Apologetica: Freemasonry and the Shriners

THE RELIGION OF
F R E E M A S O N R Y
CHRIST OR ANTICHRIST?
by Dale Brown

Because of the secretive Masonic tradition, few people are aware of the true nature of it’s beliefs. Much of Masonic literature is both contradictory and misleading. For example, within the Masonic temple, there is an altar, where the member kneels before a deity, the Great Architect. Yet, even with these obvious religious symbols, most members will deny that Freemasonry is a religion. But their own literature speaks otherwise. Albert Mackey’s Encyclopedia of Freemasonry states, "[Masonry is] that religious and mystical society whose aim is moral perfection on the basis of general equality and fraternity," and, "Freemasonry may rightfully claim to be called a religious institution." Henry Wilson Coil’s Masonic Encyclopedia states, "Some think because it [the Lodge] is not a strong or highly formalized or highly dogmatized religion, such as the Roman Catholic Church...it can be no religion at all. But the church of friends (Quakers) exhibits even less formality and ritual than does a Masonic Lodge."

Freemasonry is a religion, and a religion that is in direct opposition to Christianity. Masons do not respect the Bible as a divine authority, but only a symbol. Coil states, "The prevailing Masonic opinion is that the Bible is only a symbol of Divine Will, Law or Revelation, and not that its contents are Divine Law, inspired or revealed." Albert Pike says, "The Bible is an indispensable part of the furniture of a Christian Lodge, only because its the sacred book of the Christian religion. The Hebrew Pentateuch in a Hebrew Lodge, and the Koran in a Mohammedan one, belong on the Altar; and one of the these, and the square and Compass, properly understood, are the Great Lights by which a Mason must walk and work."
Jesus said, "I am the light of the world; he who follows me shall not walk in the darkness but shall have the light of life." To say that all religions have light (as in Freemasonry) is to say that all religions have Jesus, which is not true.

Mackey’s Encyclopedia says, "Be assured...that God is equally present with the pious Hindu in temple, the Jew in the synagogue, the Mohammedan in the mosque, the Christian in the Church." In contrast, Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me." He did not say he was one of many ways, many lights or many truths.

Freemasonry views Jesus as a great moral teacher, but not God incarnate. Not only does that contradict the Bible, but it contradicts common sense. Since Jesus claimed to be God several times, he must either be a liar, crazy or what he said he was. There are no other options.
Freemasonry also teaches that after death, admittance into the "Grand Lodge on High" will depend on good works done in this life, not the forgiveness of sins through the substitutionary payment of Jesus Christ. This is no small detail, since Jesus said his whole reason for coming into the world was not to teach us, but to die for us.

WHO IS LUCIFER TO THE MASONS?

I recount an experience I had a few years ago. I visited a large gathering of Freemasons where there was set up a large table with various books and literature for sale. I read to the fellow manning the table the following words from one of his books: "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." When I asked if that was truly his belief, I soon found myself being carried out of the building by two rather large and not so gentle men.

The Bible, however, tells us that Lucifer, because of his pride and rebellion, fell from heaven. He is the "Father of lies," the "adversary," who will ultimately be cast into hell.

THE GREAT ARCHITECT
OF THE UNIVERSE, JAH-BUL-ON

The name of the Masonic God, Jah-Bul-On, is revealed only to Third Degree Masons who elect to be exalted to the Holy Royal Arch — a Secret Master. This compound deity is composed of three separate persons: Jah represents Jahweh, the God of the Hebrews. Bul stands for Baal, the ancient Canaanite fertility god associated with human sacrifice and occult rituals. And On is Osiris, the ancient Egyptian god of the underworld.
The Bible tells us, "Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?

It’s the ultimate insult and blasphemy to put heathen gods on the same level as the God of Israel, much less to try to make them part of the same deity.

Middle Eastern Theme was introduced in 1870

SUMMARY

It is clear from its own writing that Freemasonry is a religion, but it is not Christianity. Since the prophets of the Bible condemned the religions that promoted what Freemasonry prides itself in, how is it that we think God will approve of it today?

The Bible tells us that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. He is our only hope of salvation, and yet when verses are read from the Bible in Masonic rituals, his name is omitted. Why? The Bible gives us the true test for anyone who calls himself a Christian: "Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; everyone who confesses the Son has the Father also." Freemasonry rejects every fundamental truth of Christianity. Therefore, no man can truthfully claim to be both a Mason and a Christian. If you are a Mason, now is the time to renounce your secret allegiance to Jahbulon and ask Jesus to be Lord of your life. "If we are willing to confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Jesus warned the hypocrites of his day: "Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops."

TIDBITS

Masons take many oaths and vows, using various hand gestures, some of which indicate the type of death the Mason agrees to suffer should he reveal the secrets of the lodge — such as disembowelment and having his throat slit. Jesus said we were not to take oaths of any kind, and that the devil is actually behind them.
Freemasonry is a fraternity, and denies women membership.

Many of this countries founding fathers were Masons, including George Washington. At the George Washington Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia, you can see a bronze statue of him in full Masonic regalia.
Thomas Jefferson, also a Mason, wrote the Declaration of Independence on a white lambskin — a Masonic Apron.

16 other presidents were also Masons, including Reagan, Ford, Truman, and both Roosevelts.
The Washington monument is actually an obelisk, or sacred pillar, which is a phallic symbol of the fertility cults, a symbol condemned in the Bible.

The eye on top of the pyramid on our dollar bill is actually the "All Seeing Eye," another Masonic symbol.
The streets around the capitol building in Washington D.C. are laid out in Masonic compass and square design, which can be clearly seen on a map.

Most of the Federal buildings in Washington D.C., including the White House and Capitol building, had cornerstones laid in Masonic rituals, with Masonic paraphernalia placed inside.

A statue of Confederate General Albert Pike stood in Washington D.C. until June 19, 2020 when it was pulled down by a crowd connected to the Black Lives Matter and Antifa protests. Their concern had little to do the fact he was a major player in the Masonic cult however. They were speaking mainly to the history of slaves in the south.

The Statue of Liberty was sculpted by a French Mason and financed by the Paris Masonic Lodge as a gift to the Grand Lodge of New York.

The Shriners are high level Masons who seal their solemn oath kneeling before a Koran, in the name of "Allah, the God of Arab, Moslem and Mohammedan, the God of our fathers." It was founded by William J. Conlin (Florence) and Walter M. Fleming in 1870. The Middle Eastern Theme was adapted from artist design introduced by Florence, a U.S. actor, after trips to Cairo and Algiers.