Christianity And Freemasonry

While many Christian denominations either allow or take no stance on their members joining Freemasonry, others discourage or prohibit their members from joining the fraternity.

Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church has been among the most persistent critics of Freemasonry. The Church has prohibited its members from being Freemasons since the papal bull ''In eminenti apostolatus,'' promulgated in 1738 by Pope Clement XII. Since then, the Vatican has issued several papal bulls banning the membership of Catholics in Freemasonry under threat of excommunication. In 1983, the Canon Law was changed to read, "A person who joins an association that plots against the Church is to be punished with a just penalty; however, a person who promotes or directs an association of this kind is to be punished with an interdict", eliminating the penalty of excommunication for Masons. Joseph Ratzinger, who later became Pope Benedict XVI, wrote in a letter that those who enroll in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion. The penalty of excommunication is not declared in the current code of canon law, but membership remains forbidden.Catholic Library
Declaration on Masonic Associations at ''newadvent.org''. Retrieved 2011-10-20. The aforementioned letter does not form part of Canon Law and, during his tenure, Benedict XVI did not make any attempt to change Canon Law to explicitly mention the ban on Freemasonry.

The Catholic Church argues that the philosophy of French Freemasonry (the Grand Orient, not the dominant variety of Freemasonry or the branch that is active in the English-speaking world) is antithetical to Christian doctrine and that it is at many times and places anti-clerical in intent."French Masonry and above all the Grand Orient of France has displayed the most systematic activity as the dominating political element in the French "Kulturkampf" since 1877." Fro
Masonry (Freemasonry)
from the ''Catholic Encyclopedia'' The 1913 ''Catholic Encyclopedia'' argued that some of the ceremonial in the Scottish Rite is anti-Catholic."The Kadosh (thirtieth degree), trampling on the papal tiara and the royal crown, is destined to wreak a just vengeance on these "high criminals" for the murder of Molay 28and "as the apostle of truth and the rights of man" 29to deliver mankind "from the bondage of Despotism and the thraldom of spiritual Tyranny"." From the articl
Masonry (Freemasonry)
in the Catholic Encyclopedia However, this claim does not appear in subsequent editions.''New Catholic Encyclopedia'', 1967 ed, Volume 6, pp 132–139, McGraw-Hill, New York. The most recent edition (2002) does not contain any article on Freemasonry.

The Masonic use of Biblical imagery was seen in the 1913 ''Catholic Encyclopedia'' as being done in such a way as to deny the revelation of Christianity."In the text of 1738 particular stress is laid on "freedom of conscience," and the universal, non-Christian character of Masonry is emphasized. The Mason is called a "true Noahida", i.e. an adherent of the pre-Christian and pre-Mosaic system of undivided mankind." Fro
Masonry (Freemasonry)
in the ''Catholic Encyclopedia'' However, this complaint was not included in subsequent editions.

From the earliest pontifical documents on the subject and in particular in the Encyclical '' Humanum Genus'' by Pope Leo XIII ( 20 April 1884), the Magisterium of the Church, which may not change ague has denounced philosophical ideas and moral conceptions in Freemasonry that were considered opposed to Catholic doctrine. For Leo XIII, they essentially led back to a rationalistic naturalism, the inspiration of its plans and activities against the Church.

During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, conflict between Catholicism and Freemasonry broke out into disputes over secular education, discrimination in employment, and in some European countries, the expulsion of religious orders.

Catholic ban on Freemasonry since the Second Vatican Council

In 1974, Cardinal Franjo Seper, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, sent a letter that seemed to relax the previous absolute ban on Freemasonry,Clarification concerning status of Catholics becoming Freemasons
at EWTN.com. Retrieved 2011-10-16. causing confusion and leading many Catholics to become Freemasons. In 1981, the Congregation clarified this stance in a letter to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, entitled ''Declaration Concerning Status of Catholics Becoming Freemasons'', stating that Seper's private letter, now made public, had engendered unfavorable interpretations of Catholic doctrine. The Congregation's letter also affirmed that the prohibition against Catholics joining Masonic orders remained. In 1983, the Church revised the Code of Canon Law in a way that did not mention Freemasonry, causing some Freemasons to claim that the ban on Catholics becoming Freemasons may have been lifted."As can be seen, no longer does the Canon impose excommunication on Catholic Masons, or even mention Masons directly.", the attitude of the church has been to regard Freemasonry as an acceptable sphere for fraternal interaction." Fro
Roman Catholic Church Law Regarding Freemasonry
by Reid McInvale, Texas Lodge of Research. Later that same year, the Vatican reaffirmed the ban. In 2000, a letter written by Father Thomas Anslow, a judicial vicar, indicated a more permissive attitude to Freemasonry, although this was retracted two years later, with Anslow claiming that the analysis was faulty.

