Should a Christian be a Mason?

Many people including some Christians view Freemasonry as nothing more than a good social organization. Some people
even believe that Freemasonry is a Christian organization because they have the Bible in the Lodge and belief in God is a
requirement. To the men at the lower levels of Masonry it may seem to them to be just that. It is well known that many good
people are Masons. The Masons are also known for many good deeds. The question is," what do those in positions of
authority in Masonry have to say about it?" And is it compatible with Christianity?

According to the book "The Secret Teachings of the Masonic Lodge" by John Ankerberg & John Weldon on page 16-17 we
learn the following. They sent a letter to each of the fifty Grand Lodges in America addressing the Grand Master at each one.
They asked the following question, "As an official Masonic Leader, which books and authors do you recommend as being
authoritative on the subject of Freemasonry?"

"Twenty-five of the Grand Lodges in the United States responded. A response of fifty percent is sufficiently high to suggest that
the responses of the other states would not have varied significantly. In other words, we may assume that these responses are
normative for U.S. Masonry as a whole. Remember, for each state, no higher jurisdictional authority than its Grand Lodge
exist." Although other books are mentioned, for this newsletter I have limited myself only to the books that I own myself.
Out of the 50% of the Grand Lodges that responded 32% named Albert G. Mackey's Revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry
as an authoritative work on Masonry. Also out of the 50% of the Grand Lodges that responded 16% named Morals and Dogma
by Albert Pike as an authoritative work on Masonry. Concerning the16% of the 50% of the Grand Lodges that responded
naming Albert Pikes "Morals and Dogma" this should not be taken lightly. The book "Secret Teachings of the Masonic Lodge"
by John Ankerberg & John Weldon states the following "Albert Pike should also be listed among leading Masonic authorities.
The current Sovereign Grand Commander, C. Fred Kleinknecht, relates the following about this Masonic scholar in The House
of the Temple of the Supreme Council (a text extolling the headquarters of the Supreme Council, 33d Degree): "Albert Pike
remains an inspiration for Masons everywhere. His great book Morals and Dogma endures as the most complete
exposition of the Scottish Rite philosophy. He will always be remembered and revered as the Master Builder of the
Scottish Rite" Because of the Grand Commander's lofty estimate, when considering the meaning of the higher degrees of the
Scottish Rite, we often include what Albert Pike wrote. Masons cannot claim that Pike was only teaching his "own opinions".

So the quotes from Masonry in this study will be from the following.
1. Morals and Dogma of the ancient and accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, New and
Revise Edition, 1966
by Albert Pike (Grand Commander 1859-1891)

2. Encyclopedia of Freemasonry by Albert Mackey & Charles McClenachan- Revised
Edition, Edward Hawkins & William Hughan 1927, 2 Volumes
(Albert G. Mackey 33rd degree Worshipful Grand Master)

The majority of people in Masonry probably do not know what they are involved in. The reason why they do not
know is because they are purposely deceived.

Morals and Dogma by Albert Pike pg.819
"The Blue Degrees are but the outer court or portico of the temple. Part of the symbols are displayed there to the Initiate, but he
is intentionally misled by false interpretations. It is not intended that he should understand them; but it is intended that he shall
imagine he understands them. Their true explication is reserved for the Adepts, the Princes of Masonry"

Morals and Dogma, pg.104-105
"Masonry, like all the Religions, all the Mysteries, Hermeticism and Alchemy, conceals its secrets from all except the Adepts
and Sages, or the Elect, and uses false explanations and misinterpretations of its symbols to mislead those who deserve only
to be mislead; to conceal the Truth, which it calls Light, from them, and to draw them away from it. Truth is not for them who are
unworthy or unable to receive it, or would pervert it"

This clearly shows why those in the lower levels do not know what they are involved in. I would like to point out that false
explanations or interpretations and intentionally misleading is nothing more than lying! The Bible tells us that Lying is something
that God hates Prov 6:16-17.

Many people believe that Masonry is not a religion. Yet when we look to the authorities in Masonry we find that Masonry is
a religion and a system of worship that is filled with secrecy.

Albert Mackey quotes 4 definitions of religion by Webster's dictionary then states the following:
Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, Revised Edition, Vol.2 pg. 618
"Now, it is plain that, in either of the first three senses in which we may take the word religion (and they do not very materially
differ from each other), Masonry may rightfully claim to be called a religious institution."

(If Albert Mackey says Masonry may rightfully claim to be called a religious institution, on what basis would you disagree with
him?)

Morals and Dogma, pg.210
"Masonry is the legitimate successor- from the earliest times the custodian and depository of the great philosophical and
religious truths, unknown to the world at large,"

(Who possesses "religious truths other than religions?)

Morals and Dogma, pg.219
"Masonry labors to improve the social order by enlightening men's minds, warming their hearts with the love of good, inspiring
them with the great principle of human fraternity, and requiring of its disciples that their language and actions shall conform to
that principle, that they shall enlighten each other, control their passions, abhor vice, and pity the vicious man as one afflicted
with a deplorable malady. It is the universal, eternal, immutable religion, such as God planted in the heart of universal humanity.
No creed has ever been long- lived that has not been built upon this foundation."

(Is not Masonry claiming to pursue this universal, eternal, immutable religion?)

Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, Revised Edition, Vol.2 pg. 675
"The Entered Apprentice begins his Masonic career by learning the duty of secrecy and silence. Hence it is appropriate that in
the degree which is the consummation of initiation, in which the whole cycle of Masonic science is completed, the abstruse
machinery of symbolism should be employed to impress the important virtues on the mind of the neophyte.
The same principles of secrecy and silence existed in all the ancient mysteries and systems of worship"

(Isn't Masonry identifying itself with ancient systems of worship? And adopting a duty secrecy and silence for themselves?)

Since Masonry authorities consider Freemasonry to be a religion the next question is how does it compare to Christianity?
The following scripture is provided to show a contrast between Masonry and the teachings of the Bible in what has been stated
so far .

John 18:20 Jesus answered him, "I have spoken openly to the world; I always taught in synagogues, and in the temple, where
all the Jews come together; and I spoke nothing in secret.

Luke 8:16-17 "Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a
lampstand, in order that those who come in may see the light. "For nothing is hidden that shall not become evident, nor anything
secret that shall not be known and come to light.

Whether or not secrecy in Masonry differs from the teachings of the Bible may seem trivial. What about more important issues?
How does Masonry view Christianity? How does Masonry view the Bible? How does Masonry view God? How does Masonry
view Jesus? On what basis are we saved according to Masonry? The following answers
and contrast between Masonry and Christianity may surprise you.