What's up with Christianity and Freemasonry?

by TAYOR FOERSTER
(NEW SALEM, ND)

I'm doing a school project and I found out that the Christian Religion doesn't exactly stand eye-to-eye on the subject of pretty much anything. Why do they think you're satanic and that kind of stuff?

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May 05, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		conservative objections to freemasonry
by: Anonymous

As far as I'm aware, some conservative groups are very wary of our taking oaths. They see that act as a conflict of interest with the Christian life, in which our allegiance ought to be for Christ, and not a group of guys. (One cannot serve God and Mammon. One cannot have two masters, etc.)

They also look at some of our symbols and see connections to the Occult. some of that is true, however, they don't stop to consider that some Occult thought contains as much truth as Christian theology, and that truth is truth, regardless of how it is dispensed.

Further, some see freemasonry as a religion, and that we worship "the Great Architect" rather than God. In addition to that, their misunderstanding that we are a secret society is at odds with Christians always being above-board.
May 11, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		Many men of the Christian faith are also Freemasons
by: John

There is nothing in the Christian Religion regarding Freemasonry. In fact, there are many men of the Christian faith, even ordained Ministers, who are also Freemasons. The conflict between Religion and Freemasonry, like the conspiracy theories that abound, is largely exaggerated. It's not the religion or the faith that has a problem with Freemasonry, but there are those who have a problem with Freemasonry, or don't understand it, who are of the Christian faith. It's a small but important distinction.

The problem stems from the "Because I said so." syndrome. Way back in olden times there was a problem between Pope Clement V, and the Knights Templar. The Pope declared the Knights to be bad guys and wrote a Papal Bull saying no Catholic could be one. Over time the history of the Knights Templar and the Freemasons became intertwined until a lot of people, even some Freemasons, believed they were the same. The law declared by the Papal Bull came to include Freemasons and Catholics were taught that Freemasons were bad guys. Some devout religious followers believe what they are taught and don't ask questions. Those who do ask questions often times go on to become Freemasons, but they remain devout followers of their religious faith.
Apr 05, 2011
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starstarstarstar 		A warm hello to masons
by: Christian Bell

May I first state that my fathers parents were or are masons, i'm glad that at least one of you has been honest enough to talk about relations with the occult. I must admit I was once ignorant of the extent to which Freemasonry was of little danger to society. I majored in theology but even knowledge is little use without application. My point is this, that the Spirit of God has inspired the bible, and that the vows taken in FM are contrary to what the bible teaches. We are to have one master (Matthew 23:10), who is Christ. Furthermore, pluralism is the belief that all gods lead to heaven, this negates the very thing that FM itself acknowledges, that metaphysical (spiritual truth) or religious beliefs are equal, which is to inherently make opposing religious ideas untrue, which is a lie. The truth is that their is a war going on, a spiritual one, and whether or not you care to acknowledge it it is also going to conclude the way the bible tells it, because the prophecies in Issiah concerning Christ 500 or so years before he came, have been testified in the New Testament. The Spirit of God is greater than the spirits of the sky.

May God grant you peace.
Jun 28, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		And whats up with the wars aganist the muslims
by: M.F.I.S

and Whats up with the wars aganist the muslims?Why do you worship the devil .what does he makes for you to worship him?
Jul 16, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		A half truth is still a lie
by: Josh

In response to the comment at the top of the page: Just because your rituals contain aspects of the Christian theology doesn't mean it is supporting Christianity. If you are mixing small half truths and aspects from many different religions you are creating one big lie. I know it feels good to be a part of something with a lot of history and meaning, but you should really look at the truths that inspired your organization and decide if you are in agreement with them. Blindly following something without knowing the meaning results in much deception that leads to a terrible ending for everyone involved.
May 19, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		There is no conflict
by: Tom

Freemasonry is tolerant of all religions. It does not support or oppose any religion; a man's religious beliefs are between he and God and it's not Freemasonry's place to challenge them or comment on them.

MFIS - That includes Islam. We are *not* at war with Muslims; such statements are based on misinformation. The only claim sillier than that is that we worship the Devil. Evil is spoken where evil is welcome - don't let yourself be misled by spiteful sources.

Conflicting oaths? conflicting loyalties? How many people claiming that have sworn oaths to join the armed forces, taken a citizenship oath or testified in court? There is simply no conflict.

Nor does Freemasonry 'mix small half truths from different religions'. Freemasonry is not a religion, nor a substitute for religion, nor does it promise salvation (or even speak of it), nor does it offer sacraments. Instead, Masons are encouraged to participate in their own churches, whatever those may be. Prayers are indeed said at the opening and closing of our meetings, but that happens in many public organizations. Our prayers are non-denominational and allow every man present to pray to his own god.

Tolerance is a good thing in a free society, don't you think? Offering men of all faiths a place to meet in peace is also one way to make the world a better place.

Christian Bell - I suspect that your mind is made up, but permit me to assure you as a fellow Christian that there is nothing - nothing - in any Masonic oath I am aware of that could possibly conflict with mainstream Christianity. (Can't speak for the splinter sects, of course, as their beliefs vary so much.)

