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Masonry It Really Is A Religion

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Forever Settled, Feb 11, 2019.

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  1. Forever Settled

    Forever Settled Active Member

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    The town I grew up in and pastored in for many years had one of the worlds largest masonic temples at the end of main street..........I had to learn about them seeing as how they controlled most every aspect of life in that area.

    https://guthriescottishrite.org


    Masonry It Really Is A Religion


    “Every Masonic Temple [lodge] is a Temple of Religion and its teachings are instructions in religion” (Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, p. 213)


    Another high ranking 33° Mason, Albert Mackey (1807 – 1881) wrote: “The tendency of all true Masonry is toward religion. If it makes any progress, its progress is to 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?”(Mackey’s Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, p.618)

    Again he said: “Masonry then, is indeed, a religious institution, and on this ground mainly, if not alone, should the religious Mason defend it” (Mackey’s Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, p.619).


    In 1903 the Grand Lodge of New York stated the following; “The precepts contained in the ‘Landmarks and Charges of a Freemason’ formulate a creed so thoroughly religious in character that it may well be compared with the formally expressed doctrine of many a denominational church. The Masonic fraternity may, therefore, be quite properly regarded as a religious society” (Martin Short, Inside the Brotherhood, Grafton Books, Collins Publishing Group, 1990, p. 72).


    In 1954 no less an authority than a Grand Chaplin of the United Grand Lodge of England said:


    The tests of any religion lie (1) in its belief in Almighty God and the Obligation to serve Him; (2) on the performance of duties to God and Man based on the divine law found in a divine revelation (the Bible); (3) [in its possessing] a system of faith and worship.


    ‘Freemasonry conforms to all these, and those who have met within its sacred precincts have experienced that inspiration which comes from being near to God. It may not be a complete religion since it does not attempt to minister to women and children, and because it is highly selective, but it is nonetheless a religion” (Freemasons Chronicle, Jan. 2, 1954)


    Sir John Cockburn, Grand Deacon of England and Deputy Grand Master of Australia once said: “If the title of a religion be denied to Freemasonry, it may well claim the higher ground of being a federation of religions. It is a form of worship in which all religions unite” (Freemasonry, What, Whence, Why, Whither, The Masonic Record, London, 1920).


    Some church denominations are also led by avowed Masons. For example, a 1991 survey by the Southern Baptist Convention Sunday School Board found that 14% of SBC pastors and 18% of SBC deacon board chairs are Masons. It is also estimated that SBC members comprise 37% of total U.S. lodge membership. (A 2000 updated SBC report found that over 1,000 SBC pastors are Masons.)"


    37% of 3,000,000 would have been 1,110,000 Masons who held membership in the SBC. This estimate was for 1991. How many are there today?


    Southern Baptist Masons need to repent of their involvement in another religion !



    2 Corinthians 6:14-17

    14 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? 16 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. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
     
  2. 37818

    37818 Well-Known Member

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    If a Christian really believed and obeyed Christ's teaching, ". . . Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. . . ." Then, such a Christian could never ever join a Masonic order, do to their required oaths.

    [James 5:12; Deuteronomy 23:22.]
     
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  3. HankD

    HankD Well-Known Member
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    It has been my observation that while the Free Masons have many good works many talk the talk but don't walk the walk.

    Many are no doubt Christians but then again many IMO are "tares" who have infiltrated the Church and are of the following:

    2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

    They know nothing of the conviction and forgiveness of sins for themselves and deny it as a reality for others.

    Matthew 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

    Matthew 7
    22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
    23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

    I agree with Forever Settled (actually not just SB Masons but all Christians).

    ]If you are able.
     
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  4. Logos1560

    Logos1560 Well-Known Member
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    A book entitled The Everything Freemasons Book maintained that "depending on the theory, it is said that [William] Schaw was the founding father of modern Freemasonry" (p. 29).

    This book asserted that "King James VI of Scotland, who would eventually become King James I of England, appointed William Schaw as Master of the Work and Warden General in 1583" (pp. 28-29).
     
  5. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    Masonry teaches that it has secret occultic knowledge of God, and that by observing their rituals can be prepared for heaven!
     
  6. Forever Settled

    Forever Settled Active Member

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    Your source seems to be wrong.

    According to Masonic sources from several Grand Lodges notes that the subject of whether the king was a masonis debatable.

    If he had been they would have boasted of his membership.....no doubt like they boast of any famous mason.

    The King could have allowed a lodge to be established with his signature.

    But we find the first lodge had to wait over a hundred years after the KJB was translated before being established.
     
    #6 Forever Settled, Feb 11, 2019
    Last edited: Feb 11, 2019
  7. HankD

    HankD Well-Known Member
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    There is a great deal of "myth" and "legend" in Freemasonry.

    Though I am not nor have I ever been a Mason.

    However my stepfather was and came from an old Mason antebellum family of Alabama.

    I heard many things discussed which probably were technically wrong for me to hear.

    My stepfather adopted me and gave me his name and I became a Lewis (son of a Mason) with the full expectation that I would follow the family tradition. Not much was kept from me although again I should have gone "up the ladder".

    I did not join the Brotherhood but just saying Masons (at least Dixiecrat Masons) believe some WILD and CRAZY things far removed from Christianity (though many in my stepdad's family were born again).
    Even later in life because of my personal connections and my adopted family name I possessed Lewis privilege.

    They are an enigma, they are great humanitarians with some marvelous charitable works but many have the morals of an alley cat or are dishonest and even criminals which Masonry even applauds (certain white collar crime is fine).
     
  8. Logos1560

    Logos1560 Well-Known Member
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    This book did not actually claim that King James was a mason.

    The authors do appeal to what may be historical records or sources as to why William Schaw is claimed to be the "founding father of Freemasonry."