Allegations of Deism

One of the persistent Catholic criticisms of Freemasonry is that it advocates a deist or naturalist view of creation.

Whilst it is recognized that Masonry is not atheistic (Masons aligned with the United Grand Lodge of England are asked if they believe in God or another supreme being before joining and only accept candidates that do),"We do ask a man if he believes in God and that is the only religious test.
Freemasonry and religion
from the Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon its use of the expression Supreme Architect of the Universe—a term attributed to the Protestant theologian John Calvin—is seen by some Christian critics as indicating Deism, the belief that God created the Universe but did not intervene in the world after this."The nature of the Masonic God is best seen in their favorite title for him: the Supreme Architect. The Masonic God is first of all a deistic God, who is found at the top of the ladder of Masonic wisdom", Jolicoeur and Knowles, pp. 14-15 cited in "The Pastoral Problem of Masonic Membership", sent out as a part of th
Letter of April 19, 1985 to U.S. Bishops Concerning Masonry
by Cardinal Bernard Law This was a common sentiment that arose in the Enlightenment, though Catholics consider it heresy.Deism
, in the European Enlightenment Glossary As a counter-argument, Freemasonry contends that “Supreme Architect” is a neutral term acceptable to all, regardless of sect or denomination: It merely reflects the fraternity’s desire to bring together members of all deity based religions, by not using any one specific religion’s term for their supreme being.

A specific charge made in the 1913 ''Catholic Encyclopedia'' against Freemasonry is that the introduction of speculative Masonry in the early eighteenth-century specifically aimed at "dechristianising" the old operative masonry lodges. However, this charge was dropped from subsequent editions.

Whereas the constitutions of previous lodges of operative Masonry stated that "''The first charge is this, that you be true to God and Holy Church and use no error or heresy''",Quote fro

by Joseph Fort Newton, 1914 in 1723, the constitution of the Grand Lodge of England was modified to state that Masons are no longer expected to follow the religion of the country they live in and, now, were only obliged to follow the moral law, regardless of denominations.Article I of

This change is construed by the Catholic Church as moving towards a Deistic view.

Separation of church and state

American Freemasons are consistent advocates of freedom of religion, as found in the First Amendment"Amendment I - Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievance
From the Constitution of the United States
/ref> of the US Constitution. The idea that the Establishment Clause means a ''strict'' separation of church and state is interpreted by the Catholic Church as a veiled attack on its place in public life.Pope Leo XIIIbr>''Etsi Nos'' (On Conditions in Italy)
Item 2 Well into the nineteenth century, the papacy continued to assert a divinely-ordained right to appoint civil rulers and depose them. It called opposition to this principle "Religious Indifferentism", by which no religion was acknowledged as true or revealed. The papacy also described Freemasonry as a leader in the cause of popular sovereignty, as the 1913 ''Catholic Encyclopedia'' noted."If the Bloc has been established, this is owing to Freemasonry and to the discipline learned in the lodges. The measures we have now to urge are the separation of Church and State and a law concerning instruction. Let us put our trust in the word of our Bro. Combes" from quoted as footnote 158 in the articl

in the Catholic Encyclopedia This reference to the Masons is not present, however, in the ''New Catholic Encyclopedia''.

Some specific areas in which Freemasons were accused of aiming for an improper separation of church and state were:

* Compulsory state-supported secular education in Italy in 1882, entailing a prohibition on religious education. Christians also complained that "religious houses eresuppressed, the goods of the Church confiscated, marriages contracted in despite of the laws and without the rites of the Church.""the position of the religious authorities as to the education of the young utterly ignored" Pope Leo XII
''Etsi Nos'' (On Conditions in Italy)
Item 2
* The introduction of civil marriage in Mexico in 1857Oscar J. Salina
Mexican Masonry- Politics & Religion

