Realize it is not about people, but the organization.

Many people initiated into secret societies have only a fleeting concept of the religious nature of their organization.  Although secret societies reference religious material and concepts within their rituals and monitors, the initiate is often told that this somehow falls short of religion.  This can be debated.   In a series of dramas, men and women are sped through degrees and introduced to theological terms and concepts with little background information.  They are introduced to representations of deities with pagan connections such as the triad of Roman deities in the Grange.  They may be introduced to concepts from the Kabbala without a clear understanding of its occult roots.

The lodge system attempts to create a platform on which all men can approach deity, devoid of particulars.  Similarities between all world religions are often woven together to prove a common universal origin.  The dissimilarities are ignored.  Some secret societies suggest that all world religions are, in their essence, part of one ancient religion.  Over time they have become different in cultural expression.  A novel concept, if true. 

This approach is similar to the Hubble spacecraft looking across the galaxy in an attempt to view matter near the moment of creation.  But will they find it?  Will they collect the flawed religious notions that Paul speaks of in the book of Romans? 

"For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but in their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles." (Romans 1:21-23)

I find pictures that fit these descriptions in some Masonic monitors.

Remember, we can go back as far as Cain and Abel to find appropriate worship.  Cain invented his own system and was wrong.  Abel followed the Lord's command for a sacrifice and was blessed.  It is easy to take a wrong turn, even near the beginning. 

Although it is noteworthy to attempt a deciphering of religions looking for a common ancestor, it fails for a number of reasons.  Any attempt must first develop criteria by which to identify the vestiges that remain today.  Who is really to say what is ancient and what has been an add-on?  In the end, it is completely subjective.  One person's ideas are as valid as another's notions. 

Secret societies generally advocate a universal deity.  He can somehow be observed in all world religions.  It is for this reason that another's beliefs should never be remotely challenged.  Who knows who is right and who may be wrong?

This universal religion, so they would say, was shattered as civilization progressed, splintering into hundreds of different systems.  This primitive faith, to the Lodge, was probably based upon the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man.  Thus, the ability to meet together and worship a singular, undefined deity is the goal of the Lodge.  This is the vestige of the ancient religion that unites many secret societies.

It is often seen as a duty of the Lodge to carry this message to the world, thus correcting the faulty spiritual notion of an exclusive revelation in any world religion. This includes Christianity.

General revelation, through nature, is regarded as sufficient for a full knowledge of this deity.  He can be found by studying nature as well as the history of religions.  

In the 28th degree, Knight of the Sun, of the Scottish Rite we read:

"Nature is the primary, consistent, and certain revelation or unveiling of God." (McCleanachan Monitor, 1886, p. 411) 

If nature is the certain and primary revelation of God, then special revelation given through Jesus Christ is obviously suspect.  It is even in a more precarious position because of its claim of exclusivity. 

Thus, the teachings of the Lodge go beyond teaching ethics and charity.  While allowing freedom to its members in the area of religious expression, the teachings attempt to define the nature of God and spiritual things in their own terms. 

In the 18th degree, Knight of the Rose Croix, of the Scottish Rite we read:

"But your search is not for the truth of any particular creed or religion - that search would be in vain, for what is truth to one is not truth to another:" (McCleanachan Monitor, 1885, p. 254)

This obviously is a radical departure from the teachings of the Old and New Testaments.  The Bible tells us that God has indeed left His imprint through general revelation, nature, but that it is not sufficient to lead us to understand His character.  This is due to the corruption of Creation order through the Fall of humanity.  The Fall created a devastated world, and thus dependence upon general revelation alone will only lead to a flawed view of God.  To correct this, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, invigorating the world with the knowledge of Himself.

Our primary concern is that many Lodges do not often take the time to help the initiate understand the theological and philosophical underpinnings of its organization prior to taking oaths.  Although he may be told that nothing asked of him will violate his prior religious beliefs, it is clear that everything he has taken into the Lodge will be challenged by it.  Often, the initiate will be left to interpret the meaning of symbols, without the necessary information to understand their historical, and often esoteric, nature.