Posted on 03/08/2012 6:58:13 AM PST by marshmallow
Catholic attorney John Salza once found himself inside a masonic hall, being asked to take off his wedding ring and crucifix as he swore an oath to be reborn as a Freemason.
Although he knew in his heart that something was wrong, he did not leave right away. Over several years, he advanced to the 32nd degree in the Scottish Rite — a level that only a select group of masons are invited to.
While he was told that masonry was compatible with Catholicism, he eventually could not reconcile the two and left the masons. In 2008, Salza wrote a basic, short treatise, “Why Catholics Cannot Be Masons,” (TAN Publishing) that addressed the serious conflicts that lay between Catholicism and Freemasonry (including the Shriners).
In mid-September, Bishop Michael Sheridan interviewed Salza for his Catholic Radio Network weekly show, “Bishop Sheridan Presents,” and the show aired Oct. 1-7. Over the next 2-3 issues, we are running a transcript of the show.
— Bill Howard, Editor In Chief
Bishop Sheridan: Welcome to all in the Lord Jesus. On our program today we are going to be discussing the topic of Masonry, or the Masons, or sometimes called the Freemasons; an organization that we know is not associated with the Catholic Church but wanted to bring up on this program because it seems, at least in my experience in talking to other priests and bishops, that there are perhaps a good number of Catholic men who become involved with the Masons, very often in very good faith, thinking that they are in a fraternal organization that is not in any way at odds with the Catholic Church. Our guest today, I think, is going to lead us in a very different direction. We are joined by John Salza. Welcome John.
John Salza: Your Excellency, thank you.
(Excerpt) Read more at coloradocatholicherald.com ...
any proof?
i have yet to see a documented case of a major religion expelling a memmber or prohibiting membership.
Wacky one off churches do not count.
Major religion? Whacky.
“There are thousands of churches “
Thousands? Really?
Southern Baptist Convention on Freemasonry:
19. What is the SBC’s stance on “Freemasonry?”
The SBC passed a resolution in 1992 opposing membership and participation in organizations that contradict the Bible (http://www.sbc.net/resolutions/amResolution.asp?ID=328), but these resolutions are not binding upon local churches.
In its 1993 report, the SBC stated that there were aspects of Freemasonry that are incompatible with Christianity. The main conclusion of the report states:
We conclude that many tenets and teachings of Freemasonry are not compatible with Christianity or Southern Baptist doctrine.
Source:
http://www.sbc.net/aboutus/faqs.asp#19
Peter Miller wrote a good article a few years back called the myth of modern man that included some very accurate comments about freemasonry.
Here is some excerpts....
http://www.seattlecatholic.com/article_20020222_The_Myth_of_Modern_Man.html
For it’s clear that the sons and daughters of the Freemasons do believe in absolute truths, but just the ones they prefer. Actions such as rape are viewed as “obviously immoral” due to its condemnation across cultures and throughout history. Inconsistently, novel “liberties” such as abortion and sodomy are defended just as strongly since they emerge from new and “enlightened” realizations. Though such liberals may delude themselves into thinking they battle for freedom and liberty, they are no more than members of a neo-pagan group who defend their Satanic dogmas with the same fervor those in the Church used to defend Hers.
For the danger lay not in modernism’s direct attack of the Church but its ability to infiltrate ecclesial ranks, corrupting the minds of the clerics. What became Freemasonry’s ticket to success was its ability to cloak its beliefs under the guise of ultimate truth. Naturalistic concepts were not properly classified as a product of modern philosophy or a particular system of beliefs, but as new and self-evident “truths” that transcend all cultures and people. This sort of neo-gnosticism allowed Rousseau, Locke and Voltaire to paint themselves as pioneers who had discovered something long hidden by human superstition and an oppressive Church. As scientists and astronomers were making tremendous discoveries as to the workings of the natural world, modern philosophers were seen as “discovering” the true and essential elements of human nature. Given this perspective, it is easy to see how Catholics could be indoctrinated by masonic errors without even realizing it.
Given the devious and murderous societies that the masonic revolutionaries have produced (i.e. “culture of death”), why would any reasonable person, much less a Catholic want anything to do with them? Why should the sons of Voltaire and Locke be given any credibility or sought out for approval?
I don’t know of any cases of expulsion either. But, I think the point is more than this. If one’s church discourages or opposes freemasonry on doctrinal grounds, saying, for example, it is incompatible with their faith or church teaching... that should matter if the person is honest and serious about being a member of this church.
seems to be that George Washinton worked out just fine.
(and Macarthur and...)