Religious indifference

Catholic critics of Freemasonry observe that it refuses to promote one faith as being superior to any others, while at the same time it also uses rituals that can appear religious to outsiders. That combination is seen as inculcating an indifference to religion."The March 11, 1985, issue of L'Osservatore Romano carried an article titled "Irreconcilability Between Christian Faith and Freemasonry" as a comment on the November 26, 1983, declaration. In part the Vatican newspaper said a Christian "cannot cultivate relations of two types with God nor express his relation with the Creator through symbolic forms of two types." Quoted in "The Pastoral Problem of Masonic Membership" in th
Letter of April 19, 1985 to U.S. Bishops Concerning Masonry
by Cardinal Bernard Law"The truth of the matter is, Freemasonry espouses universalism, embraces religious pluralism and has effectively created a unique syncretistic religion.
Order of Former Freemasons

The Masonic author Mackey called Freemasonry "a science which is engaged in the search after the divine truth".Mackey, Symbolism of Freemasonry, 1869, 303, Cited in the articl

from the Catholic Encyclopedia

Anderson's ''The Constitutions of the Free-Masons'', 1723, likens the guidance of moral truth to a religion in which all men agree and said that the specifics of a Mason’s religious faith are his own opinion to leave to himself., Article I Freemasons reply that not ''obliging'' a member to profess a certain religious viewpoint as a condition of membership is not the equivalent of asserting that no religion can be superior to any other. Personal theological beliefs are not to be discussed in the lodge, thus avoiding arguments with those holding different beliefs. It has been suggested that this ban on religious discussion was especially important in eighteenth-century England where a civil war, in part caused by religious conflict, had only recently ended.

Protestantism

Although many Protestant denominations do not prohibit or discourage their members from joining Masonic lodges, nor have they issued any position papers condemning Freemasonry, other churches have formally opposed Masonry and spoken of the problems they see with Christians belonging to Masonic lodges. The United Brethren Church, the first American denomination not transplanted from Europe, is one such denomination that formally forbids its members from joining a Masonic lodge.

Opposing stance

There is a range of intensity among those Protestant denominations which discourage their congregants from joining Masonic lodges. Most of these denominations tend to be either evangelical Protestant or other neo-Protestant. Among Protestants opposed to Freemasonry are the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, the Church of the Nazarene, the Salvation Army, Mennonites, The North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, Christian Reformed Church in North America, Church of the Brethren,"The Brethren objected to the oaths required of the mason, and even more to the evidence of heathen beliefs about Jesus Christ incorporated in the higher levels of this secret society. Joining such was forbidden" fro
Brethren Life
/ref> Assemblies of God, Society of Friends (Quakers),"The Quakers will not join secret societies, such as Freemasonry, which specialize in oaths." The Quakers, or Our Neighbors, The Friends by William J. Whalen
4:Practices
Free Methodist church,"They found the main body of the church disinterested in their reforms and broke away to form the Free Methodist Church, which survives to this day as a small group which does not permit its members to join any lodge.
FOUR FACETS of FRIENDSHIP THE SHORT TALK BULLETIN Short Talk Bulletin - April 1972
, by George Helmer, hosted on the Masonic Leadership Center - NOTE THIS LINK MAY HAVE MOVED... Seventh-day Adventist Church,"She talked of Free Masonry and the impossibility of a man's being a Free Mason and a Seventh-day Adventist at the same time.", Ellen White, a co-founder of the Seventh Day Adventists, quoted i
Chapter Eight
God Revealed Secrets Through Ellen G. White Orthodox Presbyterian Church,"membership in the Masonic fraternity is inconsistent with Christianity"
Christ or the Lodge? A Report on Freemasonry
Committee on Secret Societies, ninth General Assembly of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, June 2–5, 1942 Free Church of Scotland,"... in the minds of the committee, according to their interpretations of the Scriptures, membership of Freemasonry... is inconsistent with a profession of the Christian faith." Unnamed report, quoted i
Freemasonry: What Do Christian Churches Really Think about The Lodge?
, hosted by Jubilee Resources International Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland,"However, the clear conclusion we have reached from our enquiry is that there is an inherent incompatibility between Freemasonry and the Christian faith. Also that commitment within the movement is inconsistent with a Christian's commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord." Fro
Baptists and Freemasonry
date and author unknown, published by the Baptist Union of Scotland and endorsed by the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland Presbyterian Church in America,"No one shall be received into membership into a PCA church who is a member of a Masonic organisation. Present members of a church in the PCA who are members of a Masonic organisation will be given a period of one year to read the report of the Committee to Study Freemasonry, pray and consider their membership in the Order in light of the clear statement of incompatibility of Freemasonry with Biblical Christianity. After said year, they will be allowed to resign membership or become the subject of formal church discipline." Unnamed report adopted by the General Assembly of PCA, April 15–16, 1988, quoted i
Freemasonry: What Do Christian Churches Really Think about The Lodge?
, hosted by Jubilee Resources International Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland,"4. Unchristian Fellowship - True fellowship exists only between those who are united by saving faith to the Lord Jesus Christ. Freemasonry, for example, excludes the mediation of Christ and accepts, as brothers, representatives of many non-Christian religions. Scripture, however, clearly teaches that we can have fellowship with one another only because "our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ." Fro
The Church and Secret Societies
on the church's home page Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa (NGK). Most of these condemnations resulted from the work of church committees appointed only in recent decades. Many of these Protestant condemnations have never been enforced.

