Despite the Church's clear rejection of Freemasonry, Catholics are falsely told that they can join the Lodge without compromising their faith. The evidence shows that Freemasonry is itself a religion, although Masons will deny that this is so. The
"New Catholic Encyclopedia" states that "Freemasonry displays all the elements of religion, and as such it becomes a rival to the religion of the Gospel. It includes temples and altars, prayers, a moral code, worship, vestments, feast days, the promise of reward and punishment in the afterlife, a hierarchy, and initiative and burial rites" (vol. 6, page 137).
In support of their position, Masons claim that they are forbidden to even discuss religion. One might be inclined to believe that such a rule exists for the sake of keeping religion out of the Lodge. But it actually serves to keep Masons from challenging the unorthodox teachings of Freemasonry. Much of what is taught to Masons is of a religious nature. One could only challenge it from a religious standpoint. But Masons are not allowed to discuss their religion. As a result, new teachings are not questioned. When people are exposed to an ideology long enough there is an unconscious tendency to accept it. When this happens in a close knit society, like that of the Lodge, the rate of acceptance is even higher.
Masonic authorities, such as Albert Mackey, Albert Pike and Henry Coil, all confirm the fact that Freemasonry is a religion.
In Albert G. Mackey's
"Encyclopedia of Freemasonry," you will find the following:"
The religion of Masonry is cosmopolitan, universal
" (volume 1, page 301).
Henry Wilson Coil writes: "Many Freemasons make this flight [to heaven] with no other guarantee of a safe landing than their belief in
the religion of Freemasonry" (
A Comprehensive View of Freemasonry page 186).
"Morals and Dogma" has been called "the most profound Masonic work written in the United States." Within its pages Albert Pike proclaims:
"Every Masonic Lodge is a temple of religion and its teachings are instructions in religion" (page 213). And,
"Masonry
is the universal, eternal, immutable religion" (page 219).
From:
http://www.staycatholic.com/freemasons.htm
Also:
Albert Pike writes: "If our conceptions of God are those of the
ignorant, narrow minded, and vindictive Israelite
we feel that it is an affront and an indignity to [God]" (
Morals and Dogma page 223).
Coil refers to
the biblical God as
"a partisan tribal God" and implies that such a God-concept is
far inferior to the "God of Masonry" (
Coils Masonic Encyclopedia page 516).
