My husband joined Freemasons, I'm having a tough time

My husband and I have been married for a long time, he recently joined the Freemasons. We have been very open and honest in our marriage, I feel like him joining a "secret society" is going to tear us apart. We've talked, I'm trying to be okay with it. He is truly excited about this organization, and I want to be excited for him. I just can't make myself. I was raised that this is not for Christians, which we are. I don't feel comfortable with something that I can't possibly understand! Please can you tell me what I can read, research, or do to be more accepting? Also could you tell me what the pentagram has to do with Masons?

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Apr 30, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Troible
by: Fred

Hello,
Thank you for submitting your question. Freemasons are members of a fraternity. Nothing more nothing less. Like most fraternities, it has within it information that is known to members exclusively. Handshakes, words, sumbols, all are methods of on Freemason identifying another. It is NOT a religion, each member MUST believe in a supreme being, but how he worships that Supreme Being, is his personal business. Freemasonry encourages family particpation in many events, and from the blue lodge to the Shriners, take in Millions of dollars daily for charity. When your husband petitioned the lodge, a committee should have come to your house to interview your husband, we encourage wives to be there, and ask questions. If you have any more questions, please refer to this site, and the Mason's who answer posts. We're here to help.

Fred :.
Apr 30, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		Not to worry
by: Lant

I am most sorry to hear of your concerns, but permit me to say that I am impressed with a woman who is obviously committed both to her religion and her marriage.

As a Christian myself, I have seen nothing in Masonry which conflicts in any way with Christianity. Indeed, I think is has made my faith that much more secure.

One can - forgive the phrase - 'cherrypick' from the Bible to find verses which might be used to condemn Freemasonry, but in that wonderful, complex book, one can pick and choose phrases which seem to condemn - or praise - virtually anything. So many of the standard Biblical antiMasonic arguments to me seem to be used out of context. For instance, Matthew VI:24 says no man can serve two masters and that is frequently used against a group whose head is entitled 'Worshipful Master'. Yet in context, it is clear that Jesus was warning against monetary greed.

Many Masonic terms are very old and people misunderstand the language. 'Master' simply refers to the head of the group - like a bandmaster, a choirmaster or a scoutmaster. And 'worshipful' has nothing to do with religion; it is simply an archaic term meaning 'honourable'. One addresses a judge or a mayor as 'Your Honour'; in the same way, in parts of the UK and Canada, some civic officials are still addressed as 'Your Worship." Don't take my word for it; check it out in a good dictionary.

No sacrifices, no Satanism and no idols, either. To become a Mason, a man must profess belief in a Divine Being. We do not ask a man to define or identify that Being, feeling that such things are between he and Him. It is not our place to judge or challenge a man's beliefs. Now, we certainly do say prayers at opening and closing, but they are as ecumenical, as nondenominational as those said at the opening of a town council meeting. When we say those prayers, each man is praying to the Almighty as he views Him. We do not expect a Mason to adopt anyone else's religion; rather, we encourage him to attend that church he was already attending. Discussion of religion is forbidden in a lodge, so nobody is going to try to convert your husband, either.

Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. We do not have a stated holy book, do not promise salvation nor offer sacraments. If anything, we are a philosophical way of helping a man become more moral - again, a reinforcement for one's religious beliefs, not a challenge to them.

There are very few real secrets in the Craft. About the only strong ones are the ways to recognize other Masons.

I could go on at (still greater) length, but let's see if that helps. I would be happy to take it further or answer any further questions you may have.

As to the pentagram, let's step back to the Middle Ages. The pentagram and pentangle (a pentagram inside a circle) were seen as very positive, very Christian symbols - five points were equated to the five wounds of Christ. One of the earliest bits of English literature dates from the 1300s and is called Sir Gwain and the Green Knight. The hero, King Arthur's nephew, is described as a very good man - brave, honest and devout. He has a pentangle on his shield, which is described as having been devised by King Solomon to represent goodness. Churches frequently had pentagrams in their windows (right-side-up and inverted). Remember that this was a a time when everybody was terrified of Satanism and witches - do you think the Church would have overlooked pentagrams and pentangles if they were really the sign of Satan? Hardly. Pentangles were painted on barns until quit recently in a superstitious hope they would keep evil away. Again, please feel free to check this all out.

