What is Freemasonary?
- Thread starter Opal
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Freemasonry - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I believe Freemasonry has some Christian symbolism attached to it. For the most part it is just a secret social organization which requires a few rituals to get in. Also, members are not supposed to talk about what goes on.
There have been some wild stories and such depicting what might go on behind closed doors. But from the few people that I've known that are freemasons, it's basically just a place to hang out.
I believe Freemasonry has some Christian symbolism attached to it. For the most part it is just a secret social organization which requires a few rituals to get in. Also, members are not supposed to talk about what goes on.
There have been some wild stories and such depicting what might go on behind closed doors. But from the few people that I've known that are freemasons, it's basically just a place to hang out.
Thanks for the reply Sean
The reason Im asking is because Ive come across a few people on the net making comments and saying that Bahais as being Freemasons, which personally I think is a rather paranoid thing to say.
The only possible reason which I can think of them saying this is because non-Bahais arent allowed to sit during the administrative part of the feast. But there are reasons for that anyway, to avoid giving the wrong impression or something (there was something about this in Lights of Guidance)
But anyway, the only thing that happens during the administrative part of a Bahai feast is the reading of news (which is also available on the net, so nothing to hide!) and suggestions made by the community for the Spiritual Assembly, which the secretary makes a note of and raises at the next Spiritual assembly meeting.
Also, Bahais are allowed to talk about what goes on. For example, even my friend asks me about the activies of the Bahais in my community and has been to the Naw Ruz parties.
The reason Im asking is because Ive come across a few people on the net making comments and saying that Bahais as being Freemasons, which personally I think is a rather paranoid thing to say.
The only possible reason which I can think of them saying this is because non-Bahais arent allowed to sit during the administrative part of the feast. But there are reasons for that anyway, to avoid giving the wrong impression or something (there was something about this in Lights of Guidance)
But anyway, the only thing that happens during the administrative part of a Bahai feast is the reading of news (which is also available on the net, so nothing to hide!) and suggestions made by the community for the Spiritual Assembly, which the secretary makes a note of and raises at the next Spiritual assembly meeting.
Also, Bahais are allowed to talk about what goes on. For example, even my friend asks me about the activies of the Bahais in my community and has been to the Naw Ruz parties.
arthra
Baha'i
Well it's also important to note that Baha'is cannot be Freemasons or belong to any secret societies.
"As regards the question of Bahá'ís belonging to Churches, synagogues, Freemasonry, etc., the friends must realize that now that the Faith is over 100 years old, and its own institutions arising, so to speak, rapidly aboveground, the distinctions are becoming ever sharper, and the necessity for them to support whole- heatedly their own institutions and cut themselves off entirely from those of the past, is now clearer than ever before. The eyes of the people of the world art beginning to be focussed on us; and, as humanity's plight goes from bad to worsen, we will be watched ever more intently by non-Bahá'ís, to see whether we do uphold our own institutions wholeheartedly; whether we are the people of the new creation or not; whether we live up to our beliefs, principles and laws in deed as well as word. We cannot be too careful. We cannot be too exemplary.
"There is another aspect to this question which the friends should seriously ponder, and that is that, whereas organizations such as Freemasonry may have been in the past entirely free from any political taint, in the state of flux the World is in at present, and the extraordinary way in which things become corrupted and tainted by political thought and influences, there is no guarantee that such an association might not gradually or suddenly become a political instrument. The less Bahá'ís have to do, therefore, with such things, the better."
(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles, August 5, 1955)
(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 421)
"As regards the question of Bahá'ís belonging to Churches, synagogues, Freemasonry, etc., the friends must realize that now that the Faith is over 100 years old, and its own institutions arising, so to speak, rapidly aboveground, the distinctions are becoming ever sharper, and the necessity for them to support whole- heatedly their own institutions and cut themselves off entirely from those of the past, is now clearer than ever before. The eyes of the people of the world art beginning to be focussed on us; and, as humanity's plight goes from bad to worsen, we will be watched ever more intently by non-Bahá'ís, to see whether we do uphold our own institutions wholeheartedly; whether we are the people of the new creation or not; whether we live up to our beliefs, principles and laws in deed as well as word. We cannot be too careful. We cannot be too exemplary.
"There is another aspect to this question which the friends should seriously ponder, and that is that, whereas organizations such as Freemasonry may have been in the past entirely free from any political taint, in the state of flux the World is in at present, and the extraordinary way in which things become corrupted and tainted by political thought and influences, there is no guarantee that such an association might not gradually or suddenly become a political instrument. The less Bahá'ís have to do, therefore, with such things, the better."
(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles, August 5, 1955)
(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 421)
M
Mick
Guest
Thanks for the reply Sean
The reason Im asking is because Ive come across a few people on the net making comments and saying that Bahais as being Freemasons, which personally I think is a rather paranoid thing to say.
The only possible reason which I can think of them saying this is because non-Bahais arent allowed to sit during the administrative part of the feast. But there are reasons for that anyway, to avoid giving the wrong impression or something (there was something about this in Lights of Guidance)
But anyway, the only thing that happens during the administrative part of a Bahai feast is the reading of news (which is also available on the net, so nothing to hide!) and suggestions made by the community for the Spiritual Assembly, which the secretary makes a note of and raises at the next Spiritual assembly meeting.
Also, Bahais are allowed to talk about what goes on. For example, even my friend asks me about the activies of the Bahais in my community and has been to the Naw Ruz parties.
Allah'u'Abha, Opal
I explain to anybody that has interest concerning or questions regarding the closed part of the Feast this way. This is a time that the Local Spiritual Assembly reports to the community what they may be doing. It is also a time for the community to consult on matters concerning the Baha'i Faith and even prepare mandates to offer to the Assembly. It is also a time that the financial report is read to the community, both local and national and even international. These topics could be constrained if others, not deepened in the Teachings and the use of Consultation in a spiritual form were present. In my past, we have had spouses of Baha'is that loved to attend Feast. We would carefully and lovingly invite them for a walk or to go to a different part of the building so that the administrative part of the feast could be accomplished. I have also invited these spouses to become Baha'is so they too could attend the complete Feast. Happily, I may say, some of chosen to do just that. You know, sometimes, when we have a family member or friend of a Baha'i that is seen at Baha'i functions, they are simply waiting for somebody to ask them to become a part of this Great Cause. We take them for granted because they are always there, and forget the joy we feel being a Baha'i. Sorry if I wandered off topic.
Mick
Not at all! We're all here to learn from eachother and you kept on track