Truth Magazine

By James Hahn

Through personal contact with members of the Masonic Lodge, I have been made aware of the fact that many members of the lodge have very little knowledge or understanding of the real meaning and teachings of the lodge. One member, when questioned about the ceremonies which he had been a part of and the oaths he had taken, said, “Yes, I did those things, but I didn’t really think about what I was saying or what they meant.” I am convinced that many members of the lodge are in the same condition as this man. They view the lodge as just a harmless (maybe even helpful) order that chooses to keep its activities secret. The initiation ceremonies are viewed as just harmless rituals one must go through to advance from one degree to the next higher one. It does not occur to them that the ceremonies involve them in the taking of foolish and profane oaths under the direction of one calling himself “The Worshipful Master.”

Religious Titles

Jesus said, “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ” (Matt. 23:8-10).

Jesus is our one and only Master, yet Masons call the ruler or head of each lodge “The Worshipful Master.” The Worshipful Master is that one among Master Masons who is most to be honored and obeyed because he is magistrate or ruler or head of the lodge” (Mackey’s Revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, Volume 3, p. 1407). This man may not even believe in Christ, yet he is called “The Worshipful Master” by Masons. I say he may not even believe in Christ because, contrary to the contentions of some, one does not have to believe in Christ to be a member of the lodge. Mackey states, “If Freemasonry were simply a Christian institution, the Jew and the Moslem, the Braham and the Buddhist, could not conscientiously partake of its illumination; but its universality is its boast. In its language, citizens of every nation may converse; at its altar men of all religions may kneel; to its creed, disciples of every faith may subscribe” (Ibid, Vol. 1, p. 579).

In addition to calling the ruler of the lodge “The Worshipful Master,” we find these other titles worn by Masons: “Perfect Master” (5th degree), “Prince of Jerusalem” (16th degree), “Grand Pontiff” (19th degree), “Prince of Mercy” (26th degree), and “Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret” (32nd degree). No one can be a believer and follower of Jesus and be called by such titles nor can he call any man by such titles.

Oaths Taken

Before entering the lodge as an Entered Apprentice (First degree) and before advancing to each of the following degrees, the candidate must agree to take certain oaths binding him to secrecy and loyalty. These oaths can be found in several Masonic publications, including “Duncan’s Masonic Ritual and Moniter” and “Look To The East,” a ritual of the first three degrees of Masonry.

The oath taken by the candidate for Entered Apprentice is:

I, ____________________, of my own free will and accord, in the presence of Almighty God, and this Worshipful Lodge erected to him and dedicated to the Holy Saint John, do hereby and hereon (Master presses his gavel on candidate’s knuckles) most hail, forever conceal, never reveal any of the secret arts, parts or points of the hidden mysteries of Masonry which may have been heretofore, or shall be, at this time, or at any future period, communicated to me as such, to any person or persons whomsoever, except it be a true and lawful brother Mason, or within the body of a just and lawfully constituted Lodge of Masons; nor unto him or them until, by strict trial, due examination, or lawful information, I shall have found him, or them, as lawfully entitled to them as I am myself. I furthermore promise and swear that I will not write, print, paint, stamp, stain, cut, carve, hew, mark, or engrave them on any thing movable or immovable capable of receiving the least impression of a sign, word, syllable, letter or character, whereby they may become legible or intelligible to any person under the canopy of heaven, and the secrets of Masonry be thereby unlawfully obtained by my unworthiness.

All this I most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, with a firm and steadfast resolution to keep and perform the same, without the least equivocation, mental reservation or secret evasion whatsoever; binding myself under 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, at low-water mark, where the tide ebbs and flows twice in twenty-four hours, should 1, in the least, knowingly or wittingly violate or transgress this my Entered Apprentice obligation. So help me God, and keep me steadfast (Look To The East, pp. 30, 31).

It is hard to believe that grown men would involve themselves in such foolishness. Such sounds like the actions of little kids playing. But this is not playing. This is the taking of profane and foolish oaths and then using the name of God and kissing the Bible. Such is nothing short of blasphemy.

