FREE MASONRY - the Principles

[Von!-x]

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Since I am not a Catholic, i'd present another view of Free masonry here. As a background, the issue of Free Masonry was taken up in the Southern Baptist Convention in the US, sometime in 1993. It caused a rift between conservatives and moderates. In the end,they concluded "that membership in a Masonic order was the business of the individual, not the church". Others suspected that Masons were behind the historic vote, since a number of masons are southern baptists.


The Eight Problems With Freemasonry (As reported by the Home Missions Board, SBC, 1350 Spring Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30367-5601) http://www.ericbarger.com/articles/fmasonry-sbc.2.htm

1. The prevalent use of offensive concepts, titles, and terms such as "Worshipful Master" for the leaders of the lodge; references to their buildings as "mosques," "shrines," or "temples"; and the use of such words as "Abaddon" and Jah-Bul-On," the so-called secret name of God. To many, these terms are not only offensive but sacrilegious.

2. The use of archaic, offensive rituals and so-called "bloody oaths" or "obligations," among those being that promised by the Entered Apprentice: [listed in original] or that of the Fellow Craft degree: [listed in original] Or that of the Master Mason: [listed in original] Or that of other advanced degrees with required rituals considered by many to be pagan and incompatible with Christian faith and practice.

Even though these oaths, obligations and rituals may or may not be taken seriously by the initiate, it is inappropriate for a Christian to "sincerely promise and swear," with a hand on the Holy Bible, any such promises or oaths, or to participate in any such pagan rituals.

3. The recommended readings in pursuance of advanced degrees, of religions and philosophies, which are undeniably pagan and/or occult, such as much of the writings of Albert Pike, Albert Mackey, Manly Hall, Rex Hutchins, W.L. Wilmhurst and other such authors; along with their works, such as Morals and Dogma, A Bridge to Light, An Encyclopedia of Freemasonry and The Meaning of Masonry.

4. The reference to the Bible placed on the altar of the lodge as the "furniture of the lodge," comparing it to the square and compass rather than giving it the supreme place in the lodge.

5. The prevalent use of the term "light" which some may understand as a reference to salvation rather than knowledge or truth.

6. The implication that salvation may be attained by one's good works, implicit in the statement found in some

Masonic writings that "Masonry is continually reminded of that purity of life and conduct which is necessary to obtain admittance into the Celestial Lodge above where the Supreme Architect of the Universe presides." (LA Monitor, page 79)

Even though many Masons understand that the "purity of life and conduct" can only be achieved through faith in Jesus Christ, others may be led to believe they can earn salvation by living a pure life with good conduct.

7. The heresy of Universalism (the belief all people will eventually be saved), which permeates the writings of many Masonic authors, which is a doctrine inconsistent with New Testament teaching.

8. The refusal of most lodges (although not all) to admit for membership African Americans.

On the positive side, the report commended the Masons for its many charitable endeavors, hospitals, burn centers. It acknowledged that many outstanding Christians and Southern Baptists now and in the past have been Masons.

They recognized that many of the tenets and teachings of some Grand Lodges could be considered compatible and supportive of the Christian faith and practice, such as a strong emphasis on honesty, integrity, industry and character and the insistence that every member believe in [a] God. The report then quoted a number of Biblical quotes from the Texas Monitor to show that there are some explicit references to the Christian faith.

However, the report cautioned that "To be sure, not all Grand Lodges affirm Christian Doctrine, and many do not declare Jesus as the unique Son of God; but many do, and for this we commend them."(Ibid.)

Their final statement concludes with this:

"We exhort Southern Baptists to prayerfully and carefully evaluate Freemasonry in the light of the Lordship of Christ, the teachings of the Scripture, and the findings of this report, as led by the Holy Spirit of God" (Ibid.)

And we say that if a Christian Mason truly did that he would honestly have to leave the Lodge.

[mannyamador]

but its a fact a freemason do actually attend catholic mass that i know personaly as our neighbor a city councilor in my home town i remember do attend the town's chathedral mass.

