Dear Friend,
This is a great question - "Can Mason's be a Christian?" I would rephrase this question to: "Can a Christian be a Mason?" The reason that I rephrase this question is because a Christian is a disciple who follows the teaching of Jesus Christ and are the teachings of Free Masonry the same as the teachings of Jesus? You will understand that we can't give a very detailed answer due to the constraint of space but would be more than willing to sit down with you and our open Bibles to discuss further in depth. Therefore, there are some points to consider.
Number one is that you must realize that Free Masonry is a religion. There are three sources that one can go to and read about Free Masonry. The Kentucky Monitor by Henry Pirtle; Morals and Dogma by Albert Pike and Encyclopedia of Free Masonry by Albert G. Mackey (2 volumes).
Per the Free Masonry and Grand Secretary these three sources are considered "standard and recommended" as representing Masonic teaching. The Kentucky Monitor states that Masonry is a religious institution (page 28) and that every Masonic Lodge is a temple of religion (page 213). On page 253 it is recorded that masonry is a worship. In the Encyclopedia of Free Masonry page 253 of volume 1 it says that Free Masonry is a religion and on page 532 of volume 2 it is recorded that the lodge is open for sacred and religious purposes. It is further stated on page 782 of volume 2 that the theocratic philosophy of Free Masonry will produce an active religious faith and lead in the end to "a building not made with hands eternal in the heavens."
So you see that as volume 2, page 618, declares that Masonry is in every philosophical sense of the word, a religious institution. The question then which must be studied in God's Holy Word is if the religion of Free Masonry is identical with the religion of Christ? We are told in Acts 2:36 that God made Jesus both Lord and Christ. With Free Masonry, it is acceptable that whoever you worship as a Supreme Being is God, whether Buddha, Mohammad, Jesus, or whoever.
The second point that we quickly make is, do you want a religion that sets out to intentionally mislead one in their spiritual enlightening? In the Morals and Dogma on page 819 it talks about the Blue Degrees. It says that part of the symbols are displayed there to the initiate, but he is intentionally misled by false interpretations. It is not intended that he shall understand them but it is intended that he shall imagine he understands them. But their true explanation is reserved for the Adepts, the Princes of Masonry. It is well enough for the mass of those called Masons to imagine that all is contained in the Blue Degrees; and whoso attempts to understand them will labor in vain. My questions would be: "Do you want a religion that will intentionally mislead you and a religion in which you will labor in vain?'
Time does not permit us to talk about the oaths in which a Christian must take to be in the Masonic Society but again we would be willing to discuss Christianity and Free Masonry with you should that be our desire.
Sincerely,
Larry Bumgardner
606-877-2366
