Why Masonry is Un-Christian
A Brief Historical of Masonry
While masons claim their organization goes back to the pyramid builders of Egypt and Solomon's temple builders, from what we know the first Masonic Grand Lodge was formed in London in 1717.
Masons then and today: Did you know that the Boston Tea party was organized at the Boston Masonic Lodge? Of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, 8 or 9 were masons. While masonry in the United States has declined to about 4 million men, they keep hold of influential positions. In 1991, there were 18 mason senators and 60 masons in the house.
Against masonry were many Christian preachers, including John Wesley, Alexander Campbell, and Charles Finney. D.L. Moody warned Christian men against wanting to make secret oaths being yoked with nonbelievers. R.A. Torrey spoke against the evil of masons on juries protecting guilty masons. In 1974-1975, there was a problem rooting out corruption in Scotland Yard. There was a scandal because the masons in the force refused to cooperate in the investigation of fellow officers if the officers were also masons.
Masonic organizations include DeMolay for boys, Rainbow Girls, Eastern Star for girls, Job's Daughters for women, Shriners and the Blue Lodge for men, and either the Scottish Rite or York Rite for men after the Blue Lodge.
Masonry and Religion
All should agree that masonry is religious. If a mason is in doubt, I suppose he could ask his Worshipful master in the Masonic temple, after their prayer addressing the Great Architect of the Universe, whose celestial lodge they hope to join after death.
But, someone might reply, the YMCA and Salvation Army are also religious, so being religious is not necessarily bad. Thus the issue is not how religious masonry is, but does it ask people to believe and do things contrary to God's word.
Five Things Wrong with Masonry
Here are the five reasons Christians should not "bow the knee to Baal" as a mason. You can remember these with the Masonic (and occultic symbol) the pentagram.
Another god
The god of masonry is called "G.A.O.T.U." or the Great Architect of the universe. One problem is that he is a "generic god", because masonry teaches people that all major religions worship the same God. Thus the god of Islam, who wants them to fight and war against non-Muslims, and the idols of the Hindus are the same as the God of the Bible. A related problem is that the God of the Bible is associated with Baal, Egyptian and Babylonian idols, and other pagan gods.
In the Bible, God is loving, but God is also a jealous God (Nahum 1:2). He will not give His glory to another, or his praised to graven images in Isa 42:8. See also Isa 45:5, 24. Masons seem to forget that Elijah showed that God did not tolerate mixing Baal worship with the worship of the true God.
Other Scriptures
On one hand they hold the Muslim Quran and the Hindu Rig-Veda as having equal standing with the Bible. On the other hand, they see masonry as containing the good of other religions, and for some masons superseding the "superstitions" of Christianity and other religions.
The Bible presents itself as God's word. It is not just "suggestions for life", but we must take its authority in our lives as seriously as our Lord & Biblical writers meant. Jn 10:35; Mt 4:1-11; 5:18; Jn 14:23-24; 2 Pet 1:19-21,25; 3:16; Rom 3:1-2; 2 Tim 3:15-16; Ps 12:6-7; Am 8:11-12; Isa 66:5. Do not add to or go beyond God's word (Prov 30:5-6; 1 Cor 4:6-7; Dt 4:2; Rev 22:18; Ecc 12:12)
Different Salvation
There are two problems here: Jesus blood is just an option, and all go to Heaven. Masonry teaches that purity of life and conduct is involved to be admitted to the "Celestial Lodge" above.
The Bible says that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him (Tt 2:13-14; Heb 2:9; 1 Tim 2:4-6; 4:10; Acts 4:12; Jn 1:29; 3:17; 8:24; 10:7-8,14-16; 14:6; 6:45; Gal 1:6-9; 1 Jn 2:2; 3:8) When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane, He asked if there was any ways this cup could pass from Him, and there was not (Mt
26:37-39). Paul said if anyone preaches a different gospel, let them be accursed in Gal 1:8.Secret and Bloody Oaths
Masons must swear a number of secret oaths. In addition, many of the oaths members have sworn include consenting to have their throats cut, if they break their oath and reveal the secrets.
The Bible teaches we are not to have anything to do with deeds of darkness but expose them (Eph 5:11). Do not take oaths (Jms 5:12; Mt 5:34-37). If you take an oath promising to sin, confess your oath and break it, as Lev 5:4-8 shows. See also what Jesus said in Mt 10:26-27 and Jn 18:20.
Spiritual Bondage
You are considered in spiritual darkness until you join masonry. When a mason kneels before his lodge leader, his worshipful master, that is a clue that there is something spiritual being presented here.
