Christian attitudes towards Freemasonry

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Christianity and Freemasonry have had a mixed relationship, with some Christian denominations banning members form being Freemasons and others allegedly being dominated by them. Freemasonry has at times and in certain places been heavily Christianised, while in other times and places been thoroughly anti-clerical[1].

Allegations of Deism

One of the persistent Christian criticisms of Freemasonry is that it advocates a deist or naturalist view of creation. Whilst it is recognised that Masonry is not atheistic (professed atheists were banned from many Lodges), its references to the "Supreme Architect of the Universe" are seen by some Christians as contending that God created the Universe but did not intervene in the world after this. This was a common heresy that arose in the Enlightenment. Freemasons - especially Christian Freemasons - deny this claim.

A specific charge[2] against Freemasonry is that the introduction of speculative Masonry in the early eighteenth century specifically aimed at dechristianising the old operative masonry lodges. Whereas the constitutions of previous lodges of operative Masonry stated that "The first charge is this that you be true to God and Holy Church and use no error or heresy"[3] in 1723 the constitution of the Grand Lodge of England[4]:

A Mason is obliged by his Tenure, to obey the moral law; and if he rightly understands the Art, he will never be a stupid Atheist nor an irreligious Libertine. But though in ancient Times Masons were charged in every Country to be of the Religion of that Country or Nation, whatever it was, yet 'tis now thought more expedient only to oblige them to that Religion in which all Men agree, leaving their particular Opinions to themselves; that is, to be good Men and true, or Men of Honour and Honesty, by whatever Denominations or Persuasions they may be distinguished; whereby Masonry becomes the Centre of Union, and the Means of conciliating true Friendship among Persons that must have remained at a perpetual Distance.

This change is seen as moving towards a Deist view.

Clash with the Catholic Church

The most persistent critic of Freemasonry has been the Catholic Church, which bans members from becoming Freemasons. The Church argues that Freemasonry's theology discourages Christian dogmatism and that it is at many times and places anti-clerical in intent. It further argues that some of the ceremonial is anti-Catholic.

Much of the theological criticism of Freemasonry used by other Christian denominations originally comes from the Catholic church.

Non-Catholic discouragement of Freemasonry

A number of Protestant and Eastern Orthodox denominations discourage their congregants from joining Masonic lodges, although this differs in intensity according to the denomination. Churches that discourage membership of Freemasons include[5]:


The Church of Scotland does not ban congregants from becoming Freemasons, but in 1989 the general assembly said there were "very real theological difficulties" with Church of Scotland members being Freemasons[11].

Separation of Church and State

Freemasons were seen by the church as prominent advocates of a radical separation of church and state, which was seen as a veiled attack on the Church's place in public life. The church also saw this separation of the state from the church as manifesting a "Religious Indifferentism" which did not accept any religion as true or revealed. Some specific areas which freemasons were accused of aiming for a separation of church and state were:

  • State supported secular education
  • The introduction of civil marriage[12]

Allegations that Freemasonry is a new religion

Although freemasonry is seen as undogmatic and encouraging of religious indifferentism, it is said to show many characteristics of a seperate religion:

  • Freemasonry has an altar and a sacred book (The Volume of the Sacred Law, in most cases the Bible, but it could be any sacred book)
  • There are regular ritualistic meetings
  • There are offices of High Priest[13]
  • It has a large amount of iconography and symbolism
  • Some groups of Masons (especially the Scottish Rite) call their meeting places "temples", (a Lodge is a group of Freemasons operating under a charter or dispensation. The place where they meet is sometimes called a temple, but usually, several lodges use the same temple)
  • Dates are sometimes reckoned in Anno Lucis or "Year of Masonry" in preference to Anno Domini" or "Year of Our Lord"[14]
  • It has its own name for the Creator - the Grand Architect of the Universe
  • It has its own way of saying "amen" ("So mote it be" or "So let it be", which is claimed to be a literal translation of "Amen")
  • It has rituals which are far more developed than those of many organized religions (a debatable point)
  • Any person from any religious background can be a member of the Freemasons as long as they accept the belief in some form of a Creator (often used as an allegation that Freemasons use this as a recruiting tool in order to "convert" or proselytize)

Religious indifferentism

Freemasonry's refusal to see one faith as being superior to any others, while at the same time insisting on religious-type rituals is said to inculcate an indifference to religion. Freemasonic behaviour is seen as a denial of the truth of Christian revelation ("no one can come through the Father except through Me").

