J
JMJ_coder
Guest
Prove it! I know that the Shriner’s Hospital does philanthropic work - but I strongly doubt that they are the “largest” philanthropy in the world (or even the USA).
- Status
I
InstaurareOmnia
Guest
Brothers In Christ.
I know and respect members of the Masonic Order but I regret that too much about the Craft is contrary to the teaching of Christ. I acknowledge their charitable works, but as a Christian cannot accept key aspects of their philosophy:
Wherefore God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow … And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phil 2:9-11).
From Mackey’s “Masonic Ritualist”
"CHARGE TO BE READ AT OPENING THE LODGE
Wherefore, brethren, lay aside all malice, and guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings. If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious, to whom coming as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious; ye also as living stones, be ye built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up sacrifices acceptable to God .… (The passages of Scripture here selected are peculiarly appropriate to this degree. … The passages are taken, with slight but necessary modifications, from the second chapter of the First Epistle of Peter …)"
Dr Mackey says “some slight but necessary modifications” have been made in these Scriptures. What are they? If you read 1 Peter 2:5 it says:
“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up as a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up, spiritual sacrifices, **acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” **
Mackey’s modification is to erase the name of Christ !
"**That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him **(John 5:23).
That Freemasonry is a religion that predates all others….
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God … And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:1, 14).
“**Before Abraham was, I Am". **John.8:58
The Masonic candidate is asked:
WHAT DO YOU MOST DESIRE? The answer : “**To walk in the light, to know the Truth, **to live in the glory of an il-lumined world, to ascend the Winding Stair of knowledge, to enter the Court of the Temple of Imagery where the symbols of God hallow our mortal life.”
Jesus said to him, “**I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” **(John 14:6)
These for me are enough to urge that Freemasonry accepts Christ, or else, regrettably for them, Christians have no place in that Order.
In Hoc Signo Vinces !
I know and respect members of the Masonic Order but I regret that too much about the Craft is contrary to the teaching of Christ. I acknowledge their charitable works, but as a Christian cannot accept key aspects of their philosophy:
Wherefore God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow … And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phil 2:9-11).
From Mackey’s “Masonic Ritualist”
"CHARGE TO BE READ AT OPENING THE LODGE
Wherefore, brethren, lay aside all malice, and guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings. If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious, to whom coming as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious; ye also as living stones, be ye built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up sacrifices acceptable to God .… (The passages of Scripture here selected are peculiarly appropriate to this degree. … The passages are taken, with slight but necessary modifications, from the second chapter of the First Epistle of Peter …)"
Dr Mackey says “some slight but necessary modifications” have been made in these Scriptures. What are they? If you read 1 Peter 2:5 it says:
“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up as a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up, spiritual sacrifices, **acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” **
Mackey’s modification is to erase the name of Christ !
"**That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him **(John 5:23).
That Freemasonry is a religion that predates all others….
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God … And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:1, 14).
“**Before Abraham was, I Am". **John.8:58
The Masonic candidate is asked:
WHAT DO YOU MOST DESIRE? The answer : “**To walk in the light, to know the Truth, **to live in the glory of an il-lumined world, to ascend the Winding Stair of knowledge, to enter the Court of the Temple of Imagery where the symbols of God hallow our mortal life.”
Jesus said to him, “**I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” **(John 14:6)
These for me are enough to urge that Freemasonry accepts Christ, or else, regrettably for them, Christians have no place in that Order.
In Hoc Signo Vinces !
H
Hugh_Betcha
Guest
OK I’m sorry but I really don’t get why this thread has taken 31 pages so far.
To me, it’s as simple as this:
The Catholic Church does not allow you to be Catholic and a Mason. Period.
You also can’t be pro-abortion and be Catholic.
You can’t be a Catholic athiest.
Why is this so hard? If you don’t agree, don’t be Catholic!
The Catholic Church is not Mc Religion. You don’t get to pick and choose what you like and what you don’t (like you would at McDonald’s). It’s an all or nothing deal. The Catholic Church spells out, in black and white, what the Church believes. You don’t get to omit the parts you don’t like and keep the parts you do.
