Endless Questions Sends a Cease and Desist Letter Because His Stake President is a Secret Society Member...

[TheDuke]

Why can't we talk about the covenants outside the temple? Why can't you talk about them inside the temple? Do you really believe that God would hide the path to salvation behind 15 men, 15 questions, and a helluva lot of baggage? And then you can't talk about any of it? Sounds like a strange god to me.

Does it matter what my opinion on keeping things secret/sacred are? Did it matter to Moses (apparently)? But from the source.

Mark 4:
10 When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables.
11 He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables 12 so that,

“‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving,
and ever hearing but never understanding;
otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!”

Or if you prefer KJV.
10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

I guess Jesus did, only it was 12 vs. 15 then I guess! But keep looking for negative things, some day you may find something. Not yet, it seems.

BTW if you don't accept Jesus' direct statement, well. there is no other source to turn to.

[Reluctant Watchman]

Why can't we talk about the covenants outside the temple? Why can't you talk about them inside the temple? Do you really believe that God would hide the path to salvation behind 15 men, 15 questions, and a helluva lot of baggage? And then you can't talk about any of it? Sounds like a strange god to me.

Does it matter what my opinion on keeping things secret/sacred are? Did it matter to Moses (apparently)? But from the source.

Mark 4:
10 When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables.
11 He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables 12 so that,

“‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving,
and ever hearing but never understanding;
otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!”

Or if you prefer KJV.
10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

I guess Jesus did, only it was 12 vs. 15 then I guess! But keep looking for negative things, some day you may find something. Not yet, it seems.

BTW if you don't accept Jesus' direct statement, well. there is no other source to turn to.

Duke, I hope you can see the difference. At least Jesus was openly teaching the parables. We are being told not to even talk about them.

[TheDuke]

Why can't we talk about the covenants outside the temple? Why can't you talk about them inside the temple? Do you really believe that God would hide the path to salvation behind 15 men, 15 questions, and a helluva lot of baggage? And then you can't talk about any of it? Sounds like a strange god to me.

Does it matter what my opinion on keeping things secret/sacred are? Did it matter to Moses (apparently)? But from the source.

Mark 4:
10 When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables.
11 He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables 12 so that,

“‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving,
and ever hearing but never understanding;
otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!”

Or if you prefer KJV.
10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

I guess Jesus did, only it was 12 vs. 15 then I guess! But keep looking for negative things, some day you may find something. Not yet, it seems.

BTW if you don't accept Jesus' direct statement, well. there is no other source to turn to.

Duke, I hope you can see the difference. At least Jesus was openly teaching the parables. We are being told not to even talk about them.

Its not about the parable. It is about his reasoning. To "HIDE" the truth. To keep it hidden from the unbelievers, whether parables or teachings he gave them alone privately, it makes no difference. But the fact you don't believe Jesus makes it fruitless to continue this discussion. Have a nice day.

[Reluctant Watchman]

Its not about the parable. It is about his reasoning. To "HIDE" the truth. To keep it hidden from the unbelievers, whether parables or teachings he gave them alone privately, it makes no difference. But the fact you don't believe Jesus makes it fruitless to continue this discussion. Have a nice day.

There is nothing in the endowment that should be hidden. Now, I can think of a few things that can/should be removed, but nothing hidden or secret.

[endlessQuestions]

THE BLACK SUPPER
The publication of the first Magister's Manual in 1935 marked the beginning of the modern era of “enlightened” pledge training, which was supposed to have put an end to physical hazing, but in fact, merely modified
its form. The era of initiation week activities of physical and mental hazing created a need to have an introductory ceremony which would impress
the initiate with the seriousness of the Ritual to follow. The answer was the
Black Supper, which had been devised in the 1920's for just that purpose

[endlessQuestions]

Starting with the close of the Civil War, fraternity initiations began to get
rough and became increasingly violent. In the decade around the turn of
the century, three deaths occurred during fraternity initiations. These
received wide news coverage. Fortunately, none was in our Fraternity.
These deaths motivated our change in Ritual practice with the idea that we
should substitute dignified mental tests for the traditional "man's inhumanity to man" on the basis that the viciousness could not be reconciled
with the ideals of the Investiture to follow

[endlessQuestions]

The substitute was the preliminary “Initiation Into the Greek World,”
which was designed to relieve the need to do physical harm to the candidates by making the mental tests severe. Individually each candidate was
put through an elaborate examination in a setting of the classical underworld

[endlessQuestions]

In the first Examination the worthiness of the candidate was discounted
because of his inability to find the White Cross, and only after a serious
deliberation was he allowed to continue in his initiation. It was found better adapted to the needs of the chapters as the mental test desired to be substituted for horseplay and unlawful excess, and possessed the advantage
over the “Greek World” idea, that it was built directly upon the fundamental ideals of the Fraternity

[endlessQuestions]

You don't say:

In its original form a skull and crossed bones
were displayed on the cleansing table and viewed by the candidate as he
participated in the ceremony

[endlessQuestions]

The 1870 revisors of the Ritual were apparently aware of the common ritualistic practice
of having a death thesis, in that when a man takes an oath of life-long duration he must recognize that death will eventually come.