Neutral stance or no position

In some instances, these are relatively small church bodies which broke from the mainline Protestant denominations in recent decades, citing as their reason their opposition to theological liberalism or diversity. The largest by far of the Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Methodist church bodies in the US have not taken a stand against Freemasonry, and many Masons are active members of them. The Episcopal Church, the largest of the Anglican churches in the U.S., has taken no stance against Masonry, nor have the various smaller continuing Anglican and independent Anglican church bodies.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the largest Lutheran denomination in the United States and a progressive, mainline Protestant denomination, takes no stance on its lay congregants being members of Masonic organizations including Blue Lodge Freemasonry, Scottish Rite Freemasony, York Rite Freemasony, the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Shriners), or the Order of the Eastern Star (OES). However, the ELCA does prohibit its clergy from being members of Masonic organizations at any time. The ELCA Churchwide Constitution was first ratified in 1987 with the creation of the denomination and states, "No person who belongs to any organization such as a lodge or fraternal order which claims to possess in its teachings and ceremonies that which the Lord has given solely to the Church shall be called and received onto the roster of Ministers of Word and Sacrament or otherwise received into the ministry of this church, nor shall any person so-called and received onto the roster of Ministers of Word and Sacrament or otherwise received by this church be retained in its ministry who subsequently joins or is discovered to be a member of such an organization." This ban on "lodge or fraternal order" membership for clergy also extends to other organizations like the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (Elks Lodge), the Loyal Order of Moose (Moose Lodge), and the Swedish-American Vasa Order of America. This neutral stance on lay membership is in contrast to the other two main Lutheran denominations in the United States, the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, who prohibit both their lay members and their clergy from membership in any Masonic-related organizations without exception.

The Church of England does not have a clear stance on the matter. While there have been Anglican Freemasons, since the 1980s, some Anglican bishops and priests have made negative judgements about Freemasons, for theological reasons. In July 1987, the General Synod endorsed a report which considered the compatibility of Freemasonry and Christianity. The report stated "The reflections of the Working Group itself reveal understandable differences of opinion between those who are Freemasons and those who are not. Whilst the former fully agree that the Report shows that there are clear difficulties to be faced by Christians who are Freemasons, the latter are of the mind that the Report points to a number of very fundamental reasons to question the compatibility of Freemasonry and Christianity."

The Church of Scotland does not ban congregants from becoming Freemasons, but in 1989 the general assembly said there were "very real theological difficulties" with Church of Scotland members being Freemasons.Many Kirk members still Masons despite earlier call to 'think again'
Saturday 15 Feb 2003