It’s when you try to circumvent what the Church teaches (and try to cram what you believe, rather than the Church) that we have problems.
The Church spells out exactly what you can and cannot do. Masonry for Catholics is a no-no. Period. Stop trying to force a square peg in a round hole. It’s not subject to interpretation, it’s not negotiable. You cannot be Catholic and a Mason.
To me, it’s as simple as this:
The Catholic Church does not allow you to be Catholic and a Mason. Period.
You also can’t be pro-abortion and be Catholic.
You can’t be a Catholic athiest.
Why is this so hard? If you don’t agree, don’t be Catholic!
The Catholic Church is not Mc Religion. You don’t get to pick and choose what you like and what you don’t (like you would at McDonald’s). It’s an all or nothing deal. The Catholic Church spells out, in black and white, what the Church believes. You don’t get to omit the parts you don’t like and keep the parts you do.
It’s when you try to circumvent what the Church teaches (and try to cram what you believe, rather than the Church) that we have problems.
The Church spells out exactly what you can and cannot do. Masonry for Catholics is a no-no. Period. Stop trying to force a square peg in a round hole. It’s not subject to interpretation, it’s not negotiable. You cannot be Catholic and a Mason.
G
Georgia
Guest
This thread goes far because people hope to arrive at the truth. There are some issues that continue to leave me an obligation to help. First, there are many publications purporting to be Masonic, but they are either unknown in practice or are simply products of another era when people tried to attach the esoteric to the ordinary. Mackey’s may be an example of both.
As I pointed out earlier, I was worshipful master of a lodge, held the 32 degree in the Scottish Rite, and attended meetings of the grand lodge of my state. I have never once in my life seen a copy of Mackey’s. When people quote those things, I know they are trying to understand what goes on in a lodge, but they are using sources that are not touched by those who participate. The prayers quoted as coming from Mackey’s are totally foreign and strange, from my point of view anyway. There most certainly is no religious teaching or plan of salvation. Again and again, there were cautions that the lodge offered no religious teaching other than the fact members must believe in God.
The idea of a Masonic diety would have been unthinkable to any Mason I ever knew. All were Jewish or Christian, many being quite fervent in their faith practices.
As I pointed out earlier, I was worshipful master of a lodge, held the 32 degree in the Scottish Rite, and attended meetings of the grand lodge of my state. I have never once in my life seen a copy of Mackey’s. When people quote those things, I know they are trying to understand what goes on in a lodge, but they are using sources that are not touched by those who participate. The prayers quoted as coming from Mackey’s are totally foreign and strange, from my point of view anyway. There most certainly is no religious teaching or plan of salvation. Again and again, there were cautions that the lodge offered no religious teaching other than the fact members must believe in God.
The idea of a Masonic diety would have been unthinkable to any Mason I ever knew. All were Jewish or Christian, many being quite fervent in their faith practices.
R
Roy5
Guest
LEAVE THEM ALONE
Code:
I haven't reviewed all of these postings on the Masons, but many that I have read seem influenced by outdated notions or paranoia. I have never been a Mason and am not interested in Masonry. Actually, it has too much formal ritual for my taste. (Many people feel that way about Catholicism. too.) My father was a Mason and was about an honorable a man as you will find anywhere. I never heard him spiel anything against any religion, and he practiced his own faithfully.
Recently I ordered and read "Why Catholics Cannot Be Masons" by John Salza. It reminds me of the conspiratorial charges leveled against Catholicism over the years. Protestants and many others were quite convinced that the Vatican was determined to rule the world, much as many speak of the Muslim caliphate today. They would quote all sorts of documents from the Middle Ages forward to buttress their argument.
And, frankly, reading CAF leads me to believe that there is a noisy and bigoted faction within Catholicism that would very much like to run the world and redesign it according to their 'pure' Catholic thinking. They would love to control the media and such, and certainly would limit free speech and the rest of it if they could. This attitude emanates from a deeply-rooted conviction their religion alone has the truth and everyone else should conform to that truth. That led to the slaughter of countless 'heretics' when the church was in control in medieval Europe. How many thousands of 'witches' were burned at the stake back then? Some Protestant zealots followed the same evil course. Fortunately, Protestants were sufficiently divided to provide for a separation of church and state in our beloved nation.