Christians are children of the light (Eph 5:8; Php 2:15-16; 1 Jn 2:9-10) not masons. Christ saves us completely (Heb 7:25).
The Answer - Jesus is the Only Way
So do not follow a generic god, or believe that Christ dying for our sins was optional, but believe in the personal God of the Bible, and in the saving blood of Jesus. Repent of trusting in your works for salvation; realize that the lodge provides no aprons or anything else that will help you get to Heaven. It is only the blood of Christ that can get you to Heaven; I am not saying trust in Christ among other things, but trust in Christ alone for your salvation.
If you have sworn secret oaths, oaths that you did not know the content of before you promised them, Leviticus 5:4-6 shows that promises made against your loyalty to God should be repented of, not fulfilled. When you need to choose between your loyalty and promises to masonry, or your loyalty to God, then choose this day whom you will serve.
"... but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15f.
PROCLAMATION
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To the Christian Churches
Regarding the Participation of Christians in Freemasonry
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Whereas, Freemasonry declares that its Deity, the "Great Architect of the Universe," can be worshipped by all men, whether they be Buddhists, Christians, Muslims, or Hindus, without controversy, while the Bible teaches that only through Jesus Christ can God be worshiped (John 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 2:22,23); and
Whereas, Freemasonry refuses to acknowledge the unique Godhood of Jesus Christ or that He died for our sins and rose from the dead, while the Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is truly God Almighty come in the flesh, who died for our sins and rose again (John 1:1-14; Colossians 1:15; 2:9; 1 Corinthians 15:4); and
Whereas, Freemasonry denies the unique and inerrant character of the Holy Bible as the Word of God by saying that it is no better or worse than any other holy book, while the Bible teaches of itself that it is truly the inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16; Matthew 5:18; 1 Peter 1:25; Psalm 119:89; 12:6,7; 19:7,8); and
Whereas, Freemasonry declares that man can be saved by his own labors without faith in Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, while the Bible teaches that a person can be saved only by grace, through faith in Christ (Romans 10:9,10; Ephesians 2:8,9); and
Whereas, Freemasonry blasphemes the name of God by associating it with pagan fertility gods such as Baal, while the Bible affirms the absolute holiness, separateness, and majesty of God's name (Exodus 20:2-7; Deuteronomy 6:4,5; Psalm 8:1; 29:2); and
Whereas, Freemasonry refuses to warn its members about the dangers of an everlasting hell, while the Bible is insistent and urgent in its warnings concerning the dangers of damnation (Matthew 13:49,50; 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9); and
Whereas, Freemasonry requires that men swear oaths on a Bible in the name of God involving mutilation and murder of human beings, while the New Testament forbids the taking of oaths (Matthew 5:34-37; James 5:12) and the Bible forbids taking God's name in vain and committing murder (Exodus 20:7,13); and
Whereas, Freemasonry links its members in solemn, spiritual bondage to one another, irrespective of members' creeds, while the Bible forbids Christians from being unequally yoked with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14-17; Revelation 18:1-4); and
Whereas, Freemasonry forbids a Christian Mason from witnessing Jesus Christ to his fellow lodge members who are unsaved, while Jesus Himself commands His church to preach the gospel to everyone (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15); and
Whereas, Freemasonry aims at the improvement of the natural man only (1 Corinthians 2:14; Colossians 2:8), thus incorrectly channeling by bad interpretation vital spiritual terms (2 Peter 3:16); and
Whereas, Freemasonry insists on keeping its supposedly valuable truths bound under the most serious of secret oaths and available only to a very few; while the Bible does not allow for such secrecy (Matthew 10:26,27; John 18:20; Acts 26:26); and
Whereas, Freemasonry demands that its members call its leaders titles like "Worshipful Master," and kneel before them while the Bible commands us to call no one master save Jesus (Matthew 6:14; 23:8-10) and to worship none save God (Matthew 4:10; Acts 10:25,26; Revelation 22:8,9); and
Whereas, Freemasonry absorbs the loyalties (Luke 9:62), time (Ephesians 5:16), and emotional and spiritual resources and finances of Christian Masons away from the God-ordained tasks of the church, such as overseas missions, evangelism, and taking care of the poor to the glory of Jesus' name (Matthew 6:1-3; 28:19,20; Luke 6:38; James 1:27);
Therefore, we, as humble servants of Jesus Christ and ministers of His gospel, call upon all pastors and Christian leaders of all denominations to take a firm stand in their preaching against the cult of Freemasonry — a rival religion to Christianity which has too long been winked at, tolerated, or even praised by Christian churches. "How long halt ye between two opinions? If the LORD be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him...." —1 Kings 18:21a (KJV).
