"Take
away hatred from some people, and you have men without faith."
Eric Hoffer (1902–83), U.S.
philosopher.
If you're convinced that you know the
'truth of God' and that He has told you through your reading of the Bible or
Koran that Masonry is evil,
there's nothing we're going to say here which will convince you otherwise. |
In another section, we've attempted to identify some commonalities in those who object to Freemasonry on religious grounds. You can read that essay by clicking here. In this section, we outline the common (and often debunked) arguments. There are so many inconsistencies in the charges they make against Freemasonry and they're put forth by a small minority who claim to have the ultimate religious knowledge (we call them 'Religious Intolerants') that it sometimes seems fruitless to disagree. However, lies and shadings of truth, when allowed to stand as if they were the truth, can ultimately be perceived as such.
The charges against the fraternity take different tacks. Below, you can click on various links to read about them:
 | Freemasonry is a Religion |
| Freemasons have a Masonic 'God' - the GAOTU |
| Albert Pike wrote confirming that Masons pray to Lucifer |
| Mackey's Masonic Encyclopedia said Freemasonry is religious |
| Freemasonry is a cult |
| Freemasonry prays to false gods and allows pagan worship |
| Wiccans and pagans are Masons |
| Mormons are Masons |
| Jews are Masons |
| Masonry excludes Jesus |
| Masons perform their worship in Temples |
| Members must obey their "Master" instead of Jesus |
| Masons refer to the Bible as 'furniture' |
| Masons worship numbers and/or practice numerology and/or astrology |
| The Masonic ritual represents resurrection |
| Masonry is anti-Catholic |
| The Knights of Columbus hate the Masons (or vice-versa) |
| Masonry offers its members an eschatology (concept of the after-life) and promotes good works as a way to salvation |
| Masonry is esoteric |
| The symbols of Masonry are those of a false religion |
| The Eye in the Pyramid is a Masonic symbol |
| Baphomet is a God of Masonry |
| The Obelisk is a phallic Freemasonic emblem |
| Freemasons worship Satan or practice Satanism |
| Freemasonry gives a name to God - Jabulon |
| Freemasonry uses the name/word Abaddon as a "Secret Word" in its rituals |
| The God Freemasons worship is the "Great Architect of the Universe" |
| Hiram Abiff is the Mason's Messiah |
| Masonry descends from the evil Knights Templars |
| Non-Christian organizations like B'nai B'rith are part of Masonry |
| Masonry confuses its adherents and leads them away from God |
| Time spent being a Mason should be spent in church instead |
| "Low-level" Masons don't understand the evils of Masonry |
| Masons take "Bloody Oaths" rather than letting their "...yes be yes and their no, no." |
| The Shriners mock Christianity by wearing a red fez |
|
Masons want to destroy/subvert Catholicism (or your religion) |
|
Freemasonry is part of the ADL (Anti-Defamation League) and supports British Israelism |
|
Masons don't understand what they're into - and thus need the help of a 'good Christian' to escape the bonds in which they're ensnared |
|
Masons practice 'Humanism' (something often paraphrased as 'live and let live') |
|
Masons are Deists |
In reality, though, these arguments really reflect different views of the same argument:
We need a villain - and you're it!
Trying to respond
When first confronted with any/all of the claims above, most Freemasons are either mildly amused or completely 'turned off'. Why? Because they know that these silly charges are simply not true. When faced with the earnestness and perseverance of the argument's proponent, regardless of any information given to them, the Freemason often becomes defensive or angry: Can't this person see the truth???
Dismissive or argumentative responses often result. Regrettably though, such actions can serve to confirm in the mind of the person presenting the claim - regardless of how ludicrous - that there must be some truth to it, else there would be a total refutation provided. Masons too can innocently confuse the naive inquirer who is simply repeating something which s/he has understood with someone having an 'agenda' of anti-Masonic action.
Freemasonry has for some 300 years simply ignored its detractors. Having an 'official position' on people who charge that Masons are in league with space aliens or that Masons are plotting to overthrow the worlds' governments seems just too foolish for the organization to even consider acknowledging. (For the record: no, we're not in league with space aliens nor are we planning any sort of world domination!)
Those who are Freemasons look around in their Lodge to see peace and harmony. They see men of various religious and political persuasions working together for the good of all. They see charity at so many levels. Why would anyone find this offensive - particularly someone who has never been inside a lodge and works only from hearsay and/or hatred?
In some cases, it seems as if certain so-called religious groups want to tear everyone else down in order to make themselves look better. Unable to compete, it's easier to disparage.
In the final analysis, it returns - we believe - to the same argument:
We need a villain - and you're it!
The summary? Freemasonry is neither a religion nor does it take a position vis-à-vis ANY religion. A member's religious beliefs are his own and while some detractors would want Masonry to mold itself into their interpretation of 'truth' - or see the organization as a threat - the fact remains that Freemasonry is a fraternity of like-minded men dedicated to the ideals of brotherly love, relief and truth.
Updated 9 March 2006 and a few times thereafter
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