The Masonic author Mackey called Freemasonry "a science which is engaged in the search after the divine truth"[15] contradicting the Christian idea that the divine truth has already been revealed.

The Constitution of the Grand Lodge of England says of its members "expedient only to oblige them to that Religion in which all Men agree, leaving their particular Opinions to themselves"[4].

Use of Biblical Imagery

The use of Biblical imagery is seen by some Christian critics as being done in such a way as to deny the revalation of Christianity[16].

Sons of Noah

In the early years of speculative Masonry the central legendary figure of many lodges was Noah[17]. This is seen as placing Freemasonry in a pre-Christian ethic[16].

Hiram Abiff

In Masonic legend, Hiram Abiff was a grand master of Masonry and master builder of Solomon's Temple[18]. The legend of the death and resurrection of Hiram Abiff is seen as being a mockery of the Christian belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ[19]. The third degree in most Masonic rites involves a recitation of the death and resurrection of Hiram Abiff.

The Crucifiction

It is alleged that Freemasonry treats the cross as a symbol of nature and eternal life, rather than solely of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The invocation "INRI" is said to stand for "Igne Natura Renovatur Integra"[20] ("the fire of nature rejuvenates all) rather than "Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum" (Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews).


Iesvs Nazarenvs Rex Iudaeorvm

Links to Esotericism

Certain elements within Freemasonry, especially in parts of Europe, are said to be connected to Esoteric Christianity[21], which holds that orthodox Christian doctrine is for the duller masses and that "real" Christianity holds deeper truths that are to be unveiled only to the mind and heart of the sincere seeker.

Influences from pre-Christian Paganism

Some Masonic authors[22] claim that Masonic symbolism has it's root in the solar and phallic worship of pre-Christian mystery religion, particularly Egyptian religion.

Rosicrucian Influences

Freemasonry has many links to the overtly heretic Rosicrucian movement. The Rosicrucian symbol of the Rose Cross, which is also found in certain rituals beyond "Craft" or "Blue Lodge" Freemasonry. A legend found in Masonic literature says that the Rosicrucian Order was created in year 46 when an Alexandrian Gnostic sage named Ormus and his six followers were converted by one of Jesus' disciples, Mark. From this conversion, Rosicrucianism was born by fusing early Christianity with Egyptian mysteries. This is seen by some Christian sources as also being linked to the Templar origins[23].

According to Jean Pierre Bayard, two rites of Rosicrucian inspiration emerged from the end of 18th century. One was the Rectified Scottish Rite, which was widespread in Central Europe where there was a strong presence of the "Golden and Rosy Cross". The other was the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, practiced in France. During the 18th century, there were several rites practiced in Freemasonry based on the Renaissance universe of hermeticism and alchemy, which was created by the Rosicrucians of 17th century or earlier.

Rosicrucianism is seen as a big influence on the transition between "operative" and "speculative" Freemasonry. Elias Ashmole, one of the earliest speculative Masons was heavily involved in Rosicrucian propoganda. Robert Fludd, another prominent Rosicrucian was also said to be a Freemason[24] and is said to have introduced Rosicrucian themes into Freemasonry[25] although both of these contentions are controversial. Robert Vanloo states that earlier 17th century Rosicrucianism had a considerable influence on Anglo-Saxon Masonry. Hans Schick sees in the Rosicrucian works of Comenius (1592-1670), who was in England in 1641, the ideal of the newly born English Masonry before the foundation of the Grand Lodge in 1717.

