Photo to left: Baphomet, god of Freemasonry.

The Masons have been around for many centuries. Masons claim that their organization finds its roots with the builders of King Solomon's temple, but others trace its origin to the Ancient Pagan Mysteries. According to Pike's Morals and Dogma, Buddha was a Mason some one thousand years before Christ. The first Grand Lodge was founded in London in 1717.

Masons claim that their "fraternity" is not a religion, but over and over again we find religious elements in their practices. They have temples, alters, Bibles, prayer, lamb skins, and one must believe in a Supreme Being before joining. In Grolier's Encyclopedia, a Masonic member states: "If a person lives what the lodge teaches he won't have any trouble getting into Heaven." (Grolier, Vol. 5, "Freemasonry," pg. 68) Another Masonic writer, Albert Pike (who was also an occultist), writes: "Every Masonic Lodge is a Temple of Religion; and its teachings are instruction in religion." (Morals and Dogma, pg. 213) On page 68 of the Minnesota Proceedings, 1895, we read these interesting words: "He who approaches our alter in good faith and by the light which we bring him receives our teachings into a heart already prepared and lives a life in conformity with the principles which he here imbues, has come into an invaluable possession and need have no fear when the word shall come calling him into the hereafter but that he will be received as a living stone fit for a temple not made with hands." (See I Peter 2:4-8)

Regardless of their claims, the Masons are clearly embedded in a mystical religious system of salvation through works. Any "God" will do in this religion, because the Lodge teaches that it isn't God who saves one's soul anyhow: it's one's good works. In fact, in nations where Christianity isn't embraced, Masonic alters display the appropriate "Book of the Law" instead of the Bible. Freemasonry is definitely a religion, and a very BAD one at that.

The entry level in Masonry is The Blue Lodge, which consists of three degrees: Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason. One may stop at the level of Master Mason, or he can choose to enter either the Scottish Rite or the York Rite. The Scottish Rite advances by numerical degrees, the highest being the 33rdhonorary degree. The York Rite advances by Chapter, Council, and Commandery degrees, with the highest level being The Order of the Knights Templar Commandery.

The Masons speak much about approaching "the light," yet their whole organization is shrouded in secretive practices and blood curdling oaths which should deter any true Christian. In clear violation of the words of the Lord Jesus Christ (Mat. 5:33-37), an Entered Apprentice Mason SWEARS BY GOD to: "...always hail, ever conceal, and never reveal, any of the arts, parts, or points of the hidden mysteries of Ancient Free masonry...binding myself under no less penalty than that of having my throat cut across, my tongue torn out by its roots, and my body buried in the rough sands of the sea..." Thank God this is an entry level oath, for it has no doubt turned away many God-fearing Christian men!

The deep secrets of Masonry are just as unscriptural. It is falsehood and wickedness that dwell in dark secret corners . Truth is worthy of propagation (Mat. 28:18-19). Jesus Himself said, "...I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing." (John 18:20)

In the initiation of an Entered Apprentice, the "Worshipful Master" (Mat. 23:10) asks: "In your present condition, what do you most desire?" The candidate responds: "Light." The "Master" later informs the candidate that he is "yet in darkness." Then for the Second Degree (Fellow Craft) the candidate is required to ask for "more light." According to God's word, Jesus Christ is the LIGHT (John 1:9; 8:12) and God's word is LIGHT (Psa. 119:105, 130). If you are saved, then it is an outright BLASPHEMY for you to agree that you are "yet in darkness" and to ask for "more light." Please note: "This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (I John 1:5-7) So all Masons have DENIED Jesus Christ and have asked for another light being offered to them through Masonry. "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." (II Cor. 11:14) The "God" of Masonry is not the God of the Bible! The Masonic god is the god of this world (II Cor. 4:4), which is BLINDING Masons from the true God of the Bible. Now the member is ready to climb the ladder of the Lodge and encounter some of the most ungodly practices known to man.

For example, let's consider the Knights Templar initiation. The following is taken from pages 67-68 of the book, Masonry: Beyond The Light, by former Mason, William Schnoebelen:

"The high point of the KT initiation is when the candidate is brought before a large, triangular table covered in black velvet illuminated by candles and containing eleven silver goblets and a human skull enthroned on the Bible. (Skulls figure prominently throughout this initiation.)"

"This is intended to be the Last Supper. It seems but a grim mockery, though. The visual effect is more satanic than Christian, especially to one accustomed to the Table of the Lord in churches. However, the ambiance is the least of the problems."

"The candidate is asked to partake of five libations, (toasts). The first three libations are given, respectively, to the memory of Masonic heros King Solomon, Hiram, King of Tyre, and Hiram Abif. The fourth libation is to the memory of Simon of Cyrene, and the fifth is the most sinister of all."

"The candidate is never told to whom the fifth libation is drunk (it is "sealed"), and it is offered to him in a human skull!..."

After the toast in this ritual, the candidate is required to take an oath which makes him the sin-bearer of his own sins and the sins of the person from whom the skull was taken. Friend, does this sound like something that a Christian man should do?!

The Lodge is no place for Christians! One Masonic publication in my file is titled "Is Masonry Worthwhile?" No, it's an enemy of Christianity, a tool of Satan, and a gross waste of valuable time.