Question for Pastors

Not I. Was a DeMolay (Junior Mason) as a teen, got saved and could not reconcile the two so quit DeMolay and never joined the Masons.

 

Only kind of "free mason" I'd be comfortable with is a bricklayer who wants to donate his time to build us a new auditorium...

::insert groan here::

 

There is no way I would ever be involved in anti-Christian organization. Our church policy is that no mason can be in any leadership position or teach any Bible classes. We made our stand some 8 years ago, we had 14 families leave, but several families (with masons in them) stayed, their response ranged from the pastor does not understand to the pastor has always taught the Scripture and we trust him to continue in that. We even had one man who was a mason for 46 years leave the lodge, Praise the Lord! I have his apron in my office. The masons that remain know our church policy and my stand against the lodge. I continue to talk to them and pray for their deliverance.

Bro Tony

 

I have not nor would I join any group such as the Free Masons. Neither would I encourage others to join them, There is too much conflict with the word of God. Many are drawn in by the social activities but the higher achy and purpose is all too sinister.

Bro Roy.

 

My father was an active mason, and I believe that became his "church." I would never consider FreeMasonry as an option for a believer, as it is a false religion.

 

I won't join or become involved, although I have had several folks in town do everything but invite me (they're not allowed to invite, apparently). They had a big pancake breakfast (community activity) that several of the local masons invited me to though. I didn't go - politely refused.

 

I would agree with the majority of responses on the board at this time. My dad was a 32d degree Mason, and I joined DeMolay as a teen......Upon becoming a Christian I could not reconcile the two. I agree with CircuitRider that Free Masonry is in fact a religion, and in no way compatible with Christianity.

 

My father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and my wife's family down the same number of generations were all influential Masons. I was a Mason. When I became a Christian, I left the order (1973).

My public pastoral ministry was ended (probably permanently) by a tangle with one influential Mason--and it wasn't even over Masonry--he was merely a reprobate church member who did not like the true revival that had started in our church, nor did he like me preaching against HIS sins (which, by the way, I did not know at the time were HIS). The last twelve weeks I was there, our baptistry was in use 10 of them--then I was gone overnight!

Since that time, (Aug 2000) the Masons have spiked every opportunity for pastoral ministry. I have worked as a public school teacher, and have done some preaching, but other than in my home church, I have gotten VERY few calls inside my home county. There have been several churches who were very interested in me as a pastor--all in adjoining counties; in each case, I had the enthusiastic personal indorsement of three of the leading Baptist figures in our region; each time, after I'd preached there a few times, the church and committee were enthusiastic; each time, calls between "brother Masons" took place which succeeded in eliminating me as a candidate. The last time, over a year ago, the committee told me on a Sunday night that I would be recommended to the church on Wednesday. On Tuesday night, they called to inform me that the whole thing was off. I had warned the committee chairperson, but he had not been aware of influential Masons in membership. Two phone calls that Monday ended my changes at that church. Since then, I have not candidated, nor have I been invited to preach at any church around here looking for a pastor.

There are Masons in every single church in our region, and in many churches they are in leadership.

 

I hate to sound ignorant but guess I am. What is a "Freemason"?

 

A member of the Free and Accepted Masons, a fraternal organization whose secret rituals are based around the Bible. This organization was fathered by the Scottish political philosopher John Locke, Most of our founding fathers, and over half our presidents have been members, the latest being Harry Truman. The Masonic Lodge is a very controversial subject among Southern Baptists.

 

I once had a good friend who was a 32nd. degree Mason. I tried to question him about what they believe, but he could not give me any answers except to keep reassuring me that it was a Christian organization. I told him that a "Christian" organization would never be so secretive and, in fact, nothing about Christianity is to be kept secret. We are supposed to tell the world about Christ, not keep it locked up in a Masonic Lodge. I had read that they swear allegiance to God but it can be any God they choose. He said most swore allegiance to the God of the Bible but they didn't have to. That also told me that it was not a Christian organization although they do a lot of good things in the community.
I don't believe there are any masons in our church. Our pastor would never stand for it.

 

Freemasonry is not a Christian Organization it is open to anyone who believe themselves to be accountable to a Higher Being for the purpose of accountablity. The Knights Templar a part of Freemasonry is a Christian Organization. As far as Christian Organization being secretive I would ask you about Christians in China who meet in secret and have church in basements to be safe. for the same reason Freemasons have kept up this Tradition because of the trails they went thru during middle ages. And Christ is not locked up in Masonic Lodge its Christian Members can share Christ.