What is a free mason?? /need advice?

[Plan 9]

Because I am not Southern Baptism anymore. The Holy Catholic Church also did a study and concluded:

"Therefore the Church's negative judgment in regard to Masonic association remains unchanged since their principles have always been considered irreconcilable with the doctrine of the Church and therefore membership in them remains forbidden. The faithful who enroll in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion."

I find that amusing since the early Masons were all Roman Catholic and many were Crusaders. The Roman Catholic Church found their principles so irreconcilable that colluded with State Governments to kill every Knights Templar they could find; it's one of the darkest chapters in the history of Christianity. Tell everyone what the Knights Templar were accused of doing when they got home and after serving their Church to be arrested, tried and murdered.

This is why the Masons were a Secret Society for so long.

 

[kdet]

Is it possible that the doctrin Masons follow could be made apparent within the top degree that the principle of the teachings is in fact Lucifer?

This is my concern about freemasonry.

No, I don't see how that could be possible.

 

[billmcelligott]

Then you know that Masonry is incompatible with Christianity.

• Masonry approves of unlawful swearing - the taking of God's name in vain Never
• Masonry claims the Bible is a 'symbol' - it contadicts the Nicene Creed. Never
• God said 'I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place' (Is 45:19)
• Jesus said 'In secret, I have said nothing' (Jn 18:20)
• Masonry involves worship in masonic temples. This is not Christian worship. Secret masonic rituals are not worship in the name of Jesus. Correct the prayers are designed to include all members not just Christians.

Masonic oaths:

• Are extra-judicial, hence contrary to the revealed Will of God Never
• Make men swear to hidden things (check out Lev 5:4-5)
• Bind men to mutilate their bodies Never
• Bind men to partiality. Partiality is sin (Ja 2:4) Never
• Bind men to sanction self-destruction and murder. Both are condemned in the word of God (1 Jn 3 - No murderer has eternal life abiding in him) Never
• Bind men to hurt, persecute and slander those who leave the lodges. Persecution is not Christian (Matt 5 - 7) Never
• Require men to deceive and lie. '...always to hail, ever to conceal, never to reveal' Can a good Christian always conceal the truth? There is no mention of concealing the truth in a Masonic oath.
• Bind men to protect lodge criminals Never

Karen



You have the basics but th blanks have been filled in by , speculation . Each degree in Masonry is sworn on the king James Bible. If you are Muslim the Koran. If Jewish the Torah. There are Isreali Lodges where Jews , Arabs and Gentile sit in Lodge where all three are open.



There is no teaching of any other God than the God of your own Faith.



There is a very long explanation of the word Jahbulon. Surfice it to say this word is not used in Gnited Grand Chapter of England. It remains in some other newer Chapters, but it does not mean Satan.



Emmajane



I can only refer you to my previous post.



I am a past Master of Royal Arch , there is no pledge to Satan only God . The God of the old testament.



Ex Masons, there is a group started about 15 years ago Ex Masons for Jesus. They have I think Three members more now than they did then.



Why does the word of God have to be replaced, you may say I trust the word of my Dad because he is a good man and does not tell lies. But that would not replace your faith in God. Masonry tells you to be guided by the divine precepts of the Holy Bible.



Well I am a member and I am speaking of it.



Sweetkitty



Has it about right.



Plan 9



Selling books on the evils of Masonry, Catholics and Harry Potter is very big business.



You have picked up on the Knights Templar history. This is where the politics between the Catholic Church and the original Templars Started. The Templars being the warrior Monks of the Catholic Church. They became far to powerful, they were scourged. Around 1100’s



Correct, if you examine the World War 2 archives in the US. You will find tens of Thousands of Masons put to death by the Nazi Regime.



It was illegal to be a Mason in the USSR. Masonry is now flourishing in some of the Eastern Block. It is still suppressed in some.



Martinluther



I would say it has no obligation to be compatible with Christianity. It is an international society to embrace all colors all creeds. My argument is that you can be a Christian and a Mason.



