Here is why freemasonry is a christian organization.

[Sublime_Prince]

Freemasonry is probably the most misunderstood organization around. People believe what they read and often go by what they were told. This is unfortunate because nothing could be further from the truth.

Here is an argument people claim against freemasonry: Any religon can join Buddist, Hindu, Catholic, Protestant, Muslim.

While the only requirement to join is a belief in a supreme being anyone who is not a follower of the Bible would feel very awkward in our rituals since the Bible is the backbone of what we teach. New members are given a King James version of the bible and told it is their duty to know it from the inside out. Although in theory a hindu, muslim, or buddist could join this would make them feel very awkward to them because they are inculcated to learn about the christian faith.

Our ritual has wording specifically pointing to the christian faith

“the blazing star in the center is commemoritive of the star of the east which appeared to guide the wise men of the east to the place of our saviors nativity”

Does that sound like Hindu scripture to you?

Where I am at all the masons I know are christians. 99.9% of them I would say in my state are christians. Masonry is a very christian organization in my state. Our pasters would never allow a hindu or buddist to become a mason in our lodge.

Also in the masonic bible new members are given. It has a preface in them telling them why they should join the christian faith and what it is meant to be a christian.

In the York Rite as well as the Scottish Rite masonry becomes extremely christian in many of its teachings. Many degrees are specifically targeted to events occuring in the new testament and toward Jesus Christ.

Although Jews and Muslims can join freemasonry, many of the past masters are very biased toward christians. And it is very hard to advance in rank without being a christian in masonry.

And I would also like to add I would personally black ball any Jew or Muslim who wanted to join our lodge and I know we have past masters who would probably do the same.

 

[geezerbob]

You can argue the merits of freemasonry all you want, but the fact remains that Catholics are forbidden by the Church to become members.

 

[Sublime_Prince]

I am not talking about catholics I am talking about all christian faiths. You see when freemasonry first started in the 1700’s or earlier its goal was to unify all christian denominations. To bring Catholics, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Pentacostal, Evangelical, etc all together. They had no intention of unifying muslims, jews, buddhists, hindus. You have to remember in George Washington times way back when the United States was an all christian group. In masonic lodges back then these were all christian men in the lodges.

 

[Arcenannie]

You are on a Catholic Forum, thereby you are speaking mainly to Catholics. I will quote what I found about this subject as found in the Code of Canon Law:

"Affiliation With Masonic or Similar Societies.
Those who join a Masonic sect or other societies of the same sort, which plot against the Church or against legitimate civil authority, incur ipso facto an excommunication simply reserved to the Holy See. (c. 2335). [p. 924.]

Simply Reserved to the Holy See (4)

1. Masonic Societies (c. 2335).
   a. The censure is incurred if the society is one which plots against Church or State, openly or secretly, whether members are secret or not, bound by oath or not. Cappelo thinks Socialists are included. Communist party certainly is. Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows, Sons of Temperance, are forbidden as intrinsically wrong, but not under censure (Holy Office, 20 June, 1895, 18 Jan., 1896).
   b. Conditions for absolution: total withdrawel from the society, promise to have nothing to do with it and pay no more dues, to repair scandal as far as possible, to turn over insignia, etc., to withdraw name from rolls as soon as this can be done without grave loss (Holy Office, 7 March 1883; Gasparri-Serédi, Fontes, n. 1080, Vol. IV, p. 412). c. In the case of the Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows, Sons of Temperance, no censure has been incurred. The conditions for absolution of the sin are the same as above except that, to avoid grave loss, a person may continue paying dues. The confessor must refer each case to the Apostolic Delegate or his Metropolitan (Holy Office, 18 Jan., 1896; Ecclesiastical Review, Vol. 14, p. 361). [p. 960.]

