Here's a couple of things we need to consider-- Freemasons are a tiered "club" if you will...as we all know there are degrees to be earned right up to the 33rd. Most members don't go past the 3rd degree because at that point you're now eligible to be a shriner and that's a fun club too. Freemasons will tell you that their membership numbers are small and that's true due to the competition of the shrine. What do they do with the freemason knowledge once they join the shrine?
That's another long story.
Anyhow there is no nefarious "secret" knowledge for levels 1 to 3...it's just the origins of the ritual -- the killing of Hiram Abiff. (which is where the killing of the king at the 32nd degree comes from. completing that ritual gets you to 33) Another long story.
So....your point about well meaning people being freemasons is correct.
But let's be clear about the knowledge that come from degrees 4 and higher. This IS from Solomon's temple....but Solomon delved in witchcraft and the black arts. He built shrines for his "foreign wives" he really ticked GOD off. It's all in plain text in the Bible. Solomon broke from the ways of his father David and dabbled in the worship of moloch.
The "illumination" you speak of is not of the Light of the one true GOD.
Here's a couple of things we need to consider-- Freemasons are a tiered "club" if you will...as we all know there are degrees to be earned right up to the 33rd. Most members don't go past the 3rd degree because at that point you're now eligible to be a shriner and that's a fun club too. Freemasons will tell you that their membership numbers are small and that's true due to the competition of the shrine. What do they do with the freemason knowledge once they join the shrine? That's another long story.
Anyhow there is no nefarious "secret" knowledge for levels 1 to 3...it's just the origins of the ritual -- the killing of Hiram Abiff. (which is where the killing of the king at the 32nd degree comes from. completing that ritual gets you to 33) Another long story.
So....your point about well meaning people being freemasons is correct.
But let's be clear about the knowledge that come from degrees 4 and higher. This IS from Solomon's temple....but Solomon delved in witchcraft and the black arts. He built shrines for his "foreign wives" he really ticked GOD off. It's all in plain text in the Bible. Solomon broke from the ways of his father David and dabbled in the worship of moloch.
The "illumination" you speak of is not of the Light of the one true GOD.