Masonry It Really Is A Religion

If a Christian really believed and obeyed Christ's teaching, ". . . Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. . . ." Then, such a Christian could never ever join a Masonic order, do to their required oaths.

[James 5:12; Deuteronomy 23:22.]

 

It has been my observation that while the Free Masons have many good works many talk the talk but don't walk the walk.

Many are no doubt Christians but then again many IMO are "tares" who have infiltrated the Church and are of the following:

2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

They know nothing of the conviction and forgiveness of sins for themselves and deny it as a reality for others.

Matthew 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

Matthew 7
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

I agree with Forever Settled (actually not just SB Masons but all Christians).

]If you are able.

 

A book entitled The Everything Freemasons Book maintained that "depending on the theory, it is said that [William] Schaw was the founding father of modern Freemasonry" (p. 29).

This book asserted that "King James VI of Scotland, who would eventually become King James I of England, appointed William Schaw as Master of the Work and Warden General in 1583" (pp. 28-29).

 

Masonry teaches that it has secret occultic knowledge of God, and that by observing their rituals can be prepared for heaven!

 

There is a great deal of "myth" and "legend" in Freemasonry.

Though I am not nor have I ever been a Mason.

However my stepfather was and came from an old Mason antebellum family of Alabama.

I heard many things discussed which probably were technically wrong for me to hear.

My stepfather adopted me and gave me his name and I became a Lewis (son of a Mason) with the full expectation that I would follow the family tradition. Not much was kept from me although again I should have gone "up the ladder".

I did not join the Brotherhood but just saying Masons (at least Dixiecrat Masons) believe some WILD and CRAZY things far removed from Christianity (though many in my stepdad's family were born again).
Even later in life because of my personal connections and my adopted family name I possessed Lewis privilege.

They are an enigma, they are great humanitarians with some marvelous charitable works but many have the morals of an alley cat or are dishonest and even criminals which Masonry even applauds (certain white collar crime is fine).

 

This book did not actually claim that King James was a mason.

The authors do appeal to what may be historical records or sources as to why William Schaw is claimed to be the "founding father of Freemasonry."

The Everything Freemasons Books maintained that Schaw "issued the first of his Schaw Statutes in 1598" (p. 29). This source noted: "In 1599, Schaw created a second statute, the significance of which lies in reference to stonemasonry and the existence of esoteric, or secret, knowledge. The statute also makes reference to the Mother Lodge of Scotland, Lodge Mother Kilwinning, No. 0, which was supposedly active at that time" (p. 29).

 

Sounds almost Gnostic.

 

Sadly, many Baptists seem have no clue about this!

9Mark Dever and his followers all aTwitter about a pretty stained glass window at his church, Capitol Hill Baptist in Washington DC:

Twitter • Mark Dever

It's so obviously a Masonic symbol, yet they were saying Bible verses they thought it was illustrating!

 

Why is it so obviously a Masonic symbol? Can you document and show that it actually is?

Can you prove that no one else or no other group could have ever used this symbol?

Do you attempt to use the guilt by association fallacy against this church?

Would you claim that someone could not paint or copy a symbol that they can seen or take one concept from a symbol that they had seen to combine with another concept without knowing its supposed source or sources?

 

I also am not nor have I ever been a Mason. I know of no Masons in my family.

According to this one book by two non-Masons who studied them, there also may sometimes be a great deal of "myth" and "legend" in some of the accusations against Masons.

The authors of The Everything Freemans Book claimed: "Masonry is not a religion and it doesn't offer salvation, but its members do have faith. One of the overriding rules of the Craft is that the brethren may never discuss religion or politics in a lodge" (p. 7).

This book claimed: "One of the biggest misconceptions about Freemasonry is that it is a religion" (p. 144).

This book claimed: "For starters, the organization has no dogma or central theology, and members are free to practice any religion to which they subscribe" (p. 144).

 

Sigh.

Masonic service at Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington, D.C., :

Washington Post, May 22, 1914, p. 4

"More than 600 Knights Templar, in full uniform, attended the annual Ascension day service....The pews in the large auditorium of the church were occupied by the sir knights and the standing room space and the galleries were occupied by members of the congregation and others."

"The service was conducted by the Rev. Dr. John Compton Ball, pastor, assisted by the prelates of the commanderies. Following the first hymn, the knights drew their swords and presented them, hilts up, as a token of fealty to the Redeemer."

 

Are you trying to attack the present congregation for something over 100 years ago?

 

Freemasons for Dummies • Masonic Symbols • Winged Hourglass w/ Scythe

 

Why not document the claim in the post which first mentioned it?

It would not be so obviously a Masonic symbol to everyone who is not a Mason or who is not a former Mason or who does not study Masons. Masons have adopted symbols from others.

The Everything Freemasons Books claimed the following to be a fact:
"An unfinished pyramid combined with the all-seeing eye is an American symbol, one specifically related to the United States Seal. It had, in fact, been adopted by Congress for use fourteen years before the Brotherhood officially added the all-seeing eye to their symbolic repertoire" (p. 239).

 

I do not defend and accept Mason views. Why do you seem to suggest that I should blindly trust Masonic writers?

Perhaps some writers could use the word "religion" with a different meaning than you do since it is not being defined by you or them.

The authors of The Everything Freemans Book claimed: "Masonry is not a religion and it doesn't offer salvation, but its members do have faith. One of the overriding rules of the Craft is that the brethren may never discuss religion or politics in a lodge" (p. 7).

If the members are not supposed to discuss religion at their lodge, how are they supposed to be teaching religion at it?

Your accusation is false and wrong. I am not defending Freemasonry as you incorrectly allege. Your allegation would bear false witness.
Because someone may not accept blindly your opinions does not entitle you to make incorrect allegations.

I properly provide information from a book about Freemasons that is supposed to be objective and non-biased.

 

From my association with my step fathers family I would definitely say it is a religion or at least a quasi-religion.

A lot depends on the religion of the locale which comes into the lodge by osmosis. My step fathers folk were Episcopalian over on the side of its origin - The Church of England - and yes the Knights Templar are a big deal with a lot of secrecy and Masonic urban legend about them.