What do freemasons believe in

by Christopher
(Brooklyn,ny)

I'm under the age of 18 want to know where can I go in order to inform myself more about Freemasonry. If I check on the Internet only there a lot of conspiracies that are put out there, but they are made up for lack of knowledge about the brotherhood. I wouldn't want to confuse myself.

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Dec 21, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		In Ghana
by: Linda

just like me. Am in Ghana and would like to join but people keep on confusing me.
Apr 05, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		educate yourself
by: Anonymous

why would you want to join something that is shroud in secrecy and you really have no idea what you are joining. Don't be like sheep easily led. I have researched a little bit about this alot of there symbols are derived from satanic symbols.
Apr 07, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		A "little bit" of Masonic research?
by: Tim

I think the key prase in your post is that you have researched a "little bit" about Freemasonry. Doing a little bit of research and assuming you have knowledge on a subject is like reading one page of a book and thinking you know the whole story.

Our symbols have nothing whatsoever to do with satan or satanism. Symbols in Freemasonry are used as reminders of the lessons taught in Freemasonry. Those lessons are brotherly love for all mankind, relief for those less fortunate or in times of distress, truth above all, faith in God, hope for the future, and charity in all its senses.

Don't waste your time reading conspiracy theories or watching sensationalized television docudramas written or produced for the sole purpose of profit or attention. If you want to know about Freemasonry read what is written by Freemasons, and then trust your heart and your soul to know what is true. If you don't like what you learn from actual Freemasons then at least you will have done true research and not allowed your head to be filled with fiction by those with no real knowledge themselves.

Freemasons For Dummies by Christopher Hodapp is an excellent introduction to the history and teachings of Freemasonry.

The Craft and Its Symbols by Allen Roberts is considered by many to be the primer for Masonic education. In some Lodges it is presented to the newly made Master Mason as a useful study guide.

Freemasonry: Symbols, Secrets, Significance by Kirk MacNulty has been called "the most complete overview of the brotherhood of Masonry." It's a great book for insight into Masonic symbols and mysteries.

You may be able to find some of these at your local library or through a lending library, and of course Amazon or B&N is always an option. Whatever you do, please don't simply take the word of someone else for what Freemasonry is. Study it yourself, and you decide.
May 14, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		I only know that I know nothing
by: Anonymous

Learn about the dark, don't be ignorant and only take in the good, after all who can say what is goo or bad, wrong or right. It just is. Studying the divine will help.
Jul 16, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Hog wash
by: Charlie

If you listen to a Freemason you will be falling into the same trap the mason did. The higher you get in Masonry the more you see it is a pharisee organization. They bind themselves with a word blood oath to the lodge and one another. God says dont be equally yoked with non believers. Masons allow anyone believing in any God to join. This yokes you with Muslims, Mormons, Satan worshippers ..etc. They also kneel before an alter pledging there allegiance to the lodge, to a lodge leader they call worshipful master. If you are a Christian or want to be, dont join .. Freemasonry will come between you and the one true God "Jesus Christ". Dont add yo the things you will have to repent of. These are just a few of many reasons to not join. Go out and get involved in a good Jesus based church :) .. God bless you
Aug 20, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		More Masonic Misinformation...
by: John

Oh Charlie. If you want to remain ignorant that's your choice, but please don't spread your hogwash around here. The obligations that we take upon ourselves are purely symbolic, and they are intended to remind us of the seriousness of keeping one's promises. Freemasonry uses symbolism. Why is that so difficult to comprehend?

As a man of faith you should know that there is only one God. Masons do not profess a belief in "any God." They profess a belief in God. For you to imply that, "Muslims, Mormons, Satan worshippers ..etc," believe in some other God makes it seem as if you are open to the possibility of more than one. Perhaps you are the one who is confused.

Worshipful Master is a title just like a judge is called 'Your Honor,' or a preacher is called 'Reverend.' We do not worship him or any other man. The title is meant to convey that he, the leader of the lodge, is worshipful of God and seeks to follow His word and teachings in performing his duties.

