Posted by
Jason Smith on Friday, July 07, 2006 3:31:35 PM
What are the religious views of Masonry?
Freemasonry is based on a set of moral (how to live) and metaphysical (what is reality) beliefs. This is agreed upon by all Masons, but what are these beliefs?
It is a gnostic group that has many ranks, and one must precede in rank to learn the "hidden knowledge" of Freemasonry. I believe there are 32 ranks total.
Masonry required belief in a Supreme Being, whom they call "The great Architect of the Universe." This is compatible with any religion that is Monotheistic, including Christianity. The Bible clearly states that God created all things, including mankind.
A central tenant of Freemasonry is that a Mason must have absolute free will. A slave or a former slave cannot be a Freemason. A person cannot be coerced to become a Freemason. This is incompatible with Christianity, because the Bible shows that God is in control of all things. He not only created everything, but He rules over all things. We are to be slaves to Christ, as the apostle Paul regularly stated in his letters. Christians have been redeemed (bought) from sin and Satan and brought into a good slavery under Jesus Christ. He is our Lord and Master, and we are His servants.
Secondly, Freemasonry believes that there are many ways to salvation in God. I think that Albert Pike, a high leader in Freemasonry, in "Morals and Dogma" (pg. 160) confirms this. Jesus clearly stated that He is the only Way, the only Truth, and the only Light. Nobody can come to the Father except through Him. We do not worship a generic god who created the universe and then left. We worship the true God of the Bible who created all things and who reigns in Heaven over all of His creation. We worship the triune God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is incompatible with all other religions.
Apparently, vocal praying in the name of Jesus is not authorized at any Masonic lodges. All prayers are to be addressed using the Masonic terminology, such as "the Supreme Being," "the Maker," and the "great Architect of the Universe." This is not acceptable for Christians.
Unfortunately, I do not have many good sources for this information. Does anyone have anything helpful, either from the perspective of Freemasonry or from the perspective of Christianity?