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GodBlessJoanie
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| Joined: | Sun Dec 10th, 2006 |
| Location: | Washingtonville, New York USA |
| Posts: | 10 |
| First Name: | Joanie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Tue Dec 12th, 2006 10:08 pm |
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Hi, I was wondering if anyone has candid and accurate advice about these Fraternal Organizations? I know that not every organization is created equal and that the K of C are Catholic based, but should the other ones (and there are many more that I've not listed) be avoided?
Blessings,
Joanie
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CajunRick
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
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| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Tue Dec 12th, 2006 10:41 pm |
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GodBlessJoanie wrote: Hi, I was wondering if anyone has candid and accurate advice about these Fraternal Organizations? I know that not every organization is created equal and that the K of C are Catholic based, but should the other ones (and there are many more that I've not listed) be avoided?
Masons are considered an anti-Catholic organization. You can read the reasons for that determination here. I have to admit that most of the Masons in my area are Catholic, and the Shriners certainly do good work, but the basic problems with the organization remain.
I am not aware of any problems with the Elks. Their web site is here.
The Knights of Columbus are a Catholic fraternal organization specifically chartered by the Holy Father. You can read more about them at their web site.
I am not aware of any prohibitions against any other organizations, but that doesn't mean they don't exist. Your pastor and/or diocese should be able to provide you with information on the organizations in your area.
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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GodBlessJoanie
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| Joined: | Sun Dec 10th, 2006 |
| Location: | Washingtonville, New York USA |
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| First Name: | Joanie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Tue Dec 12th, 2006 11:09 pm |
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Thanks!
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BettyBoopToo
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| Location: | Camas/Washougal, Washington USA |
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| First Name: | Betty | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Fist Baptist/Calvary Babtist/Secular Confusion/ Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Dec 17th, 2006 03:23 am |
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Hi Joanie:
I don't know very much about the Freemason's, But recently learned that Catholic's are not supposed to join them.
I have this information that I'm going to study as soon as I get a chance. Here's the link If you'd like to take a look.
http://www.scripturecatholic.com/freemasonry_qa.html
I had heard a couple of years ago that Catholic's should not belong to any organization with secret rituals and beliefs, When I asked the individual why? they did not really know. They most likely were just passing along something they heard. I have a sister who seems to always have an attraction towards religions and groups with secrecy, She's been that way since we were children. She talks about belonging to the Rainbows & the Masonic Lodge. I always thought that they were affiliated with one another, But I've not found any information to confirm that. She's been a Morman for many years, I always thought probably due to her fascination with secret doctrines. She recently renounced her Morman faith and now is attending an SDA church. I'm not aware of them having any secret doctrines though. They just seem to have an elitest attitude, That they are somehow the chosen people and the rest of christianity is all fouled up.
I'm curious if anyone else can give us information on the Elks & Lions, Etc.
Nice to meet you, Interesting thread
Betty
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GodBlessJoanie
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| Joined: | Sun Dec 10th, 2006 |
| Location: | Washingtonville, New York USA |
| Posts: | 10 |
| First Name: | Joanie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Dec 17th, 2006 03:14 pm |
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Hi Betty,
Many thanks for the link. Secrecy was never the way of Christ. He was totally open with us to the point of death. That being said, any "man" organization that allows or encourages secrecy --especially about their doctrine seems to contradict Christ himself.
The common sense conclusion seems to tell me to say away!
Blessings,
Joanie
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God doesn't call the qualified, HE qualifies the CALLED!
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BettyBoopToo
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| First Name: | Betty | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Fist Baptist/Calvary Babtist/Secular Confusion/ Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Dec 17th, 2006 04:32 pm |
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Hi again Joannie
Secrecy was never the way of Christ. He was totally open with us to the point of death. That being said, any "man" organization that allows or encourages secrecy --especially about their doctrine seems to contradict Christ himself.
I've always felt that there was something wrong with secrecy too. I've not found anything in scripture that tells me that secrecy is the way of our Lord.
"Go therefore and teach all nations".
God Bless
Betty
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Patience
"Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent."
St. John of the Cross
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AggieCatholic
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | San Antonio, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 82 |
| First Name: | Lance | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | United Methodist to Roman Catholic (Anglican Use) |
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Posted: Mon Dec 18th, 2006 06:46 pm |
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As for the previous posts, yes, the International Order of Rainbow for Girls is a Masonic organization open to wives and daughters of Masons. There are also several college fraternities with Masonic heritages.