[endlessQuestions]

It is interesting to note that Founder Daniel William Cooper was
opposed to the Constantine part, if it were to conform to the interpretation
of a man resurrected from the dead.

[endlessQuestions]

THE REGALIA

The first Regalia, as provided for in 1861, was simply a black mask for members.

[endlessQuestions]

In 1870 a representation of the skull and
crossed bones was to appear on member robes as an indication of the
“death thesis,” which entered into the Investiture at that time. Our present
Regalia was first used in 1909

[endlessQuestions]

The success of all ceremonials must be measured by the
extent to which they make the truth they portray a part of one's character,
and so become life-long in their influence

EQ: Indeed.

[endlessQuestions]

p. 117

GRAND CONSUL: Brothers, what is true Sigma Chi
enlightenment?
ALL: That which we receive before the Seven Lights.
GRAND CONSUL: For what purpose do we receive this
enlightenment?
ALL: To ennoble our lives by the practice of the Seven Virtues.

[endlessQuestions]

What kingdom is the Chapter Eternal in, I wonder?

"GRAND CONSUL: Brothers in Sigma Chi, we will pause here,
at the outset of the Grand Chapter, to pay tribute of love and respect
to the memory of those Grand Officers and executives of the
F r a t e r n i t y, and of others whose names we have for this purpose, who
have passed to the Chapter Eternal since the last Grand Chapter

[endlessQuestions]

RITUAL FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS
The special ceremonies and services contained in this division of the
Ritual may be used in public, as circumstances may require, all other parts
of the Ritual being secret.

[endlessQuestions]

LEADER: The dedication of shrines and temples comes down to
us as a custom of the centuries. It is a ceremony hallowed by Holy
Writ and in the rituals of all churches, and is likewise a custom by
which the homes of families are often dedicated to their purposes
and ideals. Even so, it is fitting that this house, built for fraternal
expression, should now be consecrated to its good intent.

[endlessQuestions]

I found the scripture part of the philosophies of men mingled with scripture:

p. 131

LEADER: Let us unite in asking the Divine Blessing upon us.

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy
kingdom, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this
day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive
those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but
deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and
the glory, for ever and ever, Amen.

[endlessQuestions]

p. 136

"His loyalty was grounded in the faith that fraternalism stands finally for better citizenship, for a more noble civilization, and for the higher ideals of life in its service to man and reverence to God"

EQ: Like, good global citizenship?

[endlessQuestions]

Exaltation of the Brotherhood.

"Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, with Whom do live the spirits
of just men made perfect, we do thank Thee for all those who, having been found worthy, have eternal life with Thee. We thank Thee for Thy Son, Jesus Christ; and that in His life and teachings Who was
the Great Cross Bearer, we may learn worthily to wear The Cross.
Grant we beseech Thee that the words we have heard this day may,
through Thy grace, be so grafted in our hearts that they may bring
forth in us the fruit of good living, for the exaltation of our
Brotherhood, and to the honor and glory of Thy Name. Amen."

EQ: FINIS

[endlessQuestions]

Well, lookie here.

Who's one of the biggest donors to Sigma Chi?

One

J. Willard Marriott, Jr.,
UTAH 1953

and who else?

Richard Marriott
UTAH 1960

You don't say.

https://sigmachi.org/wp-content/uploads ... dition.pdf

p. 3

[endlessQuestions]

In 1948, the Fraternity honored motion picture star John Wayne,
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 1929. “The Duke” was on hand at the 47th Grand
Chapter in Seattle, and according to The Magazine of Sigma Chi archives,
“was at a loss for words when he received his Significant Sig medal.”

[endlessQuestions]

Huntsman alert!

p. 137

https://sigmachi.org/wp-content/uploads ... dition.pdf

[endlessQuestions]

The Most Significant Sig of All?

Though he entered the Chapter Eternal before the Significant Sig Award
was created and has thus never been considered for the honor, it is difficult
to think of a single Sigma Chi who has commanded more influence than Grover Cleveland

p. 138