Other mysterious organizations

The Masons come to mind as one of the more secretive sects.  Also up there for me are the Christian Scientists and the Jehovah's Witnesses.  The Knights of Columbus, not so much.  With the exception of their secret initiation ceremony, the Knights are mainly a charitable and social organization.  One thing I do admire about the Catholic Church is its openness to any and all -- and I do mean all.  I have seen many beggars, drunks and down-and-outs in the churches I have attended; none have to be approved in advance for entry and none is ever turned away.  Seeing and interacting with these folks was a humbling experience and filled me with gratitude.

But a last word about the Mormons:  "I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is God's Kingdom on earth."  That's what a Mormon friend avowed in an objection to my earlier blog.  My question is, what about the rest of us?  Does that mean that if you're not a Mormon, you're sh-t out of luck when it comes to sitting at God's knee in heaven?  I think some people believe that heaven has compartments -- protestants to the left, Catholics to the right, Anglicans up the middle and Mormons presumably elevated to greater heights. 

(Note:  For other posts on Mormons and polygamy, see "Who are they kidding!!?", Nov. 3/10; "Beefy", Feb. 9/14; and "Child rape", June 25/22)  

And then there are those who practice Buddhism, Shintoism and Judaism; or the Janes, the Muslims, the Hindus, the Baptists, the Episcopalians, plus all the other odds and sods of faith -- like the United Church, the Methodists, the Lutherans, the Presbyterians....and on and on.  Where do these poor souls figure?  The whole notion is kind'a silly.  I mean, practice your faith and God will love you; you don't have to be a Mormon.

But back to the Masons.  I remember a very austere photo of my great-uncle Charles Lord that hung in reverence in my grandmother's home.  He was decked out in all his regalia, looking very important and grand, but when he visited, he was just jolly, old Uncle Charlie.  The Masons were never discussed in polite company.  I remember being seated beside a slightly over-refreshed guest at a large dinner, who happened to be a Mason.  I started peppering him with questions, which he enthusiastically answered.  Until his wife shut him up.  A few secrets were starting to emerge.  

Research tells me that the Masons have a book of scripture open in every working lodge, that every member must profess belief in a Supreme Being, that any discussion of religion and politics is banned and that no women be admitted.  Now I know where my Mother's tenet originated, i.e., that there were four taboo subjects in respectable company:  Religion, politics, sex and money.  Conversations had to avoid these at all costs, hence one grew up expert in the fine art of conversation.

The very name of Christian Science baffles me?  I mean, how can you combine the words "Christian" and "science"?  They are complete opposites.  Basically, this religion adheres to the principle of, "Do unto others what you would have them do unto you."  Pretty straightforward and in line with other Christian religions.

As for the Jehovah's Witnesses, they are very odd.  For instance, they do not celebrate Christmas, Easter, birthdays and all other feasts they consider pagan.  Like the Mormons, they are governed by a chosen body of senior, more learned Jehovah Witness out of Warwick, New York.  All men.  They also consider their doctrine to be "The only truth."

A good friend of B's was disowned by his family because he left the sect.  When he begged his mother to at least have a coffee with him a few years later, she refused, saying she could not be seen with him.  She died without their reconciliation.  That hurts.

Another question I have about Muslim girls and women is why do they have to be covered -- in some cases from head to toe?  This is mandatory when they begin menstruation.  Why is that?  How can this be a religious tenet if it just so happens to begin when they become fertile?  Is it because any sight of skin or hair would compel a man to want to have sex with them?  Rhetorical.

When I was teaching at Algonquin College after I retired, I took note of the incongruity of the girls who wore the hijab out of "modesty", yet were covered in alluring makeup, painted nails and high heels.  Didn't compute in the least.  Oh, and by the way, they had separate washrooms we non-Muslims could not use, I guess in case our contaminated pee mingled with their pure variety, but they were free to use ours.  Hey, it all drains into the same communal sewer pipes!  All a bunch of voodoo and nonsense.

And then there is the "Church" of Scientology.  I'll have to get more into that too, but it's definitely a cult and all about money.  How Tom Cruise and John Travolta can be so involved  mystifies me?!  This "church" has only about 25,000 members world-wide, but billions in assets around the world.  The late L. Ron Hubbard invented "Dianetics", which is basically a mind-f-ck exercise, where you delve into your unconscious mind and "uncover" all the lies and sh-t you have done over your entire life -- going back to the cradle.  Yeah, whatever.  Like the Mormons, they own a ton of real estate.  Gee, wonder why?  Could it be about money?  Rhetorical. 

So, that's my amateur take on a few less mainstream religions.  I took Religion 101 at Carleton University and thanks to that course, learned that there are many different ways to skin the faith cat.  Obviously, some people don't agree.  

(p.s. This was the class in which I was enthralled by a guest lecturer:  The brilliant Northrup Fry.  Just re-posted this blog, "When the light went on," April 13/12, below)