Subject: Should a Christian be a Mason? |
Bible Note: The Masonic Bible The Oxford University Press publishes a special edition of the Bible for presentation to Masonic candidates containing a declaration that "the Bible itself is a symbol - that is, a part taken for the whole" ..and in the same edition, Dr. Fort Newton explains that, "the whole includes God's revelation through the Bible, the Koran, the Vedas, etc" Masonic Record, June 1926 in an article by Bro. T.H.R entitled "What are our landmarks?" "The second landmark is the Volume of Sacred Law open in the Lodge. But the Bible is not more than one of the Great Lights, and never has been, for the reason that Masons are not required to believe its teachings ..The stern fact is that we are constantly admitting Hindus, Chinese, Mohammedans, Parsees and Jews, not one of whom believes in the Bible, and this forces the conclusion that masonry regards the Bible only as a symbol" The Bible is the only 'Volume of Sacred Law open in the lodges of western nations (USA / UK) leading many there to assume a measure of Christianity. The Volume(s) open in a lodge simply reflects that particular nation's religious leaning at that point in time. In Singapore for instance there are five 'Volumes of Sacred Law' open upon the altar. http://www.cri-ireland.co.uk/fmasonry/bible.htm |