Should believers be enjoined to Fraternal Societies like the Masonic Lodge?

Many folks who claim Christ as their Savior belong to fraternal organizations, e.g., the Masonic Lodge.  In fact, even some large church denominations, like the Southern Baptist Convention, actually approve of membership in the Lodge.  This is because many Christians have bought into the reasoning that the Masonic Lodge is merely a civic/charitable organization that serves communities in various ways, e.g., Shriner’s hospitals, etc.  Here’s an example of this:

“I’m proud to be associated with…..Masons…. Shriners, Scottish Rite, and St Jude’s all help sick and crippled, kids free of charge because of our dedication to God and family, but we are NOT a religion!!!!”

The last phrase in that statement, “..we are NOT a religion,” is the important part of the statement, for it begs the question:  Does the Masonic Lodge qualify as a religious organization?  Because if it does, then no believer in Christ ought to be associated with it, as  it is written:

2 Cor 6:14-16
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

Eph 5:11-13
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

Anyone who joins the Lodge is required to swear oaths of fealty to  it and its dogmas, and those dogmas do, indeed, contain religious statements, which are briefly comprehended as follows: ((All these statement were taken from a Masonic webpage, verbatim))

The Masonic view of the Christian Bible

“The Bible is not  the exclusive Word of God, nor is it considered to be God’s sole revelation of himself to humankind; but only one of many religious sourcebooks. It is a good guide for morality. The Bible is used primarily as a symbol of God’s will, which can also be captured in other sacred texts, like the Koran, the Talmud, or the Rig Vedas.”

The Masonic view of God

“As far as belief in God is concerned, what matters is that you believe in one (deity.) It does not matter who  that deity is. Different religions (Christianity, Judaism, Islam, etc.) acknowledge the same God, only call Him different names.”

The Masonic view of the nature of man

“Man is not inherently sinful, just “rude and imperfect by nature”. Human beings are able to improve their character and behavior in various ways, including acts of charity, moral living, and voluntary performance of civic duty. Humanity possesses the ability of moving from imperfection toward total perfection. Moral and spiritual perfection lies within men and women.”

The Masonic view of Jesus Christ
“Jesus Christ  is one of the many great religious leaders throughout history.   Suggesting that Jesus is the only way to God is a violation of the principle of  intolerance.”

Does this sound like religious dogma to you? If you still remain unconvinced, here are a series of 14 dogmatic belief statements from another Lodge website, which I respond to (in italics):

1.” Our purpose as Freemasons is not that of a religion.”

Which begs the question: what is the purpose of a religion? Different religions have different goals and purposes, but there is usually one purpose they all have in common: they wish to spread their message and gain new converts. To say that Freemasons don’t desire this is laughable.

2. “Freemasonry is not a religion nor is it a substitute for religion, because Freemasonry lacks the basic elements of religion.”

On the contrary, Freemasonry has ALL the elements of religion.
Let’s list them: 1. It identifies its own god (GAOTU); 2. It has a liturgy, with an elaborate set of rituals members must participate in to move up through the “degrees”; 3. It refers to certain of its main meeting places as “Temples”; 4. It employs oaths, creeds and recitatives like any other religion; 5. It employs a multiplicity of symbols; 6. It has a catechism of doctrinal positions on issues like original sin, the nature of man and religious texts, e.g., the Bible. 7. It has a priestly class of masons, to which the lower classes of masons or to pay homage and reverence.

3. ” Freemasonry advocates no sectarian faith or practise.”

Right, and they cover themselves on this issue by simply saying a belief in God is all one needs, and it doesn’t matter what name they call their God. This is what I would call deistic universalism, which qualifies as a religion.

4. “We seek no converts. We solicit no new members.”

Just because the masons don’t put ads on television soliciting new members, doesn’t mean they aren’t actively seeking new members. I personally have been the object of a recruitment effort, and I know others who have been as well. All organizations, religious, civic or otherwise, are always seeking new members, or the organization would eventually cease to exist by virtue of attrition by death. The fact that one out of twelve men in America are masons clearly gives the lie to this claim. .

5. “We raise no money for religious purposes.”

If you are promoting a religious dogma, which freemasonry does, then some of the money raised goes toward religious purposes.

6. “We have no dogma or theology. Religious discussion is forbidden in a Masonic lodge thereby eliminating the chance for any Masonic dogma to form.”

The first statement is patently false. (see #2) The religious rhetoric that is forbidden is any kind of apologetics that claims an exclusivity on salvation, which all true Christians embrace. Christians cannot be pleasing to God by adhering to such a stricture, as they are called to be “instant” in preaching the gospel of Christ. Therefore, no Christian should ever be enjoined to an organization that makes such a requirement of its members.

7. “It offers no sacraments and does not claim to lead to salvation by
works, by secret knowledge, or by any other means. The secrets of
Freemasonry are concerned with the modes of recognition only and not with the means of salvation.”

Then by what means is one saved? If Freemasonry makes the claim that all religions are valid, then it most definitely subscribes to works salvation, because that’s what most religions promote.

8. “By any definition of religion accepted by our critics, we cannot qualify as a religion.”

Baloney! (See above responses.)