A point of similarity between the two groups, in continental Europe, is found during the 18th century. The Masonic circle "Gold und Rosenkreuzer" (Golden and Rosy Cross), published the Geheime Figuren or "The Secret Symbols of the 16th and 17th century Rosicrucians" in 1785 and 1788. This circle, oriented by Hermann Fictuld from 1777 along Masonic lines, had important branches in Russia, which may have introduced Freemasonry and Martinism into that region.

A list of groups linked to both Freemasonry and Rosicrucianism include:

The Masonic author Manly Palmer Hall wrote a book Rosicrucian and Masonic Origins[26] and Max Heindel, author of Rosicrucian writings, wrote a book called Freemasonry and Catholicism [1] which explains, from an esoteric point of view, the relations between Catholicism and Freemasonry as the major movements - each with specific functions in the societies and through the times - aiming the development of Christianity in the world.

Claims that Freemasonry worships Satan

Many Christian critics of Freemasonry, especially some evangelical Christians, claim that Freemasonry is a religion whose purpose is the worship of Satan. This allegation is well represented on Anti-Masonic websites.

This has been confused with denunciations from mainstream Christian denominations, particularly the Roman Catholic Church that Freemasons serve "the kingdom of Satan" (Humanum Genus) or that Masonic Lodges are the "synagogue of Satan" (Etsi multa). This does not imply that the Catholic Church believes that Masonic ceremonies are consciously Satanic, but that the aims of Freemasons - in that they are accused of aiming to weaken the role of the Church in society or the dogmatic exclusiveness of Christian salvation - are by definition acting against the "City of God" and so are acting for God's enemy. Catholics - and Protestant groups such as the Methodist church and the synod of the Church of England[27] - have also objected to what they see as Freemasonry's ritual being a parody of Christian ceremony, and it has been alleged that it may include blasphemy. None of these criticisms should be confused with the idea that Freemasons, even higher level Freemasons, consciously worship Satan.

Quotes used to claim conscious Satan worship are often alleged to be either taken out of context, absent in the original book or article or from authors with a weak or non-existent connecttion to freemasonry. Below are the some of some of the quotes used to substantiate the claim that Masons worship Satan:

Mackey

The Masons first face to face encounter with the god of the lodge, with Lucifer, with En Soph, will take place in the thirtieth degree[citation needed]

The quote purports to be from Mackey's Scotch Rite Masonry Illustrated but is actually from a (still extant) book by J. Blanchard, [28]. Furthermore, Art de Hoyos[29] claims that this book exposes Cerneauism rather than Freemasonry.

Levi - Historie de la Magie

It (Satan) is that Angel who was proud enough to believe himself God; brave enough to buy his independence at the price of eternal suffering and torture; beautiful enough to have adored himself in full divine light; strong enough to still reign in darkness amidst agony, and to have made himself a throne out of this inextinguishable pyre.[30]

The author, Eliphas Levi was a Mason for seven months[31]. The book is about the history of magic rather than his admitted interest in the occult or with Masonry. The reference to Satan by name is a clarification inserted after the fact by the citer.

Levi - Mysteries of Magic

What is more absurd and more impious than to attribute the name of Lucifer to the devil, that is, to personified evil. The intellectual Lucifer is the spirit of intelligence and love; it is the paraclete, it is the Holy Spirit, while the physical Lucifer is the great agent of universal magnetism.[32]

The Masonic Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon[31] states that the book The Mysteries of Magic does not exist. However, on a list of Golden Dawn publications[33] the title does appear - as a digest of Levi's collected writings with "a biographical and critical essay by A.E. Waite" (see below for Waite).

Waite

First Conjuration Addressed to Emperor Lucifer. Emperor Lucifer, Master and Prince of Rebellious Spirits, I adjure thee to leave thine abode, in what-ever quarter of the world it may be situated and come hither to communicate with me. I command and I conjure thee in the Name of the Mighty Living God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, to appear without noise and without ....[25]

This is also not a quote from a Masonic source. Waite is not identified as a 33rd degree Mason in this book, as shown on the cover[34], but rather as an individual with an interest in the occult. Here again, there is no Masonic link whatsoever with this material other than a that a Mason wrote it. Furthermore, the book was written before Waite became a Mason. The Book Of Black Magic was published in 1898, four years before Waite was initiated as a Mason.