The candidate for Fellow Craft (Second Degree) makes a vow similar to that taken by the Entered Apprentice and includes the following:

I furthermore promise and swear that I will not cheat, wrong or defraud a Lodge of Fellow Crafts, or a brother of this degree, knowingly or wittingly.

All this I most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, with a firm and steadfast resolution to keep and perform the same, without the least equivocation, mental reservation or self-evasion whatsoever; binding myself under no less penalty than that of having my left breast torn open, my heart plucked from thence, and given to the beasts of the field and the birds of the air as a prey, should I, in the least, knowingly or wittingly, violate or transgress this my Fellow Craft obligation. So help me God and keep me steadfast (Ibid., p. 96).

Does this oath imply that it would be right to “cheat, wrong or defraud one who is not a member of the lodge? A Christian will have no part in such profanity.

The oath taken by Master Masons (Third degree) includes much of the same affirmations as the first two. Included in this oath is the promise that “I will not violate the chastity of a Master Mason’s wife, his mother, sister or daughter, knowing them to be such” (Ibid., p. 154). Are we to conclude that the Master Mason would not be wrong if he were to “violate the chastity” of some woman other than a relative of a fellow Master Mason? How foolish can one be?

Some members of the lodge have told me that they do not take these oaths seriously and do not feel bound by them. If this be true, I am convinced that they are still wrong. Jesus teaches us in Matthew 5:33-37 that we should not engage in false, profane or frivolous swearing. If Masons take these oaths seriously then they stand condemned for taking such profane oaths. If they do not take them seriously and do not feel bound by them, then they stand condemned for such frivolous swearing and using the name of God in such.

As we noted before, after making each of these oaths the candidate is asked to kiss the Bible. Such doings make a mockery of God’s word and no one who has any respect for God and His word will be a part of such.

Perhaps the oath taken by those entering the Royal Arch, or Seventh Degree, sums up the Mason’s attitude toward truth and right. Contained in this oath is the following:

I furthermore promise and swear, that I will assist a Companion Royal Arch Mason when I see him engaged in any difficulty, and will espouse his cause so far as to extricate him from the same, whether he be right or wrong ( Revised Duncan’s Ritual of Freemasonry Complete, p. 230).

Please not, a Mason’s loyalty to a fellow Mason comes before his loyalty to what is right. After taking this oath the candidate again kisses the Bible. Can you imagine such profanity?

I know that many have already become a part of this false religion and think they are doing something good. I hope you will give serious consideration to the material presented in this issue and will turn away from such. I am thankful that some have done so, however, many others are more devoted to Masonry than truth. These take the oaths they made very seriously. These may never change. However, I am convinced that the greatest good to be accomplished by these articles will be the prevention of many honest individuals from becoming involved in and deceived by this false religion. Friends, you cannot believe the Bible and be a member of the Masonic Lodge.

QUESTIONS

1. Do all Masons know a great deal about Masonry?
2. How do many Masons view the lodge?
3. What does Jesus teach about the wearing of religious titles?
4. What titles worn by Masons violate the teaching of Jesus?
5. Must one believe in Christ to be a member of the lodge?
6. What is wrong with the oaths taken by Masons?
7. Do all Masons take these oaths seriously?
8. If not taken seriously, would the taking of these oaths be wrong? Why?
9. Do Masons vow to put the doing of right above all else?
10. To whom is the Mason’s first and foremost responsibility?

Truth Magazine XXIV: 45, pp. 727-728
November 13, 1980

By Norman E. Fultz

Freemasonry is not “just a civic club” like Kiwanis or Lions. It is a fraternal order with a very large and complex structure. When Life Magazine published “The U.S. Masons, A Pictorial Essay in Color,” the centerfold was an elaborate pictographic representation of “The Structure of Freemasonry.” The accompanying article claimed that “One out of every 12 adult American males – some four million of them – are Masons, subscribing to the Masonic ideals of morality and brotherhood . . . . and the membership of U.S. Masons today is twice that of all the rest of the world. They have enlarged their circle by bringing wives, sons and daughters into allied organizations.”(1) The Scottish Rite in Kansas City informed me that they did not have figures readily available on the present number of Masons, but that Masonry has likely grown considerably since the publication of the article.