    The Everything Freemasons Books maintained that Schaw "issued the first of his Schaw Statutes in 1598" (p. 29). This source noted: "In 1599, Schaw created a second statute, the significance of which lies in reference to stonemasonry and the existence of esoteric, or secret, knowledge. The statute also makes reference to the Mother Lodge of Scotland, Lodge Mother Kilwinning, No. 0, which was supposedly active at that time" (p. 29).
     
  9. kyredneck

    kyredneck Well-Known Member
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    Sounds almost Gnostic.
     
  10. Jerome

    Jerome Well-Known Member
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    Sadly, many Baptists seem have no clue about this!

    9Mark Dever and his followers all aTwitter about a pretty stained glass window at his church, Capitol Hill Baptist in Washington DC:

    Twitter • Mark Dever
    DyQYi9wW0AEPtyy.png

    It's so obviously a Masonic symbol, yet they were saying Bible verses they thought it was illustrating!
     
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  11. Logos1560

    Logos1560 Well-Known Member
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    Why is it so obviously a Masonic symbol? Can you document and show that it actually is?

    Can you prove that no one else or no other group could have ever used this symbol?

    Do you attempt to use the guilt by association fallacy against this church?

    Would you claim that someone could not paint or copy a symbol that they can seen or take one concept from a symbol that they had seen to combine with another concept without knowing its supposed source or sources?
     
  12. Logos1560

    Logos1560 Well-Known Member
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    I also am not nor have I ever been a Mason. I know of no Masons in my family.

    According to this one book by two non-Masons who studied them, there also may sometimes be a great deal of "myth" and "legend" in some of the accusations against Masons.

    The authors of The Everything Freemans Book claimed: "Masonry is not a religion and it doesn't offer salvation, but its members do have faith. One of the overriding rules of the Craft is that the brethren may never discuss religion or politics in a lodge" (p. 7).

    This book claimed: "One of the biggest misconceptions about Freemasonry is that it is a religion" (p. 144).

    This book claimed: "For starters, the organization has no dogma or central theology, and members are free to practice any religion to which they subscribe" (p. 144).
     
  13. Jerome

    Jerome Well-Known Member
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    Sigh.

    Masonic service at Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington, D.C., :

    Washington Post, May 22, 1914, p. 4

    "More than 600 Knights Templar, in full uniform, attended the annual Ascension day service....The pews in the large auditorium of the church were occupied by the sir knights and the standing room space and the galleries were occupied by members of the congregation and others."

    "The service was conducted by the Rev. Dr. John Compton Ball, pastor, assisted by the prelates of the commanderies. Following the first hymn, the knights drew their swords and presented them, hilts up, as a token of fealty to the Redeemer."
     
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  14. Logos1560

    Logos1560 Well-Known Member
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    Are you trying to attack the present congregation for something over 100 years ago?
     
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  15. Jerome

    Jerome Well-Known Member
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  16. Logos1560

    Logos1560 Well-Known Member
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    Why not document the claim in the post which first mentioned it?

    It would not be so obviously a Masonic symbol to everyone who is not a Mason or who is not a former Mason or who does not study Masons. Masons have adopted symbols from others.

    The Everything Freemasons Books claimed the following to be a fact:
    "An unfinished pyramid combined with the all-seeing eye is an American symbol, one specifically related to the United States Seal. It had, in fact, been adopted by Congress for use fourteen years before the Brotherhood officially added the all-seeing eye to their symbolic repertoire" (p. 239).
     
  17. Forever Settled

    Forever Settled Active Member

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    Evidently you seem unable to read the OP of this thread.

    Masonic writers will outright tell you freemasonry IS a Religion.

    You are over here defending it because......of the occult connection......and yes that can be proven very easily in a very short post .......if you will accept masonic writers words....which at this point is doubtful.
     
  18. Logos1560

    Logos1560 Well-Known Member
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    I do not defend and accept Mason views. Why do you seem to suggest that I should blindly trust Masonic writers?

    Perhaps some writers could use the word "religion" with a different meaning than you do since it is not being defined by you or them.

    The authors of The Everything Freemans Book claimed: "Masonry is not a religion and it doesn't offer salvation, but its members do have faith. One of the overriding rules of the Craft is that the brethren may never discuss religion or politics in a lodge" (p. 7).

    If the members are not supposed to discuss religion at their lodge, how are they supposed to be teaching religion at it?

    Your accusation is false and wrong. I am not defending Freemasonry as you incorrectly allege. Your allegation would bear false witness.
    Because someone may not accept blindly your opinions does not entitle you to make incorrect allegations.

    I properly provide information from a book about Freemasons that is supposed to be objective and non-biased.
     
    #18 Logos1560, Feb 12, 2019
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2019
  19. HankD

    HankD Well-Known Member
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    From my association with my step fathers family I would definitely say it is a religion or at least a quasi-religion.

    A lot depends on the religion of the locale which comes into the lodge by osmosis. My step fathers folk were Episcopalian over on the side of its origin - The Church of England - and yes the Knights Templar are a big deal with a lot of secrecy and Masonic urban legend about them.
     
  20. Forever Settled

    Forever Settled Active Member

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    Seems straight forward even compares it to a denomiinational Church .

    In 1903 the Grand Lodge of New York stated the following; “The precepts contained in the ‘Landmarks and Charges of a Freemason’ formulate a creed so thoroughly religious in character that it may well be compared with the formally expressed doctrine of many a denominational church. The Masonic fraternity may, therefore, be quite properly regarded as a religious society” (Martin Short, Inside the Brotherhood, Grafton Books, Collins Publishing Group, 1990, p. 72).

    If you had read the OP you would have known this.
     
    #20 Forever Settled, Feb 12, 2019
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2019
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