So why are some people convinced that they are Satanic? Oddly enough, we know exactly where this started. A French occultist by the name of Eliphas Levi wrote a book in about 1860 about black magic. In it was an drawing I think most of us have seen, featuring a horned and seated goat-like Satan. On it forehead was a pentagram. Levi came up with this obscenity out of the dark delusions of his own mind, but the pentagram has been seen by some as Satanic ever since. Check that one out, too.

In reality, a symbol means whatever the viewer wants it to mean. If somebody wants to see a cross as a symbol for a horrible instrument of torture, you and I cannot stop them, even though to us it is a sign of glory, of hope and of salvation. We cannot convince some people otherwise.

So what does a star or pentagram mean to a Mason? It's up to the individual. Personally, I think it refers not only to the stars that adorn God's heavens, bit also to brotherhood. It's certainly not held as Satanic by us.

Hope that helps. God bless.
Jun 13, 2016
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starstarstar 		Being a Freemasons
by: Dr George Allan

As the lady states "she was brought up to believe ' - someone in her upbringing told her misinformation about the Freemasons and she has believed without checking the facts. I suggest she tries to find the truth.
I have been a committed catholic Christian all my life and I am comfortable with the true position as I see it as an insider mason - it is a fraternity for men who are honest, true, law-abiding citizens and believe in God. Ladies do have their own organisation which exactly parallels the male fraternity.

I hope this helps
Dr George Allan - New Zealand Freemason
Dec 18, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		What Freemasonry is NOT
by: Dr.S. Padilla Jr.,M.D., Past Master

To the Lady whose husband recently became a Mason and other Brothers, I recommend that you all go to any library or bookstore and get ahold of a soft cover book entitled "Freemasonry for Dummies" and read it. It probably will not directly tell you what Freemasonry is but will definitely show you what Freemasonry is NOT. Their lodge should have interviewed him with her present and answered all her questions about Freemasonry. They still cpuldcorona ask questions of any knowledgeable brother of their Lodge. ===Bro. Paddy
Nov 18, 2018
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starstarstar 		A supreme being
by: Anonymous

Friday sundown to Saturday sundown is The Lord's Sabbath. Mason's have parties and other stuff on those days..
The Mason's do not worship on the Sabbath so they disobey God.
Furthermore, what is a Supreme being? The is ONLY 1 THE TRUE AND LIVING GOD OF THE SABBATH!!
Nov 18, 2018
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starstarstarstarstar 		You are entitled to your interpretation
by: Thane

Your definition of the Sabbath is certainly not held by everyone. Further, having read Torah, Bible, Koran and other holy books, I cannot recall a commandment in any of them to be unhappy or to not have fun on the Sabbath.

You are free to do as you wish and believe as you wish, but so is everyone else.

God bless.





Jan 10, 2019
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starstarstar 		Proud wife of new mason.
by: Anonymous

Hi

I am a wife of a new masonic man... I am proud of the path he has chosen to dedicate some time to. I in the beginning was scared unsure and even afraid it could effect our marriage. But I have done research reached out to some other brothers and their wives all who have been wonderfully support to both my husbands journey and mine. I have plans on becoming a member of the Order of Eastern Star which allows women. I know it's scary to not know as a wife but trust me he is not joining something that will harm your marriage in fact it will more then likely help your marriage grow. Men need time with like minded men the same as we need time with like minded woman. We are a very Christian and spiritual family but I have notice much husbands faith has grown since he joined. Next month my husband will become a Master Mason and I am watching him study and prepare and I have found pride in his progress and i have planned a huge family celebration in his honor the day after he gets his masters. Do not be scared ask questions and keep and open mind.
Jan 10, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		Re: Proud wife of new mason
by: Tim

Thank you for sharing your experience as the wife of a new Mason. Very well said and much appreciated. My best regards to you and your husband.

Fraternally,

Tim
May 07, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		Freemasonry BEWARE
by: Anonymous

Freemasonry is a secret society with many levels and only as you are drawn deeper and deeper do they let you in on the secrets that it is Lucifer they worship above all. You cannot leave once you access these levels and wealth etc keeps you obedient. Nothing in Freemasonry is Christian it is the devil's playground.
May 08, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		Snicker
by: Lant

And you know this how?

So very gullible,,,
May 08, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		Amazing!
by: Thane

It's amazing that you know so much, when millions upon millions of Masons, many of them devout Christians, have never seen any evidence to support it.