The 1985 Conference of the Methodist Church of Great Britain said that Freemasonry competed with Christian beliefs,"It is clear that Freemasonry may compete strongly with Christianity. There is a great danger that the Christian who becomes a Freemason will find himself compromising his Christian beliefs or his allegiance to Christ, perhaps without realizing what he is doing.
Guidance to Methodists on Freemasonry, para. 21, adopted by the Conference of 1985 and printed in Statements and Reports of the Methodist Church on Faith and Order, Volume Two 1984-2000, Part Two
/ref> discouraged (but did not prohibit) Methodists from becoming Freemasons"Consequently our guidance to the Methodist people is that Methodists should not become Freemasons.
Guidance to Methodists on Freemasonry, para. 22, adopted by the Conference of 1985 and printed in Statements and Reports of the Methodist Church on Faith and Order, Volume Two 1984-2000, Part Two
/ref> and asked Methodist Freemasons to reconsider their membership of Freemasonry."We recognise that there are many loyal and sincere Methodists who are Freemasons, whose commitment to Christ is unquestionable and who see no incompatibility in their membership of the Methodist Church and of Freemasonry. We urge all Methodists who are already Freemasons to study this report and consider carefully the questions raised here.
Guidance to Methodists on Freemasonry, para. 23, adopted by the Conference of 1985 and printed in Statements and Reports of the Methodist Church on Faith and Order, Volume Two 1984-2000, Part Two
/ref> The Conference banned the use of Methodist premises for Masonic meetings,"Meetings of Freemasons' Lodges or other meetings for masonic purposes may not be held on Methodist premises.
Standing Order 919(1) (subsequently renumbered Standing Order 928(1)) found in Guidance to Methodists on Freemasonry, para. 24 and footnote, adopted by the Conference of 1985 and printed in Statements and Reports of the Methodist Church on Faith and Order, Volume Two 1984-2000, Part Two
/ref> though a 1989 source reported some Masonic meetings were taking place on Methodist premises. The 1996 Methodist Conference revisited the 1985 position in the light of developments in Freemasonry, concluding that there were still "hesitations about the wisdom" of a Methodist joining a Masonic lodge,"We urge Methodists who are considering becoming Freemasons to give careful thought to our hesitations about the wisdom of joining such a society.
Freemasonry, para. 31(3), adopted by the Conference of 1996 and printed in Statements and Reports of the Methodist Church on Faith and Order, Volume Two 1984-2000, Part Two
/ref> though it affirmed there was no absolute bar on a Methodist being a Freemason."We have indicated that being a Freemason does not disqualify a person from membership, or the holding of office, within the Methodist Church. Nevertheless, in the light of this report, Methodist Freemasons must take responsibility for the judgements they make about the compatibility of membership of both bodies."
Freemasonry, para. 31(2), adopted by the Conference of 1996 and printed in Statements and Reports of the Methodist Church on Faith and Order, Volume Two 1984-2000, Part Two
/ref> The 1996 Conference stated there were unresolved concerns relating to openness of Freemasonry and compatibility of Masonic practice with Christian doctrine despite "positive changes that have taken place within Freemasonry in recent years"."We recognise positive changes that have taken place within Freemasonry in recent years, but encourage the United Lodge to become ever more open to scrutiny, so that trust may have the chance to grow and causes of suspicion be diminished. In addition, there remain some doctrinal issues, such as the nature of God, salvation, prayer, religion and rituals, that have not been satisfactorily resolved."
Freemasonry, para. 31(4), adopted by the Conference of 1996 and printed in Statements and Reports of the Methodist Church on Faith and Order, Volume Two 1984-2000, Part Two
/ref> The 1985 ban on the use of Methodist premises for Masonic meetings remained in place following the 1996 discussions."The recommendation of the 1985 report relating to the use of Methodist premises by Freemasons is now a Standing Order (928) and needs no longer to be part of this report."
Freemasonry, para. 29, adopted by the Conference of 1996 and printed in Statements and Reports of the Methodist Church on Faith and Order, Volume Two 1984-2000, Part Two
/ref>

The Southern Baptist Convention is mistakenly understood to prohibit Freemasonry, but leaves such as a matter of individual conscience, largely due to the findings within the SBC 1993 Report on Freemasonry, in which it states:

Approving stance and acknowledgement

Many historical, traditional, and mainline Protestant denominations in mainland Europe officially do not prohibit Freemasonry. An example is the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northern Germany, a member church of the Evangelical Church in Germany. It recognizes Freemasons among its members and sometimes the Masons hold public ceremonies in the historic St. Michael's Church, Hamburg.

Eastern Orthodoxy

Some Eastern Orthodox Churches have condemned Freemasonry.

In 1933, the Synod of the Church of Greece condemned Freemasonry, forbade all clerics to be members of it, and demanded that church members break all relations with Freemasonry. In 1937, a condemnation was declared by the Church of Romania, followed by a condemnation in the 1950s by the Orthodox Church in America and the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia. According to the website of the Orthodox Church in America, "It is forbidden for an Orthodox Christian to be a member of the Masonic Fraternity because many of its teachings stand in direct conflict with those of Orthodox Christianity."

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a longstanding policy of maintaining no official position on Freemasonry. Some people, however, see links between the two movements in practice, structure, and symbolism, which go back to the church's origins.

