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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Should a Christian be a Mason? | Bible general Archive 1 | Makarios | 8836 | ||
A friend of mine joined the local Lion's club and I noticed that several of the fellow members are Masons. My friend is a Christian man and attends a church. Is it okay for a Christian to become a Mason? I'm not talking about 'bricklayers'. :) | ||||||
2 | Should a Christian be a Mason? | Bible general Archive 1 | bcbloyd | 9041 | ||
Your question is one I've pondered quite a bit for both curiosity and personal reasons. Here's some history I've found: Several leaders throughout American History believed in God and were also Masons. To name a few: REV. WILLIAM BOOTH, was a Mason and the founder of the Salvation Army, who during the course of his ministry traveled 5,000,000 miles, preached 60,000 sermons (many while being attacked, spit on, and so forth for spreading the Gospel of Christ). FRANCIS SCOTT KEY, was a Mason and the author of our anthem in which he wrote in verse 2: "Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n rescued land praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just; And this be our motto: "In God is our trust!" BISHOP RICHARD ALLEN, a former slave and active abolitionist, was also a Mason, founder and first Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia. GEORGE WASHINGTON, took the oath of office as our nation's 1st President by placing his hand on a Bible provided by the Masonic Lodge to which he was a member. One of his first official acts as President was to issue the first Thanksgiving proclamation as follows: "Whereas, it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly implore His protection and favor...." (Just FYI: That same Bible is still provided by the Masonic Lodge for Presidential oaths... and was even used by Presidents Reagan and Bush.) On a more personal note: several members of my family are affiliated with the Masons, Shriners, and even the lesser known Eastern Star (the women's side of the organization). I've talked with them, questioned them repeatedly, and watched their own actions to determine whether the Masonic lodge has had any determental affect on their behavior as Christians. My grandmother, who was active in the Eastern Star in her younger days (she's 87 now), was also a life-long Sunday School teacher, a very devout Christian and the role-model that helped lead me to accept Christ as my Savior. My grandfather is a Mason, Shriner, and a very active Christian even to this day at the age of 90. Incidentally, the two just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary by what-else? Going to Church! :) My Dad is also a Christian and Mason. I can't speak for others, but I can say that I've point-blank confronted my Dad about whether Masonry is a religion to him. He strongly denied it and told me no one could replace Christ in his life. He also said that while a man "must believe in God" to join a lodge ... they are asked if they believe in God and if they even hesitate in answering, they're out... the organization does not take the place of nor promote any specific religion, or what-have-you. That is, they'll accept as members Muslims, Jews, and Christians (of all denominations), but absolutely no athiests or agnostics. (On a side note, at least in some cases, members are given Bibles--King James Version to be exact--upon becoming a Mason.) The organization, at least for the family members I've talked to, does not replace their devotion to God or their church community. For my Dad and Grandfather, the Freemasonry and Shriners are men's clubs that provides a means for helping their community and needy kids. So, I'd have to say Christians can be Masons, but as with anything, one's priorities must be maintained. Christ must remain Lord of your life and anything that threatens that should be dealt with and abandoned. If as a Christian you are uncomfortable with the organization having secrets or feel it may be viewed as a religion, then by all means do NOT join. For those Christians who are in the organization, remember Christ and keep Him first in your life. God bless, Brandi |
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3 | Key a Mason? | Bible general Archive 1 | Morant61 | 9058 | ||
Greetings Brandi! I just had one quick question: Are you sure Francis Scott Key was a Mason? I'm a member of the United Brethren in Christ, as was Francis Scott Key, and they have always had a prohbition against membership in the Mason's. Just curious! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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4 | Key a Mason? | Bible general Archive 1 | Morant61 | 9104 | ||
I just wanted to clear this off of the new questions! Tim Moran |
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