Put simply, you're just parroting tired old claims made by the foolish and spread by the fearful. So very wrong on so many things - so much error in such a short statement.

It's amazing.
May 31, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		Catholic
by: Anonymous

I am a catholic who married an unbaptized man of no creed. We received a papal dispensation for dispersity of cult. One condition my husband had to take an oath on was that hed never enter any kind of religious sect or congregation. He swore. When he joined the masons he had forgotten all about that and swore an oath about belief. Whats more, he kept taking more oaths for every degree. And he never told me a Word about it!! By coincidence he happened to Tell my family priest he had become a Mason. Thats when I was told about the vows and oaths he had taken, the occult rituals and sacriledgous ceremonies. And that by entering an occult sect forbidden in Canon law, he had broken the vows of marriage and invalidated the dispensation rendering our marriage null and void. I,m now being granted at Peter's and leaving him. I could maybe have survived the oaths, the rituals and the herecy. But I can never forgive him taking religious vows and making spiritual commitments and keeping it secret from me while breaking our marriage vows. So Masonry cost us our marriage and our life.
May 31, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		Hard to understand
by: Lant

It is true that the Catholic church does not condone its members being Freemasons, however there are a couple of things in what you say that I find hard to believe.

First, a man wanting to become a Mason is interviewed by a committee of members; his wife’s presence during that interview is the rule. So your saying that you had no idea he was becoming a Mason doesn’t quite ring true.

Secondly, there is nothing – nothing – in a Masonic obligation or oath which conflicts in any way with the Christian faith or doctrine. Nor is there anything ‘occult’ about our ceremonies, etc. So that also seems most odd.

I cannot speak for your experience in your nation, madam. All I can say is that there are things about your claim that I do not understand.
Jun 01, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		Catholic
by: Anonymous

I knew he had been invited to be a Mason but there was no mention of my being present at any interview. I didnt know anything about the masons and I wasnt interested when my husband joined.

That any oath would be contradicttory to the Church is not the trouble but the fact that my husband swore that he believs in God in a Masonic oath and joined a group that is considered by the Church to be a cult when we had a marriageldispensation on the grounds of my husband nor belongning to any creed. Had he belonged to one, other than RC, we would have needed a license instead. When he swore the masonic oath he invalidated the dispensation. Due to the Churches view on the sanctity of marriage, ours would still have been considered valid had he joined any religion acceptable for a License. The Masons arent. To the contrary, they are forbidden in Canon Law. So our Marriage is null and void. My husband thought he was adding to his life, instead he left it. And for all these days and days there was Masonic silence beteeen us, so I didnt know he had taken these oaths and I didnt know the man in my bed was not my husband.
Jun 05, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		Tough time
by: Fred

I tried to stay out of this thread, but the misinformation is getting just too far afield. Posting anonymously allows for all kind of posts.

Freemasons are members if a Fraternity, nothing more! The so-called secrets of masonry, the passwords are simply information that members know at certain levels to verify they have reached that level. If you who are posting are truly the wives of masons, then you should know this. Our obligations are to keep our information to ourselves, it’s a matter of trust. As far as the Catholic Church, research the beginnings of your Knights of Columbus. They too are a secret society, with 4 degrees rather than 3, that came out of Freemasonry when Freemasons refused to make one of the Popes the operative grand master over all Freemasons. No religion, no devil worship no sacrifice. You are misinformed, and quite frankly your misunderstandings are insulting.

I’m sorry to be so blunt, and Tim, you can remove this if you feel it’s nevessary

Jun 05, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		Catholic
by: Anonymous