Even a casual reading of Masonic materials will show one that the religion of Freemasonry holds before its members the hope of a future reward. It would seem that only Masons who are members of the Lord’s church will attempt a serious denial of this fact. They know that if such is a fact, it is plainly contradictory to New Testament teaching that salvation is only in Christ (Acts 4:12; 2 Tim. 2:10), not in Masonry. We shall show from Masonic works that Masonry does offer the promise of a future reward, namely eternal life.

Five principles are necessitated by the idea of a future reward: (1) Something beyond the grave that could be considered a reward; (2) Man’s continuing beyond the grave to receive the reward; (3) Someone beyond the grave who can reward man; (4) Some grounds for making such a reward; and (5) A place where the reward can be enjoyed. Masonic teaching recognizes all these principles. They speak of “deliverance and joy”,(2) “a glorified state” and “what happiness, what delight, what increasing joy shall we reap together in the mansions of the blessed!”(3) They expect to “surrender the working tools of a busy life to the Grand Architect”(4) before whom they have sought to “practice thy precepts”(5) in a well-spent Masonic life, “thereby fitting our bodies as living stones for that spiritual building, that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”(6) The Royal Arch Degree (fourth of York Rite) is itself “a symbolic representation of the state after death.”(7)

Masonic Teaching Extends Hope Of Salvation In The Lodge

In my copy of Morals and Dogma, on the front fly leaf is an inscription to C. Brewer Ziegler, “Trusting same will enlighten to a higher Education and strengthen in our common struggle forward to that undiscovered country” (sic). Mackey tells us what Masons mean by the “undiscovered” or “foreign country.” He says, “Heaven, the future life, the higher state of existence after death, is the Joreign country in which the Master Mason is to enter, and there he is to receive his wages in the reception of that truth which can be imparted only in that better land.”(8)

The monitors and manuals are easily accessible to the Blue Lodge degrees and, very early in his Masonic education, the Mason will be exposed to their numerous references to a future reward.

In Kentucky Monitor, its author, Henry Pirtle, disparages the idea that one becomes a Mason for economic reasons. He says the idea is “unMasonic” and “We did not join Masonry from monetary motives. What, in fact, are the true wages of a Master Mason? They are the rewards of a well-spent life, a glorious immortality, having nothing to do with wages either in material corn, wine, and oil, or in coin of the realm, paid to an operative stonemason, whether resident or traveling. The `foreign countries’ are that `undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns’ to support either himself or his family. The cardinal doctrine of Masonry is that the soul of man is immortal and Masonry teaches virtue as the way of living a life to attain that end – `That I may receive Master’s wages.’ “(9) How much clearer statement could one wish in declaring the hope of Masonry? Masons, who claim to be “Son of Light”(10) have a “Mediator or Redeemer”, Hiram,(11) whom they place on par with Jesus. But Jesus is the one “who brought life and immortality to light” and that “through the gospel” (2 Tim. 1:10). Christians, not Masons, are “children of light” (1 Thess. 5:5).

The Entered Apprentice (1st degree) is told when presented with his Lambskin or white leather apron, “It may be that, in years to come, upon your head shall rest the laurel wreaths of victory; pendant from your breast may hang jewels fit to grace the diadem of an eastern potentate; yea, more than these . . . . but never again by mortal hands, never again until your enfranchised spirit shall have passed upward and inward through the gates of pearl, shall any honor so distinguished, so emblematic of purity and all perfection, be bestowed upon you as this, which I now confer.”(12) He is later told, “By the Lambskin, therefore the Mason is reminded of that purity of life and conduct which is essential to his gaining admission to the Celestial Lodge above, where the Supreme Architect of the Universe presides.”(13) He is “taught to make use of it (the gavel, nf) for the more noble and glorious purpose of divesting our hearts and consciences of all the vices and superfluities of life, thereby fitting our minds, as living stones, for that spiritual building, that house `not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.'”(14) Yet later he is told, “THE COVERING OF A LODGE is no less than the clouded canopy or starry-decked heaven, where all good Masons hope at last to arrive . . . .”(15) Should the newly initiated Mason begin to get the idea from all this that he has hope of salvation through the Lodge? If not, why not?