9. “Freemasonry supports religion.  Freemasonry is far from indifferent to religion.   Without interfering in religious practice, it expects each
member to follow his own faith.”

As it has already been stated, membership in the Lodge most definitely interferes with the call on the Christian to share his faith in Christ with everyone, in every instance, because he is forbidden to do so in the lodge.

10. “A man does not subscribe to a new religion, much less to an
anti-Christian religion when he becomes a Freemason, any more than when he joins any political party or the YMCA. There is nothing in Freemasonry that is opposed to the religion he brings with him into the Masonic lodge. Freemasonry does not assert nor does it teach that one religion is as good as another. Freemasonry admits men of all religions.”

This entire statement is nothing more than subterfuge. The last sentence is, in particular, a deal breaker for the Christian, who must believe that his way is not just the superior way, but the ONLY way to salvation.

11. “Freemasons believe in religious freedom and that the relationship
between the individual and his God is personal, private and sacred.”

I, too, believe men should be free to choose what they will believe. However, in no way does this mean all beliefs are valid. Moreover, one’s faith and belief may be personal, but, if it is the core of one’s life, it will NEVER be private.

12. “We do not apply a theological test to a candidate. We do ask a man if he believes in God and that is the only religious test. Belief in God is faith; belief about God is theology. As Freemasons we are interested in faith only and not in theology. Religion is not permitted to be discussed at Masonic meetings.”

The first two statements are nothing more than double talk. If asking a man whether or not he believes in God is not a theological test, then what is it?? Religion and ritual are joined at the hip, and Freemasonry employs lots of ritual. See #2.

13. Freemasonry is a completely tolerant organization.  When Freemasonry accepts a Christian, or a Jew, or a Buddhist, or a Mohammedan, it does not accept him as such, but accepts him as a man, worthy to be received into the Masonic fraternity.”

Christians are called to be longsuffering and patient, not tolerant. Any Christian who divorces his personhood or manhood from his faith in Christ, or instructs anyone else to do that, is a reprobate.

14. “Freemasonry stands for the values that are supreme in the life of the church and expects each member to follow his own faith and to place his duty to God above all other duties. We are sure that a member who is true to the principles he learns in Freemasonry will be a better church member because of it.”  ((Freemasonry and religion http://www.phoenixmasonry.org))

The true church of Christ is an invisible entity/body ((the body of Christ.  1 Cor. 12:13,27)) that is comprised of people who have believed on and accepted the gospel of Christ. ((How that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and was buried, and raised again the third day according to the scriptures…believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. 1Cor. 15:3,4; Acts 16:31)) Freemasonry hasn’t an inkling of what this heavenly body is about (nor do most other religious institutions), and therefore has no authority to speak of it. Therefore, any man who is a member of this heavenly body, who willfully and knowingly enjoins himself to the Masonic Lodge (or any other religious institution), has denied the faith and is worse than in infidel.  ((1 Tim. 5:8)) Those who are joined to Christ’s body after they’ve enjoined themselves to the Lodge, according to 2 Cor. 6:14-18, are called to disconnect themselves from it.

Here are some more statements from one of Masonry’s high priests, which openly claims that Freemasonry is not only a religion, but that its very existence is dependent on the religious element that undergirds it:

“We contend, without any sort of hesitation, that Freemasonry is, in every sense of the word…..an eminently religious institution–that it is indebted solely to the religious element it contains for its origin as well as its continued existence.. . . The tendency of all Freemasonry is toward religion. If it makes any progress, its progress is toward that holy end. 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. . . . We open and close our Lodges with prayer; we invoke the presence of the Most High upon all our labors; we demand of our neophytes a profession of trusting belief in the existence and the superintending care of God; and we teach them to bow with humility and reverence at His awful name., while His holy Law is widely opened upon our altars….we can see that the altar in Freemasonry is not merely a convenient article of furniture, intended like a table, to hold a Bible. It is a sacred utensil of religion, intended, like the altars of the ancient temples, for religious uses, and thus identifying Freemasonry, by its necessary existence in our lodges, as a religious institution. Its presence should also lead the contemplative Freemason to view the ceremonies in which it is employed with solemn reverence, as being part of a really religious worship…..Be assured, that God is equally present with the pious Hindoo in the temple, the Jew in the synagogue, the Mohammedan in the mosque, and the Christian in the church”  ((Albert Mackey: Encyclopedia of Freemasonry; Pages 56, 410, 847))

Conclusion

Beyond the shadow of a doubt, and by the admission of its adherents, the Masonic Lodge is a religion in every aspect of the word. For those believers in Christ who are in it, and those who are considering joining it,  do not be swayed by the visible front it puts forth, portraying it as just another civic organization.  I implore you to consider what the word of God has to say about dividing your loyalty, or swearing fealty towards an organization that denies everything scripture says you are to believe in. ((For we walk by faith, not by sight 2 Cor. 5:7))

“There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ, who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”  (1 Tim. 2:6)

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.

…. have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
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All quotations from Scripture are taken from the King James Bible

Related articles: The Christian Religion;  The Judgment Seat of Christ;  Works and Grace;  What must I do to be saved?

Suggested reading: “The Character, Claims And Practical Workings Of Freemasonry”, by Charles G. Finney