Fred,

I don't think you understand. I really don't care what the masons do, what secrets they keep or what rituals they perform.
My basic problem is a purely logical one: A: our papal marriagedispensation was granted on the grounds that my husband was not baptized, nor belonged to any organized creed. Its called a dispensation of dispersity of cult. In order to get one he had to take an oath he was not baptized, nor a member of any religious organization, nor ever intended to be one. B: If the non-catholic partner is baptized or a member of a religious organization a dispensation is not enough for a catholic valid.marriage, a license is needed. This is a vonplicated process where the Church must make absolutely sure that the religious affiliation of the non-catholic party does not in any way collide with or endanger the faith of the catholic party and future children. C: When my husband swore the masonic oath he broke the conditions and the oath he had taken to be granted the dispersity of cult dispensation. D: The Churchi reveres the Sacrament of marriage and had the religious organization my husband entered been acceptable for a license, our marriage would still have been valid since the Sacrament overrides the need for a license. E: However, the Masons are forbidden in Canon Law and no license would be granted. Hence, my husband broke his marriage vows and invalidated the dispensation. F: My husband, not being RC, did not understand this. G: I never knew the oaths and rituals of the Masons and of coarse the Masons had sworn my husband to secrecy. So since the masons had locked him out from talking with his wife about what happened to him or what he did we lived for a long time without knowing, without sharing our souls and without actually being husband and wife. Not until my family priest happened to see a photo of my husband in masonic attire in our house did we become aware.
I don't really mind or care about what the Masons do. But the demand that a husband must keep essential secrets from his wife is diabolic. And the promise that the Masonic oath does not hurt your family is a soulwrenching lie.
Jun 05, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		No
by: Bob

Well, prayers are indeed said at Masonic meetings, but many organizations’ meetings include opening prayers. Our prayers are ecumenical in nature in that they are not directed to any particular deity. There is no special Masonic god. We have no special holy book, we offer no sacraments, we do not teach theology. Freemasonry does not promise of salvation, nor does it tell our members how to achieve salvation.

In other words, Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion, nor does it oppose or promote any particular religion. Masons are required to believe in the existence of a divine being, but a man's religion is entirely up to him and we do not ever direct that or attempt to change it. We do encourage members to attend the church of their choice.

In short, regardless of what your local priest has told you, Freemasonry is not a creed, a religion or a cult. It is a philosophy of morality and offers no challenge to any religion.

That your priest has taken a hard line in this is most regrettable, but that’s it. Your husband did not – whatever the dispensation - turn away from either you or your marriage.

As to secrets being ‘diabolically’ hidden from spouses, consider that many groups requirement their members to respect confidences, keep secrets. Were your husband a doctor or a lawyer, he could not tell you the details of his clients’ cases. Were he a soldier or police officer, he would be bound by law not to speak about some things, even to his spouse. Less formally, if a young woman came to you in confidence with a highly personal issue, asking for your advice, would you feel free to discuss it in detail with your husband? There are dozens of such parallels.

You husband is still the man you married. The choice, I fear, is yours.
Jun 06, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		Catholic
by: Anonymous

From a Catholic perspective it is not relevant whether the Masons regard themselves as a religious organization, only that the Church does. And they do. It has been confirmed in Canon law so it is not up to my local priest.

A doctor or a priest is the guardian of other peoples' secrets of the heart and soul. The Masons demand that a husband keep secret from his wife the most intimate secrets of his own heart and soul, viz his loyalties, spiritual experiences and heartchanging experiances in the Masons. That you can't see the differense explains a lot.

He is no longer my husband. He dissolved our marriage by becoming a Mason and I was released from him by Petrian privilege.
Jun 07, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		We're just not the problem
by: Thane

I deeply sympathize for you both, but am compelled to be honest. The problem is not with us, but with a rigid, unforgiving priest. No doubt he is doing what he thinks best but there are thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands of RC Masons whose lives have not been disrupted or challenged. Freemasonry poses no threat to Catholicism or any other religion.

Again, my sympathies.
Jun 07, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		Catholic
by: Anonymous

Thane,

Thank you very much for your sympathy. I appreciate it.

There is a huge difference between a marriage between two catholics, a catholic and a person from another creed and a catholic and a non baptized person without creed. From an RC point of view. My guess is the "thousands" you speak of do not belong to group three who are affected by this special rule.

However, the basic problem is with the masons. I have read now plenty of sources claiming the soulchanging, loyaltycreating and personalitydeveloping nature of the Masonic experience. Demanding that a spouse must keep such a part of his life is diabolic, hurtful and a giant violation of any concept of marriage.

And may I ask, is your knowledge of Catholicism so poor that you really believe I can receive a dissolution of marriage from my local priest?!

Any Mason who can not pity my situation should have sen my husband during the dissolutuon process. The biskops knew every ritual and every oath he had committed with the Masons and he cried his heart out while he admitted with simple yes answers that he was guilty of every act, every treason and every infidelity. At least maybe there is pity in your hearts for the "brother" who lost his entire life due to masonry.

