‘Peace’ symbol opens SC to occult curse
You included a ‘peace symbol’ in an article about the Iraq conflict (SC, April). Are you aware the modern day peace symbol is an upside down cross with two arms broken downwards encompassed by a circle. It is found in witchcraft as the ‘witches foot’ and is used in Freemasonry. (A Freemasonry candidate takes a cross, turns it upside down, and symbolically break the arms downward whilst renouncing the Lord Jesus Christ). This symbol is an occult, witchcraft and freemasonry symbol that does not glorify Jesus. I do not believe it should be shown in a Christian magazine because you will open the paper to the curses of the occult and Freemasonry.

R A Kearnes
West Pennant Hills, NSW

What a load of hogwash - - the only curse is misinformation from the writer of the letter.

Re: Letters to the Editor - Freemasonry Curse

[quote author="Contemplative"]What a load of hogwash - - the only curse is misinformation from the writer of the letter.

While I know nought about freemasonry, I did feel that particular correspondent had a bit too much time on his hands.

The letter “O” is found in both “Occult” and “freemasOnry” - should we be pushing for its removal?

Re: Letters to the Editor - Freemasonry Curse

I read that yesterday & I could hear contemplative exploding from here. ;-)

BTW, I have a friend who works in a library, and her assistant won’t label any books with an index number that has 666 in it.

We have authority over the enemy, why do we fear the symbols?  (not that I’m saying that the writer of the letter is right about freemasonary, like Ian, my knowledge is limited at best)

Glenn

I agree that the symbol spoken about is ocultic, though perhaps the writer of the article needs to think through what they said a little more.

I for one do not allow movies / shows of witchcraft in my house as I believe that if a curse is said on that show then I have allowed a curse to be spoken in my house.

My eldest step Son, who was 10 when I first met him was collecting and reading all the “goosebump books” ,and was having trouble sleeping at night. (full of stories of demons, witchcraft etc)
We got rid of them, prayed for him and through his room and he slept peacefully ever since.

I have often wondered why some Christians wear an “Ankha” which is a symbol of an Egyption God or “Tikki” (God of good death) . Perhaps we need to be taught more about the symbols that are not compatable with christianity and why.

I don’t think the SC” was cursed by including the symbol in it, though I do believe that we need to be careful of using symbols, as they are very symbolic of what they stand for.

craig

Hehehehe - not so much explosion - more perplexed incredulity that Southern Cross would even print the letter!!!

G’day Craig,

Just a few questions for you regarding symbols and their power - what would you do if occultists starting using the “Christian” cross as part of their rituals? Would that render it unusable for Christians as a symbol, e.g. in jewellry, church advertising, etc?

Similarly, does the wearing of a “Christian” cross by unbelievers either contaminate the symbol for Christians, or does it provide some sort of positive influence over the unbeliever (the symbol having some sort of intrinsic power)?

G’day Tim, blessings.

You asked some good questions here.

Witches indeed use Christian symbols, only they distort them to their own usages of mockery, such as communion in a black mass. The bread and the wine are always going to be to us the symbols of what Christ has done for us, and as wearing the cross, it can be a powerfull point of faith for the Christian wearer, though I wonder when it was that the cross become predominant in Christian circles (I think it was through Constantaine?) when the fish symbol was the overt Christian symbol.

The so called peace sign of it’self is harmless, it’s the mockery and the curses behind it that make it harmful.

Tim around 1990 I rented a old house that had been vacant for some time, I was not a practicing Christian at the time (27 years old), though I had made a genuine decision for Christ at the age of 14.

In this house I started having nightmares and one night I woke up and saw a demon beside the bed ( scared does not describe me at the time)

I said I see it but don’t believe it. I yelled “in the name of Jesus **@!$^$$^ off and it started to float above the ground and changed it’s face to a childish impish sorrowful look, I felt sorry for it in my heart and it immediatly came down to earth bigger and more threatening then ever.

I yelled out !!@##@%$^$ go in the name of Jesus and it went. Next day I went and bought a silver cross on a chain and wore it around my neck, it helped me feel more confident about Jesus.
I tried to find the local priest, and Anglican minister - amazing when you can’t find one when you need one, went to the pub and had some drinks a mate dropped me off home and i snapped saying mate, I’m not going in there, I was to petriefied and went over to visit a minister of a COC church at Narrellan who had befriended me.

They prayed for me and later came over and prayed through the house.

Christian symbols are just that, Christian, it helped me at the time to strengthen my watery faith in Jesus and gave me something tangible to hold onto.

Now my faith is strong, I know Jesus personally, I dont need that symbolic strengthening and don’t wear a cross any more, though I do have one, that was given to me during an emseuss walk I did last year.

Hope I have understood and answered your question satisfactory Tim

craig.

