by Daniel Cawthorne

Created on: August 29, 2008

First and foremost; religions do not have ties to freemasonry, rather it is freemasonry which has ties to religions.

Freemasonry itself is not a religion. Freemasonry is more of a society of religious men and women who aspire to better themselves, each other, and their communities. They are into charities, hospitals, and churches. They seek to join one another in love and rely on faith as the most common of factors. They believe that the best way to do such is to implement their faith and live by the principles that are taught therein so that they are living in harmony with one another all aspiring to the same goal. But what faith is allowed? What religion is acceptable to the society of freemasons?

The freemasons only have a few requirements when it comes to their religious ties (with are many).

First of all, a freemason must believe in God (be it God, Christ, Allah, etc). Therefore, the freemasons will open their doors to any religions that practice that belief. Although, freemasons are composed of mostly Christians, they are open to Christians, Catholics, Muslims, and Jews. The only requirement being that these men are good and faith in the Creator. A freemason must also believe that man's soul will continue after they have died, and most religions teach this.

Freemasonry seeks to unite one another on the basis of our inward grace, but they err in believing that we all have the same grace. It is a wonderful principle on the outside, but how can a group that seeks to unite men from various religions survive? True Muslims would seek to convert the Christians and Jews, and true Christians would seek to convert the Muslims and convince the Jews that the Messiah has come, while the Jews would be arguing the Torah with the Muslims and the New Testament with the Christians. How can we abide together in harmony when we believe different doctrines? And should we even try?

Is it right to unite with those you believe to be damned to hell for their belief and never make mention of it? If Christians believe that the other group is damned and they remain silent, are they not going against everything they believe? So too with Muslims and Jews.

The aims of the freemasons are honorable. But as a Christian, I should not need a society to tell me to strive to be the best man of God I can be and to seek to better mankind. I should be striving to do this already, as every Christian man and woman should!

Freemasonry claims to complement religion in that it influences its member to do the best they can, yet the very principal of union with those outside of the faith is clearly taught. Instead of seeking to share their faith with others, they are influenced to better their community. Is bettering a community noble? Yes, of course! But when a society tells us that the importance behind our faith is to be as a good a man as we can, and to do good for others, and strive to make others live right and that's all, something is wrong! These are wonderful things, yes!

But if a man believes that another is headed to hell, should he not do everything in his power to avert this? Is not this the primary objective over making others good?

Freemasonry may have ties to religions in this aspect; if the religions belief that doing good is a prerequisite for salvation. If so, then uniting religions for the good of man would HAVE to be the primary objective. However, Christianity teaches that man cannot do good. Man must rely on Christ, the only Good Man.

Therefore, religions that rely on works for salvation go hand in hand with freemasonry, but should not be espoused by Christians as it leads men away from the Truth of the Word of God.

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