Thadeus



You are welcome to look into my heart at any time. We hear a lot about the 33rd degree. Now I don’t want to go into the ritual or who does what to who. But leats just look at common sense.



Anyone can be misled, even Christains who believe they are above such temptations. Generally all I see in Masonry is people caring about each other and funding some giant Charitable works.

We have this Christian raised young man. He joins the Masons. He makes a life for himself , his wife and eventually his kids. His children get Married have kids he si now a Grandfather, loves his wife his kids his Grandchildren. Goes through all the degrees in Masonry. He is asked to be a 33rd degree Mason.



He gets to the Lodge meeting, he is then told , Oh by the way we know you have been a Christian all your life, raised a family of Christians, you’re a Church deacon. But from now on you have to worship Satan, is that OK with you. You give me the answer??????



I agree my personal opinion is the less secrecy the better. It is better now than say five years ago. You can surf the net and get every piece of the Masonic puzzle if you wish to look..



If you wish to join Freemasonry you can attend any meeting you wish. There is no bar to joining. Freemasonry is a Sociaety with secrets , not a secret Society.



Well Thadeus you cant have it both ways , you say lets have all the information on Masonry then we say well Masonry is the 12th largest donator to Charity in the UK. You then say, well you cant prove your worth by saying you do good works. ?



Donny



That is your choice . To stay away. However if you met me . How would you know, its not tattooed on my forehead.



Like the Bible Donny Lucifer does not appear in Masonry.







Well this has been a very active topic I am gald to see some people interested in Masonry. I hope I have shown some answers. I am happy to provide proof of everthing I say but it gets even more lengthy if I do.

If you want any more answers I am always available,

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

I'm bowing out of this debate, we are only going in circles. I guess every Protestant Church teaches something different (Sola Scriptura ), however for all Catholic reading this. It is the teaching of our Church, that we are not to belong to ANY kind of Masonic group.

For Catholic men, there is of course there are the Knights of Columbus: http://www.kofc.org

 

[Plan 9]

First of all I am sorry that you were hurt.

The Bible teaches us that all who claim Christ won't be saved and since I can't look into the hearts of man it was worded that way, but you are steadfast and for the record I truely believe you are saved. As a Christian I am grateful when others ask my about faith because it's good to be a witness for Christ.

As a Christian, I'm grateful when non-Christians ask about my faith because it is good to be a witness for Christ.
I have no reason to be grateful when Christians interrogate me about my faith, assuming I'm not one until I answer all their questions to their satisfaction.
I'm fifty, shy, admittedly old-fashioned and come from a state with Southern standards of politeness and this constant proving of myself to my brothers and sisters got old a long time ago; thirty-two years ago, to be exact.

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

...You have the basics but th blanks have been filled in by , speculation . Each degree in Masonry is sworn on the king James Bible. If you are Muslim the Koran. If Jewish the Torah. There are Isreali Lodges where Jews , Arabs and Gentile sit in Lodge where all three are open...

This is what we would call the sin of indifferentism.

 

[billmcelligott]

jeffrey

i thought I was doing a good job ,

I am wounded.

 

[Plan 9]

I'm bowing out of this debate, we are only going in circles. I guess every Protestant Church teaches something different (Sola Scriptura ), however for all Catholic reading this. It is the teaching of our Church, that we are not to belong to ANY kind of Masonic group.

For Catholic men, there is of course there are the Knights of Columbus:

http://www.kofc.org


Ah, Jeffrey, you spoilsport. I wanted you to tell the story of the death of all those Knights Templars from your enlightened perspective.

Btw, one of my Mason cousins owns a business together with a member in good standing of the Knights of Columbus, yet he still can take communion and everything. His priest must be slipping up?

 

[Plan 9]

jeffrey

i thought I was doing a good job ,

I am wounded.

Don't feel badly; it's probably my fault.

 

[Plan 9]

Karen



You have the basics but th blanks have been filled in by , speculation . Each degree in Masonry is sworn on the king James Bible. If you are Muslim the Koran. If Jewish the Torah. There are Isreali Lodges where Jews , Arabs and Gentile sit in Lodge where all three are open.