[c. 1399] Books forbidden ipso iure
8. Books Favoring Dueling, Suicide, Divorce, Masonry. Books which hold dueling, suicide or divorce licit, or which, treating of Masonic sects and other such societies, contend that they are useful and not harmful to the Church and civil society are ipso iure forbidden (c. 1399, 8°)."

freemasonry.bcy.ca/anti-masonry/canon.html

 

[GregoryPalamas]

I am not talking about catholics I am talking about all christian faiths. You see when freemasonry first started in the 1700’s or earlier its goal was to unify all christian denominations. To bring Catholics, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Pentacostal, Evangelical, etc all together. They had no intention of unifying muslims, jews, buddhists, hindus. You have to remember in George Washington times way back when the United States was an all christian group. In masonic lodges back then these were all christian men in the lodges.

Balogne,

The goal of freemasonary from its inception was to destroy Christianity. Do you really think that Voltaire was a Christian?

CDL

 

[whiteknite]

People who joined the masons often only thought it went to a 3rd degree, Only the last 10 or so yrs has opened there eyes.
The king james bible has always been a learning curve to see what your capable of learning and how well you can keep our mouth shut about what you learn. Often people would brag and boast about being attached to certain lodges.
Them people dont realy make it very far but as for the masons itself… Its about power and money, Helping people of ther order etc…
But mostly about helping the highest of honours.
The great architect in the sky ring a bell??
Astrology Ring a bell??
It is well known that alot of masonic members have used the bible as money maker, after all it is a good money spinner…
Charles T. Russell ring a bell??
If not look freeminds.org/history/cemetary.htm
Joseph smith ring a bell??
You may have claim to masonic membership but letting us know wont help you climb the ladder to your new world order…

 

[Sublime_Prince]

There is no higher degree then the 3rd degree. The 3rd degree is the most important. What is more important is the office you held in the lodge and your reputation for honesty, integrity, and morality.

I am a 32nd degree mason. You can become a 32nd degree mason in one day. I do not have near the respect or honor that many past masters have , nor those of the officers of the lodge higher then I am, Junior Decan, Senior Decan, Junior Warden, Senior Warden.

I know many past masters who are only 3rd degree masons. How high your degree is has nothing to do with being in the ‘upper echelon’. Most 33rd degree masons I know come from trade backgrounds: plummbers, sheet metal worker, pipefitter, electrician, etc. It is just an honory degree given to those who have served in the Scottish rite for a long time.

 

[whiteknite]

I always thought it was against the lodges order to reveal yourself as a mason??

 

[catharina]

I am not talking about catholics I am talking about all christian faiths. You see when freemasonry first started in the 1700’s or earlier its goal was to unify all christian denominations. To bring Catholics, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Pentacostal, Evangelical, etc all together. They had no intention of unifying muslims, jews, buddhists, hindus. You have to remember in George Washington times way back when the United States was an all christian group. In masonic lodges back then these were all christian men in the lodges.

Your posts and your thinking are contradictory. Any notion of ‘bringing together all Christain groups, including Catholics’ by teaching acceptance of the King James Bible is a contradiction to the highest power. Catholics do NOT now and NEVER have and NEVER will accept the King James version of the Bible. Your basis, as stated, is a flawless example of the fact that masonry exists as an anti-Catholic organization. Masonry exists now, as always, to grant financial ease to its members - and to no one else. That masonry “gives” to charities might be more easily defined as masonry supports its OWN charities; it supports itself coming and going. (PS - this nation’s founders were theists, not Christians.)

 

[Sublime_Prince]

Well if masonry is to support its own members how come I have recieved nothing in finacial aid yet as a member? How come I rely on my job to pay for healthcare, tuition, and expenses?

All our charity work we do at our lodge benefits non-masons period.

We are having fundraisers for diabeties, the deaf, the dyslexic, and for breast cancer.

Why then do shriners hospitals help so many ill children dying of critical diseases who come mainly from homes of non-masons?

Why do shriners help then countries that are in great aid, like Africa?

Does this sound like charity work to benefit only the members to you?

