i've already been fooled once. never again.
Don't make us remind you!
nj
freemasons
by bigdreaux 33 Replies latest jw friends
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Junction-Guy
Bigdreaux, you dont have to be a christian to join the masons, as long as you believe in "a god" and are monotheistic, they will welcome you with open arms.
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bigdreaux
ex jw, if i get fooled again, i will fly to wherever you are, so you can personally slap me. lol after my wife gets done with me of course. lol
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Junction-Guy
read my previous reply.
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Little Drummer Boy
My dad was a mason until his end. He was also in Eastern Star as is my mother.
I don't know how many meetings they have a month, but I do know that I spent a lot of time with the baby sitters as I grew up. I missed my parents a great deal. I'm sure a lot of it was E.S., not just the Masons
My parents may have enjoyed their time spent in those organizations, but more often than not, they seemed tired to me. My father could not in any way have only gone to two meetings a month and made the kind of impression that he did on me. He simply wasn't there for his family.
One of the goals of the Masons is to improve the lives of the membership. To make them better, wiser, more spiritual men. Or so I understand.
Before joining the Masons, I would ask myself if the time away from my family where I could interact with them is worth the trade-off of going to meetings for "self-improvement" (or is it really about just "hanging out with the boys"). If the meetings are twice a month, then maybe it isn't a problem. How do we feel about the number of meetings a week that the wt has? I wouldn't want to go back to that.
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lavendar
Bigdreaux, you might be interested in reading this.
What is Free Masonry and what do Free Masons believe?
Please note - by this article, we are not claiming that all who are involved in Free Masonry are cultists, or that all Free Masons believe all the items mentioned below. What we are saying is this - Free Masonry at its core is not a Christian organization. There are many Christians who have left Free Masonry after discovering what it is truly all about. Please visit Ex-Masons for Jesus for more information. There are also good and godly men, true believers in Christ who are Free Masons. It is our contention that this is because they do not truly understand Freemasonry. Each person should pray for wisdom and discernment from the Lord as to whether to be involved with Free Masonry. This article was reviewed and approved for accuracy by a former Worshipful Master of a Blue Lodge.
Question: "What is Free Masonry and what do Free Masons believe?"
Answer: Free Masonry, Eastern Star, and other similar "secret" organizations appear to be harmless fellowship gatherings. Many of them appear to promote belief in God. However, upon closer examination, we find that the only belief requirement is not that one must believe in the True and Living God, but rather, that one must believe in the existence of a “Supreme Being”, which includes the “gods” of Islam, Hinduism, or any other world religion. The anti-Biblical and anti-Christian beliefs and practices of this organization are partially hidden beneath an outward appearance of a supposed compatibility with the Christian faith. The following is a comparison of what the Bible says with the "official" position of Free Masonry:
Salvation from Sin:
The Bible’s View: Jesus became the sinner’s sacrifice before God when He shed His blood and died as the propitiation (payment) for the sins of the whole world (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 5:8, John 3:16).
Mason’s View: The very process of joining the Lodge requires Christians to ignore the exclusivity of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. According to Freemasonry, a person will be saved and go to heaven as a result of his good works and personal self-improvement.
The View of the Bible:
The Bible’s View: The supernatural and plenary inspiration of the Scriptures—that they are inerrant and that their teachings and authority are absolute, supreme, and final. The Bible is the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16, 1 Thessalonians 2:13).
Mason’s View: The Bible is only one of several “Volume(s) of Sacred Law”, all of which are deemed to be equally important in Freemasonry. The Bible is an important book, only as far as those members who claim to be Christians are concerned. It is not considered to be the exclusive Word of God, nor is it considered to be God’s sole revelation of himself to humankind; but only one of many religious sourcebooks. It is a good guide for morality. The Bible is used primarily as a symbol of God’s will, which can also be captured in other sacred texts, like the Koran or Rig Vedas.
The Doctrine of God:
The Bible’s View: There is one God. The various names of God refer to the God of Israel and reveal certain attributes of God. To worship other Gods or to call upon other deities is idolatry (Exodus 20:3). Paul spoke of idolatry as a heinous sin (1 Corinthians 10:14) and John said that idolaters will perish in hell (Revelation 21:8).
Mason’s View: All members must believe in a deity. Different religions (Christianity, Judaism, Islam, etc.) acknowledge the same God, only call Him different names. Freemasonry invites people of all faiths, even if they use different names for the ‘Nameless One of a hundred names,’ they are yet praying to the one God and Father of all.
The Doctrine of Jesus and the Trinity:
The Bible’s View: Jesus was God in human form (Matthew 1:18-24, John 1:1). Jesus is the second person of the trinity (Matthew 28:19, Mark 1:9-11). While on earth, He was fully human (Mark 4:38, Matthew 4:2) and fully divine (John 20:28, John 1:1-2, Acts 4:10-12). Christians should pray in Jesus’ name and proclaim Him before others, regardless of offense to non-Christians (John 14:13-14, 1 John 2:23, Acts 4:18-20).