Although the impact of Freemasonry in LDS Church doctrine is the subject of intense debate, it is believed by some that Joseph Smith Sr., the father of the church's founder and first president, Joseph Smith, became a Freemason in 1816. Recent research casts doubt on this belief. Joseph Smith, likewise, became a Freemason in 1842, when the church was headquartered in Nauvoo, Illinois. He and hundreds of his followers—including his first four successors as church president—all became Freemasons. Shortly after becoming a Freemason, Smith introduced the church's temple endowment ceremony, which contained some symbols and language closely paralleling some of the rituals of Freemasonry.

When the church relocated to Utah in 1847 after Smith's death, Brigham Young it has been rumored, was unsuccessful in establishing masonic lodges in the Utah Territory. There has been no proof of this. This was supposedly due to several factors, but the church's practice of polygamy and the strong anti-Mormon sentiment of the era greatly contributed. Distrust between members of the church and Masons grew throughout the second half of the 1800s.

Many Freemasons who were not members of the LDS Church harbored strong anti-Mormon sentiments that started in Nauvoo. Soon after Smith and his followers were initiated, the Grand Lodge of Illinois was compelled to revoke the charters of several predominantly Latter-day Saint lodges due to anti-Mormon sentiment and rumors of irregularities. In 1872, the Grand Lodge of Utah was formed and in 1925 implemented a policy prohibiting members of the church from become Masons or from associating with Utah lodges from out-of-state.Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Utah The church also began discouraged its members from joining any "oath-bound" fraternities or "secret societies" without naming Freemasonry specifically, eventually codifying it in the ''Church Handbook of Instructions''. In 1984, The Grand Lodge of Utah rescinded its ban on members of the church, after the proposal failed in 1983. Subsequently, the church removed language from the ''Church Handbook of Instructions'' that discouraged members from joining oath-bound fraternities. The ''Encyclopedia of Mormonism'', a quasi-official 1992 publication, clarified the church's position by stating that "the philosophy and major tenets of Freemasonry are not fundamentally incompatible with the teaching, theology, and doctrines of the Latter-day Saints."

Unlike many American Christian churches in the 21st century, the LDS Church does not currently have an anti-Masonic position. There is no formal barrier preventing a male from being both a member of the church and a Mason, and many have elected to do so. In 2008, Glen Cook, a practicing Latter-day Saint, became the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Utah, and subsequently held national and international masonic offices Another Latter-day Saint Freemason, Mark E. Koltko-Rivera, who authored an introduction to Freemasonry entitled "Freemasonry: An Introduction."

Philippine Independent Church

The Philippine Independent Church, officially the ''Iglesia Filipina Independiente'' (IFI), do not prohibit Freemasonry and allows its clergy and members to join Masonic organizations. Its earliest members and supporters, who are widely recognized national heroes of the country, were notable Freemasons. Its first Supreme Bishop and co-founder Gregorio Aglipay was a high-ranking Mason in the Philippines. Aglipay joined Masonry in 1918, sixteen years after the proclamation of the independent catholic denomination. At present, the church recognizes Freemasons among its members. Some of its bishops and high-ranking church officials are active members of Masonic lodges. The church firmly stands that Freemasonry is not a religion, nor a substitute for religion, and is not in conflict with their doctrines and practices as Christians. The church also refutes that Freemasonry is connected to Satanism, contrary to popular belief.

New religion

Freemasonry unambiguously states that it is not a religion, nor a substitute for religion.For example, this is stated in exactly these words on the web site of th
United Grand Lodge of England
/ref> There is no separate "Masonic" God, nor is there a separate proper name for a deity in any branch of Freemasonry. In keeping with the geometrical and architectural theme of Freemasonry, the Supreme Being is referred to in Masonic ritual by the attributes of Great Architect of the Universe (sometimes abbreviated as G.A.O.T.U.), ''Grand Geometer'', or something similar. Freemasons use these varied forms of address to make clear that the reference is generic and not about any one religion's particular identification of God.

Nevertheless, Freemasonry has been criticized as being a substitute for Christian belief. For example, the ''New Catholic Encyclopedia'' states the opinion that Freemasonry becomes a rival to Catholicism by displaying all of the elements of a religion, including altars, prayers, worship, and the promise of reward or punishment in the afterlife, among other things commonly seen in religions.

