CAN A CHRISTIAN BE A FREEMASON?

(An Anglican Masonic Chaplain)

This is one of those frequently asked questions that regularly gets an airing either on Christian radio or in church circles.

Another question asked is freemasonry Christian?

So I must answer an emphatic NO to both questions, and also ponder the wider question, why would any born again Christian seek membership into the masons or any other secret society?

Regrettably however, was the fact that the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Geoffrey Fisher, was indeed a practising mason all his life, and he wasn’t the only one!

The Church of England has long had the problem of how to deal with Freemasons in their “broad church.” The current Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, whose father was in the craft, used to block the promotion of practising masonic bishops, before he was promoted to Canterbury.

(While Williams doesn’t confess to be a Mason himself, he is a proud member of the druids, a group that once upon a time, sacrificed children to appease their god.)

(This is the infamous masonic chequered floor,

which can be seen on British and some European police force uniforms,

and inside some home and foreign government buildings)

In Martin Short’s book Inside the Brotherhood, he shares the following account of one Anglican Primate who wasn’t happy to learn of a Masonic burial in an Anglican Church:

“……I found that the words ‘Jesus Christ’ were omitted from the prayers and the word ‘Architect’ substituted. Worse still, the cross was to be removed from the altar….I thought that in this case it would be better for the service to take place in a Masonic temple….this line I took stirred up a hornets’ nest. I was warned that I had offended important benefactors and that the diocese would suffer financially. It might have done so” (pgs. 76, 77.)

“Secret societies must be either Christian, non-Christian, or anti-Christian,” wrote George L. Hunt in his book Secret Societies.

Although this statement was written over a hundred years ago, it’s meaning is just as relevant today, if not more so!

In recent years the Masons have tried hard to reinvent their battered and tarnished image, by allowing members of the press and public to come and visit their lodges, but not when their ghastly rituals are not in operation.

One recent Masonic newsletter that was sent to me, had the following quote, about the need for more “good news” stories, from the local press:

“…Now that we are achieving good coverage in the local press we are looking to other means of spreading the good news about Freemasonry.”

The same publication boasted of the numerous good works that they do in their areas, with the sum raised by them, for the years 2004/2005 being UKSterling 200,037.

It would appear that they are trusting in their own righteousness, not Jesus’ to receive eternal life (Rom. 10:1-4.)

At this stage I must lay my cards on the table and state categorically that to my knowledge there have never been practicing freemasons in my immediate family. How could there be? As a fourth or fifth generation Roman Catholic, had not Rome forbidden membership to freemasonry? And by no less than nine papal bulls issued by fuming popes!

All this was to change covertly after Pre-Vatican II, when I suspect the ecumenical plot allowed masons to join the fold. If you’re still not sure of the Catholic view, just check the 1994 catechism; you’ll find no mention of freemasonry and why a Catholic cannot seek membership. Today I don’t think they – the hierarchy – could care less what you wish to do with your spare time. Except possibly promote the social gospel!

So should a Christian be a Freemason? The first question is why would he want to (yes, I know some lodges allow women) “The Order of the Eastern Star can and does include both men and women.” But they remain very much male driven.Incidentally the knights of DeMolay are a related organization that a young Bill Clinton was attracted to join when he was 15 years old.

According to Freemasonry Today, young Bill enlisted in DeMolay at Hot springs in Arkansas in 1961. He later stated: “I enjoyed learning all parts of the ritual. I grew up in a family with no money and no political influence. I had a lot of breaks; a lot of people helped me. DeMolay I think helps that.” He would later become a Rhodes scholar. Cecil Rhodes was himself a highly respected millionaire freemason. Also according to Peter Ruckman, Clinton became somewhere in his political career a born again Christian, so make of that what you will!

George L. Hunt states that:

“Secretism is not only non-Christian, but that it is anti-Christian.” Heavy stuff you may say, but are they religious these Masons?

They most certainly are! Just listen to what Albert Pike, “Grand Commander” and “Sovereign Pontiff” (recognise that word?) of Universal Masonry has to say:

“Every Masonic lodge is a temple of religion.”

Or as Dr. Albert Mackey a highly respected mason wrote in his book The encyclopaedia of Freemasonry:

“Masonry is an eminently religious institution. The truth is masonry is undoubtedly a religious institution.”

Or as Sir John Cockburn, past deputy “Grand Master” of South Australia said:

“Masonry, is a form of worship in which all religions can unite.” (And, boy aren’t they just promoting that today?)

Incidentally according to the author Jim Shaw, himself a previous 33rd degree Mason who was saved from the darkness of masonry and brought into the light of Jesus Christ, he writes:

“Masonry, contrary to popular belief, is NOT based upon the Bible. Masonry is actually based on the Kabala, a medieval book of magic and mysticism.”

This dangerous statement is also reinforced by no less that Albert Pike. He said:

“Masonry is a search after light. That search leads us directly back, as you see, to the Kabala.”

Now one thing this website is clear about and that is: You must get out of organized religion! Have nothing to do with it. It cannot save you! No two ways about it!

I mean why would you wish to be mixed up with these people? Remember-masonry excludes the name of Christ from prayer. The precious name of Jesus is excluded from every passage of Scripture that is read in the lodge.

