is FreeMasonry a Cult?

[Yeshua1]

Or is it just a social club, as many cliam? many baptists even belong to this, don't they?

 

[Revmitchell]

It is a cult and no not many Baptists belong to it.

 

[Gup20]

It's not even a Christian cult... it's Satanic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmuNJk-uzdM&list=PLCED9C361662866BD&index=41

Check out this picture of the front and back of a FreeMason's apron:

The front looks innocent, but the back is all about death. They worship death. They are one thing publicly, and quite another privately.

You'll often see hexagrams (the symbol for 666) on Free Mason lodges as well:

You also find pentagrams - both right side up (the symbol for man) and upside down (the symbol for Satan).

You will also see symbols like this:

The "illuminating eye" (the eye of horus) represents Satan, while the Sun on the left, and the moon on the right represent Baal and Ashera - the sun god and moon goddess.

 

[Zenas]

Before this thread proceeds further it might be good to define "cult". It is a word with many connotations, some pejorative and some not. In my experience a cult is always something someone else belongs to. I have never seen anyone admit to joining a group he characterizes as a cult.

 

[JonC]

It is a cult and no not many Baptists belong to it.

A report in the Calvary Contender (1993) reported that 1.3 million masons were Southern Baptist. 14 percent of their pastors and 18 percent of their deacons being masons. (this is also the poll that was used in the Chicago Tribune).

The Indiana Baptist (March 1993) reported approximately 3 million Baptists who were masons.

In my area, most seem to be Church of Christ. But there is a blue lodge that is held at a Methodist Church a town over (ironically, the chaplain of that lodge is a Presbyterian minister).

I don’t think that the organization is as popular in churches as it once was (but of course, it seems all of these types of these organizations have declined – and most gone the way of the dodo – times are different and we have facebook). I remember as a child most of the church leadership and pastors being masons (these were smaller Baptist churches).

I remember my father being invited by our church leadership to join the masons, but he declined (this would have been about 30 years ago when we lived North/West of Nashville Tennessee).

 

[Zenas]

It is a cult and no not many Baptists belong to it.

I'm not a fan of the Masons but I would take issue with your assertion that not many Baptists belong to it. I know quite a few Baptists who are Masons.

 

[Zenas]

I don’t think that the organization is as popular in churches as it once was (but of course, it seems all of these types of these organizations have declined – and most gone the way of the dodo – times are different and we have facebook). I remember as a child most of the church leadership and pastors being masons (these were smaller Baptist churches).

You make a good point here. When I go to Masonic funerals all the participants in the Masonic rite are old. I don't personally know a single Mason who is under 50.

 

[Revmitchell]

A report in the Calvary Contender (1993) reported that 1.3 million masons were Southern Baptist. 14 percent of their pastors and 18 percent of their deacons being masons. (this is also the poll that was used in the Chicago Tribune).

The Indiana Baptist (March 1993) reported approximately 3 million Baptists who were masons.

In my area, most seem to be Church of Christ. But there is a blue lodge that is held at a Methodist Church a town over (ironically, the chaplain of that lodge is a Presbyterian minister).

I don’t think that the organization is as popular in churches as it once was (but of course, it seems all of these types of these organizations have declined – and most gone the way of the dodo – times are different and we have facebook). I remember as a child most of the church leadership and pastors being masons (these were smaller Baptist churches).

I remember my father being invited by our church leadership to join the masons, but he declined (this would have been about 30 years ago when we lived North/West of Nashville Tennessee).

If you have to go back 20 years then you do not have a leg to stand on. Much has changed in that time. You will not find many of them today.

 

[Revmitchell]

I'm not a fan of the Masons but I would take issue with your assertion that not many Baptists belong to it. I know quite a few Baptists who are Masons.

Uh huh...................

 

[JonC]

I started a project in college about Freemasonry. I had to change topics because it was deemed not to meet the definition of a “religion” (did one on the Catholic church instead). But the information/misinformation out there sparked my interest.

So I joined, achieved the highest degree (3rd degree), completed the York Rite, Scottish Rite (32nd degree), and served over the lodge. I found that they are not the “boogyman.” For the most part they have business meetings, degrees (mini plays for initiation), eat bologna sandwiches and drink coffee. Since they can’t discuss religion or politics, the meetings are normally short and not necessarily my cup of tea. But there are a lot of good people there.

Star of David is the seal of Solomon (he was Jewish – go figure), who’s a character in the first three degrees. Eastern Star, of course, is supposed to be the star (pointing down) that guided the magi to Bethlehem with the five points pointing to different character lessons (Jephthah’s daughter – faithfulness, Ruth - fidelity, the elect lady of 2 John – piety and charity, blah..blah..blah…).

Skull and crossbones – mortality of man (which is interesting to me because I had asked why skulls were used so much in the old cemeteries and churches when I was in Germany and that was the answer I received – those darn Germans)… and so it goes on and on.

In short, freemasonry may not be nearly as interesting as the anti-mason’s would hope. Their “rituals” may appear juvenile, but probably not as juvenile as those who would object.

For the record, I’m still a Mason as I have not demitted the fraternity although I haven’t attended a meeting in over a decade. If you have any questions I’d be happy to reply – but if you’re looking for satanic practices you’ll only come away with thinking I’m a liar or indoctrinated in its cultic cloud of deception.