Nobody objects to a Chamber of Commerce meeting opening with a non-denominational prayer, nobody says that the CoC is trying to make Christians buy into other religions, nor that it is improper for Christians to go to a Chamber meeting where Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, etc are also present. A man whose faith is so weak that saying a non-denominational prayer with members of other religions will cause him to question it has very serious problems already.

If it is the title of 'Master' that bothers you, that makes you feel that we are in conflict, consider that bands are lead by 'bandmasters' and 'concertmasters'. Ships captains used to be called 'master' and the head of trade guilds were 'guild masters'. Teachers in private schools have been called 'masters'. The person in charge of the dogs at a fox hunt is the 'master of hounds'. There is in Freemasonry no connotation of ownership or devotion, just a traditional word for an (in this case) elected leader, one in a position to instruct new members in the Craft.

Given choice between my faith and Freemasonry, I (a Mason for decades) would not hesitate to walk away from Masonry. There is however no conflict, no either-or situation. If anything, Masonry has helped me confirm my Christian faith. God bless.
Sep 30, 2017
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starstarstarstar 		Why Freemasonry is Christian
by: Christopher Earnshaw PM

The Ritual of Freemasonry was written with several objectives in mind. Firstly it should look like a medieval Morality Play, secondly it should hide in the text esoteric references to alchemy and other "arts". Finally it had to be Christian as the authorities would not allow any organization that seemed to be subversive to congregate in the 1700s in England.

Freemasonry not only has an open Bible on its altar, but eight prayers and three lessons are given during the Ritual. But more than this there are seven hidden references to the Christian tragedy in the Ritual. I have made a video about this on my YouTube channel called "Spiritual Freemasonry." I hope it puts an end to the "Freemasonry isn't Christian" debate for once and for all.

This is one of the reasons that Freemasonry was not outlawed by the Seditious Meetings Act of 1817 and still exists today.

Christopher Earnshaw PM
Sinim Lodge GL Massachusetts.
Oct 01, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		Re: Why Freemasonry is Christian
by: Tim

WB Earnshaw,
thank you for your contribution to Masonsmart.

In exploring your referenced video and YouTube channel I am reminded that among the many beauties and blessings of Masonry is that one which I especially cherish. It is that we each are free, and indeed encouraged, to study and reach our own conclusions as to the teachings, meanings, symbolism, and objectives of our gentle craft.

While I can't say that I agree with your stated conclusions, you are certainly entitled to them. However, the referenced video does not put, "an end to the 'Freemasonry isn't Christian' debate for once and for all." In my opinion, Freemasonry is universal and welcomes all good men of every religion and from all walks of life. It has evolved over time, as all things must in order to survive. Its symbols, just as those of Christianity, predate its very existence. We cannot categorically associate a symbol or its meaning with a specific body or movement without first considering the history of that symbol from the earliest of time, and even then we must allow that prehistoric knowledge as yet undiscovered could nullify or alter that association.

Perhaps this would be a good time to remind and restate, (as you do on the 'About' page of your YouTube channel) that no man speaks for Freemasonry. Any and all opinions expressed by a Freemason regarding Freemasonry are his alone, and should not be taken as official Masonic policy or opinion.

Thank you again for your contribution to the site, and for visiting Masonsmart.com.

Fraternally and respectfully,

Tim
Oct 01, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		Why Freemasonry is Christian NEW
by: Christopher Earnshaw PM

Hi Bro.Tim (apologies if I left out your correct title),

Yes, talking about Freemasonry is difficult as we are approaching if from a modern mindset. As I explain in my videos, there were many esoteric streams of thought that could have been used in rewriting the Ritual for the Revival, but given the sociopolitical climate in 1717 their focus was narrowed. This was intentional as their objective was to make Freemasonry an experience that changed the participant in a beneficial way. Later videos will explore some of these hidden teachings that have been woven into the Ritual for the Brethren to find.

S&F regards, Chris Earnshaw PM
freemason.link
Oct 21, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		Interesting but neither conclusive nor binding
by: Lant

Dear Bro. Earnshaw,

I must agree completely with Tim's statements. Every Mason is free to interpret anything within the Craft as he pleases, but nobody speaks for the Craft and nobody's conclusions or interpretations are final or binding.

Moreover, as you as a PM are aware, ritual varies from location to location. The ritual in your location may lend itself to some of your conclusions, but other rituals almost certainly do not.

Again, I must completely support Tim in saying that Masonry is for good men of all faiths. I can appreciate, perhaps, why you have attempted to answer this question, but would with respect suggest that it might be better to use your obvious talents to examine why Freemasonry is not in conflict with Christianity.

Fraternally and respectfully, etc.

Oct 23, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		Freemasonry is Christian
by: Christopher Earnshaw PM

Bro Lant,

I agree with both you and Tim. You are talking about Freemasonry as it is now. My video and message are about what was happening in the Revival at the beginning of the eighteenth century.

The first three Grandmasters, Sayer, Payne and Desaguliers, would have had to include Christianity in the rituals to avoid censure by the authorities. The Catholic problem had come a head ten years before, Catholic Europe wanted to replace the Protestant German king of England. There was a lot of tension in the country.

Perhaps I needed to include a better introduction to the video. The sound is terrible so perhaps I'll retape it.

Fraternally and sincerely,
Chris Earnshaw
Oct 23, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		Gotcha
by: Lant

Point taken, sir. At the time, of course, 99% of the UK population was Christian.

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