"About twelve years ago the Southern Baptist Convention issued a statement
declaring the teachings of Freemasonry incompatible with Christianity. That
statement was appropriate. I was disappointed, though, that the statement
DID NOT encourage Christians to withdraw from the Lodge."
The author of that report was Gary Leazer, who was at that time with the
Center for Interfaith Studies at the SBC. Gary also wrote a book about his
"ordeal" of putting the report together. The book is titled "Fundalmentalism
and Freemasonry" you really, really, really, should read the book before
taking any stance on the SBC report.
Here is a little something else Gary Leazer has put together...by the
way...he is now a Mason...
A FEW FAMOUS FREEMASONS
Bro. Gary Leazer, 32°
Atlanta, Georgia, Scottish Rite Bodies
Masonic Report, Center for Interfaith Studies
Masonic critics would have a difficult time living in the world today if
they tried to avoid anything with which Masons have had a part. For example,
Ralph Bellamy, who wrote the Pledge of Allegiance, was a Mason. Frederick A.
Bartholdi, a Mason, designed the Statue of Liberty, while father and son
Gutzon and Lincoln Borglum, both Masons, carved Mt. Rushmore. Aviator
Charles Lindbergh was a Mason.
Daniel Carter Beard, a Mason, founded the Boy Scouts of America. Melvin
Jones, a Mason, founded the Lions International. All four founders of the
Future Farmers of America were Masons. Dave Thomas, a Mason, founded
Wendy's. Harland Sanders, a Mason, started Kentucky Fried Chicken. Dr.
Charles Mayo, a Mason, co-founded the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Dr. Alexander Fleming, a Mason, was a developer of penicillin. Dr. Edward
Jenner, a Mason, developed the small pox vaccine. Roy Rogers and John Wayne,
America's favorite cowboy actors, were Masons. Gene Autry, also, is a Mason.
General Lewis Wallace, who wrote Ben Hur, and William Wyler, who directed
the movie Ben Hur, were both Masons.
Maytag appliances are named after Frederick Maytag, a Mason. James C.
Penney, founder of the department store chain, was a Mason. David Sarnoff, a
Mason, was president of RCA and urged the formation of NBC. He also led in
the development of color television. A brand of vacuum cleaners is named
after Frank Hoover, a Mason. Henry Ford, Walter Chrysler and Ramson Olds,
all Masons, have cars named after them. The Gillette safety razor was named
after King Gillette, a Mason.
Sebastian S. Kresge, a Mason, founded S. S. Kresge (now K-Mart Corporation).
He set up the Kresge Foundation with grants now totaling about $640 million.
Houston, Texas, where the 1993 Southern Baptist Convention met, is named
after a Mason, Sam Houston.
I doubt there are very many places we could visit, food we could eat,
medicine we could take, places we could shop, or things we could do in which
Masons have not been a significant part. Even basketball, one of our most
popular national pastimes, was invented by a Mason, James Naismith.
-----Original Message-----
From: J [mailto:jelewis@...]
Sent: Saturday, November 15, 2003 4:44 PM
To: pastorsforum@...
Subject: Re: [PastorsForum] Masons
James,
I am very disturbed, not by the Masons in general, but by Christians or
church members who are Masons. I see it as divided loyalties between the
True Master (the Lord Jesus Christ) and the "Master" of the lodge. The
statement, "My highest obligation is to obey the voice of the Master" is a
defining point. Which Master is supreme for the Christian Mason? Also, I
have a problem with a Christian who will get down on his knees and refer to
another human being as "Worshipful Master." Is it appropriate for a
believer in Christ to allow a blindfold (hoodwink) to be placed over his
eyes, a blue rope (cabletow) tied around his neck, and then be led around
the room knocking on doors to claim he is in darkness and is seeking the
light???? Is it proper to call unsaved lodge members "brother" and give
them preference over and above my brothers in Christ??? Why does the Mason
swear an oath to not commit sexual immorality with a fellow Mason's wife,
mother or sister (implying that it is OK with a non-Masons' wife, mother or
sister??? What about sexual immorality period??? Does the "Christian Mason"
believe that following Hiram Abiff can admit the Mason into the celestial
lodge or does he need Jesus in his heart in order to get into heaven? Is
the Christian Mason concerned about the "great commission of Christ or is he
busy spreading the message of light through the institution of
Freemasonry??? (I have NEVER known anyone who was active in Freemasonry to
be involved in leading people to Christ. If there are any out there, I have
not met them or even been told of them.) What about racial issues? If
Masonry is about brotherhood among men and light, as I have been told by
Masons, then why is there a separate Masonic group for black people (Blue
Lodge for white and Prince Hall Lodge for nonwhites [actually, I have been
told Prince Hall will accept whites also])??? What about telling
falsehoods? The Mason swears an oath to "forever conceal and never reveal"
the secrets of Freemasonry. Does that mean it is OK for a Christian Mason
to lie in order to evade truth in regard to Masonry??? I have had Masons
tell me outright lies about their beliefs and practices. I have also been
given verbal invitations to join the Lodge.
As you can see, there are many issues that speak to me regarding the DANGER
of being involved with the Lodge.
About twelve years ago the Southern Baptist Convention issued a statement
declaring the teachings of Freemasonry incompatible with Christianity. That
statement was appropriate. I was disappointed, though, that the statement
DID NOT encourage Christians to withdraw from the Lodge. In my opinion,
this was a political move to avoid a split in the denomination. Because of
this, many, many Christians remain in the darkness of the Lodge, blinded by
a false light.
For some excellent resource links regarding Freemasonry:
See the NAMB Belief Bulletin regarding Freemasonry at:
http://www.namb.net/root/evangelism/iev/mason.asp
See Ex Masons for Jesus at:
http://www.ephesians5-11.org/ex_masons_for_jesus/
See Saints Alive Resource Files on Freemasonry at:
http://www.saintsalive.com/freemasonry.html
See Ephesians5:11 web site at: http://www.ephesians5-11.org/
Jerry Lewis
Southside Baptist
----- Original Message -----
From: "James Brown" <ifeelgod@...>
To: <pastorsforum@...>
Sent: Saturday, November 15, 2003 1:23 PM
Subject: [PastorsForum] Masons
> Dear Saints
>
> Since we have not had much conversation lately, let me pose this question.
>
> What is your feeling on Masonic lodges and Eastern Star?
>
> Should Christians be masons?
>
> In light of a better understanding on the nature of the vows and oaths
> taken, should churches distance themselves from these organizations?
>
> Because of the masons represent so much of black historic organizational
> culture, how do you maintain cultural sensitivity over this issue?
>
> In Him,
> JMb <><
> Bishop James 'I Feel God' Brown
> http://www.1000churches.org
> http://www.ifghosting.com
>
>
> <>< ><> <>< ><> <><
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> From Beethoven to the Rolling Stones, your favorite music is always
playing
> on MSN Radio Plus. No ads, no talk. Trial month FREE!
> http://join.msn.com/?page=offers/premiumradio
>
>
> --
> To unsubscribe, send ANY message to
<pastorsforum-unsubscribe@...>
>
> "In essential things, unity; in non-essential things, liberty; and in all
things, charity."
>
>
--
To unsubscribe, send ANY message to <pastorsforum-unsubscribe@...>
"In essential things, unity; in non-essential things, liberty; and in all
things, charity."