Why don't we leave the Masons alone? The ill-informed charges against them I read here are ridiculous. They do great work and save many lives of children and others. In this area they work together with the K of C. I suspect that many Masons will get to heaven before some pious, ranting Catholic bigots who twist the Christian demand for love into a clarion call to hate.
M
Monica4316
Guest
the Church does not allow Catholics to be freemasons. It’s forbidden…
When Pope Benedict was Cardinal, he even wrote a document saying that any Catholic who’s a freemason can’t take Communion.
I don’t know what they do there, but one thing is for certain, and it’s that many of their teachings go against Catholicism… for example, - the relativism… that Christianity is not the one true religion… that goes against Catholic doctrine.
When Pope Benedict was Cardinal, he even wrote a document saying that any Catholic who’s a freemason can’t take Communion.
I don’t know what they do there, but one thing is for certain, and it’s that many of their teachings go against Catholicism… for example, - the relativism… that Christianity is not the one true religion… that goes against Catholic doctrine.
T
the_phoenix
Guest
PRAY FOR THEIR CONVERSION
St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
G
Georgia
Guest
The quotes from old sources are pretty much unknown outside this forum.
Again, when I was in the fraternity, I never heard of any of these. As to teachings hostile to the Church, I never saw any. The lodges in my state, and all states’ grand lodges are independent, never offered any religious instruction.
I would hope that we can base our knowledge on accurate information. Most of what is getting posted here has not been relevant to the current practice. True, the lodges make no comment on whether one should be Christian and what form of it, or whether one should follow another religion. That is true of all civic groups that have meetings opening and closing in prayer. I only left because I entered the Church and will do nothing to disobey, not because there is anything sinful going on in my former lodge. It seems that well-meaning people are using archaic sources that are leading them to think something is there that simply is not.
When I joined, I remember a pre-interview in which I was warned that we would not have any discussion of religion or of politics in the lodge. Those were said to be topics that could divide men, so our only comments were that we had to believe in God and that we had to find our truths in our own churches.
Again, when I was in the fraternity, I never heard of any of these. As to teachings hostile to the Church, I never saw any. The lodges in my state, and all states’ grand lodges are independent, never offered any religious instruction.
I would hope that we can base our knowledge on accurate information. Most of what is getting posted here has not been relevant to the current practice. True, the lodges make no comment on whether one should be Christian and what form of it, or whether one should follow another religion. That is true of all civic groups that have meetings opening and closing in prayer. I only left because I entered the Church and will do nothing to disobey, not because there is anything sinful going on in my former lodge. It seems that well-meaning people are using archaic sources that are leading them to think something is there that simply is not.
When I joined, I remember a pre-interview in which I was warned that we would not have any discussion of religion or of politics in the lodge. Those were said to be topics that could divide men, so our only comments were that we had to believe in God and that we had to find our truths in our own churches.
W
workingman
Guest
What happens when a danger is left to fester and boil and grow. Does it go away? NO it does not. It continues till it gets worse and it is to late to fix it.
It seems like paranoia till one gets further up. I was a Mason, and in the Blue Lodge in America it does seem completely harmless. The front for these groups do good things. I would never a individual Mason a bad person. I to have many close relatives who are Masons and they are great upstanding people. It is the global group as a whole where the problems can come up.
I have not read it yet so therefor I must go off of what I do know.
Serious alligations. Do we believe we have the one true faith yes we do. Should one by force be converted? NO. Yup the mideval Church did have issues. The great many divides
with Protestants are a greater issue, but that is another thread.
If a wound is left untreated it will grow gangreen and must be cut off. Look at God’s laws I answered in post #458 as to the problems with any Church denomination and Masonry. I do not hate my fellow brother Masons though I am not among there numbers. I pray for them to listen to the Churches teachings and to submit to them.
W
workingman
Guest
H
human_being
Guest
Amen.
