Reason Number Seven: Freemasonry states that it is not a religion but then affirms that it is

In Magnum Opus, Albert Pike writes:

“So every Masonic Lodge is a Temple of Religion; its officers, ministers of religion; its teachings, instruction in religion.”  (Magnum Opus, Albert Pike, XIII, p. 16) 

In his first draft of the Scottish Rite degrees, Pike states that every Masonic Lodge is a temple of religion.  The officers of the Lodge function as ministers of this religion.  Its teachings are instruction in religion.  Whether this material entered the final revision of the monitors is immaterial; it reveals the mind of the man who had the most profound impact on the degrees.  It represents what is deeply ingrained in the Lodge.

Masons are quick to say that Freemasonry is not a faith or creed.  Many of the pamphlets written for the public affirm this statement.  But what is given to the general public is not what is often stated in other settings.  Although historic Masons in the past have alluded to the religious nature of the fraternity, their words are not treated as authoritative.  We look to the monitors for answers.

The issue of whether Freemasonry is a religion must be sensitive for the Christian who is still in the Lodge.  The believer in the Lodge is trying to follow the Lord and Christianity as his faith.  It would be disconcerting to hear Freemasonry claim that it is, indeed, a religion.  Since Christianity and Freemasonry are on different pages on most issues, the Christian in the Lodge must view himself in the awkward position of following two different religions saying opposing things.  It is like having a foot on the dock and a foot in the boat.

Concerning Masonry, we read in the Liturgy of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Southern Jurisdiction:

“It is the universal, eternal, immutable religion, such as God planted it in the heart of universal humanity.”  (Liturgies of the Ancient and Accepted Rite of Freemasonry, Charleston, 1966, p. 199)

The monitor of the Scottish Rite clearly states that it is a religion.  The Lodge considers itself a religion.  The Rite states it is a religion that God planted in the heart of universal humanity.  This places Freemasonry in stark opposition to the revelation of God in the Old and New Testaments.  It holds itself up as a competing system of faith and truth.

In the 1956 edition of Liturgies, the monitor states in the Prince of the Tabernacle degree that every Mason is actually a priest.  This is a religious term. 

“Every genuine Freemason is a Priest of the Truth, of Toleration, of Philosophy, of rational Thought.”  (Liturgies of the Ancient and Accepted Rite of Freemasonry, Charleston, 1956, p. 105)

Webster’s Dictionary defines a priest as a person who is authorized to perform sacred rites of a religion.  It is a person who functions as a mediator agent between God and man.  (Webster’s Seventh Collegiate Dictionary, G&C Merriam Co., 1967)  Masons are told in the Scottish Rite that they function in this role, a sacred role as mediators between heaven and earth.

Again, in the 1966 monitor, we read that Masons are ministers of a religion. 

“The ministers of this religion are all Masons who comprehend it and are devoted to it; its sacrifices to God are good works, the sacrifices of the base and disorderly passions, the offering up of self-interest on the altar of humanity, and perpetual efforts to attain to all the moral perfection of which man is capable.”  (Liturgies of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Charleston, 1966, p. 200)

We therefore can conclude that according to the official monitor, it is a religion.  Masons serve as ministers of this religion in their towns and cities.

“Masonry is a worship; but one in which all civilized men can unite.”  (Book of the Ancient and Accepted Rite of Freemasonry, McCleanachan, 1885, p. 380)

Either this is true or it is false.  The claims of Christ are clear on this matter.  A common platform of worship cannot be attained but through Him.  Since Freemasonry constructs its altar apart from Christ, it is a rogue religious system.  The Christian in the Lodge cannot believe the teachings of the Lodge and the claims of Christ at the same time.  They are mutually exclusive.