 

[Revmitchell]

I started a project in college about Freemasonry. I had to change topics because it was deemed not to meet the definition of a “religion” (did one on the Catholic church instead). But the information/misinformation out there sparked my interest.

So I joined, achieved the highest degree (3rd degree), completed the York Rite, Scottish Rite (32nd degree), and served over the lodge. I found that they are not the “boogyman.” For the most part they have business meetings, degrees (mini plays for initiation), eat bologna sandwiches and drink coffee. Since they can’t discuss religion or politics, the meetings are normally short and not necessarily my cup of tea. But there are a lot of good people there.

Star of David is the seal of Solomon (he was Jewish – go figure), who’s a character in the first three degrees. Eastern Star, of course, is supposed to be the star (pointing down) that guided the magi to Bethlehem with the five points pointing to different character lessons (Jephthah’s daughter – faithfulness, Ruth - fidelity, the elect lady of 2 John – piety and charity, blah..blah..blah…).

Skull and crossbones – mortality of man (which is interesting to me because I had asked why skulls were used so much in the old cemeteries and churches when I was in Germany and that was the answer I received – those darn Germans)… and so it goes on and on.

In short, freemasonry may not be nearly as interesting as the anti-mason’s would hope. Their “rituals” may appear juvenile, but probably not as juvenile as those who would object.

For the record, I’m still a Mason as I have not demitted the fraternity although I haven’t attended a meeting in over a decade. If you have any questions I’d be happy to reply – but if you’re looking for satanic practices you’ll only come away with thinking I’m a liar or indoctrinated in its cultic cloud of deception.

Yea, we will all have a heart attack and die of not surprised.

 

[JonC]

If you have to go back 20 years then you do not have a leg to stand on. Much has changed in that time. You will not find many of them today.

I don’t mind thinking about 1993, but I’d prefer not to be reminded that that was 20 years ago – makes me feel old.

I don’t know if any surveys have been done since it is no longer a “big issue” with the SBC (1993). From what I see in my area, it is still primarily composed of church leaders, members, and a few pastors. Not so much with the new, younger crowd – but they are few.

In other words, it is mostly composed of the same members that it was in ancient times (20 yrs ago) minus those who have passed. The fraternity (like all others that benefited from the “fraternal age”) is literally dying out.

 

[Revmitchell]

Actually what has happened over the last 20 years is the problem of freemasonry in the church has been exposed more than ever and it has become unacceptable. Especially in church leadership.

 

[JonC]

Yea, we will all have a heart attack and die of not surprised.

That I did a project on the Catholic church? We had to pick a religion that was "foreign" to our experience. Didn't make much sense because I was working on a business degree at the time (but I did find out why they lit those candles).

 

[JonC]

Actually what has happened over the last 20 years is the problem of freemasonry in the church has been exposed more than ever and it has become unacceptable. Especially in church leadership.

What exactly has been exposed in freemasonry over the last 20 years?

 

[Revmitchell]

What exactly has been exposed in freemasonry over the last 20 years?

Well most folks did not know that members of the church were even in it at all. It just was not really discussed. The oath in free masonry is a huge problem. That alone is enough not to do it. You claim it is not a religion but others who came out of it claim it is. You claim it is benign but others who came out of it claim otherwise.

 

[BobRyan]

A report in the Calvary Contender (1993) reported that 1.3 million masons were Southern Baptist. 14 percent of their pastors and 18 percent of their deacons being masons. (this is also the poll that was used in the Chicago Tribune).

The Indiana Baptist (March 1993) reported approximately 3 million Baptists who were masons.

.

Yikes! That is a scary thought.

 

[JonC]

Well most folks did not know that members of the church were even in it at all. It just was not really discussed. The oath in free masonry is a huge problem. That alone is enough not to do it. You claim it is not a religion but others who came out of it claim it is. You claim it is benign but others who came out of it claim otherwise.

No, I mean, what exactly has been exposed in freemasonry over the last 20 years?

The people wore rings, pins, (we had one that had a masonic grandfather clock in his living room). They attended church (the York rite) as a group with those silly aprons on once a year, sold newspapers no one read, and wore crazy red hats in the parades. They were not really difficult to miss.
The oath and rituals were never secret – they have often been exposed, for hundreds of years.

For me it was not a religion - but to be honest I joined to see what it was about. I wouldn't have wasted the time now - but when I was younger I had more time to waste. It could very well be a religion to some (that is a danger of the fraternity - it mimics religion in its operation).

 

[JonC]

Most of what has happened in the last 20 years with the Masons has less to do with exposure and more to do with culture. First, we are not a society that lends itself to fraternity. We are often comprised of a society of individuals who live in their own individual truth. But second, and more importantly, we are a culture where individuals choose what to believe. We are bombarded with information (some true, some not so true). In our culture people seem have the right to believe what they choose AND that truth is true (at least it’s their truth).

I do not feel any attachment to the fraternity, so the charge that Masons worship the pentagram - we call ‘em five pointers - doesn’t bother me. But I think that there is damage done when Christians go beyond accuracy. One, it is lazy. Two, it is our brothers that are being slandered.

I can read. I have read all about the Satanic Masons, the Devil worshipping Boy Scouts of America (founded by a mason and organized in that fashion), how Baptist really follow John Smyth, Methodists follow Wesley, and Calvinists worship John Calvin. I just didn’t drink the cool-aide.

 

[BobRyan]

Ok so some say they know of many - others not.

I guess we have to go with whoever did the last actual survey.

in Christ,

Bob