My uncle is an Knights of Columbus member and I know full well that they have an insurance policy that is only for KoC members who are catholic. The KoC does a lot of things to only benefit their members. Lets not just single out the masons here. The Catholics are just as quilty too.

If it was against mason policy to reveal themselves as masons, why do we have shriner parades? Why do we go around wearing masonic rings, shirts, hats, and license plates. We make the public fully aware of who we are. Many of us are very proud to wear the masonic emblem and let other people know who we are.

 

[catharina]

SP -

You said: “You see when freemasonry first started in the 1700’s or earlier its goal was to unify all christian denominations. To bring Catholics, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Pentacostal, Evangelical, etc all together.”

Then I said: "Your posts and your thinking are contradictory. Any notion of ‘bringing together all Christain groups, including Catholics’ by teaching acceptance of the King James Bible is a contradiction to the highest power. Catholics do NOT now and NEVER have and NEVER will accept the King James version of the Bible. Your basis, as stated, is a flawless example of the fact that masonry exists as an anti-Catholic organization.

Begin with that. Forget my comments. We’ll return to them later if you wish. FIRST, respond to my initial statement. Thanks.

 

[ralphinal]

Freemasonry is probably the most misunderstood organization around. People believe what they read and often go by what they were told. This is unfortunate because nothing could be further from the truth.

I can say and proove the same thing about the Catholic Church, Judaism, and Islam

Here is an argument people claim against freemasonry: Any religon can join Buddist, Hindu, Catholic, Protestant, Muslim.

While the only requirement to join is a belief in a supreme being anyone who is not a follower of the Bible would feel very awkward in our rituals since the Bible is the backbone of what we teach. New members are given a King James version of the bible and told it is their duty to know it from the inside out. Although in theory a hindu, muslim, or buddist could join this would make them feel very awkward to them because they are inculcated to learn about the christian faith.

The fact that a KJV of the Bible is used is a defacto proof that they are anti-Catholic. Why not use a contemporary translation? Or, step on up, and use the original text? What about denominations that put no stock in King Jimmy?

Our ritual has wording specifically pointing to the christian faith

It also has made up stories that are supposed to be from the Bible. Isn’t adding and removing text verboten?

“the blazing star in the center is commemoritive of the star of the east which appeared to guide the wise men of the east to the place of our saviors nativity”

Does that sound like Hindu scripture to you?

I do not know any hindu scripture, but I wold say no.

Where I am at all the masons I know are christians. 99.9% of them I would say in my state are christians. Masonry is a very christian organization in my state. Our pasters would never allow a hindu or buddist to become a mason in our lodge.

But Masons are not to be desciminatory. Do you not teach of the brotherhood of man?

Also in the masonic bible new members are given. It has a preface in them telling them why they should join the christian faith and what it is meant to be a christian.

IT seems problematic that there is a Masonic bible. What is wrong with the basic Bible?

In the York Rite as well as the Scottish Rite masonry becomes extremely christian in many of its teachings. Many degrees are specifically targeted to events occuring in the new testament and toward Jesus Christ.

Although Jews and Muslims can join freemasonry, many of the past masters are very biased toward christians. And it is very hard to advance in rank without being a christian in masonry.

And I would also like to add I would personally black ball any Jew or Muslim who wanted to join our lodge and I know we have past masters who would probably do the same.

Then you sir are prejudiced. Many lodges in Alabama do not allow black members. Again, that proves to me how invalid they are. Either Masons teach that all roads lead to enlightenment or they do not. According to those in the public eye, that is the Masonic teaching.

 

[catharina]

The fact that a KJV of the Bible is used is a defacto proof that they are anti-Catholic.

PRECISELY.

Astounding that SP has revealed that to us. I never knew it.