Links to Esotericism

Certain types of Freemasonry, most notably the Swedish Rite, are said to be connected to Esoteric Christianity,"In the Swedish system, practised by the German Country Grand Lodge, Christ is said to have taught besides the exoteric Christian doctrine, destined for the people and the duller mass of his disciples, an esoteric doctrine for his chosen disciples, such as St. John, in which He denied that He was God." Findel, "Die Schule der Hierarchie, etc.", 1870, 15 sqq.; Schiffmann, "Die Entstehung der Rittergrade", 1882, 85, 92, 95 sq. Cited i
Masonry (Freemasonry)
from the Catholic Encyclopedia which holds that Orthodox Christian doctrine is for the duller masses and that "real" Christianity holds the secret knowledge concerning the sacrifice of Christ on Golgotha.

Pre-Christian pagan influences

The 1917 edition of the ''Catholic Encyclopedia'' says that the Masonic authors ''Clavel, Ragnon, Pike'' and ''Mackey'' claim Masonic symbolism is rooted in the solar and phallic worship of pre-Christian mystery religion, particularly Egyptian religion.footnotes 113 and 114 i
Masonry (Freemasonry)
in the Catholic Encyclopedia

Rosicrucian influences

The Rosicrucian symbol of the Rose Cross is also found in certain rituals of appendant bodies to Freemasonry which require candidates to be Master Masons.For example the name of the Scottish Rite degree Knight Rose Croi

/ref>

Many Anti-Masonic Christian authors have stated that Rosicrucian Robert Fludd (1574–1637) was a Mason. However, there is no evidence supporting this contention. Nor is there any documented evidence to support Arthur Edward Waite's (1857–1942) speculation that Fludd may have introduced a Rosicrucian influence into Freemasonry. Robert Vanloo states that earlier 17th century Rosicrucianism had a considerable influence on "Anglo-Saxon" Masonry.

A list of groups linked to both Freemasonry and Rosicrucianism, which requires for membership admission to be Christian and Master Mason (''see websites''), includes:

*Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia, 1866
* Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis, 1880

Manly Palmer Hall, a noted occultist and author on Masonic topics, wrote a book called ''Rosicrucian and Masonic Origins'' in 1929 (long before he ever became a Mason)Hall, Manly Palmer,
Rosicrucian and Masonic Origins
', 1929 and the Rosicrucian author Max Heindel wrote a book in the 1910s,Heindel, Max,
Freemasonry and Catholicism
', 1910s both of which portray Catholicism and Freemasonry as being two distinct streams in the development of Christianity.

Claims of Satan worship and response

Some Christian critics of Freemasonry, often evangelical Christians, and all the Orthodox Christian Churches claim that Freemasonry involves the worship of the angel named Satan. Such claims are often supported by quoting, misquoting, or quoting out of context various individuals, both Masonic and non-Masonic, but not Masonic ritual itself.

Below are some of the more common quotations used on the internet in the attempt to establish the claim that Masons worship Satan, with some notes about them:

Waite

First Conjuration Addressed to Emperor Lucifer. Emperor Lucifer, Master and Prince of Rebellious Spirits, I adjure thee to leave thine abode, in what-ever quarter of the world it may be situated and come hither to communicate with me. I command and I conjure thee in the Name of the Mighty Living God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, to appear without noise and without ....Cephas Ministry
citing "Arthur Edward Waite 33°" ''The Book Of Black Magic'', page 244

This quote is often attributed to "Arthur Edward Waite, 33°" on Christian Anti-Masonic websites, as if it were an authoritative statement from a "high level" Mason, but Waite is not identified as a 33rd degree Mason anywhere in the book the quote is taken from.The cover of A E Waite's book
retrieved 11 January 2006 He is described simply as an individual with an interest in the occult. Waite was not a Mason when he wrote this book (the book was written and published in 1898; Waite became a Mason in 1902). Additionally, according to the Masonic research document "The Lie of Luciferianism"
retrieved 11 January 2006 Waite was never a 33rd degree Mason; he never joined the Scottish Rite. He was, however, a "high level" member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a magical order based on an initiated lodge model similar to Freemasonry.A Short Treatise on the History, Culture and Practices of The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn
, retrieved 10 June 2013.