According to the Masonic research document "The Lie of Luciferianism"[31] Waite was not a 33rd degree Mason, because he never joined the Scottish Rite.

Hall - The Secret Teachings of All Ages

I hereby promise the Great Spirit Lucifer, Prince of Demons, that each year I will bring unto him a human soul to do with as it may please him, and in return Lucifer promises to bestow upon me the treasures of the earth and fulfil my every desire for the length of my natural life. If I fail to bring him each year the offering specified above, then my own soul shall be forfeit to him. Signed..... {Invocant signs pact with his own blood}[35]

The author, Manley Palmer Hall, was also an occultist, and according to one source[36], was a well-established lecturer on the occult and other esoterica by the age of 20, when he was still too young to become a Mason. He is also not identified as a 33° anywhere in this book, nor is there a record of his reception of the 33° cited in any readily available source that does not include the above quote. According to the Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon, Hall was initiated in 1954[37], at the age of 53, and the book was published in 1928[38], when he was 27.

Hall - The Lost Keys of Freemasonry

When The Mason learns that the Key to the warrior on the block is the proper application of the dynamo of living power, he has learned the Mystery of his Craft. The seething energies of Lucifer are in his hands and before he may step onward and upward, he must prove his ability to properly apply this energy.[39]

This quote is a legitimate quote. It appears in Chapter 4 (titled "The Fellowcraft")[40], but the meaning changes when it is put back into the context of the chapter it comes from: it is part of a larger philosophical discussion which can also be read to imply that the improper use of "energies" can make the Mason a tool of Satan. Furthermore, even taken out of context, this passage does not refer to worshipping Satan per se. Most usefully, according to Is It True What They Say About Freemasonry?[41], which references the book directly (and as noted above), Hall did not become a Freemason until 1954. The Lost Keys of Freemasonry was his personal opinion as a non-Mason, which is clearly stated in the Introduction to the book[31].

Blavatsky - The Secret Doctrine

One of the most hidden secrets involves the so-called fall of Angels. Satan and his rebellious host will thus prove to have become the direct Saviours and Creators of divine man. Thus Satan, once he ceases to be viewed in the superstitious spirit of the church, grows into the grandiose image. It is Satan who is the God of our planet and the only God. Satan (or Lucifer) represents the Centrifugal Energy of the Universe, this ever-living symbol of self-sacrifice for the intellectual independence of humanity.[42]

This is a quote from Helena Petrovna Blavatsky who was the founder of the Theosophical Society, and was an opponent of what she called "Western Freemasonry"[43]. Furthermore, this is a non-contextual quote, as it is culled from six different pages which are widely spaced apart.

Blavatsky - Ancient and Accepted Primitive Rite

Lucifer represents..Life..Thought..Progress..Civilization.. Liberty..Independence..Lucifer is the Logos..the Serpent, the Savior.[44]

It is Satan who is the God of our planet and the only God.[45]

This is conflating two things: one, the Antient and Accepted Primitive Rite was started by John Yarker in the United States, and had nothing to do with the Grand Orient of France. Blavatsky did receive a certificate from Yarker that was not the result of any initiation[31]. The second quote cites the same page numbers as in the quote from The Secret Doctrine.

Pike - Legendas

Wherefore, as we have said before, the Universe is balanced by two forces, which maintain it in equilibrium; and the force which attracts, and that which repels. This is the equilibrium of the mountain of gold, which the Gods on one side, and the Demons on the other, hold tied by the symbolic Serpent of India; and its scientific reality is demonstrated by the phenomena of Polarity, and by the universal law of Sympathies and Antipathies....[46]

Legendas was a work by the Masonic author Albert Pike. As with most of Pike's other works, Legendas draws on other sources, and the purpose of Legendas is to illustrate the sources of the material in the Scottish Rite degrees. This passage seems to be an expansion on a New Testament passage, reflecting on the balance of good and evil, and thereby speaks more to how good (the archangel Michael) prevents evil (Satan), and is in balance with it, than any other possible interpretation.

