Are there any Mason's here?

Question

My sister told me its not a religion. But they quote scripture from the Bible in their cerimonies.

Answer 1

Masonry is dangerous. They may quote a few things from the Bible, but it is always out of context compared to what the Bible really means.

Masonry teaches things that lead to eternal hell. Avoid them.

The only way to be saved and go to heaven and not eternal hell is to believe that Jesus, who is God, died for our sins on the cross and rose again.

Answer 2

Assuming you are speaking of Freemasons, yes, there are about 3 million worldwide. Your sister is right, it is not a religion, but a fraternity that studies morality - and does so using sacred literature.

to some other responses:

* Freemason and LDS are not related...
* the anti-masonic satan worship rhetoric is old, tired and false; it has been proven false many times over.

Answer 3

They're a men's fraternity. The only requirement religiously is that they believe in a Supreme Being (in other words, a Mason can be a Christian, a Jew, a Muslim, etc.). Their rituals are based on the Temple of Solomon and they see "God" as the Architect. They practice symbolic rituals using the symbols of masonry (the square and compass). At each level of initiation, they earn "degrees." Most of their higher degrees are shrouded in secrecy. They're also connected to the Knights Templar, who fought on the behalf of Christianity in the Holy Crusades, but they fell out of favor with the Church and went into secrecy until about the 18th century.

They've been pretty controversial throughout history, people think they practice dark arts or worship Satan. They actually do quite a bit of good - one group is the Shriners, who founded the Shriners' Burns Institutes. A lot of our founding fathers here in the US were Freemasons, including Washington.

The have a women's group (Order of the Eastern Star), a boys' group (DeMolay), and a girls' group (Rainbow Girls). They do a lot of good in the community and their membership consists largely of respected businessmen, politicians, doctors, lawyers, etc.

EDIT: Looks like the Thumbs Down nazis are out tonight LOL

Answer 4

Freemasonry is NOT a religion, it lacks the basic elements required to be a religion.

a) it has no theological doctrine, and by forbidding religious discussion at its meetings will not allow a Masonic theological doctrine to develop.

b) It offers no sacraments.

c) It does not claim to lead to salvation by works, by secret knowledge or by any other means. The secrets of Freemasonry are concerned with modes of recognition and not with salvation.

There is no separate Masonic God; a Freemason's God remains the God of the religion he professes, and professed before he joined the lodge. Freemasons DO NOT discuss religion, compare religions or talk of religion in lodge or at any masonic congregation so there is no opportunity to try and convert people to anything else even if one wanted to.

Freemasons meet in common respect for a Supreme Being, but He remains Supreme in their individual religions, and it is no part of Freemasonry to attempt to join religions together.

There is therefore no composite Masonic God.

Freemasonry is far from indifferent to religion. Without interfering in religious practice it expects each member to follow his own faith, and to place above all other duties his duty to God, by whatever name He is known. Its moral teachings are acceptable to all religions.

Freemasonry is thus a supporter of religion.

The passages read from the bible in lodge are read due to their moral teachings, moral meanings (of which is not monopolised by the bible) and due to the legend in Freemasonry using the building of King Solomons Temple as a backdrop and scenery to the story.

Scripture is quoted in many places outside the church, and the holy book is used in many places outside the church. Does this make all those a religion? No of course not.

Answer 5

disonantia gave you a five star answer.

I have a cousin who is a Scottish Presbyterian as well as a building architect. He's got the kilt and the sporran AND the sword and participates in anything Scottish as an extremely proud Scotsman. His proudest day was when he was accepted as a Freemason. All he could talk about was how he was in a fraternity that traces its roots to the Knights Templar, the true Knights of the Crusades.

He's extremely harmless and un-wicked.
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Answer 6

Try the mormons. A lot of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints (or something like that, who can remember?) is based on Mason practice, the lodge of Smith, the early day chief of Romney's current obsession. Romney can't get out now, or people will doubt his loyalty to any cause.

Answer 7

Like hellooo, dude, Mason is not here because he is on a mission in the Philippines. He is a missionary for the Mormon church and we are effing proud of him. He will be back in like one year or so. I luv RMs

Answer 8

Mason isn't here, he's in the Philipines.

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Freemasonry is NOT a religion.

Answer 9

Yes.


And, no, it's NOT a religion. It's a fraternity.


Update: Chris: "Masonry teaches things that lead to eternal hell. Avoid them." Obviously you know only ONE side to an issue. I am a dedicated Christian who strives to live each and every day with Christ in my life. I am also a Mason of many years. I have NEVER encountered one single aspect of Masonry which conflicted with my Christian beliefs. Please, take a few minutes and educate yourself a bit better.


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Answer 10

Yeah, Mason is in the Philippines on a mission but he will be back in some months and my friend will be happy again! ^_^

Answer 11

Half of my family belongs to the Freemasons or a group associated with them.

It's basically a Christian fraternity. Makes you feel important.