Simply attending mass doesn't necessarily make anyone a faithful Catholic.

[mannyamador]

One cant be a FREEMASON and CATHOLIC the same time ? URBAN LEGEND my dear friends !!

Haven't you been reading the posts? The Vatican itself has issued official condemnations of freemasonry. There are eye-witness accounts of what freemasonic rites are about. But you remain blind to these facts. You can't seem to tell the difference between the truth and urban legends.

[mosimos]

Its living the life of Jesus Christ.

[SPRINGFIELD_XD_40]

@ MANNY AMADOR ....

So define a FAITHFUL CATHOLIC . Being a non member of FREEMASONRY and not attend the HOLY MASS ? Do I smell HYPOCRISY here ?

@ MOSIMOS ....

How did you know that CATHOLIC FREEMASONS dont believe in JESUS CHRIST ? Of course other members who are BUDDHIST or MUSLIMS dont believed in HIM . Commonsense `pre . Speak only a factual claim only if you are a member itself otherwise make it an opinion because you have do have basis from an article in the net but dont be too blinded of its accuracy and legitimacy .

@ VON-X ....

Do I sense a SCAPEGOAT being pointed at ? It has been like that way before their secrets were known .

[BaDBoY]

i always have strange feeling about Free Masonry... i need more information... pump it in guys...

[Archer sensAtion]

naa diay ni nga thread

i am a member of the International Order of DeMolay since 1996

...Masons are usually the Dad(papa,tatay) of DeMolays

meaning after ka mag DeMolay pwede ka mo proceed para mag Mason...and pwede mag Senior DeMolay sad...

[mannyamador]

So define a FAITHFUL CATHOLIC.

One who is faithful to the teachings of Christ (which are taught by the Catholic Church).

Being a non member of FREEMASONRY and not attend the HOLY MASS ? Do I smell HYPOCRISY here?

No. Please explain.

How did you know that CATHOLIC FREEMASONS dont believe in JESUS CHRIST?

They MIGHT. But if they also believe -- as freemasons swear they do -- that all religions are equally pleasing to God, then they contradict Christian belief and the teachings of Christ. They are in contradiction with themselves.

God bless!

[SPRINGFIELD_XD_40]

One who is faithful to the teachings of Christ (which are taught by the Catholic Church).

Does membership of the FREEMASONRY exclude a CATHOLIC member for being faithful ? Again we will be going in circles because issues of freemasonry " teachings " will contradict the teachings of the Catholic church . What are those FREEMASONRY TEACHINGS ??

No. Please explain.

A nonmember of freemasonry and is a Catholic but is not a practicing Catholic and a Freemason who is a Catholic but practicing the word of God . Who can be saved ? No one knows because GOD judges and not anyone else here from iSTORYA . Again ... practicing FREEMASON TEACHINGS .. what are those TEACHINGS that contradicts that makes one contradicting its membership on being a freemason and being a Catholic ?

They MIGHT. But if they also believe -- as freemasons swear they do -- that all religions are equally pleasing to God, then they contradict Christian belief and the teachings of Christ. They are in contradiction with themselves.

The TEACHINGS of GOD ie 10 commandments if being practiced by non Christians is what make the phrase PLEASING to a SUPREME BEING to a Catholic members point of view . Dont be too confused on ALLAH and the other Supreme being they observe unto for when they die , on a Catholics point of view , is either one will go to HEAVEN or to HELL .

You are pretty much implying that if you are not a Christian or Catholic to be specific , you will be damn in eternity . Similarly that all FREEMASONS should convert to Catholicism to be accepted .

God bless!

Same to you .

[tolstoi]

naa diay ni nga thread

i am a member of the International Order of DeMolay since 1996

...Masons are usually the Dad(papa,tatay) of DeMolays

meaning after ka mag DeMolay pwede ka mo proceed para mag Mason...and pwede mag Senior DeMolay sad...

hmm..so we have someone who's really into this thingy

@Archer...how about you give us your views regarding freemansory.