Pike - Instructions to the 23 Supreme Councils of the World

Yes, Lucifer is God, and unfortunately Adonay is also God. For the eternal law is that there is no light without shade, no beauty without ugliness, no white without black, for the absolute can only exist as two Gods: darkness being necessary to light to serve as its foil as the pedestal is necessary to the statue, and the brake to the locomotive.[47]

This letter was demonstrated to be a forgery. See Taxil hoax.

Notes and references

  1. ^ "The Church had placed itself in opposition to the Craft. The manner in which it was done fostered a virulent anticlericalism within Italian and French Masonry." The Miter and The Trowel by William Madison, Albert Pike (Masonic) Lodge #1169
  2. ^ Masonry (Freemasonry)
  3. ^ Quote from The Builders by Joseph Fort Newton, 1914
  4. ^ a b Article I of The Ancient Charges of a Freemason, James Anderson, 1723
  5. ^ "Many Protestant and Eastern Orthodox denominations have similar prohibitions for their communicants. In the U.S. the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, which have a combined membership of 3 million, and all other major Lutheran denominations warn against lodge affiliation, but not all enforce the ban. Among the other antilodge churches are the Christian Reformed Church, Church of the Brethren, Assemblies of God, Society of Friends (Quakers), Mennonites, Church of the Nazarene, Jehovah's Witnesses, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), United Brethren, Wesleyan and Free Methodist churches, and the Seventh-day Adventist Church. General Booth condemned it for the Salvation Army. The National Christian Association was formed in 1874 to coordinate Protestant opposition to secret societies. On a worldwide basis the majority of Christians belong to denominations that absolutely forbid membership in a Masonic lodge or similar secret society. It must be admitted, however, that many of these Protestant condemnations have never been enforced and are dead letters today."Freemasonry – article from New Catholic Encyclopedia © 1967, Volume 6, pages 132 through 139 inclusive, quoted on site maintained by the Masonic Leadership Center
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n See site New Catholic Encyclopedia article quoted above
  7. ^ "membership in the Masonic fraternity is inconsistent with Christianity", Christ or the Lodge? A Report on Freemasonry, Committee on Secret Societies, ninth General Assembly of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, June 2–5, 1942
  8. ^ Wikipedia entry of 10 January 2006
  9. ^ a b c d e f g FREEMASONRY AND THE CHRISTIAN, Eddy D. Field II and Eddy D. Field III, The Master's Seminary Journal, Fall 1994, pp. 141-157
  10. ^ "However, the clear conclusion we have reached from our enquiry is that there is an inherent incompatibility between Freemasonry and the Christian faith. Also that commitment within the movement is inconsistent with a Christian's commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord." From [Baptists and Freemasonry, date unknown
  11. ^ Many Kirk members still Masons despite earlier call to 'think again' Saturday 15 Feb 2003
  12. ^ Oscar J. Salinas Mexican Masonry- Politics & Religion
  13. ^ [http://www.yorkriteofcalifornia.org/royalarch/hpcalendar.htm Grand High Priest's 2005/2006 Schedule]
  14. ^ Anno Lucis et al by Harry Mendoza, 1980, Ars Quatuor Coronatorium
  15. ^ Mackey, Symbolism of Freemasonry, 1869, 303, Cited in the article Masonry (Freemasonry) from the Catholic Encyclopedia
  16. ^ a b "In the text of 1738 particular stress is laid on "freedom of conscience" and the universal, non-Christian character of Masonry is emphasized. The Mason is called a "true Noahida", i.e. an adherent of the pre-Christian and pre-Mosaic system of undivided mankind." From Masonry (Freemasonry) in the Catholic Encyclopedia
  17. ^ Twenty-first Degree - Noachite, or Prussian Knight from the Scottish Rite Journal