The Fellowcraft (2nd degree) is taught, “The Speculative Mason, therefore, is a moral builder for eternity, fitting immortal nature for that spiritual building which shall exist when earth’s proudest monumental piles shall have crumbled in dust, and the glory and greatness of earth shall have been forgotten.”(16)

The Master Mason (3rd degree) is encouraged “to look forward to a blessed immortality; and we doubt not that on the glorious morn of the resurrection our bodies will rise and become as incorruptible as our souls,” and “Then let us imitate our G.M.H.A. (Grand Master Hiram Abiff, nf) in all his varied perfection . . . . that, like him, we may welcome the grim tyrant Death, and receive him as a kind messenger sent by our Supreme Grand Master to translate us from this imperfect to that all perfect, glorious, and celestial Lodge above, where the Great Architect of the Universe presides, forever reigns.”(17) In the prayer at the closing of the lodge on Master Mason degree addressed to the “Supreme Architect of the Universe” it says, “May we so practice thy precepts, that we may finally obtain thy promises, and find an entrance through the gates into the temple and city of our God.”(18) 

In Standard Monitor (for the State of N.Y.), the Master Mason is told, “Let all the energies of our souls and the perfection of our minds be employed in attaining the approbation of the Grand Master on high, so that when we come to die, with joy we may hail the summons of the Grand Warden above to repair from our labor here on earth to eternal refreshment in the paradise of God . . . . He may be pleased to pronounce us upright men and Masons, fitly prepared, as living stones, for that spiritual building, that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (p. 125).

The Masonic Funeral Rites Extend Hope Of Salvation

Space will not permit lengthy quotations from the monitors on “funeral services,” and while there might be some variation from one monitor to another, it is evident that from the opening prayer to the final “so mote it be” the objective of that ceremony is to declare the Masonic hope to Masonic brethren of the deceased and to his sorrowing loved ones. In his opening prayer, the Master says, “May we realize that Thine All-seeing Eye is upon us, and be influenced by the spirit of truth and love to perfect obedience, that we may enjoy Thy divine approbation here below. And when our toils on earth shall have ended, may we be raised to the enjoyment of fadeless light and immortal life in that kingdom where faith and hope shall end, and love and joy prevail through eternal ages.” He charges his fellow Masons to such a life that when they come to die “it may be given unto each of us to `eat of the hidden manna,’ and to receive the `white stone with a new name’ that will insure perpetual and unspeakable happiness at His right hand.”

The Lambskin, which has been laid upon the coffin and which is to be deposited into the grave is declared to be “an emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason . . . . more ancient than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle, more honorable than the Star and Garter, when worthily worn.”

The sprig of evergreen (each Mason in the service is to wear one on the left lapel of his dark suit) is held by the Master who says, “This evergreen . . . is an emblem of our faith in the immortality of the soul . . . for by this emblem we are admonished that, like our brother, whose remains lie before us, we shall soon be clothed with the habiliments of death and deposited in the silent tomb, yet, through our belief in the mercy of God, we may confidently hope that our souls will bloom in eternal spring.” After the Master deposits his, “The brethren also advance and drop the sprig of evergreen into the grave.”

The immediate relatives and friends are addressed with expressions of sorrow for the death, but then, “we can turn our eyes to that bright land – to the shores that they inhabit; there is no mirage, no delusion there; that land exists; and those angelic strains of music, the voices of our loved ones, are whispered in our ear when no one else is by . . . . Then be comforted, for your friend (father, husband), our brother is not dead, but lives in that blissful world to which we are all hastening.”

Then as to the deceased, “So, in the bright morning of the world’s resurrection your mortal frame, now laid in the dust, shall again spring into newness of life, and expand in immortal beauty in realms beyond the skies. Until then, my brother – until then, farewell!” And the final prayer is that “we may be received into Thine everlasting kingdom, and there join in union with our friend, and enjoy that unintci rupted and unceasing felicity which is allotted to the souls of just men made perfect. Amen.” (Quotations in this section are from Kentucky Monitor, “Funeral Services”, pp. 171-181).

