Date sent:        Wed, 3 May 1995 13:29:31 -0700 (PDT)
From:             Steve <steve@linex.com>
To:               snet <snet-l@world.std.com>
Subject:          Secret Teachings of the Masonic Lodge (fwd)
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               Truths That Transform Interview With John Ankerberg
                     "Secret Teachings Of The Masonic Lodge"
                                 Aired 5/9-10/91

The Masonic Lodge is the largest secret  organization  in  the  world.  It
claims that through its teachings it can make good men  better  and  unite
all men of different beliefs in harmony through its fraternal brotherhood.
Secrecy and swearing oaths in the name of God are  only  two  elements  of
this organization that  make  it  unique  compared  to  other  "civic"  or
community group.

                          A Brief History Of The Lodge

Originally founded as a  working  man's  guild,  stone  builders  gathered
together to fellowship and develop a special  comradery  among  themselves
and other men who shared their profession. From its very inception,  these
businessmen saw the economic advantages to Masonry. The teachings of these
early groups are speculative, but through the  years,  they  have  evolved
into religious doctrine. What  began  as  men  of  the  community  joining
together for civic and social reasons has now become one of  the  foremost
"religions" of our day.

                              Masonry: A Religion?

Top Masonic authors consider the Lodge as a religion, and Masonry fulfills
the dictionary definition of religion. Webster says religion is "a  cause,
principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith."  The  cause
for Masonry is to bring all men together to  worship  at  one  altar,  and
members are expected to swear to uphold the  beliefs  of  Masonry  without
question. Many Masons are encouraged to reject  their  personal  religious
teachings and accept the doctrines of the Lodge. The Lodge is a  proponent
of a subjective philosophy of life- -look inside yourself to find what  is
true in any life situation.

Men learn this universal doctrine in the earliest stages of Masonry.  They
also swear oaths of secrecy before God and the other members. These  oaths
include keeping silent regarding the Lodge rituals and activities of other
Lodge members. In one oath,  they  swear  to  keep  secrets  that  include
everything except murder and treason, and these two exceptions are  up  to
the discretion of the individual.

Symbolism is a great religious tool in the Masonic  Lodge,  and  universal
symbols are used to promote their "worldwide brotherhood."  For  instance,
in Masonry, the Bible is not the literal, inerrant  Word  of  God,  but  a
symbol to represent truth in a general way. This way, the  Muslims,  Jews,
Christians, and men of any faith can join together in the Lodge.  However,
instead of creating general harmony among all men, symbolism  waters  down
the  beliefs  of  individuals,  making  room  in  their  minds   for   new
beliefs--the doctrines of Masonry.

Masons also have a doctrine regarding salvation. The Lodge is  best  known
for its benevolence in communities everywhere. The  Shriner's  burn  units
and hospitals are their  best-known  contributions  to  society.  This  is
important to them because the Lodge's doctrine teaches that the  works  of
men done for the Lodge will get them into Heaven.

                            Christians In The Lodge?

The teachings and philosophies behind Masonry are in direct opposition  to
the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ. However, many  Christian  men
have unknowingly joined the Lodge intending to build good business contact
networks,  enhance  social  connections,  or  get  more  involved  in  the
community. Masonry looks good on the outside and seems to have  the  Bible
as a central part of its teaching.

Many times a man will join the Lodge and see a leader  in  his  Church  or
even his pastor at the meetings. He assumes that if there were  a  problem
with the teachings of the Lodge, they would not be a part of it.  Much  of
what is taught in the early "degrees" of Masonry does not reveal the  true
philosophy of the organization, and it  is  easy  to  hear  the  teachings
without really thinking them through. But if one actually takes  the  time
to compare the teachings of the Lodge with the truths  of  Scripture,  the
incompatibility will be quickly evident.

Basic  contradictions  include:  salvation   by   works,   the   universal
brotherhood of man, making vows in God's  name  and  on  the  Bible  which
uphold teachings contrary to Scripture, and swearing not to witness  about
Jesus in a Lodge setting.

                                   Conclusion

This is only a brief sketch of the problems  with  the  teachings  of  the
Masonic Lodge. As one studies the doctrines set  forth  in  Masonry's  own
volumes and compares it with the Bible, it  becomes  increasingly  evident
that Masonry and Christianity do not  mix.  If  you  are  a  Mason  and  a
Christian or you know a Mason in the Church of Jesus Christ,  please  take
the time to learn more about the true teachings of the Lodge  and  compare
them to the only true light--God's Holy Word.

To Learn More

Mr. John Ankerberg  John  Ankerberg  Evangelistic  Assoc.  P.O.  Box  8977
Chattanooga, TN 37411

Mr. Tom McKenney Words for Living Ministries P.O. Box 413 Marion, KY 42064

Mr. Harmon Taylor

HRT Ministries P.O. Box 12 Newtonville, NY 12128

Secret Teachings of the Masonic Lodge, by John Ankerberg and John Weldon.

Available from TRUTHS THAT TRANSFORM, P.O.  Box  33,  Ft.  Lauderdale,  FL
33303, for a gift of $8.

The Deadly Deception, by Jim  Shaw  and  Tom  McKenney,  Huntington  House
Publishers. Available from your local Christian bookstore.