  18. ^ The Legend of Hiram Abiff J Mason Allen, Grand Lodge of Scotland
  19. ^ Who is Hiram Abiff? from Ephesians 5:11
  20. ^ CATHOLICS AND THE FREEMASON 'RELIGION' by Fr. William Saunders
  21. ^ "In the Swedish system, practised by the German Country Grand Lodge, Christ is said to have taught besides the exoteric Christian doctrine, destined for the people and the duller mass of his disciples, an esoteric doctrine for his chosen disciples, such as St. John, in which He denied that He was God." Findel, "Die Schule der Hierarchie, etc.", 1870, 15 sqq.; Schiffmann, "Die Entstehung der Rittergrade", 1882, 85, 92, 95 sq. Cited in Masonry (Freemasonry), from the Catholic Encyclopedia
  22. ^ Clavel, Ragnon, Pike and Mackey cited in footnotes 113 and 114 in Masonry (Freemasonry) in the Catholic Encyclopedia
  23. ^ "Soon after 1750, however, as occult sciences were ascribed to the Templars, their system was readily adaptable to all kinds of Rosicrucian purposes and to such practices as alchemy, magic, cabbala, spiritism, and necromancy." From Freemasonry (Masonry) in the Catholic Encyclopedia
  24. ^ From Rosicrucian#Influence_on_Freemasonry "There is no documented evidence for Chistopher McIntosh's speculation that Robert Fludd (1574-1637) may have been a Mason."
  25. ^ a b From Rosicrucian#Influence_on_Freemasonry "Neither is there any documented evidence to suport Arthur Edward Waite (1857-1942) speculating that Fludd may have introduced a Rosicrucian influence into Freemasonry." Cite error: The named reference "Waite" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  26. ^ Rosicrucian and Masonic Origins by Manly Palmer Hall, 1929
  27. ^ John Hamill, Grand Librarian and Curator of the United Grand Lodge of England, Contemporary Anti-Freemasonry
  28. ^ Kessinger Books
  29. ^ Is It True What They Say About Freemasonry?, chapter 2, retrieved 11 January 2006
  30. ^ Pages 16-17 - as cited by Eliphas Levi Historie de la Magiecited by Freemasonrywatch.org
  31. ^ a b c d e The lie of luciferianism, retrived 11 January 2006 Cite error: The named reference "Levi" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  32. ^ Eliphas Levi The Mysteries of Magic page 428 - as cited in John-Lee Ministries
  33. ^ The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, retrieved 11 January 2006
  34. ^ The cover of A E Waite's book, retrieved 11 January 2006
  35. ^ Manley Palmer Hall 33° The Secret Teachings of All Ages, Page CIV - cited by Choosing Truth Ministries
  36. ^ The Secret Teachings of All Ages, retrived 11 January 2006
  37. ^ Manly Palmer Hall, retrieved 11 January 2006
  38. ^ 'The Secret Teachings of All Ages', by Manly P. Hall,retrived 11 January 2006
  39. ^ Manley Palmer Hall 33° The Lost Keys Of Freemasonry, Page 48 - cited by the http://www.plymouthbrethren.com/success.htm Plymouth Brethren]
  40. ^ 'The Lost Keys of Freemasonry', chapter IV, by Manly P. Hall, retrieved 11 January 2006
  41. ^ Is It True What They Say About Freemasonry?, retrieved 11 January 2006
  42. ^ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky The Secret Doctrine, pages 215, 216, 220, 245, 255, 533 - as cited by Freemasonrywatch.org
  43. ^ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky retrieved 11 January 2006
  44. ^ 'Helena Petrovna Blavatsky 32°; Ancient and Accepted Primitive Rite; Grand Orient of France; pages 171, 225, 255 (Volume II) - cited by John-Lee Ministries
  45. ^ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky 32°; Ancient and Accepted Primitive Rite; Grand Orient of France, pages 215, 216, 220, 245, 255, 533, (Volume I) - cited by freemasonrywatch.org
  46. ^ Albert Pike 33° Legendas XIX° ~ XXX° pages 40-44 - cited by Freemasonrywatch.org
  47. ^ 'Albert Pike 33° Instructions to the 23 Supreme Councils of the world Supposedly issued July 14 1889; A. C. De La Rive in La Femme et l'Enfant dans la Franc-Maconnerie Universelle (page 588)- cited by Learnthebible.org

See also

External links