Now, kind reader, Masonry either offers heaven as a reward for a well-spent Masonic life or it does not. If it does not, then contrary to all its preachments on love and charity, it is void of real heart; for it deceives its members and their loved ones with its eloquent promises. It becomes a blind leader of the blind and shall bring its adherents to death without hope. If it does give eternal life, then Christianity is a sham and a fraud for the religion of Christ claims to be the only religion and His church the only institution wherein is salvation. (Please read Acts 4:11-12; 2:47; 2 Tim. 2:19.) Both claims, that of Masonry and that of Christianity, cannot be true. Which will you accept? The Christian who is a member of the lodge must make a choice. We pray it shall be a choice for Christ and his church.

Endnotes:

1. Life Magazine, October 8, 1956.

2. Masonic Manual of Alabama, p. 145, quoted by A.G. Hobbs in What About Masonry?, pp. 5-6.

3. Sermons In Which Are Explained And Enforced The Religious, Moral And Political Virtues of Freemasonry, Rev. Jethro Inwood, B.A.; Lodgeton, Ky., 1856; p. 100, note 5.

4. Kentucky Monitor, p. x.

5. Ibid, p. 224

6. Look To The East, Ralph P. Lester, p. 39.

7. Book Of The Chapter, Albert G. Mackey; 1858; p. 94. 8.

8. Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, Albert G. Mackey, Vol. I, p. 269.

9. Kentucky Monitor, p. xiii.

10. Ibid., p. xiv.

11. Ibid., p. xv.

12. Ibid., p. 13.

13. Ibid., p. 32.

14. Ibid., p. 18.

15. Ibid., p. 42.

16. Ibid., pp. 73-74.

17. Ibid., p. 152.

18.

1. Why have Christians who are Masons generally denied that Masonry offers salvation?
2. Discuss the five principles necessitated by the idea of a future reward.
3. Study the quotations from Masonic works in this article and find the five principles in them.
4. What is the “foreign country” of Masonry?
5. At what degree of Masonic instruction is one first promised a future reward?
6. Who are truly “Sons of Light,” Masons or Christians?
7. What language to the Fellow craft and Master Mason also clearly indicates salvation in the lodge?
8. If Masonry does truly take men to heaven, what does that do to the claims of Christianity?
9. Why is Masonry a heartless system rather than lust an innocent fraternity if its claims of a future reward are false?
10. What are some passages of scripture that teach salvation is not in the lodge or any human institution?
11. What ceremonies conducted at funerals reflect that Masonry promises everlasting life?

 

 

Truth Magazine XXIV: 45, pp. 724-726
November 13, 1980

By Bob Buchanon

In the United States, there are a reported eight hundred or more different secret societies. Multitudes of the most influential people are members of these secret orders. The membership includes hosts of church members and many preachers. A great many men that I know and love, including members of my own family, are members of lodges.

When the subject of secret societies is dealt with, the question is often raised: “Is Freemasonry and other secret societies a religion?” The average Mason will answer, “No.” A mis-informed Mason once wrote: “The lodge and the church occupy two wholly different spheres, and things that are not alike cannot be compared. The church is of the Lord from heaven, the lodge is of human origin. The church ministers primarily to the soul, the lodge to the body” (The Discerner, Vol. V-No. 1, January 1965). It would be well if that statement were true, but it is completely erroneous. If the lodge were merely a fraternal organization seeking to benefit its members and limiting its activities to the non-religious areas of life, then the matter might be viewed in a different light altogether. While there still would be many objections to the lodge, if it left religion out, the opposition would find a different line of argument.

Men have always formed social groups and clubs. There are many fine civic organizations (Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis, etc.) that are right in themselves. A faithful Christian may belong to any one of these for civic reasons. But there is this group of secret societies that most definitely classify as sinful for Christians to have part in.

The lodges claim to be centers of morality, claim to give great light on spiritual things, claim to make you a better citizen, and by many are claimed to be great aids to Christianity. The lodges themselves often profess to show the way to heaven. They speak much about God, have Bibles as lodge furniture in many countries, and call their building “temples.”

The purpose of this article is to present factually that there is a very definite religious aspect to Masonry. The most authoritative spokesman of the lodge points out again and again that the lodge has a religious base. The words of Paul to the Athenians fit very well when applied to the Masonic Lodge, “. . . in all things I perceive that ye are very religious” (Acts 17:22).