Freemasonry is not a religion, and its teachings do not conflict with any accepted religious beliefs. Its primary tenets are brotherly love, relief, and truth. If these are not a part of your religious foundation then perhaps you should spend less time slinging hogwash and more time listening in church.
Aug 20, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		2
by: Anonymous

The bible clearly says many times that there are many gods. I pray that you and everyone else see the light 1 day that you are worshipping a lesser god.
Mar 26, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		2B1 ask 1
by: Anonymous

if interested just call your local masonic lodge they wont steer you wrong!
Feb 05, 2015
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starstarstar 		Only one God?
by: Tony

John I cannot believe the lack of thought that went into your statement that if we do not accept another person's view of God, we are denying that there is only one God. Sophistry indeed.

Christians, Jews and Muslims believe there is only one God. Christians and Jews believe that although people call upon many Gods, they are not the same God as the one who inspired the Bible. The conclusion is that other gods are false Gods and not 'the same god, as the Judaeo/Christian God YHVH. Masonry is so keen to grab people born into different faiths that they are pleased to fudge the issue.

By the way it is impossible for a knowledgeable Christian to also be a knowledgeable Freemason. As Jesus taught us 'no man can serve two masters.
Feb 05, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		John
by: Charlie Crouch

I continually hear freemasonry is not a religion. My question to that is, then why would anybody want to be a part of it? As a Christian I'm to set myself apart from world things.
Feb 07, 2015
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starstarstar 		Just to be clear...
by: Tim

Before this discussion takes off in the direction it appears to be taking I need to make it clear that no person speaks for Freemasonry. The opinions on this page and on this Web site expressed by members of the Masonic fraternity regarding Freemasonry are just that: opinions. Freemasonry is what each individual member makes of it for himself based on his own understanding and interpretations of its philosophy and teachings. No opinion expressed by any member is to be taken as an official position of the Masonic fraternity nor even as representative of the opinion of any other Freemason.

'nuff said...
Feb 08, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		Religion and Freemasonry
by: John

Aloha Tony.

So, let me get this straight. First I put no thought into my statement and then I'm guilty of sophistry? I don't think you can have it both ways, but then I'm just a simple country boy so what do I know. But, let me see if I can express myself a little better. And like Tim said these are just my opinions, based on many years of thought and absolutely zero sophism.

God is God. There is no other. To say that anyone who relates to God in any manner different than you do is worshiping a false god is just arrogant. I never said we had to accept other people's view of God, but I am saying that a little tolerance goes a long ways.

Actually, you hit the nail square on the head when you said people are, "...born into different faiths..." A person's particular religious beliefs are not often the result of evidence or a conviction produced by the impartial weighing of arguments. Most people receive their religious beliefs by the accidents of birthplace, education and circumstance. People throughout the world are born into and raised in the religion of their parents, and most will spend their lives in that religion without questioning it or even being exposed to other religions. Is it truly your contention that all the numberless souls who have gone before and the billions living today and all the souls yet to come who have the bad luck to be born into a faith different than yours are destined to burn in hell? I'm sorry but that logic doesn't work for me.

I don't believe God wants me to accept my faith from someone else blindly and without question. I believe he wants me to question, to earn my faith, and to discover my own truth. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'd rather be judged for conclusions I came to on my own than those I blindly accepted from someone else.

By the way, Masonry is not, "..keen to grab people born into different faiths," and we're not "fudging" any issue. A person's religion has no bearing in Freemasonry. Every candidate is required to make an unfeigned expression of belief and trust in God. That's it. That's all. Full Stop. Beyond encouraging its members to practice the religion of their own choosing Masonry has nothing whatsoever to do with religion. Masonry does not conflict with religion, nor does it compete with religion. We do not serve two masters. God, family, work and whatever else a member determines to be more important all come before Masonry.

I realize you consider yourself to be a "knowledgeable Christian," although I can't say I find your attitude or actions to be very Christ-like. It's clear you know nothing of Freemasonry and yet rather than come here with questions you arrive with accusations based on misinformation and falsehood. The fact of the matter is there are many religious leaders from different denominations and different faiths who are also Freemasons. But then you, of course, know better than all of them.
Feb 08, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		Why be a Mason
by: John

Hello Charlie Crouch,

It's funny. You don't see why anybody would want to be a part of Freemasonry, and I can't see why everyone doesn't want to be a part of it.