Mason’s View: There is no exclusivity in Jesus Christ or the Triune God who is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; therefore there is no doctrine of the deity of Jesus Christ. It is deemed to be un-Masonic to invoke the name of Jesus when praying, or mention His name in the Lodge. Suggesting that Jesus is the only way to God contradicts the principle of toleration. The name of Jesus has been omitted from biblical verses that are used in Masonic rituals. Jesus is on the same level as other religious leaders.
Human Nature and Sin:
The Bible’s View: All humans are born with a sinful nature, are totally depraved, and need a Savior from sin (Romans 3:23, Romans 5:12, Psalm 51:5, Ephesians 2:1). The Bible denies that humanity, since the Fall, has within itself the capacity for moral perfection (1 John 1:8-10, Romans 1:18-25).
Mason’s View: Through symbols and emblems, Masons teach that man is not sinful, just “rude and imperfect by nature”. Human beings are able to improve their character and behavior in various ways, including acts of charity, moral living, and voluntary performance of civic duty. Humanity possesses the capability of moving from imperfection toward total perfection. Moral and spiritual perfection lies within men and women.
When a Christian takes the oath of Freemasonry, he is swearing to the following doctrines that God has pronounced false and sinful:
1. That salvation can be gained by man’s good works.
2. That Jesus is just one of many equally revered prophets.
3. That they will remain silent in the Lodge and not talk of Christ.
4. That they are approaching the Lodge in spiritual darkness and ignorance, when the Bible says Christians are already in the light, children of the light, and are indwelt by the Light of the World—Jesus Christ.
5. By demanding that Christians take the Masonic oath, Masonry leads Christians into blasphemy and taking the name of the Lord in vain.
6. Masonry teaches that its G.A.O.T.U. [Great Architect of the Universe], whom Masonry believes is the true God of the universe, is representative of all gods in all religions.
7. Masonry makes Christians abide in a universalist approach in its prayers, demanding a “generic” name be used so as not to offend non-believers who are Masonic “brothers”.
8. By swearing the Masonic oath and participating in the doctrines of the Lodge, Christians are perpetuating a false gospel to other Lodge members, who look only to Masonry’s plan of salvation to get to heaven. By their very membership in such a syncretistic type organization, they have severely compromised their witnessing as Christians.
9. By taking the Masonic obligation, he is agreeing to allow the pollution of his mind, spirit, and body by those who serve false gods and believe false doctrines.
As you can see, Masonry denies and contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture and numerous issues. Masonry also requires people to engage in activities which the Bible condemns. As a result, a Christian should not be a member of any secret society or organization that has any connection with Free Masonry.
Again, for more information, we strongly recommend Ex-Masons for Jesus.
Recommended Resource: The Secret Teachings of the Masonic Lodge by Ankerberg & Weldon. -
mav e rick
That would be the first time I've ever heard someone was actually invited to become a Freemason. No harm in joining I guess, keep in mind though they too believe in Jehovah ;)
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Uzzah
I am a Mason and would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
My father was a 32nd degree mason in both the York and Scottish rite and I have imitated his path. I believe in a Creator but am not Christian per se. Junction Guy was spot on when he said you must profess a belief in a creator but not necessarily the Christian God. When you go beyond the 3rd degree there are a lot more references to Biblical stories as alegories or parables not necessarily as historical fact. If you go the Socttish route, you will encounter the use of Jehovah in the ritual.
Due to having to sit through Biblical stories again I found some of the degrees were tough to stomach but the lessons are good regardless.
If you become a third degree Mason, there is little religious involvement except swearing under oath to God and historical references to King Solomon and the temple.
PM me or feel free to respond here with any questions you may have. Masonry is what you put into it. However, family and work are to be put first but some Masons get carried away with Masonic opportunities and roles. There is one Lodge meeting per month and one meeting of general purposes. Thus the two meeting youheard about. But then there is visiting neighbouring lodges, special fundraising events, elections, Grand Master's Gala Events. Then if you go into the York or Scottish Rite then there is at least one more meeting per month. If you hold a Chair position then there are Warden Association Events, education nights.
I could be busy every night of the week but really limit myself to the two meetings per month and the occasional fund raiser and I am just finishing my first year as Master of my Lodge.
Uzzah
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Mysterious
Masonry also requires people to engage in activities which the Bible condemns. As a result, a Christian should not be a member of any secret society or organization that has any connection with Free Masonry.
Anyone else see this as a very sweeping blanket statement the kind a JW would be liable to make?
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Satans little helper
I am a Freemason and most of what is written on the webpage referred to by Lavender is pure rubbish.
If you want to learn about Freemasonry, talk to a Freemason; don't listen to the imaginings of conspiracy theorists or people who heard from someone who heard from someone who read a website.