Jun 07, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		Joined
by: Fred

It amazes me how non masons claim to know so much about the craft.

Masons as a group are not religious, although belief in a supreme being is required. Each man is free to worship God in his own way. Nowhere in masonry is a man directed how whin to worship.

ALL prayers in a lodge come DIRECTLY from the Old Testament of the Holy Bible. Masonic precepts do not allow for a religious connotation as that would restrict, or allow rules to be placed into affect that would restrict, non members of a certain religion.

Masons pray to the same God as the Christians and the Jews, as HE, we are taught, is the great creator of the Universe. He is called the Great Architect if the Universe, which is the greatest non secular title I have ever heard for God.

In a side note, I have friends who are priests, and according to them only the Vatican can dissolve a marriage, not a local priest, so STOP, You OBVIOUSLY know nothing about Freemasons, and little about the church, or you would not make the statements you do. You are misinformed in both, and it shows. I am a 32nd degree Scottish Rite mason AND Knights Templar. What I’m telling you is FACT. Now please STOP!!
Jun 07, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		Catholic
by: Anonymous

Fred,

Did you actually read my post? I made it very clear to the Mason who seemed to believe that a local priest could dissolve my marriage that that is NOT the case.

I do understand how hurtful it would be to admit to something you swear by to be diabolic or harmful. I don't expect you to be able to do that. But maybe somebody can grow by understanding what Im trying to say. And maybe some other woman, and husband, can be saved by my story. And maybe some Mason with a heart and soul could start thinking about removing the Masonic promise to candidates that the vows they are about to take will not conflict with their duties or vows to their wives and familiies, because that promise can ruin lives.
Jun 07, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		This ends now
by: Bob

Let’s take this from the top.

To the Roman Catholic lady,

For somebody who is so concerned that people are or are not reading your posts, you seem to have missed reading mine. I did not say that your local priest could dissolve a marriage. Cannon law certainly does not permit that. What I did say was that your problem stemmed from a rigid, unforgiving priest – and indeed it was he who lit the fuse which (most unfairly) resulted in the dissolution of your marriage.

Moreover, on 5 June, you said "F: My husband, not being RC, did not understand [that joining the Masons was wrong].." OK, so it’s not your husband’s fault, poor fellow, because he was not a Catholic and didn’t know he was doing something wrong. But you, madam, have repeatedly described yourself as Catholic and you said clearly that you knew he was joining the Masons... That you did not know that there is an obligation to keep a couple – just a couple – of things private is hardly an excuse for you to have not warned him.

Again, this problem is most sad and I feel for both of you. That said, one cannot reason someone out of a position they didn’t use reason to get themselves into. This thread has now ended. Please do not post any more here as they will be deleted without further comment.


For the other woman, the one whose bitterness has been thrown around here before. As a Christian myself, I can only recommend that you go back to your Bible, for when you understand the spirit of it as well as you do the letter of it, you will be a much better Christian than you are now. You are banned as of now.
Sep 27, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		Fiance is a master mason
by: Bethany Hickman

My fiance is a master mason I fully admire his love for his fraternity. We are not youngsters we are 50+ and I can tell you without any misgivings that being a freemason will not harm or destroy your marriage in any way, If anything it will show you that your man has a stronger love for you your family and friends. I admit I dont know everything and I may never know but I'm ok with this,enjoy your life part of the fun in living is discovering each other everyday.
Nov 03, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		To “you’re full” anonymous
by: Moderator

Deleted and banned. Go troll somewhere else.
Nov 03, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		And again...
by: Moderator

Deleted.

Fred, you have every reason to be tired of a person who is both tiresome and simply wrong. Thanks for stepping up in the meantime.
Nov 03, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		To anonymous
by: Fred

You were deleted by the admins for a reason.

It’s obvious that you are not a Freemason, as your ignorant attitude and misinformation is blatant.

We, those of us who try to answer here, are Freemasons from different jurisdictions, that the admins have "screened" in their own way, and we try to answer the questions to set the misconceptions straight. You, and people like you, who think they have the answers are dangerous, because you have no idea what the truth is.

This is an educational site if sorts, and does a good job in giving non masons the answers that they seek.

Admins, sorry if I sounded off, but I’m tired of this person.

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