Featured Baptists shoudl NOT be involved in Free Masonry!

It was a half-way decision. The resolution is that Baptists should not join groups that oppose biblical doctrine. Freemason was left to a great degree as a matter of conscience. Many thought the SBC went too far. Many thought they didn't go far enough. There is much more than is provided here (there were substantial arguments on both sides of the issue).

The problem is that the "research" from one side did not match up with the experience of the other. You can lay out all the books, articles, websites, and opinions of former Masons…but if a person’s experience contradicts all of this “evidence,” then that person would be a fool to accept that “evidence” as valid. You are left with a group of people who have never been a Mason telling those who are or have been what they “teach” and “believe.” When things don’t align, they don’t align. You have one group who “knows” the truth without a shadow of doubt based on research, but they cannot negate what another group has experienced. BUT that other group can’t argue “experience” because that is an invalid argument.

 

Yet MANY did not (I think it clear many more did not). I was, BTW, a "Lodge master." Much of what has been described here is completely foreign to what I had experienced. Much is completely opposite of what was said at the initiation. I hope you understand the difficulty I have when someone who was never a Mason tells me what I experienced, believed, or said when I know it is not. It's not worth arguing. I completely understand your comments.

 

How do you conclude that your father knew more about the subject than I? That seems like a very silly thing to say (actually, it seems to me childish).

But he is right that the organization views all religions as equal. I never claimed that it was a Christian organization.

 

The 3rd degree is the highest degree. That’s a major point of the fraternity (meeting on the square). If one does not understand that, regardless of their membership or lack thereof with the organization, one cannot understand Freemasonry. When someone talks of a 32 degree or 33 degree Mason, they are talking about newer sub-groups (rites) within Masonry but below and under jurisdiction of the “Blue Lodge.” In other words, to say a 33 degree Mason (or a “Royal Arch” etc., if referring to the York rite) holds a “higher rank,” or even knows more about Freemasonry only demonstrates ignorance. Unfortunately, there is a lot of ignorance going around…both inside and outside the fraternity.

The two points you mention:
4. Its members are sworn to retaliate and persecute unto death the violators of Masonic obligations.
5. Freemasonry knows no mercy, and swears its candidates to aveng violations of Masonic obligations unto death.

These are nonsense even to the casual observer (if he is an observer). The “bloody oath” states “no less a penalty than”….(each degree has some nasty way to die). Never are these oaths to “persecute unto death”…or even unto paper cut. Within the degree is the explanation that the penalty itself is suspension or expulsion, which the Mason is to view as severe as those awful ways to die. But less than honest “Christians” skip over that part because it doesn’t help their cause.

But that doesn’t matter to many who claiming to be Christians (and I don’t doubt their sincerity) speak out of ignorance and carelessness. They should, if opposed to the fraternity, speak against what is genuinely known and leave hearsay and opinion out of the accusation. This is true of any issue. I don’t mind people speaking against Masons…I pretty much don’t care either way….but a Christian should at least have a bit more integrity than I’ve seen exercised on this thread.

 

No, and I apologize if I made it sound as if they did. They hold that all religions should be treated the same in a secular environment (i.e., Freemasonry, government).

No, they do not teach this. That would be religion. It is a mistake to conclude that Masons are “preparing themselves a place in heaven,” although I can see how you could confuse the imagery of the body as a temple with that notion. That’s the danger of interloping. You get ideas without content and words to which you end up ascribing your own context.

No, real Christians would not belong in a group that teaches another Gospel and denies the Lordship of Jesus Christ. That’s the thrust of my argument. Here you conclude that I (and Old Regular’s family, and countless others) was not saved until after I left the Lodge (perhaps you imply that I still am not saved because my experience does not live up to your imagination). You owe many brethren an apology for your assumptions. I will say that “real Christians” should not bear false witness against others…but this is what typically happens when people are guided by ignorance fueled by emotional speculation. You don't have to apologize to me, but perhaps you should examine your ideas more carefully in the future.

Brother, please be careful lest you dishonor Christ by your false witness. And you need to provide references.

 

What is strange is that you presume to tell me (and perhaps others) who at one time were Masons, how we see/saw ourselves. Yes, Y1, you are wrong. I know that you are posting in ignorance, but you are nevertheless bearing false witness against others. But let’s play a little longer.

Masons have never, to my knowledge, claimed to offer salvation to “their followers.” First of all, there is no one to follow. Secondly, they readily state that they are not a church and offer no salvation or way to heaven (this is very clear in the first degree explanation…as I’m sure you are aware since you claim to be an expert).

No, they don’t. You are referring to either the York Rite or the Scottish Rite. The York rite play (degree) is centers on the Jew’s return from exile and the rebuilding of the Temple. What was lost is found (the Law) and this is symbolized in finding the lost name of God (Jehovah, BTW, is the name). The Scottish rite centers on other ancient religions and oppressions that occurred in the name of religion (the Scottish Rite is centered on government and secular toleration of religion). But no, Masons do not believe that they have the real name of God and others don’t. They don’t believe that a man named Hiram Abiff was a historical person. It is a themed play broken down in degrees to present a moral lesson. It is mere stupidity to take it as dogma.

No, they do not see a mason going to the celestial lodge in the sky. No mason believes that there is a Lodge in the sky or that heaven is a lodge. You are taking their degrees out of context. Pure ignorance.

Yes, I do know these things. I told you, before I left I was a master of a lodge…I am a Past Master. I completed both the Scottish and York rites. I am fully confident of your misunderstanding. Still, I encourage Christians to stay away from Freemasonry for other reasons I’ve listed.