Hall

I hereby promise the Great Spirit Lucifer, Prince of Demons, that each year I will bring unto him a human soul to do with as it may please him, and in return Lucifer promises to bestow upon me the treasures of the earth and fulfil my every desire for the length of my natural life. If I fail to bring him each year the offering specified above, then my own soul shall be forfeit to him. Signed.....
- citing "Manley Palmer Hall 33°", ''The Secret Teachings of All Ages'', Page CIV

This passage is from Manly Palmer Hall's ''The Secret Teachings of All Ages'' (specifically, the chapter "Ceremonial Magic and Sorcery."). As with Waite, Christian Anti-masons use this quotation as if it were an "authoritative" statement from a "high level" Mason. However, as with Waite, Hall is not identified as a 33° Mason anywhere in the book, nor is there a record of his reception of the 33° cited in any readily available source that does not include the above quotation. According to the Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon, Hall ''was'' initiated into Freemasonry, but not until 1954,Manly Palmer Hall
retrieved 11 January 2006 when he was 53 years old. ''The secret Teachings of All Ages'' was published in 1928,
, retrieved 11 January 2006 when he was only 27. More importantly, the quotation is taken out of context. Hall is not discussing Freemasonry at all, but rather summarizing how a magician would invoke a spirit and giving an example of how a demonic pact might read. Hall was an occultist, and according to one source,
, retrieved 11 January 2006 was a well-established lecturer on the occult and other esoterica by the age of 20, before he was even eligible to become a Mason.

When The Mason learns that the Key to the warrior on the block is the proper application of the dynamo of living power, he has learned the Mystery of his Craft. The seething energies of Lucifer are in his hands and before he may step onward and upward, he must prove his ability to properly apply this energy.
citing "Manley Palmer Hall 33°", ''The Lost Keys Of Freemasonry'', Page 48

This quotation appears in Hall's ''The Lost Keys Of Freemasonry''. It appears in Chapter 4 (titled "The Fellowcraft") which has nothing to do with the actual Fellowcraft degree.
, retrieved 11 January 2006 The passage is again taken out of context, and its meaning changes when it is put back into the context of the chapter it comes from: it is part of a larger philosophical discussion which can also be read to imply that the improper use of "energies" can make the Mason a tool of Satan. Furthermore, even taken out of context, this passage does not refer to worshipping Satan ''per se''. As with the previous quotation from ''Secret Teachings of All Ages'', the book was written well before Hall became a Mason. In his Introduction to the book Hall clearly states: "At the time I wrote this slender volume, I had just passed my twenty-first birthday, and my only contact with Freemasonry was through a few books commonly available to the public".

Blavatsky

"Satan, or Lucifer, represents the active, or, as M. Jules Baissac calls it, the 'Centrifugal Energy of the Universe' in a cosmic sense. He is Fire, Light, Life, Struggle, Effort, Thought, Consciousness, Progress, Civilization, Liberty, Independence. At the same time he is pain, which is the Re-action of the pleasure of action, and death — which is the revolution of life — Satan, burning in his own hell, produced by the fury of his own momentum — the expansive disintegration of the nebulæ which is to concentrate into new worlds"

This quotation is taken from Helena Blavatsky's ''magnum opus'', ''The Secret Doctrine'', and is often presented by Anti-Masons as evidence of Satanism on the part of Freemasonry. This passage is quite regularly taken out of its context as Blavatsky makes extensive use of symbols and types in communicating occult doctrine. Furthermore, Blavatsky was not associated with Freemasonry and nor did she ever claim to be.

Pike and Taxil

Yes, Lucifer is God, and unfortunately Adonay is also God. For the eternal law is that there is no light without shade, no beauty without ugliness, no white without black, for the absolute can only exist as two Gods: darkness being necessary to light to serve as its foil as the pedestal is necessary to the statue, and the brake to the locomotive.Learnthebible.org
citing 'Albert Pike 33° ''Instructions to the 23 Supreme Councils of the world'' Supposedly issued July 14, 1889; A. C. De La Rive in ''La Femme et l'Enfant dans la Franc-Maconnerie Universelle'' (page 588)

Albert Pike is frequently quoted by Christian Anti-Masons, often with the quotation taken out of context. However, in this case the statement was not even written by Pike. It was included in a letter which con artist Leo Taxil ''claimed'' was from Pike, and was later demonstrated to be a forgery.

Crowley

The occultist Aleister Crowley, who called himself "The Great Beast 666" claimed to be a Freemason, and his association with Freemasonry is one major reason why some conservative Christians see it as an occult organization. According to Martin P. Starr, all of the lodges and organizations Crowley joined and founded were considered irregular.

See also

* Anti-Freemasonry

Notes and references

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External links

Freemasonry & ChristianityWas Freemasonry Dechristianised?Anglicanism and Freemasonry

{{DEFAULTSORT:Christianity And Freemasonry
Christianity and Freemasonry