No Secret Work

The appeal of Masonry is the secrecy of the order. Secrets are to be kept from all people, even their wives. The mason may tell her something about the dates of their meetings, a picnic or a party, but he is not allowed to tell her about the “work” of Masonry. Some people seem to think that just because the lodge is a secret order that its teachings are not known. Some have argued that it is impossible to know anything about Masonry without being a member.. This is a mistaken conception. I know exactly what the lodge is and what it stands for. This can be known by anyone who is willing to inquire.

Masons have been led to believe that no secret work is in print. According to them nothing is written. The only way, they have been told, for anyone to have a knowledge of the secret work of Masonry is to have another Mason tell them something about it and the only way another Mason will tell another is for that other one to become a Mason. I have over 40 books on my shelves that deal with Masonry. Included in these books are the official monitors for Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, and Indiana; 2 sets of Encyclopedia of Freemasonry by Albert Mackey, a 320 Mason; Morals and Dogma by Albert Pike (this work was prepared for the Supreme Council of the 320 for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States and published by its authority); and Duncan’s Masonic Ritual and Monitor. Some Masonic friends have been stunned to see that I have these. They are surprised to find that the books contain the secret work – word for word, step by step. Do you remember, Masonic friends, when you were sitting in the car late at night having some Master Mason teach you these things and emphasize that all of this is so secret and that nothing is in print? It was in print then and is still in print now. Do not ever let anyone tell you that the only way to learn about the secrets of Masonry is to get in the lodge, because that just is not so!

In this article, I shall not assume to speak for Freemasonry – Masonry shall speak for itself. By its own utterances, by its own words, Masonry must stand justified or condemned.

Masonry’s God

To become a Mason one must believe in the existence of a supreme being. The Tennessee Craftsman states: “The foundation on which Freemasonry rests is the belief in and acknowledgment of a Supreme Being” (p. 7). Albert Mackey said, “A belief in the existence of God is an essential point of Speculative Masonry – so essential indeed, that it is a landmark of the Order that no Atheist can be made a Mason” (Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, Vol. I, page 301).

No atheist can be made a Mason! But who is an atheist? Albert Pike argues that the “real question is, whether such Qualities exist, as we call God; and not by what particular name we shall designate the Qualities. The name is of the smallest consequence. Real Atheism is the denial of the existence of any God, of the actuality of all possible ideas of God” (Morals and Dogma, p. 644).

Masonry calls their god the G.A.O.T.U. (Great Architect of the Universe). One does not need to believe in the Holy God of the Bible, just believe in “a god.” The reason for this is that Masonry is a universal religion and has members among those who believe in pagan gods. Pike says, “Masonry propagates no creed except its own most simple and sublime one; that universal religion, taught by Nature and Reason. Its Lodges are neither Jewish, Moslem, nor Christian Temples. It reiterates the precepts of morality of all religions” (Morals and Dogma, p. 718).

Suppose a Buddhist is praying in the Masonic Lodge (because Masonry allows the Buddhist to be a member) and prays, “Great Architect of the Universe,” who do you think he has in mind? He is not directing his prayers to Jehovah, for his faith is in Buddha.

A False Religion

Some try to argue that Masonry is just a social institution; another says it is an insurance company; and still another, it is a benevolent organization; and a fourth affirms that it is a religion. If it should prove that the answer to this question must be that it is a religion, then the question arises, “What is the religion of Masonry?” If it is anything but Christianity, the religion of Masonry is necessarily false, for Christianity is the only true religion. And in that case no Christian may have fellowship with Masonry.

The evidence continues to be overwhelming that Freemasonry is a religion. There is no room for any reasonable doubt as to Masonry’s being a religious institution. The lodge promises a new birth, has their own redeemer, and promises that grand celestial Lodge in the sky. Not only do the symbols, rites, temples, altars, songs, and prayers point unmistakably to it as a religion, but a great many Masonic authors emphatically declare it to be just that.

The Entered Apprentice is taught at intiation to invoke “The blessings of Deity . . . because Masonry is a religious institution . . .” (Kentucky Monitor, p. 28).

