Cymbals Or Trumpets

by RmOlano
3Dec11

The less you feel the pain, the less you care or love.

Reaction to sorrow depends on individual threshold of pain. Holy persons might react the way religious people believed that their “… suffering can make us more sensitive servant of God” however, normal people prefer not to endure pain or be subjected to misery. Saints loved to be blamed and be kicked around, pa-awa (self-pity) syndrome; they loved the word, "Kawawa naman ." People turn to God mostly if the situation is so hopeless, "Magdasal na lang tayo " Downtrodden mortal beings are "more" sensitive because there is nothing left, no more humanly possible option. People who known pain typically try to forget the feeling, we put distance between ourselves from that experience. Pain and suffering are usually something not to be shared with.

It is hard talk about God without getting into religion which resembles as discussing national economic condition without discoursing politics. In light of numerous and consistent posting of topic about how the Brethren thought what God wants us to do, what we should do to please Him, how suffering is a way of God’s demonstration of power, etc., I ask the Brethren indulge me to make some observation about this subtle proselytizing. Let remind ourselves that disagreement does not correlate to disrespect. I do respect each individual belief and I expect the same in return. One, No mortal being knows what God is thinking, we could only guess and hope what we did is close to what we approximate to His wish. Two, all “Holy Books” were written by mortals with biased agenda bar none. Three, "GOD" is not a name; it is a title like Christ or GAOTU. Knowing His personal name is to embark on a journey which for some is a lifetime commitment and finding out His real name is to know the Ultimate Truth.

Many people try to "talk" to God but only few could claim that they heard Him "talked back." Many would attest that the "voice" they heard was their conscience. Now, if those Christian brothers who love to quote these metaphors from their Volume of Sacred Law (VSL) could tell this free thinker that the "voice" I heard was not my conscience or my soul but from the Spirit I talked and prayed, would that meant that the Spirit is in my body? If that is the case and if it is true, then the logic would be that I am also I AM WHAT I AM? These questions that being asked are meant not to trifle the Brother person or feeling but to teach me an important lesson in Freemasonry --- Searching for that which was lost.

The practice of preaching one's religious leaning with such regularity lead people like me to believe that they seems know what they are talking about. Asking for light to those who appear to possess some sort of heavenly insight and purposely discount inquiries to these "heavenly messages" is very disappointing to say the least.

In the spirit of being on the level, for those who love to post issues or messages on public domain, it is civilized to respond to question posed by those who took time to read their thought. It is rude and ill manner to ignore serious questions especially when one is professing to have the intellectual well of knowledge of the given subject. An "I don’t know" answer is an acceptable response for not everybody has an answer to all possible problems. Bypassing the question and pressing into other topic shows that these postings are just a sound of emptiness of tinkling cymbals instead of silver trumpets in the early dawn and eve of day. If these faithful disciples of their chosen faith desire to convert unbelievers, they should stand up, explain and/or defend their Dogma otherwise, these preaching are just a show of  “I am holier than thou” which meant nothing except showing the hollowness of such character.

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On Vet Day 11-11-11

by RmOlano
11-11-11



There were times when as a non US citizen I was categorized as a mercenary which by definition can be argued as somewhat closer to the classical definition of the word. But having earned the right to be a US citizen while in active duty, I can honestly claim that I am with my country's Navy.

"Again, I do thank our Brother for his acknowledgement and glad that he accepted the fact that those who chosen to raised their right hand to serve and protect the Constitution of their ADOPTED country have the moral responsibility to carry it through. The negative connotations, innuendos and speculation against the country I honorably served in uniform for twenty-one years is not something I will take lightly though. Despite of my heritage and culture of "old country," despite of my color and physical feature, despite of my language accent and grammar, the day I wear the uniform of U.S. and swear to defend it's Constitution against foreign and domestic--- I am no longer what I used to be. More than once, I and those who were neither citizen of both countries were labeled "mercenaries." For those who allowed themselves to be "conscripted" and did it for the money--- the label could be true but for those of us from poor families without padrinos and connections, saw the "conscription" as a chance, as an opportunity to make our lives better. Maybe some of the readers may call it, unpatriotic, they have their opinions and properties in the Philippines, but I have my American dream, a small house, a job, and college opportunities for my children. Between paying taxes, voting in local and national elections, jury duties and Naval Service, for all intent and practical purposes, I am an American and I do not appreciate anyone bashing MY country---the United States of America."