The Masonic fraternity is an organization that people join for all kinds of reasons. Some join because it's a brotherhood made up of people from all walks of life who want to help. Some enjoy the fellowship. Some like the ceremonial rituals that teach lessons of morality. Some enjoy study and learning, and discussing what they've learned with others with like interests. Some join so they can become Shriners and drive those little cars in the parades. Some think that by joining they'll be handed all those mysterious Masonic secrets. There's probably as many reasons for joining the Freemasons as there are Masons. Every one of us has our own reasons.

But, no one needs to become a Mason. It's just a fraternity, a club where you can have fun and do good works for your community at the same time. You get to meet people that you would otherwise never meet, and sometimes you become friends. Beyond encouraging its members to practice their own chosen religion it has nothing to do with religion. It neither conflicts nor competes with religion. Its teachings are lessons of morality. As I've heard Tim say before it's like the Golden Rule with sprinkles on top. For most of us, we feel that it enhances our lives. But for anyone who doesn't want to be a part of it, that's cool too.
Feb 09, 2015
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starstar 		Give me a break!
by: Tharn

"...it is impossible for a knowledgeable Christian to also be a knowledgeable Freemason. As Jesus taught us 'no man can serve two masters."

So... You're self-employed? Taking you at your word, anything else would be unthinkable.

And... You've never been in the armed forces or served as a cop? Never joined the Boy Scouts? All of those have hierarchical leadership. And the Scouts actually have... oh, no! ... Scoutmasters. Do they offend you as well? Seriously?

The only real 'mastery' in Freemasonry is mastery of oneself. True, what most clubs or groups would call the 'President' is called the 'Master', but that's an archaic term dating back hundreds of years; in context it just means 'guy with the authority to run the group'. Think 'choirmaster' - does that violate your religious sensibilities?

The master of a lodge has absolutely no authority outside the lodge; inside it, for about two hours a month, he's an elected official who serves the same role as the captain of a football team or the chairman of a book club. There's no *ownership* involved and the Master of a lodge cannot force any member to turn from that member's faith or violate his moral standards. To claim otherwise indicates a *true* lack of knowledge.

The Bible is the first book in my library and, were I ever forced at gunpoint to get rid of my books one by one, it would be the last to go. But no book of such marvelous, magnificent complexity can properly be treated as a source for talking points by people who know precious little about the topic at hand. Were the people who make such silly claims to learn more of the spirit of what the Christ in His wisdom brought us, they would be much better Christians than they are now.

[/Rant off]

++++++++

"I continually hear freemasonry is not a religion. My question to that is, then why would anybody want to be a part of it? As a Christian I'm to set myself apart from world things."

Cool! Apart from worldly things - like Carthusian monks? No radio or television, no newspapers, conversation but once a week, simple food, no alcohol, robes vice pants and shirts, a hard-bed cell vice a comfy house?

Oh. Not quite like that...

The irony, of course, it that you seem to be 'setting yourself aside from worldly things' on the internet - doubly ironic in light of your statement that nobody could possibly want to be part of anything that isn't a religion.

Let's leave that one right there, shall we?
Feb 28, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		you can hear me, answer me
by: Jason

Okay, so I have not taken the opportunity to join the Mason brotherhood. The reason is because I believe I will only get one shot to get it right. I believe there are those who think they're Masons, even joining a lodge, but they are not true brothers....Here is why. I can see and identity brothers in public, as well as they can see and id me....I will not go into detail, but I will say that I want to join up with them at a lodge. Only, I need the concentrated version. Not watered down. I have noticed things, unspeakable things, things others know but can not speak of as well. Those that know can see me. They acknowledge me in public. Can someone hear me?
Feb 28, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		to Tim
by: Charlie Crouch

Tim yours is the strongest and best defense of the Masons I have ever heard.
Mar 02, 2015
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starstarstar 		To Charlie Crouch
by: Tim

Thank you Charlie. The sad thing is that an organization whose primary goal and purpose is to do good in the world has to be defended at all.

All the best and good day to you,

Tim
Mar 02, 2015
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starstarstarstar 		Not true brothers?
by: Tim

Jason,

Masons come from all walks of life, and they come to Masonry for their own individual reasons. One of the beauties of Freemasonry is that it is broad enough and deep enough that any man of moral character and charitable heart may find fulfillment. Therefore, men of every personality type, of varied temperaments and of every honorable field of interest are represented within the brotherhood. While it is natural for those of similar interests and aspirations to draw together, all are true brothers.

What is it you wish to know?

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