Under the heading, “Religion of Masonry,” Albert Mackey finds fault with some, whom he calls “more timid brethren,” who deny that Masonry is a religion. He replies, “On the contrary, I contend, without any sort of hesitation, that Masonry is, in every sense of the word, except one, and that its least philosophical, an eminently religious institution -that it is indebted solely to the religious element which it contains from its origin and for its continued existence, and that without this religious element it would scarcely be worthy of cultivation by the wise and good” (Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, Vol. 2, p. 618).

Mackey continued by saying, “Look at its ancient landmarks, its sublime ceremonies, its profound symbols and allegories – all inculcating religious doctrine, commanding religious observance, and teaching religious truth, and who can deny that it is eminently a religious institution?” (Ibid). The author concluded the section on religion by saying: “Masonry, then, is, indeed, a religious institution; and on this ground mainly, if not alone, should the religious Mason defend it” (Ibid, p. 619).

This should settle for all time the question as to whether or not Freemasonry is religious. According to its own claims, it is proper to speak of the “religion of Freemasonry.” The man who contends that the Masonic Lodge is not a religious institution is either ignorant of the organization or else he is a willful deceiver! Masonry is religious and it teaches religion.

There is only one true religion. That religion is Christianity. All other religions are false. I need not argue that proposition. No Christian has ever denied it. We are now in a position where we can determine absolutely whether or not the religion of Freemasonry is false or true. Let us return to the writings of the Masons and see what they have to say about it: “But they religion of Masonry is not sectarian. It admits men of every creed within its hospitable bosom, rejecting none and approving none for his peculiar, th. It is not Judaism, though there is nothing in; it to offend a Jew, it is not Christianity, but there is nothing in it repugnant to the faith of a Christian” (Ibid, emphasis mine, bb).

These are not my words! They are the words of Masonry’s own encyclopedia, prepared by one of the greatest Masonic authors. It declares Freemasonry has a religion, and that religion is not Christianity. Let us use a little logic here: If the religion of Freemasonry is not Christianity, then it is false! If the religion of Freemasonry is false, then it is not of God! If the religion of Freemasonry is not of God, then it is of the evil one! Leave it and repent!

Truth Magazine XXIV: 45, pp. 722-723
November 13, 1980

By Donald P. Ames

It has now been nearly 2,000 years since our Lord and Savior was nailed to the cross of Calvary. The account of that tragedy is recorded on the pages of divine writ, as well as His great victory over death. And this event has since become the focal point of the very claims of Christianity.

During the three years of His public ministry prior to His death, Jesus was busy teaching the people the righteousness of God. He performed many mighty works in their midst, bearing abundant testimony that He was indeed the Son of God (Jn. 3:2; 10:25, 37-38). He also rebuked and exposed the hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders and their sinful ways. Because of His claims as the Son of God, this soon aroused their wrath, and steps were taken to put Him to death (Jn. 11:47-53).

After several attempts and failures (Jn. 8:59, 10:31), arrangements were made with Judas to betray Jesus (Matt. 26:14-16). This was accomplished in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matt. 26:47f), and steps were taken to insure the death of Jesus (Matt. 27:1). Since Roman law forbade the Jews to do the actual killing, Jesus was delivered over to Pilate, because “we are not permitted to put any one to death” (Jn. 18:31). Yet, according to their charges, He was 1 to be put to death (Jn. 19:7). When Pilate hesitated, they charged, “If this man were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you” (Jn. 18:30).

According to the usual custom, Pilate sought to release Jesus, finding no guilt in Him (Jn. 18:38), and offered the people a choice between Jesus (who had done much good) and Barabbas (a robber and murderer). But “the chief priests stirred up the multitude to ask him to release Barabas for them instead” (Mk. 15:11), even though it was obvious even to Pilate that they were motivated by envy (Mk. 15:10). And though Pilate made further efforts to release Jesus, “the Jews cried out, saying, `If you release this man, you are no friend to Caesar’ ” (Jn. 19:12). Finally, Pilate sought to wash his hands of the deed that he was about to perform, and the Jews willingly accepted the consequences by stating, “His blood be on us and on our children” (Matt. 27:25). Pilate permitted Jesus to be crucified.

