[Southflanknorthpawsis]

I must remark on the notion of Lutherans thinking lodges are "evil". As an LCMS member, I interpret it much differently.

While it is true that we are not allowed to participate in lodge membership, the reasons are doctrinal.

I have never heard lodge members described as evil by any other Lutheran.

The following brief excerpt from the LCMS website gives a fairly clear explanation of the church's stand and why.

Because of the very fact that Freemasonry purports to assume a religious posture and perform the functions of a church it becomes morally and theologically necessary for the Christian to inquire whether the Craft’s tenets and dogma are compatible with the Christian faith. It is evident that the more thoroughly the Gospel of salvation by the grace of God is understood, the more imperative such inquiry becomes.

If Freemasonry tenaciously clings to the declaration that all religions are merely expressions of one and the same truth, then it must be avoided as sub-Christian.

[Howlin]

As long as you're here, is this the way your church believes?

In Christianity, women really aren't supposed to be pastors or priests.

[FreedominJesusChrist]

"I have never heard lodge members described as evil by any other Lutheran."

Have you ever been to a Lutheran school? I have, in fact, I attended Lutheran schools up until 8th grade, and Freemasonry was never described as anything but evil and made up of false prophets.

Right now, I attend a Missouri-Synod university, with the best Missouri-Synod pre-seminary program in the country. I have been in at least one religion class where Freemasonry was discussed and it was described in the same light.

I am not the only Lutheran who feels that Freemasonry is inherently evil.

When it comes to belief in God, there is only right and wrong, evil and good.

[nopardons]

Thanks for the info. It's rather strange. Masons don't think of their organization as a religion. The problem, that the Roman Catholic church and, evidently , the Lutherans have with Freemasonry, is based on their own biased opinion, rather than fact.

Freemasonry accepts anyone and everyone, as long as the believe in GOD and are of high moral character. That's the long and the short of it; really ! There are even Masonic groups, who hold their meetings in Protestant churches.