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The Temple Builder: On "The Goat, the Devil and the Freemason" by Dr. David West

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Saturday, January 3, 2015. On "The Goat, the Devil and the Freemason" by Dr. David West. In a previous post I eluded to a book which turned out to be a very challenging read. I have since finished the book and will share my thoughts. It is called " The Goat, the Devil and the Freemason. By Dr David West. I received my copy through the Iowa Research Lodge #2 at their semi-annual fall meeting. We begin with the Taxil Hoax. Quote, explaining why it's wrong to interpret such as admiration for the devil, and ...

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The Temple Builder: June 2014

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Thursday, June 26, 2014. Why I am a Freemason. My interest in Freemasonry is not a recent development. As a child in the 6th grade, I remember seeing the Square and Compass on a stately, historic building on our town square. The odd dates and strange symbols on the doors and windows gained my interest. Regardless of what I knew to be factual about Freemasonry, I didn't seek out membership. After all, I didn't really know for sure what went on behind the closed door. Were the rumors and tales true?

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The Temple Builder: January 2015

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Thursday, January 8, 2015. Being Installed as Jr Deacon Tonight! All kidding aside, I'm looking forward to the role this year. I've also been asked to serve on the visitation and finance committees. In a small lodge such as ours, this usually doesn't entail much, but it's an honor to be asked none the less. I also get the joy of welcoming Grand Lodge next month. Quite nerve-wracking to be doing so less than a year after being raised. I'm up for the challenge however! You can't grow if you don't step up.

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The Temple Builder: August 2014

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Tuesday, August 26, 2014. Like many modern-day thirty-something Masons, I'm a frequent participant in the many online Masonic message boards. Most notably, those at the social networking site reddit. It's by far the most active and hosts more intellectual discussions about Masonry than the rest. Freemasonry is what Freemasonry is. If you can't accept that, start your own lodge with a different name and stop pretending to be what you aren't. I'm sure the Odd Fellows. Are looking for members. A participant...

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The Temple Builder: February 2015

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Wednesday, February 18, 2015. What it means to me to be a Freemason. It really struck home when he was allowed to address us after the ceremony. His son apparently suffers from diabetes. While in the hospital receiving treatment for his condition, the Shrine housed and fed the child's family. "I knew I needed to turn my life around and be part of a good group of men like that," he said. I know that Freemasonry's raison detre. Isn't charity per se. Links to this post. Labels: Ask One to Be One.

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The Temple Builder: Freemasonry and Religion

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Tuesday, December 23, 2014. I'm currently reading a book which is one of the hardest I've had to force myself to read. Not because I find the work itself challenging, but because there is so much I simply don't agree with. While I'll reserve my review for when I've finished the book (anything else would be unfair to the author), I will expand on how it is making me think about religion and Freemasonry. By sitting in Lodge with those whose faith I don't share, am I viewing their faith as equal to my own?

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The Temple Builder: What it means to me to be a Freemason.

http://thetemplebuilder.blogspot.com/2015/02/what-it-means-to-me-to-be-freemason.html

Wednesday, February 18, 2015. What it means to me to be a Freemason. It really struck home when he was allowed to address us after the ceremony. His son apparently suffers from diabetes. While in the hospital receiving treatment for his condition, the Shrine housed and fed the child's family. "I knew I needed to turn my life around and be part of a good group of men like that," he said. I know that Freemasonry's raison detre. Isn't charity per se. Labels: Ask One to Be One. Ask One to Be One.

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The Temple Builder: Masonic Hams (Radio, not Pork)

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Saturday, December 20, 2014. Masonic Hams (Radio, not Pork). In my previous post, I highlighted my trip to the fall meeting of Iowa Research Lodge #2. I edited out the details of my visit to National Cigar Store,. But you wouldn't know that. Check them out if you're a cigar buff though, the place has a very nice selection and John is very knowledgeable. Anyway, I happened to be browsing the Masonic blogs at Aslar to Ashes. And saw that another brother had also been there. What are the odds?

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The Temple Builder: July 2014

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Thursday, July 10, 2014. Book Review: What Is Freemasonry? While searching Google some time back, I ran across What is Freemasonry? An Interview wirh Orient of Italy Grand Master Gustavo Raffi. Coming in at only 111 pages, one would think it to be a quick read. Oh no. This is a very thorough, in-depth read with, well, lots of big words. This book will require you to slow down, reflect, and study. Not a bad thing, mind you. GM Raffi asks a number of philosophical questions, such as "what is happiness?