H
human_being
Guest
And I personally think, all though you are well meaning, that your thought pattern regarding these issues comes from the freemason principles which have spread throughout the world. The same thought pattern which was trying to be prevented. If Jesus started a Church,would he not want it to rule the world? If we don’t follow the Pope we have nothing but confusion(the devil’s tool). How many souls are lost due to all of this confusion and liberty and freedom? If the witches and heretics were truly innocent they only lost their lives. BUT…with all of this freedom and liberty stuff…How many people not only lose their lives but their very souls also.For they can excercise their freedoms and liberty by picking and choosing whatever religion they think and feel is right. How much confusion is in this concept? I really believe the church was correct in trying to abolish freemasonry. Just think of what all of the priests of the world know when they here confessions. I know that it is forbidden to be talked about by them and absolutely trust that they don’t. But I can’t help but think of them knowing all of the sins that they have heard when they come up with some of the decisions they make even if they don’t talk about it. When they get together for meetings of great importance and have councils and such they carry with them a great knowledge of what goes on in the whole world. And I don’t doubt that some of these meetings had to do with the condemnation of freemasonry.
H
human_being
Guest
And I personally think, all though you are well meaning, that your thought pattern regarding these issues comes from the freemason principles which have spread throughout the world. The same thought pattern which was trying to be prevented. If Jesus started a Church,would he not want it to rule the world? If we don’t follow the Pope we have nothing but confusion(the devil’s tool). How many souls are lost due to all of this confusion and liberty and freedom? If the witches and heretics were truly innocent they only lost their lives. BUT…with all of this freedom and liberty stuff…How many people not only lose their lives but their very souls also.For they can excercise their freedoms and liberty by picking and choosing whatever religion they think and feel is right. How much confusion is in this concept? I really believe the church was correct in trying to abolish freemasonry. Just think of what all of the priests of the world know when they here confessions. I know that it is forbidden to be talked about by them and absolutely trust that they don’t. But I can’t help but think of them knowing all of the sins that they have heard when they come up with some of the decisions they make even if they don’t talk about it. When they get together for meetings of great importance and have councils and such they carry with them a great knowledge of what goes on in the whole world. And I don’t doubt that some of these meetings had to do with the condemnation of freemasonry.
H
human_being
Guest
I almost start to think that it wouldn’t be bad to belong to a nation ruled by the Pope. We wouldn’t be worried about abortions, divorce, contraception, illegitamate children, homosexual unions, and a host of other sinful “liberty’s” and “freedoms” . These are just a few of the great things that our freedoms and liberty’s have gotten us. Who knows what will come for the generations that follow as the freemason ideals grow more and more and the Church is undermined more and more.
H
human_being
Guest
This is Italy 30 years after the freemasons took over. By Pope Leo III at the begining of the 20th century:
Code:
Social Evils of Masonry- The road is very short from religious to social ruin. The heart of man is no longer raised to heavenly hopes and loves; capable and needing the infinite, it throws itself insatiably on the goods of this earth. Inevitably there is a perpetual struggle of avid passions to enjoy, become rich, and rise. Then we encounter a large and inexhaustible source of grudges, discords, corruptions, and crimes. In our Italy there was no lack of moral and social disorders before the present events-but what a sorrowful spectacle we see in our days! That loving respect which forms domestic harmony is substantially diminished; paternal authority is too often unrecognized by children and parents alike. Disagreements are frequent, divorce common. Civil discords and resentful anger between the various orders increase every day in the cities. New generations which grew up in a spirit of misunderstood freedom are unleashed in the cities, generations which do not respect anything from above or below. The cities teem with incitements to vice, precocious crimes, and public scandals. The state should be content with the high and noble office of recognizing, protecting, and helping divine and human rights in their harmonious universality. Now, however, the state believes itself almost a judge and disowns these rights or restricts them at will. Finally, the general social order is undermined at its foundations. Books and journals, schools and universities, clubs and theaters, monuments and political discourse, photographs and the fine arts, everything conspires to pervert minds and corrupt hearts. Meanwhile the oppressed and suffering people tremble and the anarchic sects arouse themselves. The working classes raise their heads and go to swell the ranks of socialism, communism, and anarchy. Characters exhaust themselves and many souls, no longer knowing how to suffer nobly nor how to redeem themselves manfully, take their lives with cowardly suicide.
H
human_being
Guest
This also is Italy at the turn from the 19th-20th century under freemason rule.
