STUDIES IN THE

FREE MASONARY
 SYMBOLS OF
FREEMASONARY
 Symbols of the Freemasonry

Masonic Symbol
All seeing Eye-also found on the dollar bill
Cross and Bones-reminder of material life
Masonic Lodge-found all over US and world
 Symbols of the Freemasonry

Order of the Eastern Star-Women’s Auxiliary

Masonic Members with aprons
 Freemasonry (masons or the lodge) is
probably one of the most debated issues
facing the church today. There are over
four million Masons in the United States,
these include 76 members of Congress and
many pastors, elders, and Sunday School
teachers. The influence of this powerful
fraternal order is felt throughout society.
 The debate is on many fronts

A. Is freemasonry a religion?

B. Does freemasonry teach a plan of

salvation?

C. Can a truly committed Christian be a

freemason?

D. Is freemasonry a cult?
 I believe that there are a few reasons
why the debate of freemasonry has never
been settled. We have studied many
other movements and orders that we can
know and tell the difference but the
question of freemasonry has not been
settled for centuries.
2) Freemasonry is a secret organization. A person
is not allowed to reveal the many symbols and
rituals that is involved in the masonry
ceremonies.

2) Freemasonry has no set writings to go by.

Although many leaders have written books on
Morals and Dogma of the lodge there is no
standard writings.
3) The view of religion is another factor. Many
adherents to the teachings of freemasonry
do not view their participation in this order as
a religious event. While many others do.

Even some of their leaders have been quoted

as calling it a religion.
4) Many of the participants never go past
the first three basic and universal
degrees of the Blue Lodge (Entered
Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master
Mason). The Blue Lodge is common to
all masons and must be surpassed to
go to any other area of masons such as
Scottish Rite or York Rite.

5) There are many views of its teachings

within each group.
 History

Masonry traces it roots to around the 18th

century. As we mentioned the basic level of
masonry is the Blue Lodge. All masons must
go through this level. You must first assert
your belief in certain areas:

a. a belief in a supreme being

b. a belief in the immortality of the soul
c. give honorable service to God by practicing

the secrets arts of masonry

d. pray prayers to deity
e. swear oaths in the name of God.
 Is Masonry a religion?

Well this is what causes so much

debate. The debate is just as much in
masonry as outside. Many credible
Masonic authors such as Henry Wilson
Coil (author of Masonic Encyclopedia)
and Albert Mackey (author of Mackey’s
Revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry)
says that they are. They vehemently try
to prove their selves as a religious body.
Yet many oppose the assumption that
this body is a religious body.
 So what does it take to be a religion:
Webster “the service and worship of God
or the supernatural, commitment or
devotion to religious faith or observance, a
personal set or institutionalized system of
religious attitudes, beliefs and practices, a
cause, principle, or system of beliefs held
to with ardor and faith.
So masonry could easily be considered
to be a religion by its practices of religious
symbols and ceremonies.
 God

To be a mason you must have a basic

belief in a “supreme being”. In other
words you cannot be an atheists and be a
mason.
For many this is looked upon as a
plus for masons.
This could be a belief in any god.
God, Allah, etc.
 Salvation

There is no clear teaching on salvation

according to the Masonic teachings. It is
interesting to note that throughout the
whole Masonic journey the purpose of
being a mason is to obey the teachings of
morality and to receive rewards from
God. Again this maybe to some just a
mantra or hollow words but they cannot
be ignored. The purpose of the Masonic
ritual at a funeral is to commit the body to
the Lord.
 The Bible

According to mason teachings the

Bible is a sacred book. Just as is the
Koran and the Vedra’s writings of the
Hindus. Or the book of Mormon of the
Mormons.
 Oaths

One of the common practices in the

Freemasonry is the that of oaths.
All throughout the stages one is
expected to make oath. It is when these
oaths become greater than the
commitment to Christianity.
 Jesus Christ

Considering that one must believe in a

“supreme being” then the concept of
Jesus is only one part of belief in
Freemasonary.
Conclusion