P.S. I later found out that some Kid’s had had a seance or used a widgee board in that house while it was vacant and that was how the demon was unleashed in that house.

Freemasonry is not religion....

and the suggestion that it somehow rebukes the Lord Jesus Christ is preposterous.
Why would Southern Cross print such a letter ? I believe it is scurrilous of Southern Cross to print such a letter, as the Anglican Church knows Freemasonry has nothing at all to do with the Occult, or the worshiping of Satan, nor does it discourage Christianity or any persons religious beliefs,and to allow this letter to go to print is bearing false witness, which I know is contrary to the teachings of the church.
As a Freemason and a Christian I am offended by this letter, as I was when I heard that one of our ex Grand Masters was barred for being a Freemason last year in Lithgow. I would be interested to hear what Archbishop Jensens views are on these dispicable happenings and views within the Anglican Church.
Freemasonry is a very old fraternity for men (the Anglican Church has a club for men also).Freemasonry teaches tolerance, charity and strict morals. Many kind and benevolent men are and have been Masons, there are thousands of them in Australia. Sir Robert Menzies was a Freemason and the Anglican Church have named one of their Colleges after him.
Espousing misinformation like this in the Churches own periodical is outrageous and the Archbishop and the hierarchy of the Anglican Church in Australia and the editors of Southern Cross should make themselves better informed. Perhaps they could ask some of the members of the Royal Family whom are Masons also.
God Bless,
Russell Dobson
Blacktown Australia

Freemasonry

(My first sentence was cut off, sorry)
Freemasonry is not a religion, just like Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Toastmasters, Rotary, Lions,Apex etc etc are not religions.

Interesting discussion this one. In 1988 the Sydney Anglican Synod asked the Standing Committee to ask a select committee to provide a report on freemasonary that Christians could use for their reference as there is a lack of clarity over who/what/etc. the Masons are. It is available at:

www.sydney.anglican.asn.au/synod/Reports/freemasonry.htm#11

It is well worth a read. Interestingly 6 of the 8 person committee provided a ‘Majority view’. 2 of the 8 provided a ‘Minority view’. I know one of these 2 to be a practising Mason and possibly the other 1 is too, hence it seems the committee may have split along Mason/Non-Mason lines.

The following is an extract from the body of the report:

Freemasonry teaches that God has provided eternal life for man in heaven. Moreover, it demonstrates four ways in which that heavenly life can be attained:

(a) By Jacob’s Ladder: “It has many staves or rounds, but there are three principal ones, namely, Faith, Hope and Charity: Faith in the Great Architect of the Universe, Hope in salvation and to be in Charity with all men. This ladder rests on the Volume of the Sacred Law, and reaches to the Heavens . . . “ (1st Degree).

(b) By Ordering One’s Life: “Thus by square conduct, level steps and upright intentions we hope to ascend to those eternal mansions whence all goodness emanates”. (2nd Degree).

(c) By Knowing and Obeying God’s Laws: “Thus the Working Tools of a Master Mason teach us to bear in mind and act according to the laws of our Divine Creator, so that, when summoned from this sublunary and probationary abode, we may ascend to that Grand Lodge above, that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, where the world’s great Architect lives and reigns forever” (3rd Degree).

(d) By the Five Points of Fellowship: In the Third Degree a Mason is instructed how to die. In the context of a dramatic enactment the Mason is “killed” by a villain. He is laid in a position of death on the floor of the Lodqeroom. He is raised on the Five Points of Fellowship: The Worshipful Master says “it is thus my brother that all Master Masons are raised from a figurative death to a reunion with the companions of their former toil ... the Lord of Life will enable us to trample the King of Terrors beneath our feet, and to lift our eyes to that bright Morning Star whose rising brings peace and salvation to the faithful and obedient among men.”

Not a religion? Sounds a bit like one to me. In (d) above by stating that all Masons are reunited after death (and yet the Masons claim that all religions can join them) they seem to be teaching against some basic Biblical fundamentals.

I know this thread is about the symbolism/curse issue but this post is more in response to Russell’s post asking if there is a Sydney Anglican view on this topic.

fremasonry

i must congratulate greg on his rendition of the
masonic ritual it was near word for word from the book,which these days anyone may purchase from near on any book shop.
yes the third degree does teach a brother how to die & he is brought to
life with the the companions of his further toil.
however this is only symbolic & in no way refers to the raising from
the dead of our blessed saviour & is only of a constant reminder to all
masons that life is but a short time on this earth & then we will at the
last day meet & greet our maker ,hoping that by our good actions
& intentions in life we will be accepted in that house not made wth hands
& internal in the heavens.
having been a committed follower of Christ since my tenth year & proudly
an anglican & a freemason i am delighted that so many letters re the
craft have been posted on the forum.
we have one great thing in our country ,freedom to speak & challenge
any subject ,a matter which in some of the other world areas would be
a chance of jail or death.
i am forever thankful to God that he blesses us with such freedom.
colin sutherland