This entire proclamation is quoted from What You Need to Know About... Masons by Ed Decker. Harvest House Publishers, 1992. p.215-219.
Also see: Ankerberg, John and John Weldon. The Facts on The Masonic Lodge. Harvest House Publishers, 1989.
Decker, Ed. The Question of Freemasonry. Huntington House Publishers 1992.
Ankerberg, John and John Weldon. The Secret Teachings of the Masonic Lodge : A Christian Perspective. Moody, 1990.
Masonry Notes
Masonry is a quite, semi-secret organization that has had more of an impact on our country than people realize. The Boston Tea Party was planned at a Masonic lodge. When the British responded, Masons who patriotically banded together to fight them included Paul Revere, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, Benedict Arnold, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Joseph Warren. Andrew Johnson was a mason. In 1991, not only were Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and 14 other presidents masons, but 18 out of 100 senators (including Jesse Helms), 60 men in the house, and 41 men on the federal Judiciary Committee were masons. The buildings in Washington D.C. were laid out in masonic symbols, and many of the buildings have masonic inscriptions. The dollar bill even has the masonic symbol of the all-seeing eye on the back.
Masons then and today: Masonry used to be a powerful force in Great Britain and America that many historians have ignored. For example, the Encyclopedia Britannica (1956) has nothing whatsoever about it. Also, did you know that the Boston Tea party was organized at the Boston Masonic Lodge? Prominent masons included John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Benedict Arnold, Paul Revere, and even "George Washington". Of the 56 signatories of the Declaration of Independence, 8 or 9 were masons. General LaFayette became a mason after the war, and he apparently was not too serious about it. Later masons include Norman Vincent Peele, and even "Ronald Reagan". However, non-masons might ignore the influence of masonry, some masons can overstate it. George Washington said he had only been to the masonic lodge once or twice in 30 years, called masonry "child's play", and later did not want to be associated with the masons. Ronald Reagan was made a "mason on sight", and did not have to go through the ceremonies. While the number of masons in the United States has declined to about 4 million, they hold influential positions. In 1991, 18 men in the Senate (including Jesse Helms), and 60 men in the house were masons. 16 presidents were masons, including Andrew Jackson, Andrew Johnson, and Gerald Ford.
In 1974-1975, there was a problem rooting out corruption in Scotland Yard. There was a scandal because the masons in the force refused to cooperate in the investigation of fellow officers if the officers were also masons.
Not everyone was enamored with masons however, William Morgan, a former 30-year mason, published on expose in 1827. He was kidnapped and killed. Famous preachers stood up against masonry, including John Wesley, D.L. Moody, Alexander Campbell, Charles Finney, and R.A. Torrey. Other famous people against masonry include Daniel Webster, Wendall Phillips, Charles Sumner, John Adams, John Quincy Adams, and James Madison. Chief Justice Charles Marshall was against masonry. This is understandable, since masonry teaches that if you are on a jury in a trial of a mason, if the mason flashes the "masonic distress call", you are to vote him not guilty.
John Wesley's Journal Authorised edition vol.3 p.500 for June 18, 1773.
"Fri. 18 I went to Ballymena, and read a strange tract, that professes to discover 'the inmost recesses of Freemasonry;' said to be 'translated form the French original, lately published at Berlin.' I incline to think it is a genuine account. Only if it be, I wonder the author is suffered to live. If it be, what an amazing banter upon all mankind is Freemasonry! And what a secret is it which so many concur to keep! From what motive? Through fear, - or shame to own it?"
Also, today the Wesleyan Methodist Church, adopted a resolution condemning freemasonry.
Past racism
Jesus taught openly in Jn 18:20
No secrets Lk 12:2,3
Isa 52:11
"Where a father and a husband bows his knee at an altar where Baal and Zoroaster have equal recognition and the power as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in a Lodge where the precious name of Jesus is specifically removed so as not to offend, that father and husband has bowed his knee to Baal, and his family and his church will reap the fruit of that submission." What You Need to Know About... Masons p.8
"All of this I most solemnly, sincerely promise and swear, with a firm and steadfast resolution to perform the same, without any mental reservation or secret evasion of mind whatever, binding myself under no less penalty than that of having my throat cut across, my tongue ripped out by its roots, and my body buried in the rough sand of the sea at low-water mark, where the tide ebbs and flows twice in twenty-four hours, should I ever knowingly violate this my Entered Apprentice obligation. So help me God, and keep me steadfast in the due performance of the same." Then they kiss the Bible. What You Need to Know About... Masons p.101
Albert Mackay and Albert Pike, (both 33 degree masons) declare the masonry is a religion.
