Very inaccurate and bearing false witness by that author. Masonry doesn’t teach or preach salvation or any sorts of religion. It is not a religion at all. Most of the metaphors can be looked at in many ways and come from eras when it was helping people learn about civics and citizenship when few could read. The metaphors paint pictures about subjects in the same way an author will use them to help a reader understand the subject. But just like anything looked at from the outside if you don’t understand context, you will paint your own picture of what it means based on your own world view. In other words, if you don’t know what you are looking at, you see a real reflection of your own values - just like a Rorschach Test.
The oaths are no more sinister than the oaths taken in court or in a fraternity. Very symbolic and dramatic, but not much more than that.
Yes Freemasons require a belief in God, as do many fraternal organizations. It is one of those things that bind the members under a common, fundamental value.
Yes, you will find references like that is stated in here that Masons should not undertake an action without prayer first. This doesn’t make Masonry a religion any more than it makes your family a religion for praying over your meal before you eat. It reminds members to be true to their faith in all actions. It does not substitute your religion but tells you to hold on to it.
There are many falsehoods out there by people who, frankly don’t understand or don’t wish to understand. It is usually best to look for the truth instead of just jumping to follow attacks by others who may or may not have ever had a single connection, only an opinion.
Call it what you will, but Masonic "moral" teaching goes against Christian doctrine. Masonry teaches that members of non-Christian religions are led to God by their religion. Masonry dogmatically demands tolerance of non-Christian religions, not only by government, but at a personal level. Jesus does not tolerate falsehood and is therefore unwelcome inside the lodge.
That is why no Catholic is allowed to become a Mason and many Protestant denominations have similar prohibitions.
Mnehring wrote: “Masonry doesn’t teach or preach salvation or any sorts of religion.”
Exactly and very well put. As someone who’s family roots have records of Freemasons going back well before BEFORE the emergence of the Grand Lodge in 1717, the ignorance from outsiders of our brotherhood is a constant source of frustration.