You see civil marriage is a freemason principle. It took the sacrement of marriage and turned it into a state thing. It undermined the Church. And do we wonder where our country gets the idea for 2 homosexuals to marry? From this same freemason concept.
Code:
From the laws, and from the whole of official life, every religious inspiration and idea is systematically banished, when not directly assailed. Every public manifestation of faith and of Catholic piety is either forbidden or, under vain pretences, in a thousand ways impeded. - From the family are taken away its foundation and religious constitution by the proclaiming of civil marriage, as it is called; and also by the entirely lay education which is now demanded, from the first elements to the higher teaching of the universities, so that the rising generations, as far as this can be effected by the State, have to grow up without any idea of religion, and without the first essential notions of their duties towards God. This is to put the axe to the root. No more universal and efficacious means could be imagined of withdrawing society, and families, and individuals, from the influence of the Church and of the faith. To lay Clericalism (or Catholicism) waste in its foundations and in its very sources of life, namely, in the school and in the family: such is the authentic declaration of Masonic writers.
H
human_being
Guest
These posts have come from the vatican website by the way. This one is from Humanum Genus by Pope Leo XII:
Code:
For, from what We have above most clearly shown, that which is their ultimate purpose forces itself into view - namely, the utter overthrow of that whole religious and political order of the world which the Christian teaching has produced, and the substitution of a new state of things in accordance with their ideas, of which the foundations and laws shall be drawn from mere naturalism.
It is my opinion that people may view the church as wrong because the principles have been engrained in our american upbringing to make it seem as though the church is wrong,but of course they are not.
R
Roy5
Guest
WHO HATED THE MASONS?
Code:
This weekend I spent some time in Barnes and Noble, trying my best not to buy (as my teacher-daughter was shopping there, also). Anyway, I checked out a couple books on the Masons.
Among various things that caught my attention was the fact that Hitler, Mussolini, and Franco (all baptized as Catholics) outlawed the Masons in their totalitarian states, as did the Communists in Stalin's USSR. What does that tell us?
One poster (human being) came clean and said he would like the Pope to rule so that we would, among other things, have no legal contraception! No further comment, but this helps explain why years ago Protestants worried about Catholicism and its thrust for political power. Today, the vast majority of American Catholics are democratic (small 'd') who share the same values as the rest of us. There is widespread skepticism about the hierarchy, even among some of the nuns I know. The hierarchy's efforts to hide abusive priests dealt a several blow to RC confidence, too. There is some question as to whether the Vatican acted wisely and quickly enough in such situations.
God bless the Masons, the Catholics, and everyone else. We need to cut down on this demonizing nonsense and show more respect for opinions of one another, whether or not we agree with them. That's the genius of America, the land that I love.
W
workingman
Guest
Not a whole heck of a lot. What are you trying to infer by stating this?
I realize you are not Catholic but as faithful Catholic’s we must follow church teachings.
.
What values are you refering to? Do you have a source for saying there is “widespread skepticism” about the hierarchy. This paragraph is probabaly another thread.
I am sorry but a spade a spade. Things can not always be treated with kid gloves. That is the great part about America one is free to speek his/her mind like the opinion or not. God bless all.
I
InstaurareOmnia
Guest
As posted earlier my main personal objections to Masonry relate to excising the Name of Jesus Christ from its ceremonies and in purporting to be able to bring a candidate from darkness into light, and to find the “way”.
There is one Light of the World for Christians and Masonry does not acknowledge Him.
There is but one Way Truth and Life for Christians, and Masonry does not acknowledge Him.
Here are ten reasons why Catholics cannot be in communion with the Church and be members of the Masonic Order:
1). The Holy See on Nov. 26, 1983, at the direction of the Pope, issued a “Declaration on Masonic Associations” restating the Church’s position condemning the basic principles of Freemasonry. It also states that Catholics who join Masonic organizations are in a state of grave sin and are automatically denied Holy Communion.
2). God as described in Masonic works is an impersonal “Great Architect of the Universe,” not the personal God of the Patriarchs, the One True God of Revelation, the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.
3). Masonic writings specifically deny that God has revealed Himself and His truths to us, or that He ever established a Church.