 

[whiteknite]

Sublime prince:-
I was just under the understanding of secrecy…
As a very interested person into the freemasons, I have read hundreds of books and even have a few initiation books that i have come across but never told anyone thinking it to be the right thing to do and just store them in my own collection.
But i see alot of people for and against the masonic brothers and just wanted that cleared about secrecy…
Thank you

 

[Sublime_Prince]

SP -

You said: “You see when freemasonry first started in the 1700’s or earlier its goal was to unify all christian denominations. To bring Catholics, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Pentacostal, Evangelical, etc all together.”

Then I said: "Your posts and your thinking are contradictory. Any notion of ‘bringing together all Christain groups, including Catholics’ by teaching acceptance of the King James Bible is a contradiction to the highest power. Catholics do NOT now and NEVER have and NEVER will accept the King James version of the Bible. Your basis, as stated, is a flawless example of the fact that masonry exists as an anti-Catholic organization.

Begin with that. Forget my comments. We’ll return to them later if you wish. FIRST, respond to my initial statement. Thanks.

Well we as masons have no qualms about Catholics being masons. A few members of our lodge are Catholics.

As far as your comment about any denomination supporting the King James Version is anti-catholic, well then that would include a great amount of denominations.

Including lutheran, presbyterian, evangelical, and many fundamentalists. Who appears to be against bringing denominations together? It certainly is not the masons, we openly accept any child of Christ with equal love. We are all children of Christ and all deserve to be loved.

 

[ralphinal]

Well we as masons have no qualms about Catholics being masons. A few members of our lodge are Catholics.

As far as your comment about any denomination supporting the King James Version is anti-catholic, well then that would include a great amount of denominations.

Including lutheran, presbyterian, evangelical, and many fundamentalists. Who appears to be against bring denominations together? It certainly is not the masons, we openly accept any child of Christ with equal love. We are all children of Christ and all deserve to be loved.

The fact that the KJV is the REQUIRED bible is the issue. Once you limit the Bible to exclude a majority of Christians on the earth, you are not trying to attract all Christian. The majority of Christians do not use the KJV. That is fact.

 

[Sublime_Prince]

The fact that the KJV is the REQUIRED bible is the issue. Once you limit the Bible to exclude a majority of Christians on the earth, you are not trying to attract all Christian. The majority of Christians do not use the KJV. That is fact.

Well most historians will thell you the KJV is the most accurate interpetation of scripture their is. The other versions scew the word of God too much.

 

[ralphinal]

Well most historians will thell you the KJV is the most accurate interpetation of scripture their is. The other versions scew the word of God too much.

Oh my. You went there, didn’t you. How about the fact that the NUMBER of books is wrong? A majority of Christians in this world have more books than the KJV.

Prove most. There are a lot of historians who hold to that opinion, but there are many Bible Scholars who do not. I dare say that the majority rests with the non-KJV folks.

 

[catharina]

Well we as masons have no qualms about Catholics being masons. A few members of our lodge are Catholics.

As far as your comment about any denomination supporting the King James Version is anti-catholic, well then that would include a great amount of denominations.

Including lutheran, presbyterian, evangelical, and many fundamentalists. Who appears to be against bringing denominations together? It certainly is not the masons, we openly accept any child of Christ with equal love. We are all children of Christ and all deserve to be loved.

Third Attempt:

Hope you can follow this train of thought.

Catholics are NOT ALLOWED to accept/support the King James version of the Bible. NOT EVER. If some Catholics in your area are doing so, then they are in grave error as Catholics and in fact, acc to Church Law, they are not free to receive Holy Communion until and unless they have confessed their error and broken away from the Masons. I’m sorry if you are being giving bad (and mistaken) example in regard to this teaching, but it is not a new teaching. Catholics do NOT accept the King James version of the Bible. So even based on your example alone, true Catholics can NEVER become Masons. Do you grasp that teaching yet?

By their very practice of “welcome, here’s your KJV,” the Masons are flagrantly anti-Catholic.

 

[catharina]

Well most historians will thell you the KJV is the most accurate interpetation of scripture their is. The other versions scew the word of God too much.

Care to come up with some numbers and names and dates re those “most historians?”