Article - Are Christianity & Masonry Compatible?

by Ben Bailey

Secret meetings, secret handshakes, secret initiations—sounds like kids games doesn’t it? Be sure, the Masonic lodge is anything but child’s-play. This organization, which sadly has infiltrated members of the Lord’s church, is opposed to and in direct opposition to the teachings of Christianity. You ask, “How?” Allow me to explain. [But before we do, we want to make sure and fairly represent Masonry by using their sources. The Masonic Home Journal reports that the following books "fairly represent" Masonic teaching: 1. Kentucky Monitor, by Henry Pirtle., 2. Morals and Dogma, by Albert Pike., 3. Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, by Albert G. Mackey.] How then is Masonry opposed to Christianity?
Masonry is a Religion. Many involved in Masonry adamantly proclaim that Masonry is NOT a religion. It is likely that these people do not even know truth about Masonry themselves. The Kentucky Monitor states, "...as Masons we are taught that no man should ever enter upon any great or important undertaking without first invoking the blessing of Deity. This is because Masonry is a religious institution..." Albert Pike (a 33rd Degree Mason), one of the most celebrated Masonic scholars, claims that "every Masonic Lodge is a temple of religion; and its teachings are instruction in religion." (Morals and Dogma, p. 213). What’s wrong with Masonry being a religion? Merriam-Webster defines religion as, “the service and worship of God or the supernatural.” Masonry, as a religion, is in contradiction with Christianity because Jesus claimed He was the only way, truth and life (John 14:6). Jesus only established His church and it is the only place of all the saved (Acts 20:28; Matthew 16:18). Masonry as a religion implies it can find man’s way to God (If you doubt this…just go to a Masonic Graveside Service!!). Concerning Heaven as the end result of a faithful Mason, Albert Mackey states, "Heaven, the future life, the higher state of existence after death, is the foreign country in which the Master Mason is to enter, and there he is to receive his wages in the reception of that Truth which can be imparted only in that better land." (Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, p. 363). A Christian cannot be a Mason because it claims to be a religion—another way to get to Heaven!
Masonry As A Religion, Accepts All Religious Beliefs. Concerning the all accepting nature of Masonry Henry Pirtle states, "It makes no profession of Christianity, and wars not against sectarian creeds or doctrines, but looks forward to the time when the labor of our ancient brethren shall be symbolized by the erection of a spiritual temple whose moral grandeur shall be commensurate with civilization; a temple in which there shall be but one altar and but one worship; one common altar of Masonry on which the Veda, Shastras , Sade, Zend-Avesta, Koran, and Holy Bible shall lie untouched by sacrilegious hands, and at whose shrine the Hindoo , the Persian, the Assyrian, the Chaldean, the Egyptian, the Chinese, the Muhammadan , the Jew, and the Christian may kneel with one united voice celebrate the praises of the Supreme Architect of the Universe." (Kentucky Monitor, p. 95). In contrast with Masonic teaching the Bible says, “Nor is their salvation in any other, for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). There are only two options: either the Bible is correct and Jesus, His teaching and His church are the only way; or Masonry is correct and everybody from every religion can unite and worship the Supreme Architect. I think the decision for a Christian is pretty simple. A Christian cannot be a Mason because of the exclusive nature of Christianity!
Masonry As An All Accepting Religion Impugns the Bible. "It is the province of Masonry to teach all truths---not moral truth alone, but political and philosophical, and even religious truth, so far as concerns the great and essential principles of each...Masonry is the legitimate successor---from the earliest times the custodian and depository of the great philosophical and religious truths, unknown to the world at large, and handed down from age to age by an unbroken current of tradition, embodied in symbols, emblems, and allegories." Morals And Dogma, pp. 148, 210. Again, in contrast to Masonic teaching, the Bible says it is Truth, ALL TRUTH and the ONLY TRUTH that can save (John 17:17; Psalm 119:160; John 16:13; John 8:32).Any group that claims to be the successor and legitimate depository of truth impugns the Bible because it is the only source of all religious truth (John 16:13; Jude 3). Oliver Day Street, a Past Grand Master in Masonry affirms his disdain for the Bible as our final guide when he states, "Anyone who will make a little study of this doctrine of inspiration will soon realize on what treacherous sands of theological dogma Masonry will find itself should it ever attempt to enforce belief that the Bible is the inspired word of God. There is but one escape from this jungle of dogmatism and that is frankly to acknowledge the Bible to be a symbol only. Those Christian Masons who would enforce belief in the teachings of the Bible have simply mistaken the symbol for the thing itself. The Bible is Masonry's adopted symbol of Divine Truth in every form." Symbolism Of The Three Degrees, Part 1, p. 40. Any religion or club that proclaims the Bible is not the inspired Word of God and not the repository of all truth is in direct contradiction with Jesus and His teaching. A Christian cannot be a mason because Masonry impugns the Holy Bible!