There is no teaching of any other God than the God of your own Faith.



There is a very long explanation of the word Jahbulon. Surfice it to say this word is not used in Gnited Grand Chapter of England. It remains in some other newer Chapters, but it does not mean Satan.



Emmajane



I can only refer you to my previous post.



I am a past Master of Royal Arch , there is no pledge to Satan only God . The God of the old testament.



Ex Masons, there is a group started about 15 years ago Ex Masons for Jesus. They have I think Three members more now than they did then.



Why does the word of God have to be replaced, you may say I trust the word of my Dad because he is a good man and does not tell lies. But that would not replace your faith in God. Masonry tells you to be guided by the divine precepts of the Holy Bible.



Well I am a member and I am speaking of it.



Sweetkitty



Has it about right.



Plan 9



Selling books on the evils of Masonry, Catholics and Harry Potter is very big business.



You have picked up on the Knights Templar history. This is where the politics between the Catholic Church and the original Templars Started. The Templars being the warrior Monks of the Catholic Church. They became far to powerful, they were scourged. Around 1100’s



Correct, if you examine the World War 2 archives in the US. You will find tens of Thousands of Masons put to death by the Nazi Regime.



It was illegal to be a Mason in the USSR. Masonry is now flourishing in some of the Eastern Block. It is still suppressed in some.



Martinluther



I would say it has no obligation to be compatible with Christianity. It is an international society to embrace all colors all creeds. My argument is that you can be a Christian and a Mason.



Thadeus



You are welcome to look into my heart at any time. We hear a lot about the 33rd degree. Now I don’t want to go into the ritual or who does what to who. But leats just look at common sense.



Anyone can be misled, even Christains who believe they are above such temptations. Generally all I see in Masonry is people caring about each other and funding some giant Charitable works.

We have this Christian raised young man. He joins the Masons. He makes a life for himself , his wife and eventually his kids. His children get Married have kids he si now a Grandfather, loves his wife his kids his Grandchildren. Goes through all the degrees in Masonry. He is asked to be a 33rd degree Mason.



He gets to the Lodge meeting, he is then told , Oh by the way we know you have been a Christian all your life, raised a family of Christians, you’re a Church deacon. But from now on you have to worship Satan, is that OK with you. You give me the answer??????



I agree my personal opinion is the less secrecy the better. It is better now than say five years ago. You can surf the net and get every piece of the Masonic puzzle if you wish to look..



If you wish to join Freemasonry you can attend any meeting you wish. There is no bar to joining. Freemasonry is a Sociaety with secrets , not a secret Society.



Well Thadeus you cant have it both ways , you say lets have all the information on Masonry then we say well Masonry is the 12th largest donator to Charity in the UK. You then say, well you cant prove your worth by saying you do good works. ?



Donny



That is your choice . To stay away. However if you met me . How would you know, its not tattooed on my forehead.



Like the Bible Donny Lucifer does not appear in Masonry.







Well this has been a very active topic I am gald to see some people interested in Masonry. I hope I have shown some answers. I am happy to provide proof of everthing I say but it gets even more lengthy if I do.

If you want any more answers I am always available,

I have enjoyed you posts very much. Thank you.

 

[Thaddeus]

Well Thadeus you cant have it both ways , you say lets have all the information on Masonry then we say well Masonry is the 12th largest donator to Charity in the UK. You then say, well you cant prove your worth by saying you do good works. ?

Titus 3:5
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

I believe some doctrines teach that if you do good things you go to heaven. The Bible contradicts this approach, not me.

I have certain suspicions about freemasonry and now I'm attempting to understand a mason's perspective. It's hard with all the different degrees and lodges. When I talk to Plan 9 I feel a sense of relief, but how much of the craft is within the upper degrees and/or different lodges/sects.

Former Masons say one thing, current Masons sworn to secrecy say another. I would think the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

 

[Plan 9]

When one of my cousins pointed out that I could now join OES because my grandfather was a Mason, I first researched Masonic history and then went to my elderly aunt and asked her to fill me in on modern OEC and Masonic basics. The first thing she told me was:

"Masonry used to be a secret Society, but now they're a Society with secrets."

