how do masons become the leaders of churches?

Question

i'm researching the masons alot lately - and i've discovered that MORE THAN HALF of the churches around Detroit are mason-run.
I'm very curious as to the money & how recruitment works exactly.
masonry has created the mormons, jehovas witnesses, christian science & scientology - but its when they get into leadership of CHRISTIAN churches that REALLY shocks me. - anyone?

http://radio.indymedia.org/uploads/wtm.pdf
http://www.whale.to/b/sp/springmeier_b.html
http://www.christianscience.org/goldsmith.html (talks about scottish rite - which is 32 degree mason; 'christian science' is a cult)
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0006107/ &
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000025/ - for being in 'christian science' - not ONE of these movies is pro-christian in ANY way, shape or form. the movie titles include 'star trek & stargate'

http://www.cuttingedge.org/news/n1753.cfm - (scan down to 2nd card)
http://www.thewebfairy.com/killtown/lonegunmen.html (this kinda goes with it)

i've looked into springmeier a bit, and some of his life choices are questionable - but his material (from 'Be Wise as Serpents', and 'Watchtower & Masons' seems sound)

Answer 1

I find your statement quite surprising.

Usually, Masonry is comprised of a small percentage of the community, and ordinarily Catholics are quite welcome, but do not tend to join. You will NOT find a Roman Catholic Church in the USA, or probably anywhere, run by Masons. The RCC parish church is led by the priest, who is supervised by a bishop, who answers to an archbishop, who answers to Rome.

Half the churches in Detroit: Well it could be, but that would be quite unusual.

Joseph Smith was a Mason and did found the Mormon Church. There are rumors that elements of the Church of the Latter Day Saints(Mormons) incorporate elements of Masonry, but I know nothing of this.

I am uncertain about the Jehovah's Witnesses, and Christian Science was founded by a woman, Mary Baker Eddy. American Freemasonry is a fraternity for men. However, some Masons are Christian Scientists.

Church of Scientology was founded by L. Ron Hubbard. His masonic credentials are questionable at best. He was really more affiliated with another organization before he left it and founded Scientology.

Masons don't recruit. To become a member, one must be a man, of lawful age, and believe in a Supreme Being, and petition for membership. A potential member must request membership from a Mason, meet with some members of the Masonic Lodge he is petitioning, and must be approved by unanimous vote of the membership. It would be best to find out about it before petitioning, because the goal is to learn to become a better man. They are usually in the phone book, and that would be one way to contact them to seek further information.

Shah of Iran was a Mason. Masonry is no longer active or welcome in Iran. However, many Muslims are Masons, as are Hindus and Buddhists and Jews. Part of Scottish Rite Masonry has somehow picked up elements of Yezidism, as well as Qaballah, Zoroastrianism, Egyptian. Scottish Rite Masonry is an extension of Blue Lodge Masonry, offering additional spiritual information.


Oh, I see by your urls, you have found springmeier. he's a kook. and the link didn't work for me, but I am familiar with his work. He is a full blown conspiracy theorist.

How the money works? I don't understand the question. Technically, all Blue Lodge property and assets in a State are the property of the Grand Lodge of that state, but are generally left entrusted to the local lodge, unless there is some misuse of funds or if the Lodge closes.

They do have an initiation fee, which varies from state to state. Additionally, they have membership dues, to maintain the building and the works of the lodge.

The Shriners are an appendant body of Masonry, and do much charity work for children with orthopedic problems or burn injuries. This medical treatment is provided at no cost to the patient or his or her family, but is limited to children.

Being in Detroit, you are probably aware of the Shrine Hall, or Shrine Auditorium, I forget the name, but it is used for many events. In earlier times, the Masons were far more charitable, and donated much money to the construction of their lodge buildings. Several cities have very large Shrine Auditoriums, and I believe the Academy Awards often rents a Shrine Auditorium to present those awards.

You can find much information on Masonry on the web, but it is so difficult to sort out the fiction from the fact on any internet source, but especially Masonry.

Rudyard Kipling was a Mason and wrote Masonic themes into several of his works. He participated in Masonry while he was in India, meeting on an equal basis with all members of the lodge, regardless of their nationality, ethnicity, social status or wealth.



I really don't know how so many Masons became the leaders of half the churches in Detroit, but that is most assuredly an exception.

Addendum:
I just checked one of your previous answers. Aleister Crowley was not a Mason. He was able to pass himself off as a Mason for a short while, but was discovered and discredited.

He invented the form of Masonry he claimed, and created a number of unusual degrees, Crowley actually lifted the ideas for his "masonry" from the theosophical society. OTO is not Masonry, it is an invention of Crowley, more properly called:
Ordo Templi Orientalis, or Order of the Eastern Temple. It is probably a good idea to stay away from those people.

Answer 2

Despite your apparent fascination with rather strange conspiracy theorists, I will answer your question.

Freemasons become elected business leaders of their churches because 1) people can trust them, 2) they have a spirit of volunteerism so they will take the jobs, 3) they tend to be devout members of their churches. How that should worry anyone is beyond me.

90% of this world is run by people who show up. You know? I mean, go to a church these days and see how easy or hard it is to get people to volunteer their time to do anything. If you have a church where you wish to make a difference, show up! Simple as that.

Hope that answers some of your concerns.

Master Mason (American Co-Masonry)
Hiram Lodge (Santa Cruz, CA)
Amon Ra Lodge (Los Angeles, CA)

Answer 3

Jehovah's Witnesses are unaffiliated with Masonry.

Jehovah's Witnesses consider Masonry to be a form of religion, and Witnesses reject "interfaith".

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/library/jt/article_03.htm