This still was not enough to satisfy the Jews, and they sought guards for the tomb, to have it sealed, “lest the disciples come and steal Him away and say to the people, `He has risen from the dead,’ and the latter deception will be worse than the first” (Matt. 27:64). There was no disputing either their intentions or their actions.

However, Jesus was not bound by the grave,, and in fulfillment of His own prophecies, on the third day He arose from the dead and appeared to many (1 Cor. 15:1-8; Acts 1:3). Motivated with new courage and determination, and guided by the Holy Spirit, the apostles went forth and boldly proclaimed to the Jews, “this Man, delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death” (Acts 2:23). The fact of the resurrection was too abundantly established, and the consequences of such a charge stung (Rom. 1:4). No longer were they so bold and courageous to allow “His blood be upon us.” In fact, many had already had second thoughts when they beheld the events at the death of Jesus (Luke 23:48). Now, Peter’s charge stung even more. The Bible says 3,000 responded to the gospel invitation on that day (Acts 2:41).

From this point forward, a new attitude began taking hold of the Jewish leaders. As the apostles reminded them of the events just a few days previous when “you disowned the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, – a fact to which we are witnesses” (Acts 3:14-15), they were no longer willing to accept the blame. In Acts 5:28, they call the apostles to task, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” In Acts 7:52, when Stephen charged, “Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have not become,” they could no longer contain themselves, but “cut to the quick” they began “gnashing their teeth at him” (Acts 7:54), and put him to death.

Since that time, she Jews have been busy seeking to disavow the charge that they were responsible for the death of Jesus. Efforts have been made several times in recent years to produce a Bible that would remove all references to the Jews being responsible for His death. In the Chicago Tribune (8/18/79), a notice appeared that “A Jewish leader in New York says revisions in the 1980 passion play in Oberammagau, Germany, have reduced anti-Semitic references . . . . The play, presented every 10 years, previously indicated that the Jews were to blame for the crucifixion of Jesus.” However “Jewish criticism” and “the spirit of Roman Catholicism’s Second Viatical Council” had prevailed, and that was now going to be changed.

Why would the Jews be concerned about who was to blame? Certainly the blame was not designed to destroy the Jews as a race and a people, for Peter himself said they acted out of “ignorance” (Acts 3:17). Yet, since the glorious news of the resurrection of Christ, the Jews~have not been willing to stand up and boldly state, “Yes, w’e did so! We are right in doing so, and would do so again if such an imposter arose.” Instead, they have sought repeatedly to “get the monkey off their backs.” They have claimed such blame to be “defamation” and “anti-Semitic.” They have sought to have such Bible charges deleted, and now have even had the passion play itself altered to delete all such references. Why?

We do not find similar efforts to remove charges that they killed their enemies when they entered the land of Cancan. We do not find similar efforts to remove charges that they killed other enemies. They do not even seek to deny the actions of Herod in killing off the babies (Matt. 2). But the charge that they were responsible for the death of Jesus is one charge (though formerly eager to accept) they continually seek to repudiate. Whether they accept Him as the Messiah or not (see Acts 4:16), their actions give clear testimony that they have done that which even they now know to be wrong (cf. Herod and John the Baptist, Matt. 15, Mark 6).

But, until the end of time, the charge is still a valid one. It needs to be proclaimed to all Jews. Because of their unbelief, they were broken off as the children of God (Rom. 11:20), and their only hope for salvation is to be willing to accept the conclusion they seek to deny (Rom. 1:4), and by obedience to the gospel be grafted back in (Rom. 11:23; 9:1-5; 10:103). “And thus all Israel will be saved” – in precisely the same way the Gentiles are saved (Rom. 1:16; Heb. 5:9). The facts of history – or of salvation – cannot be altered to suit man’s feelings. And the response of Judaism still today gives tactical admittance to their guilt in the death of the Son of God as well as a grudging admittance to the validity of His claims. Then why not, as did those on Pentecost, repent and obey Him while there is still time!

Truth Magazine XXIV: 44, pp. 714-715
November 6, 1980