The First Masonic Grand Lodge was formed in London in 1717.
Pike, Albert (33 degree) Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, 1966, p.226, 539, 167
Mackey, Albert (33 degree) Mackey's Revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry (1966) p.8-9, p.525, p.133, 1:192
Blanchard, J. Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated 1979 2:47
Clausen, Henry (33 degree) Practice and Procedure for the Scottish Rite (1981) p.75-77
Clymber, R.S. The Mysticism of Masonry (1900) p.47
Coil, Henry W. Coil's Masonic encyclopedia (1961) p.520
Street, Oliver Day. Symbolism of the Three Degrees (1924) p.44-45.
Simmons and Macoy, Standard Masonic Monitor of the Degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Mast Mason (1984), p.111,125
Lacquement, C.H. "Freemasonry and Organized Religions" in The Pennsylvania Freemason Feb. 1989 p.7
Duncan, Malcolm C. Duncan's Masonic Ritual and Monitor 1974 p.224-225, 250-251, 35, 5, 96, 36, 13
Masonic Monitor of the Degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master Mason (Arkansas: F. & A.M, 1983) p.15.
Buck, J.D. Symbolism of Mystic Masonry (1925) p.57.
Verses to Share with Christian Masons
Mt 26:39
Role play
Mt 7:13-14 Lk 13:24 narrow way
Mt 7:15 beware of false prophets
2 Cor 11:2-4
"The principles of our Fraternity are based on the same moral absolutes from the foundation of all true faith"
1 John 5:21 (KJV) "Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen."
True or False
When someone stands before the judgment seat of Christ in Revelation 20, they are safe if they are wearing the lambskin apron of masonry.
After making his oath, Herod was right in keeping his oath by murdering John the Baptist.
The Origins and Teachings of Freemasonry (Morey) Muslim mason can pray in the name of Allah, but Christians cannot pray in the name of Jesus.
The father of evangelist John R. Rice (p.188 Ankerberg)
"As his interest in the lodges grew, something happened to his spiritual life.... He ceased preaching altogether....And his doctrine changed likewise....He said that he believed sincere heathen people who had a religion and earnestly tried to live up to their light were saved and did not need to be born again....Then his interest in missions and evangelism waned....He absorbed the lodge teaching. It led him away from the Bible, away from the ministry and soul winning, away from the church."
"If a person swears, speaking thoughtlessly with his lips to do evil or to do good, whatever it is that a man may pronounce by an oath, and it is hidden from him - when he realizes it, then he shall be guilty in any of these matters. And it shall be, when he is guilty in any of these matters, that he shall confess that he has sinned in that thing; and he shall bring his trespass offering to the Lord for his sin which he has sinned ... So the priest shall make atonement on his behalf for his sin which he has sinned, and it shall be forgiven him."
Swear thoughtlessly Lev 5:4-6a, 10b NKJV
p.192 Joseph Fort Newton says, "Masonry is ... a worship, in which men of all religions may unite.... It is not the rival of any religion, but the friend of all, laying emphasis upon those truths which underlie all religions and are the basis and consecration of each."
Bailey (Ankerberg p.239) "Masonry is not man-made; it is God-made.... Masonry has survived the ages because in truth and fact we have been guided by inspiration and by intuition, by [spirits of the] Grand Lodge on high, whose members are not dead Masons, but a living Society of Illuminated Minds, the Knowers of God's Plan."
Mackey (Ankerberg p.198) "There he stands without [outside] our portals, on the threshold of his new masonic life, in darkness, helplessness and ignorance. Having been wandering amid the errors and covered with the pollutions of the outer and profane world, he comes inquiringly o our door, seeking the new birth, and asking a withdrawal of he veil which conceals divine truth from his uninitiated site."
16 presidents were masons, including Andrew Jackson, Andrew Johnson, and Gerald Ford.
Jesse Helms
Strom Thurmond
Alan Simpson
Bob Dole (33rd degree)
Robert Bird (33rd degree)
John Glenn
Mark Hatfield
Sam Nunn
Lloyd Benson
66 representatives
Jim Wright
Claude Pepper
William Ford
Dan Glickman
Trent Lott
Jack Kemp
J. Edgar Hoover
Douglass MacArthur
Earl Warren
Jabulon - Name
Syncretism
"The principles of our Fraternity [freemasonry] are based on the same moral absolutes that form the foundation of all true faith."
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