The Lions Clubs is mainly local business men who sponsor public school organizations and civic events like 4th of July parades. I myself once was selected as a Lions Club Student of the Week in high school.
The Elks and Moose Lodges are considered "the poor man's Freemasonry." At one time, only the very wealthy could afford the dues for proper Masonic rites. Today, these and similar organizations mainly provide death or other benefits for members and their families. In fact, many corporate insurance agencies around today began as fraternal societies.
Does Freemasonry have a history of intimidation and even violence against the Catholic Church? Yes. Is that the case today? No, and the reason is because Freemasonry, like every other fraternal organization is slowly diminishing in both prestige and number. Masonry does NOT forbid Catholics from joining, but their historic policies forbid active recruiting of anyone, not just Catholics. However, Catholics are forbidden to join because Masonic doctrine is considered incompatible with Catholic theology.
One more note about the membership crisis in these organizations is that many Masonic Lodges in Europe and the Lions Club in the U.S. have begun admitting women into full-membership. Much to the chagrin of the "good 'ol boys" of their respective societies.
The one fraternal organization that is not diminishing, indeed it's growing daily, is the Knights of Columbus. We are often referred to as Catholic Freemasonry. This could not be further from the truth. We are a Catholic service organization existing on the four pillars of our order: Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. We have no secret handshakes, no passwords or mystical illuminations. Our degree ceremonials are confidential simply to benefit the new members. But, ANY priest may attend a Knights meeting or function, and we encourage them to do so. In fact, priest and religious brothers are given lifetime membership status, should they wish to join, and are exempt from paying dues (anywhere from $15-$40 annually depending on the council). It is this constant effort to be both open and, above all, useful to our religious leaders that prompted His Holiness John Paul II to refer to us as, "...the strong right-arm of the Church."
Keep an eye out this Christmas Season for Knights of Columbus billboards and our new T.V. commercial. I think you'll like what you see.
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AggieCatholic
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Posted: Mon Dec 18th, 2006 06:51 pm |
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Also, please note that the founder of the Knights of Columbus is currently under investigation for sainthood. He would be the first American parish priest to be made a saint.
If you would like to see our new T.V. commercial, please visit this link. Note, also, that you will need RealPlayer to view it.
http://www.kofc.org/eb/en/utility_pages/yule/index.html
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What part of, "Hoc est enim Corpus meum" don't you understand?
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TerminalNewEnglander
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Posted: Fri Oct 3rd, 2008 03:50 pm |
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| As of last night, I'm a 3rd degree Knight.
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Dave Armstrong
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Posted: Fri Oct 3rd, 2008 04:14 pm |
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| Congrats!
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francis-follower
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Posted: Mon Oct 6th, 2008 12:33 pm |
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Contgrats from me too!
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BeProf
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Posted: Mon Oct 6th, 2008 02:20 pm |
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Speaking from an Evangelical Protestant perspective...
Masonic organizations are out while "animal lodges" are in (generally).
The main issue with Masonry for Christians (of all types) are its implied Universalism (that all men will be saved regardless of of their standing with Christ) and it implied Unitarianism (that all religions are essentially the same). Not all of us think that Masons are a satanic conspiracy bent on world domination (in fact, hardly any of us do) but most of us think that, at its core, the worldview of Freemasonry is incompatible with the worldview of the Bible.
Animal Lodges on the other hand are usually free of those problems and, thus, are theologically acceptable. I know of many churches that take a rather dim view of some of the things that go on in those lodges (as in drinking and gambling) but I'm not aware of any church that has a blanket policy against membership in the Elks like they do against the Freemasons.
PS - KofC is obviously out for us, but I don't know of anyone with a beef with that fine organization. Well... not unless they have a beef with Catholicism in general.
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Steven Barrett
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| Joined: | Tue Nov 14th, 2006 |
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Posted: Mon Oct 6th, 2008 06:11 pm |
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Welcome to the Forum, Joanie!
I'm an inactive member of a local KofC council and I had uncle who belonged to the Elks. As far as I know the Elks are "kosher" by Church standards.
The Masons, however, are definitely radioactive. Stay away from them as they've long been at odds with the Church and likewise--and the Church has the upper hand in this dispute!
Hope that helps. 
By the way Bill, Congrats!
Last edited on Mon Oct 6th, 2008 06:14 pm by Steven Barrett
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