Greg, it may sound like a religion to you, however the fact remains that it is not. Quoting small portions of Masonic Ritual out of context, takes away from the big picture. Much like alot of atheists do with the Bible to highlight contradictions.
When I was made a Mason I made a Solemn Oath on the Kings James Version of the Holy Bible (because I happen to be a Christian). Recently I witnessed an initiation where the Quran was used, as the candidate was Muslim. After the meeting we sat down at the table and had a meal together in the true spirit of Brotherhood, as we do after every meeting we have.When we are in Lodge and after our meetings when we sit down and have a meal together we must not discuss or debate Politics or Religion.We are not a Religion.
I know of Masons whom are Muslim, Jewish,Sikh,Christians, Hindu- I do not know of any Budhists but I am sure they are out there.
Before a man can become a Mason he must believe in a Supreme Being, then that candidates Version of Sacred Law (hence why we call it the Volume of the sacred law)is used in the initiation ceremony, in my case the Holy Bible. In a court of law a witness makes an Oath on their own version of sacred law in much the same principle.
Freemasonry promotes strict morals, charity, honesty,truth, Brotherly Love, loyalty, fidelity and not the least tolerance of others religious and Political beliefs, something which seems to be lacking in parts of the Anglican Church in NSW-especially after Lithgow last year.
I would be surprised if Queen Elizabeth would have supported what happened out there however. Rest Assured Greg Freemasonry is not a Religion. I am not a designated spokesman for the Craft, but if you have any other questions I will try to get you an answer, I think we need to open up communication to quash some of these crazy myths like the breaking of the crucifix arms and renouncing Christ etc Do you think Donald Bradman or the Duke of Kent or Smoky Dawson or Robert Menzies or Tony Lauer or Jack Ingham (passed away last week, may he rest in peace)to name but a few, would have anything to do with such Blasphemy?

freemasonry curse

i must congratulate russell dobson on his message
which i find an excellent answer to other correspondents on this
letter re the craft.
i have the great pleasure of knowing russell as he comes from an area
in new guinea called rabaul ,which is very dear to my heart having been
there 52 years ago & being secretary of the anglican parish of st george,scout leader & freemason.
those years brought me closer to my faith & the teachings of Christ ,also
closer to freemasonry& scouting. without these three life would have been unbearable.
russell may not be an official spokesman for freemasonry in this state
but he certainly has a great amount of knowledge & speaks on this
matter very well.
yes russell the anglican church in lithgow most certainly has a lot to answer for in the way that they treated my friend,my brother in Christ & my brother freemason harold coates.
colin sutherland

Freemasonry: discussion of religion?

How can any Christian sit down down with a person who is a professing Muslim and not talk about religion? Is Freemasonry now the “superior” way which is above such petty talk of Jesus being the only way to the father? Surely any institution which prohibits discussion of religion is itself intolerant of religion. I’m sorry, I don’t know how you can use Freemason and Christian as words to describe yourself. In my mind they appear to be a contradiction. Am I wrong on this?
dAVo

David, Freemasons lodges generally meet once a month. It is only at these meetings where we do not talk on Politics or Religion.
There is plenty of time in the remaining hours of a month to discuss topics of this nature, which we frequently do.
Fact is the world is made up of many different Religions and we Christians will never convince them all that Jesus is our messiah and saviour.We can try and we do this also dont we ? A Freemasons lodge is not the place to talk and attempt to convert people to Christianity however, but that does not mean we cannot talk about Brotherly Love, Peace, honour, tolerance and other Human virtues or mention an individuals God when he makes an Oath, (last time I went to Court I did this also ). Church does not hold monopoly on these topics !
Why is it impossible to be a Freemason and a Christian ? Just because I am a Christian does not mean I cannot befriend and associate with people of other Religions ! Freemasonry is not a Religion and you will not find a Mason who will say that it is , what ever the Sydney Synod says.(theyre on their own mind you).
The World is facing a huge crisis at present, that crisis being Religious Zealotry and fanaticism. If we continue to marginalise people for their beliefs the problem will continue to worsen.

G’day Russell. I don’t know if my questions in regard to freemasonry being a religion have been ignored or lost in the thread.

I have asked a few times now and it has never been answered, “

If freemasonry does not consider it’self a religion why is the meeting place called a temple”?

And secondly as to the statement that freemasonry has no sacraments, the question I asked is

“Why on the death of a Mason does the lodge require to perform a ceromony before or after the church service to send the deceased of to heaven?”

This ceromony falls under the same heading as a sacrament does it not?

craig