I can’t imagine what the Southern Baptist church, which I was rasied in, would have against an organization that promotes religious beliefs.
Not so!
The rejected masons held their own funeral; it was not Washington’s for sure.
It is in their view of what religious beliefs are promoted. Most Christian doctrines are pretty jealous, Christ only, ‘no man comes to the Father, except..’ and so on. If it is promoted that *all* faiths are equal or one is as good as another, that’s a problem. Catholics call it indifferentism; others call it universalism. There are other concerns.
I think most Baptist’s would agree that the SB is one of the least restrictive organizations, doctrinally. So I see your point in this regard.
I’ll paste something from an article titled: New publication on Freemasonry available from SBC’s North American Mission Board” below. I think the objections there are fairly common across denominations, similar to what I see in the objections elsewhere, FWIW.
The “Closer Look” provides documentation and explanation for the eight concerns of the original 1993 report on Freemasonry, which it summarized with the following statements:
1) “Freemasonry uses offensive, non-biblical, and blasphemous terms relating to God.”
2) “Freemasonry insists on the use of ‘bloody oaths’ or obligation, which are strictly forbidden by the Bible (cf. Matt 5:34-37).”
3) “Freemasonry urges that occultic and/or pagan readings be used, and that their teachings be appropriated in interpreting such concepts as the Trinity.”
4) “Freemasonry includes the Bible as part of the ‘furniture of the lodge,’ but only as an equal with non-Christian symbols and writings.”
5) “Freemasonry misuses the term ‘light’ to refer to moral “reformation” as a means to salvation.”
6) “Freemasonry teaches that salvation may be attained by ‘good works’ and not through faith in Christ alone.”
7) “Freemasonry advocates in many of its writings the non-biblical teachings of universalism.”
8) “In some of its lodges, Freemasonry discriminates against non-whites.”
Source:
http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=5959
Thanks for your reply.
Nice fiction. Masons are free to be moral absolutes or human with all our errors.
For instance; I don’t believe in abortion while others may support it. I don’t endorse homosexuality but what someone does in their bedroom really is none of my business. Again, others may celebrate it.
You will find a wide variety of opinions answer varying degrees of moral certitude within Masonry as would in society in general.
But the easy rules for a Mason to remember would be the ten commandments. of course we have a moral come that is spelled out but there isn’t come underground cabal trying to infiltrate churches answer undermine them with some perverted morals.
The one thing about the Masons is that they are not a religion. They are a brotherhood of religious men. Their intent was to remove the elements of religious fighting for the purpose of building a stronger force. Hence, no religion is more important than any other religion. No artifacts, no books, no teachings, no symbols, just a belief in a higher power. In a major way the US is a Mason country every bit as much as it is Christian in that we are a nation of live and let live.
Masons is not compatible with Christianity though it's the "bait" to get you started. Like most cults and organizations expressing a belief in God is not uncommon....the question is thru their practices and oath rituals who are they pledging allegiance to.... it is not the God of Christianity.
Masons have a mock burial and reserection ritual of the member and this with an oath, which is more than creepy.....they are not raised to life in Christ...rather they name another.
BTW my information concerning masonary does not come from the internet.
No it is not Christian.
If you were a Mason then I don’t believe you understood the 3°.
All these things can be found at the Olympics, are the Olympic Games a religion?
Olympians do not pledge an oath to ‘Herman’, nor do they go thru a mock burial and resurrection ritual.
thanks for your reply.
I’m not a mason. I have been very close to some masons. I’ve studied it a fair amount for a layman. Personally, I believe in some places in some regards it can be seen as teaching that is in the sphere of religion. In sync with some religions, not in sync with others.
There is variation between lodges and variations between members of different lodges. For one person it may be their religion, for another it may have nothing to do with their religion. For some lodges, religion can play a part, for others, little or no part.
There are churches that have studied Freemasonry as well, and many have concluded it is incompatible with their faith and teaching.
I’m mainly for men being educated, well-informed in making decisions concerning religion. If one is serious about freemasonry and serious about their church, then I think he would want to seek out this information, examine it and make an honest and declarative decision, both in regards to their membership in a church and as a freemason.
Yes they claim such....Masonary "beliefs" go all the way to Babylon as a matter of fact and the ancient pagan rituals of that time.
A perfect way to neutralize a new member in preparation for the oaths he will take...and BTW very common for occults and cults.
Never underestimate the enemy of men's soul to convince people no specific religion is necessary to believe in the dark side members will eventually find themselves...always making it "sound" reasonable.
"Has God not said?"
How about 33 degree Mason....and further.
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