It seems more of a precept, or style of thinking.

that's what I'm saying. To my way of thinking, "higher power" doesn't even factor into it. Allow people to realize that they have more power over themselves than anyone or anything else does, that's all. It really doesn't even have anything to do with conventionally-defined "spirituality". "Higher power" as it is construed in the popular lexicon is a fucking joke.

[Adios]

But your argument isn't characteristic derived, as far as I can tell.  It seems more of a precept, or style of thinking.

that's what I'm saying. To my way of thinking, "higher power" doesn't even factor into it. Allow people to realize that they have more power over themselves than anyone or anything else does, that's all. It really doesn't even have anything to do with conventionally-defined "spirituality". "Higher power" as it is construed in the popular lexicon is a fucking joke.

Exactly. Our walls are of our own making. No one but us can build them, and no one but us can remove them. It's all about living with our decisions, not a higher power.

[Mangrove]

 

Freemasonry is essentially exactly what your web site claims to be; an attempt to understand God, and our relationship with whatever it is we find God to be.

Only true if you accept the definitions of Freemasonry as laid down by the Anderson Constitution of the United Grand Lodge of England. The Grand Orient of France accepts atheists into their ranks. UGLE and anyone adhering to their parameters do not.

(Yes, that's extremely hairsplitty.  )

[Cain]

Then again, the Grand Orient also allow Mafia and ex-Fascists into their ranks, too....

[Mangrove]

I picked up a cheesy paperback the other day called 'Papal Magic' written by someone called Simon. He said that there was a Cardinal of the RC church that was at one time, a member of the OTO.

I can't tell you how much I hope that turns out to be true.

[Cain]

Wouldn't surprise me.  I mean, Crowley and many Vatican priests share the same hobbies, if you catch my drift....

[Thurnez Isa]

I picked up a cheesy paperback the other day called 'Papal Magic' written by someone called Simon. He said that there was a Cardinal of the RC church that was at one time, a member of the OTO.

I can't tell you how much I hope that turns out to be true.

wonder if this simon is the same con-artist Simon that reportly wrote the necronomican

[Mangrove]

Wouldn't surprise me.  I mean, Crowley and many Vatican priests share the same hobbies, if you catch my drift....

Paedophillia?

Of all the things Crowley has been accused of, I'm fairly sure that isn't one of them. Or are you thinking of something else? 

[Mangrove]

I picked up a cheesy paperback the other day called 'Papal Magic' written by someone called Simon. He said that there was a Cardinal of the RC church that was at one time, a member of the OTO.

I can't tell you how much I hope that turns out to be true.

wonder if this simon is the same con-artist Simon that reportly wrote the necronomican

correct. same guy.

i did say 'cheesy paperback' in my OP 

[Cain]

Wouldn't surprise me.  I mean, Crowley and many Vatican priests share the same hobbies, if you catch my drift....

Paedophillia?

Of all the things Crowley has been accused of, I'm fairly sure that isn't one of them. Or are you thinking of something else? 

Oh, thats right, all that shit in the Book of Law etc is metaphor.  My bad.

[Mangrove]

Wouldn't surprise me.  I mean, Crowley and many Vatican priests share the same hobbies, if you catch my drift....

Paedophillia?

Of all the things Crowley has been accused of, I'm fairly sure that isn't one of them. Or are you thinking of something else? 

Oh, thats right, all that shit in the Book of Law etc is metaphor.  My bad.

[Cain]

Too much Icke reading.

[Mangrove]

Too much Icke reading.

i knew a couple of guys who were into readin Icke for lulz. they said he was the best author for 'turd in the punchbowl' writing.

they were like: "ok...bush as an alien lizard taking over the world i can accept as a metaphor. but saying it's troof? turd in the punchbowl."

[Cain]

Yeah, I'm the same.  If it was fiction, or even metaphor, it would be awesome, and Icke would likely be rolling in it, cash-wise.  But no, he has to ruin all the fun....