Sound familiar, billmcelligott?

 

[Thaddeus]

As a Christian, I'm grateful when non-Christians ask about my faith because it is good to be a witness for Christ..

I'm grateful when anyone asks me, whether they be Christians or otherwise. Just a diference of opinion. I've told you why I asked that way, because I believe there is a confusion of what the LIGHT is to some masons.

 

[Thaddeus]

I wish that you would think of it as me satisfying in my mind that you are ineed a Christian that I could have faith in what you were telling me about masonry. In a previous post I said I had a sense of relief about you thus more open to what you were saying.

Other Masons answered my questions, but it was you whom I was seeking an answer from because I can see that you are a Christian. Now I don't want to pry into anyone elses personal christian life to know if they are Christians when they talk about Masonry.

I won't ask anything else of you because I don't want you to be hurt.

I guess I'll start over on some other thread and pray I find someone less sensitive.

 

[Plan 9]

I have certain suspicions about freemasonry and now I'm attempting to understand a mason's perspective. It's hard with all the different degrees and lodges. When I talk to Plan 9 I feel a sense of relief, but how much of the craft is within the upper degrees and/or different lodges/sects.

My uncle was Blue Lodge and he rose high enough to quit in disgust if anything had contradicted his conservative Christian beliefs. He was a farmer.

Former Masons say one thing, current Masons sworn to secrecy say another. I would think the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

Attend some Masonic meetings, if you want. You'll have to call a lodge or get in contact with a Mason in some other way to find out when the meetings are held, though. Masons are not not allowed to recuit members, according to the pamplets I have read, so I don't think they can really invite you until you first express interest. You can find out a great deal on your own.
My understanding is that the man who wrote the book I recommended was given free access to every book in the the US's largest Freemasonry library. As I mentioned before, he wasn't a Mason.

As far as my "oath " goes, it doesn't cover a great deal. I could type out the entire OES funeral service here, for instance. You can also find Masonic and OES handbooks in second hand bookstores which are properous enough to buy books from estate sales.
OES business meetings are private, but they'd probably bore you to tears.

 

[Plan 9]

I wish that you would think of it as me satisfying in my mind that you are ineed a Christian that I could have faith in what you were telling me about masonry. In a previous post I said I had a sense of relief about you thus more open to what you were saying.

Other Masons answered my questions, but it was you whom I was seeking an answer from because I can see that you are a Christian. Now I don't want to pry into anyone elses personal christian life to know if they are Christians when they talk about Masonry.

I won't ask anything else of you because I don't want you to be hurt.

I guess I'll start over on some other thread and pray I find someone less sensitive.

Hey, I'm sorry, Thaddeus. I didn't understand that. If we had been talking face-to-face I would have known better. Please forgive me.

 

[Plan 9]

I'm grateful when anyone asks me, whether they be Christians or otherwise. Just a diference of opinion. I've told you why I asked that way, because I believe there is a confusion of what the LIGHT is to some masons.

I understand now. Again, I'm sorry.

I belong to a tiny chapter in a small town in Missouri, but OES members from even smaller towns gather there and Masons belong to OES, too ; they make up about half of the membership of my Chapter, which is the Mizpah Chapter. (Please note the name.) This area is no hotbed of athiesm, believe me. Although we aren't to ask, I have the impression that my chapter is composed mostly of Southern Baptists and Methodists, much like my own family is.

 

[Thaddeus]

Thank you.

It's not really my intent to join any lodge. I just wanted to know what I might say to others who think about joining masons.

I can say because of you, plan 9, I leave this feeling it's not as evil as I thought prior to discussing some of these issues.

I really would have liked to talked to your uncle personaly.

 

[Thaddeus]

I'm in Kansas CIty

 

[yen]

Just wanted to throw in that my grandmother is a member of OES, and I have never seen nor heard about anything Satanic. She is a Christian all the way, and would never be a part of something that goes against it.