4). In Masonry Jesus Christ is portrayed as merely a man, a great teacher, on a par with Buddha or Mohammed and His Divinity is denied.
5). The Trinity is denied and compared to the "trinitiesî"of pagan religions. The Holy Spirit is blasphemed by Masonry’s denial of the Divine Inspiration of Scripture.
6). Christianity is considered a derivative of ancient pagan religions and like all religions deliberately ladens itself with error. God is portrayed as a deceiver who leads many men away from truth as not all are worthy of it.
7). All truth is relative according to Masonry, thereby rejecting objective, absolute truth and therefore the dogmas of the Catholic faith.
8). Freemasonry is portrayed as the foundation of all religion and it is built on Naturalism, a system of belief that makes human nature and human reason supreme in all things.
9). At the various degrees when an oath is sworn, even the initial ones, it is a blood oath swearing for example, “binding myself by no less penalty than that of having my throat cut from ear to ear, my tongue torn out by its roots, and buried in the sands of the sea…” This is a real oath sworn with one’s hand on the Bible or Torah, etc.
10). One can easily be deceived by Masonry’s rituals and symbols that an objective transformation of man is being carried out. This will lead one away from the workings of God’s grace especially manifested in the Sacraments instituted by Christ. Remember, Masonry denies Christ’s Divinity and therefore His role as our Saviour.
I repeat I know Masons (all non-RC by the way) and am good friends with them. I respect their rights of association and their charitable works. However, as an apostle of Christ (struggling every day!!) I have to point out the problems that exist between masonic practices and Christianity.
To the Masons on this board, if Christ came to you today, would you be comfortable in explaining why Masonry purports to do things for mankind that He has clearly said can only be done through Him?
There is one Light of the World for Christians and Masonry does not acknowledge Him.
There is but one Way Truth and Life for Christians, and Masonry does not acknowledge Him.
Here are ten reasons why Catholics cannot be in communion with the Church and be members of the Masonic Order:
1). The Holy See on Nov. 26, 1983, at the direction of the Pope, issued a “Declaration on Masonic Associations” restating the Church’s position condemning the basic principles of Freemasonry. It also states that Catholics who join Masonic organizations are in a state of grave sin and are automatically denied Holy Communion.
2). God as described in Masonic works is an impersonal “Great Architect of the Universe,” not the personal God of the Patriarchs, the One True God of Revelation, the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.
3). Masonic writings specifically deny that God has revealed Himself and His truths to us, or that He ever established a Church.
4). In Masonry Jesus Christ is portrayed as merely a man, a great teacher, on a par with Buddha or Mohammed and His Divinity is denied.
5). The Trinity is denied and compared to the "trinitiesî"of pagan religions. The Holy Spirit is blasphemed by Masonry’s denial of the Divine Inspiration of Scripture.
6). Christianity is considered a derivative of ancient pagan religions and like all religions deliberately ladens itself with error. God is portrayed as a deceiver who leads many men away from truth as not all are worthy of it.
7). All truth is relative according to Masonry, thereby rejecting objective, absolute truth and therefore the dogmas of the Catholic faith.
8). Freemasonry is portrayed as the foundation of all religion and it is built on Naturalism, a system of belief that makes human nature and human reason supreme in all things.
9). At the various degrees when an oath is sworn, even the initial ones, it is a blood oath swearing for example, “binding myself by no less penalty than that of having my throat cut from ear to ear, my tongue torn out by its roots, and buried in the sands of the sea…” This is a real oath sworn with one’s hand on the Bible or Torah, etc.
10). One can easily be deceived by Masonry’s rituals and symbols that an objective transformation of man is being carried out. This will lead one away from the workings of God’s grace especially manifested in the Sacraments instituted by Christ. Remember, Masonry denies Christ’s Divinity and therefore His role as our Saviour.
I repeat I know Masons (all non-RC by the way) and am good friends with them. I respect their rights of association and their charitable works. However, as an apostle of Christ (struggling every day!!) I have to point out the problems that exist between masonic practices and Christianity.
To the Masons on this board, if Christ came to you today, would you be comfortable in explaining why Masonry purports to do things for mankind that He has clearly said can only be done through Him?
- Status