For example, this verse is how it should read, but Masons omit the following words:

“Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us” (2 Thess. 3:6.)

The same is used to mangle 2 Thess. 3:11, 12:

“For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.”

This is not genuine Christian behaviour, neither should it ever be accepted as such.

“When Masonry mutilates the Holy Scripture by deliberately omitting the name of the Messiah it is no longer the God-breathed, inspired word of God. It is religion without Jesus Christ as Saviour and Redeemer.”

This statement by the late Jim McCormick, himself an astute observer and writer of numerous articles on Freemasonry over the years, is confirmed by Albert Pike in his lexicon of freemasonry. He writes:

“A Christian Mason is not permitted to introduce his own peculiar opinions with regard to Christ’s mediatorial office into the lodge.”

It is interesting that in The Builder, a well-known Masonic book, there is no entry in the index for “Jesus” or “Christ.”

In Coils Masonic Encyclopaedia no such entry is listed either. Neither does Holman’s Masonic Bible include an entry of either “Jesus” or “Christ.” So I have to ask: does this not show the scornful attitude of any Lodge toward Christianity? All prayers in the lodge it seems are Christ-less. How sad.

So where does that leave the Christian as regards worship in the lodge? Assuming he has got this far!

Well he can use the volume of Sacred Law (VSL), Vedas, or the Gita. He can choose Zoroaster or the angelus for inspiration, if he so wishes. He can worship in any lodge behind closed doors in Trafalgar Sq., off Broadway or near the Neverland Ranch (if he should wish to.)

Yet did not Jesus proclaim:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14: 6.)

So what is going on here, I have to ask. And don’t be taken in by the “all seeing eye” familiar in the lodge and on the back of a dollar bill. It is not the eye of God as masons claim but rather:

“The all seeing eye (that) was the symbol of deity in the ancient mysteries of Egypt.”

Secretism, it seems, announces another route, another door independent of the Lord Jesus Christ. This I will not accept! Christ is not on the level with Mohammed, Buddha, Confucius, Joseph Smith, Sitting Bull or any Pope.

Freemasonry also states that:

“If you deserve and purchase your path to heaven you are being saved by your own works, not God’s works.”

This is from the Freemasons pocket companion. The true Christian knows that good works can never save you. Only the precious blood of Jesus Christ can achieve this. Nothing else. And if it did, what was the point of the Crucifixion?

“He that is of God heareth God’s words” (John 8:47.)

So why are young men attracted into becoming Freemasons?

In the Masonic Catechism the novice is asked:

“Why did you become a Freemason?”

“To obtain a knowledge of the secrets and mysteries preserved amongst the brethren.”

In the commercial sector it can offer promotion and in bringing in new business to the firm if a man is approached to join the lodge. This is very much a sweetener as well as the colourful regalia. And don’t all men love a uniform and the whiff of secret societies? (For the purpose of this article I have excluded the Illumminati, the Trilateral group, the Bilderberg group and other assorted anti-Christian institutions.) It should also be remembered that many ministers, elders, deacons, trustees and Sunday school teachers, have all requested a place in the lodge. And shame on them!

Masonic rites are idolatry. This is clearly witnessed in the initiation oaths especially in the first three degrees. Even God is re-named “The Great Architect of the Universe!” Masons will not find Him in the “grand lodge” in the sky! Rather they will meet the One true God at the Great White Throne (Rev. 20:11.)

The apostle Paul was correct when he warned those seeking the truth not to yoke with those who practise such acts. Did Jesus not warn:

“Swear not at all” (Matt. 5:34.)

In the 19th degree of the 33 degrees of Freemasonry, the candidate is marked with balm with the words said over him:

“Thou art a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”

We must see this as blasphemy and unacceptable.

Incidentally in the same degree (19th) the candidate is presented with a sash embroidered with the 12 signs of the zodiac. The Bible clearly forbids this divination (Deut.18:10.) Again the Christian should and must reject such a practise if it is offered to him.

And what about secret hand grips? And mumbled oaths muttered in the dark (please read what the Apostle James says in his epistle 5:12 about this matter.) The apprentice is warned that his throat will be cut, his tongue and heart will be torn out and his discarded body will be marked and disembowelled, if any lodge secrets are revealed to non-masons, or I suppose his family!

So why would any sane person in his right mind want to go along with this malarkey? One more thing a Christian should look out for are masonic rings, cuff links and tie clips, as well as fleece-lined aprons and silk festooned ties, crystal glass or pewter decanters.

My final advice to any Christian who has joined freemasonry is to get out of it: Burn the regalia-don’t wait. And if you’ve got kids or grandchildren they’ll love to assist you in stoking that fire in the garden. Perhaps your wife will also be very glad of your decision!

Remember what the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Cor. 6:17:

“Come ye out from among them,” he later qualifies this in Ephesians 5:11:

“Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.”

So what more encouragement do you need?

Sources

Secret Societies, George L. Hunt

Is Freemasonry Christian?, Jim McCormick

The Complete Manual of Freemasonry, William Harvey

(Harvey was a J.P. and Provincial Grand Master of his Lodge and wrote over 21 manuals and emblems of Freemasonry – no mean feat on his part!

What they believe: Masons, Harold J. Berry

The Deadly Deception: Freemasonry Exposed, by one of its top leaders, Jim Shaw and Tom McKenney