New Southern Orange Magazine!

[Luigi Vampa]

Schomberg - Care to have a go at answering these questions for us ?

Here are some important questions that all Christian Orangemen would do well too honestly answer.

1. Why do you need to be a member of a SECRET religious organization? Is not your church a satisfactory channel for fellowship, and through which you can use your energies to reach the lost?

2. Is your church not protesting against the errors of Rome and the host of other errors to make it a sufficient voice for you? Maybe a change of church is required - a place where Protestantism is faithfully upheld?

3. Would a monthly Church prayer meeting surrounded by believers not be more suitable for fellowship than a monthly lodge meeting surrounded by ungodly men?

4. If a march is something that one dearly cherishes, would a Christian march with Gospel texts, terminating in an Evangelistic Service, not be more effective and beneficial in turning our unsaved Protestant and Catholic neighbours to Christ?

5. Would you agree, the saved Lodge member is devoting time, effort and money into things which are at best secondary and at worse futile and unbiblical? Matters which divert him from the great comission, which commands us to preach the Gospel, first to our family and friends (Jerusalem), then to our own community (Judea), then to our enemies (Samaria) and finally unto the uttermost parts of the earth? Does not membership of these secret bodies severely hamper our efforts to reach those who are perceived by many to be our enemy community.

6. Many ex-lodge members have admitted their strong anti-Roman Catholic feelings to the point they could not love their neighbour and rarely witnessed to them. After resignation their attitudes radically changed. Do you need such a change of heart?

7. Many lodge members find it hard to miss a lodge meeting yet they readily find it easy to miss the church prayer meeting. Does it not show which God is on the throne?

8. Since we all now know of the horrible mockery committed in the Independent Loyal Orange Institution, the Royal Arch Purple Chapter and Royal Black Institution initiation ceremonies, should not the true child of God want to forsake them, and loudly protest against them?

9. Does it not make you uncomfortable that you are involved in rituals and symbolism which other anti-evangelical organizations also make use of like the Masons, Mormons, Knights of Malta, and even the Ancient Order of Hibernians?

10. How can you justify being unequally yoked with unbelievers in a RELIGIOUS brotherhood that also requires you to call a fellow member 'brother' irrespective of whether that man is a child of God or a child of the devil?

11. How can you condemn Catholicism for addressing their priests as "Father", and not condemn the Orders use of the religious titles of 'Worshipful Master', 'Grand Master' and 'Most Worshipful Sovereign Grand Master?' Jesus said in Matthew 23:9-10 "And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ." Surely the context of the use of both titles is in a religious sense, something the Lord was forbidding to be done?

12. How can you biblically justify subjecting yourself to the religious authority of countless Chaplains, Lecturers and "Worshipful Masters" (at Lodge, District, County and Grand Lodge level) most of whom are unregenerate men? Is this not apostasy?

13. Can you point to specific guidance from the Lord, proving that it is the Lord's will that you should be an active member of any secret society? Evangelical Truth - A Biblical Analysis of Secret Societies

[Schomberg]

I might bite the bullet myself next year and see what its like, i'll have to ask my friends can i borrow their granda's Sash for the day. He might turn in his grave though having a republican wearing it.

do come along and enjoy the day out. there's always plenty of people there who have no connection to the Orange Order whatsoever. if the weather is good, there's no better place for a get together than Rossnowlagh. beautiful spot!

[eoghanacht]

I wouldn't even glorify that last remark.

I thought the Blair name came from Ulster prods? I was sure i read it somewhere. Or was that a crafty lie mooted around during the peace process to endear him to the Unionists?

Schom, honest question. Will you and your religious Brethern be doing anything in a formal capacity to welcome the British Queen?

I don't know anything about his father - I just know that he's eligible for Irish Citizenship via his mother .

Maybe he'll settle for a certificate ?

Told ye he came from good Prod stock