Author: Russ Wise From http://www.christianinformation.org/article.asp?artID=44

Freemasonry - Its Background and History


There is probably no other subject that is as shrouded in mystery and misunderstanding as that of Freemasonry. The Craft has been aligned with both the Christian Church and the Occult. It has been vigorously defended by the brotherhood whether they are Christian or pagan. The problem for many within the Fraternal Order and those who remain outside their influence is the question of the mason's allegiance. If, in fact, there is no appreciable theological difference between the Church and Freemasonry then their antagonists have no footing on which to take a stand in denouncing them. However, if there are differences that prevent their acceptance as Christian, then it becomes imperative for the non-mason and mason alike to discern the true teachings of the Lodge.





The history of the Lodge is not easily discernable. Along with those who believe that Freemasonry has Christian beginnings there are a growing number of Masonic authors who espouse an occultic origin for the Craft. There are those who indicate that the Craft was an outgrowth of the Ancient Mystery Schools, or that it was first associated with the Druids or the Illuminati. In order for the individual to make a just decision regarding Freemasonry he must first discern the motivation of the author.

Masonic authors Delmar Darrah, A. S. MacBride, and Melvin Johnson point out the unreliability of many of their fellow masonic writers. Darrah, in his book titled History and Evolution of Freemasonry, states that "Masons have believed the things concerning the origin of the institution that they wanted to believe and have gone forth and told them as facts. When links were missing, they have been supplied by drawing upon fertile imaginations."

Leading Masonic authorities in the 18th and 19th centuries held a distinctively Christian interpretation of Freemasonry. Such leaders as Rev. James Anderson, William J. Hughan, William Hutchinson, Rev. George Oliver and others gave a Christian view of their craft.
Hutchinson, in particular, noted that Jesus Christ was the example for the Master Mason. He stated, "the Master Mason represents a man under the Christian doctrine saved from the grave of iniquity and raised to the faith of salvation. As the great testimonial that we are risen from the state of corruption, we bear the emblem of the Holy Trinity as the insignia of our vows and of the origin of the Master's order".

The decade between 1826 and 1836 represented troublesome years for the Masonic Order. After several incidents that cast a negative light on Freemasonry,  a growing swell of anti-Masonic sentiment began to emerge. During this time Albert Pike seized the opportunity to fan the flames of his pagan interpretation of the Craft.


As a result, there was a mass exodus of Christians from the Lodge, thereby creating a vacuum to be filled by those who held a non-Christian view of Masonry. This new leadership began to reinterpret the symbols that speak for Freemasonry.


The paganization of the Craft took place over several decades but it did not make a public appearance until the latter part of the 19th century. Even then it was not until the 1920's that these efforts became known, when a large number of books began appearing in print that claimed pagan origins for the Craft.

The anti-Masonic movement dealt Freemasonry a severe blow. However, the purge that was to come proved to be a stabilizing factor  for the non-Christian forces of the Craft. Once the Christian majority had left the Craft, Pike was then able to re-design it in a way that would support his pagan views.

It is interesting to note that during the very time that Pike was heavily involved in his paganizing process the Craft was experiencing a renewed growth in membership from the Christian ranks. The majority of these new Christian members represented church leadership and accepted the Christian interpretation of Hutchinson, Oliver, Hughan, and others.

Manly P. Hall, a 33rd degree Mason, was one of the early authors who claimed a pagan origin for Freemasonry. In his book entitled The Lost Keys of Freemasonry, he says that Freemasonry is not a material thing: it is a universal expression of the Divine Wisdom. "The Masonic order is not a mere social organization, but is composed of all those who have banded themselves together to learn and apply the principles of mysticism and the occult rites."

Hall and a host of other writers along with Pike built a pagan history for Freemasonry that would later take root and grow to become the accepted understanding of Masonic origins. As this new interpretation took hold in the minds of the membership, Christianity was being all but eradicated from the Craft. It became unthinkable to mention the name of Christ or to pray in the name of Jesus. The Craft was set firmly on the ground of "universalism".

The primary standard for membership was, and continues to be, that the candidate believes in God. This god could be Krishna, Buddha, Allah, or any other god, but Jesus Christ is not to be considered anything more than their equal.


This universalist, or inclusive, idea about God has opened the door for every false deity to have a place within the Lodge. Hall continues his discussion of universalism by saying that "the true disciple of Masonry has given up forever the worship of personalities. With his greater insight, he realizes that all forms . . . are of no importance to him compared to the life which is evolving within."


Hall adds to his belief in universalism by stating that "the true Mason is not creed-bound. He realizes with the divine illumination of his lodge that as a Mason his religion must be universal: Christ, Buddha or Mohammed, the name means little, for he recognizes only the light and not the bearer."  So, for the Mason, God is not a personal being, but God is an impersonal force, an energy that has no substance.


The Mason who is a Christian is put in a very difficult position. Although his Fraternal Order supported his Christianity in its early years, it now no longer allows for it. There is no question about the pagan orientation of Freemasonry in our day. Therefore, the Mason must ask himself whether he can, in good faith, remain a part of an organization that devalues the God of Christianity.

As the evolution of modern Freemasonry took place, over several hundred years, it continued to be influenced by those who held an occultic world view. For them, the Craft was a revival of the ancient mysteries.

Albert Pike, the noted Masonic scholar, said that "it is the universal, eternal, immutable religion, such as God planted it in the heart of universal humanity." Pike's statement is a good example of Masonic double speak. The Christian can interpret what is said as being in reference to the personal God of Christianity who created the universe. However, when one takes Pike's statement together with the balance of his world view it becomes apparent that he is referring to the impersonal god of Freemasonry as mentioned earlier.

Pike, in his book Morals and Dogma, says this about religion and Freemasonry. "Every Masonic Lodge is a temple of religion; and its teachings are instruction in religion." According to the modern day interpreters of Masonry it has now taken its rightful place as the unifier of all religions. One such interpreter, Foster Bailey, an occultist and a 32nd degree mason, said that "Masonry is the descendant of a divinely imparted religion" that antedates the prime date of creation. Bailey goes on to say that "Masonry is all that remains to us of the first world religion" which flourished in ancient times. "It was the first unified world religion. Today we are working again towards a world universal religion."

In other words, Freemasonry is the foundation of the mystery religions of the world that brought on the wrath of the Hebrew God of the Old Testament. And it is now preparing the way for the revival of the same religion of the ancients.

The Mason, however, may be unaware of much of what is taught by the Lodge. The Mason who is uninitiated in the higher degrees is deliberately deceived by his brethren. Pike says that "truth is not for those who are unworthy." He goes on to say that "Masonry jealously conceals its secrets, and intentionally leads conceited interpreters astray."

Hall put it this way: "spiritual qualities are necessary before the real Masonic secrets can be understood by the brethren themselves."What Hall seems to be saying is that one must reach a certain spiritual level before he can rightly understand the deep symbolic teachings of Freemasonry. As an example, one of the most known symbols for Masonry is the letter "G". Depending on whose interpretation one chooses, this symbol may represent geometry, God, or gnosis. A Christian would obviously interpret the symbol as God, whereas the pagan would see it as knowledge or gnosis.


Albert Pike was even more direct when he stated, "the Blue Degrees are but the outer court of the Temple. Parts of the symbols are displayed there to the initiate, but he is intentionally misled by false interpretations. It is not intended that he shall understand them; but it is intended that he shall imagine he understands them. Their true explication is reserved for the Adepts, the Princes of Masonry."


The Mason may unwittingly be a part of the Lodge thinking that it is an extension of his Christian faith, when in fact it may be a "Trojan Horse," allowing another god into his soul.