 

To My Brother

rmolano

8Oct2011

…. To my dear true brother….

We disagreed on the issue that all Holy Books were written by human with biases and agenda. According to Christian Bible, the only instructions written by God himself were given to Moses and he broke it because people don’t believe him. If we consider that “somebody” made the prophets and apostles to do what they did--- then should we free a whole lot of people incarcerated in jails because, “somebody/someone” made them did what they did? If we have confidence in those stories/legends made by people who went to wilderness and came back half starve to death and almost crazy with thirst and declared that they have “seen the light” then so be it. However, I don’t hence, we are in disagreement. The Christian Bible was assembled from very selected writings collected by early Christians. The selection process was highly politicized and those who were not in agreement were eventually banished to the desert monasteries. The Council of Nicaea in 325 AD laid the ground rule of what will be acceptable or heretical. As we know, the Council was called by Constantine for political reason and was attended by about 200-300 Bishops out of about 1800 throughout Christian world. The Christian Bible or as Freemasons call it along with Quran/Koran, Talmud, Tao-te-ching, Upanishads, Bhagadvad Gita, Analects, etc., as one of the “Volume of Sacred Law.” They are only applicable to those who believe in it.

Christians were proclaiming the nearness of “end” of the World for almost 2000 years. They truly believed that the time has come when Crusaders took Jerusalem from Muslims, as they and their neighbors Jews and Muslims alike were slaughtered by invading Crusaders---kill them all, God will sort out who are His flock ordered by the Pope. Then came World War 1, WW2, Cold War, etc. Fear is a powerful weapon that has been consistently used by those with power throughout the ages to control people mind/behavior. Fascist, Communists, terrorist, non-Christians, Anunakis, you name it, name calling were used by everyone even religious leaders. I agree that this world will come to an end but it’ll take a while. The history of this world were shaped by shifting continents, earth crusts colliding with each other thereby creating new landscapes that has direct effect on living things inhabiting the surface. This process continues unabated since time immemorial with or without human existence in consideration.

There was a time when knowing ones name is a sign of acknowledgement of being equal or superior. That’s why commoners call their owners as e.g., “Lord of Brittany” or simply “Lord.” It was punishable by death if commoners to even look on their King’s face as much as calling the King with his first name such as Richard. Name is or was as personal that you can be with that individual therefore; God’s name is no different. To claim to know God’s personal name is the mother of all claim if you ask me. Titles such as God, Christ, Ama, Banal na Isa are NOT names, they are substitute to a real name like Rodolfo who you call utol. Though the idea is the same (person or being) the designation is unique i.e., there are many Rodolfo but you only have one utol. If you redefine the meaning of utol but retained the meaning of who I am then you can have many utol as you like but only one real brother--- me. There is a difference between name and title.

All-Seeing Eye

There is notion that calls for a study of how to be a moral and ethical man, an idea of making good men to be a better man. This concept has a very basic rule that to be accepted into the mist is that a man has to have belief in Supreme Being and Afterlife. The candidate’s particular Faith is immaterial and no relevance to the Craft--- only his character and his willingness to “improve himself” are essential prerequisite. This study was often described as “a system of morality veiled in allegories and illustrated by symbols.” One of the major lesson or mysteries is not to accept literally of what we see, hear or feel for there might be messages hidden beyond the thin veil of façade we often encounter in our experience we know as life. Sadly to say that most Brethren stopped in searching for that which was lost and were satisfied to the given substitute which led me to ponder --- we stopped because we already found what we are looking for hence, at peace with ourselves or are we aware that looking for answer is far easier than knowing the question? A path to enlightenment is to inquire when I can see the darkness of my soul for only the All-Seeing Eye can see what is in my heart. To be able to see through the depth of shallow mortal existence is to approximate one’s nearness to the final stage of illumination and perhaps to immortality.

 

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