All right, but I can only respond to one issue at a time. Your point was that other books of sacred writings besides the Bible are (rarely) allowed on the so-called altar.
Now for this additional issue...
What proclamation about doctrine are you referring to?
That's not true.
Okay. That doesn't pose any difficulties for someone wanting to belong to his local Christian church and also to his local Masonic lodge.
Such as?
That's absolutely false.
In other words, you're offering us a quote from John Calvin as a way of proving that Masonry isn't in any way sympatico with in Christianity (?)
As I've said twice before, dozens of other civic organizations, etc. take no stance on the religious beliefs of their members but, guess what? There doesn't seem to be any effort in the churches to ban membership in them on this account.
The issue is false and this proves it to be so.
On what basis do you dismiss testimonies like the one below ???
In 1961, prior to accepting Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, I was approached very subtly and asked: ‘What do you think about Freemasonry?’ My answer demonstrated ignorance on the subject. I mentioned believing that only morally good people and devout Christians belonged to the lodge (an opinion and false concept shared by a large segment of the Church today). I was then indirectly asked to consider joining the Freemasons. The reasons for my deciding to seek membership were based on the mystery, intrigue and secrecy involved, as well as the fact that many in my church, along with the minister, were members of the Freemasons.
Three lodge members visited me to investigate my character. A friendly conversation evolved, including the following questions:
‘Were you ever convicted of a crime?’
‘What church do you attend?’
‘What are your interests?’
‘Are you married or divorced?’
The vote and acceptance for my initiation into the first three degrees of Freemasonry occurred in May, 1961. Six months later, I was asked to become an officer of the lodge.
In 1963, I was petitioned and accepted into the Royal Arch chapter of Masons, Royal and Select Masters or Council, and Knights Templar or Commandery. Shortly thereafter, I joined the Shrine (A.A.O.N.M.S.). Following seven years of progression from one office to another called
chairs, I was installed as Worshipful Master of the lodge. This was done only after completing exhaustive memory work and being examined and elected. My installation as Worshipful Master of a Baltimore lodge took place in January, 1968.
During the process of moving through the various chairs (office to office), God opened my eyes to the deceptions of Freemasonry. An awareness of my own spiritual condition resulted.
One evening following a meeting, the Chaplain closed his prayers with the phrase, ‘in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ’. An objection was given to this closing. Usually a universal quotation from the
Masonic Manual (blue book) is given at the beginning and end of all prayers. I was shocked by this objection. I always thought wherever God is worshipped and reverenced, even in the lodge room, a prayer should never exclude His Son, Jesus Christ.
A second indication of deception surfaced during the year I was installed as Worshipful Master. By appointment, I visited the Grand Lodge of Maryland and requested a Christian flag be placed next to my chair in the lodge room. The Grand Master refused on the grounds that such a flag would offend our Jewish, Moslem, and Hindu members. This incident was very upsetting. My faith in Masonry was fading.
Two years later in October, 1970, God’s conviction was heavy upon me as a sinner. I repented and asked Jesus to forgive me for having rejected Him. That night in my living room I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. This experience, combined with intense Bible study for the next two years, convinced me to renounce Freemasonry and all its branches in May, 1972.
God has since opened many doors of opportunity to witness in churches, on radio and in a seminary, impressing upon believers the dangers of Freemasonry. The foundational doctrine of the Christian faith contrast Freemasonry and its associated teachings, all of which are based upon ancient pagan and satanic rituals. Is it any wonder that some of Christendom’s spiritual giants such as Moody, Finney, Torrey, Barnhouse and Rice have vigorously opposed Freemasonry?
My goal is to inform all Christians of the danger of committing themselves by oath to this satanic cult. ‘Once a Mason, always a Mason’, is the intended result when one obligates himself to Masonry. However, it is important to consider God’s Word, which says: ‘If the Son, therefore, shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed’ (John 8:36).
Freemasonry is one of Satan’s master deceptions. Many ministers, elders, deacons, trustees and Sunday School teachers belong to this cult. There is a tremendous need to scrutinize the cultic nature of Freemasonry in view of its infiltration into the Church and the negative effects which result. It should be exposed to the true light of God’s redeeming Word.
Jack Harris
From: Jack Harris,
Freemasonry: The invisible cult in our midst, Whitaker House, printed in USA 1983, pages 8-11