Freemasonry is a non-denominational, non-sectarian organization, that admits men of many different and wildly divergent religious backgrounds, and faith experiences.

Freemasonry is definetly not "Christian", in that the organization does not claim affiliation with any specific religion or creed. The organization is a secular, man-made organization, which provides men, including Christians and others, with an opportunity to celebrate the differences and commonalities of men.

Freemasonry does not say that all religions are equal. Freemasonry wisely stays out of any religious debate. Freemasonry does say that all men are equal. The Christian, the Jew, the Hindu, all are welcome to participate in Freemasonry.  Some individuals, find this acceptance of other religions to be offensive. This is their right. People who find an organization, composed of men who are not all Christians, should leave Freemasonry alone.

Keep in mind, that Freemasonry is an "umbrella" of over 100 (one hundred) different organizations and philanthropies. Almost everyone has heard of the Shriners.  The Shrine, is a club of men, who are Masons.  These men meet in various Shrine centers in the USA (and other countries), and  operate a network of orthopaedic hospitals and burn clinics, which serve the needs of crippled and burned children for free

What Freemasonry does…
Simply, Freemasonry builds and advances the character of men to make them better.
Building on principals of moral integrity, Freemasons hold brotherly love as paramount to the benefit of mankind. Whether through charitable acts, or by direct involvement, Freemasonry has dedicated itself to the prosperity of mankind.
On the individual level, Freemasonry builds on moral philosophy, through allegorical symbols to impart rich and complex meanings about the divine. What that means is through Masonic education, individuals are given their own personal building blocks to contribute to the build of their own personal moral character, and then charged with applying that purpose in their day-to-day life.
It does not act to impart religion to its membership, instead it builds on the tenants and virtues taught by all religions, including a faith in the divine, the application of the Golden Rule, and the value of leading a moral virtuous life, all with the drive to put these ideas into personal practice. It promotes the active participation in the member’s individual faith tradition, charging them to build their spiritual character.
Throughout the mason’s life, the lessons of morality and ethics are revisited through the extensions of the various bodies of Freemasonry, building on the principals of Freemasonry. Seldom can a mason say they have learned all of the meanings taught to them through the degrees.
By serving to promote brotherly love masons are now involved in extended levels of charity and benevolence to meet the needs of those least able in society.
To serves as an example, Freemasons are involved in all of these charitable organizations, giving to the needs of others.
Childhood language disorders
Treatment for birth defects
Scholarship and direct grants to children and grandchildren of Scottish Rite Masons as well as to members of DeMolay, Job’s Daughters, Rainbow for Girls, and other
Masonic youth groups
Research on diabetes
A summer camp for underprivileged children
Arteriosclerosis research
Christmas Day Dinner for the Des Moines community
Cancer research
Training awards for religious leadership and those making religious work their career
A museum and monument to George Washington
Grants to students at in Schools of Government and Business
Administration and International Affairs
Dental care for handicapped children
Scholarship assistance to nursing students
Geriatric research
Child development for good citizenship and sound character for boys and girls
Outpatient services for cancer treatment
Low cost education loans
Eye surgery and prescription glasses
Treatment for cancer patients and cancer research support
Masonic Hospital Visitation Program for V.A. Hospital volunteers
Research in heart disease, cancer, aging, hypertension, and blood substitutes
Meeting and performance facilities at the International Peace Garden
A clearinghouse on Masonic information
Education of youth about drugs and alcohol
Ohio Special Olympics
A non-denominational chapel for mediation and religious services at the International Peace Garden
Research into the causes and treatment of schizophrenia and related disorders
Research into auditory perception disorders in children
A Georgia children’s medical Center
A museum and library focusing on our American heritage as well as Freemasonry’s role in the history of our country
The first public library in the District of Columbia
Scholarships and fellowships for Ph.D. candidates in Public School Administration
Support for students seeking degrees in fields associated with service to country and humanity Orthopedic services to children through a network of 22 hospitals and treatment for burns victims at four burns centers
Support for the Muscular Dystrophy Association
A provider of new shoes for needy Tennessee and Alabama children
An orthopedic, neuralgic, and child development hospital in Texas
Operates a clinic for dyslexic and aphasia disorders in children
Provides needy homeless children in the school district with clothing and toiletries
The following is a brief listing of these American Masonic Charities mentioned above:
Abbott Scottish Rite Scholarship Program
Provides direct grants to children and grandchildren of Scottish Rite masons, as well as members of DeMolay, Job’s Daughters, Rainbow Girls, and other Masonic youth groups.
Supreme Council, 33rd Degree, N.M.J.
P.O. Box 519
33 Marrett Road
Lexington, Massachusetts 02173
(617) 862-4410
Amaranth Diabetes Foundation
(Supports research on diabetes)
The Supreme Council, Order of the Amaranth
Mrs. Ethel B. Fry, Supreme Secretary
2303 Murdoch Avenue
Parkersburg, West Virginia 26101
(304) 485-0423 or (304) 428-1565
Camp Chicota
A summer camp for underprivileged children
Grand Lodge of Louisiana, Prince Hall Affiliation
1335-37 North Boulevard
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70821
(504) 387-0996
Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation
Supports arteriosclerosis research
Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation
Marion K. Crum, Executive Secretary
Route 4, Box 301
Nashville, Indiana 47448
(812) 988-8655
Des Moines Masonic Christmas Day Dinner
Provides Christmas Day Dinner for the community
Masonic Christmas Day Dinner
Masonic Temple
1011 Locus Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 244-6011
Eastern Star Cancer Research Project
Supports cancer research
General Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star
1618 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-2578
(202) 667-4737
Eastern Star Training Awards for Religious Leadership
Supports those who are making religious work their career
General Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star
1618 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-2578
(202) 667-4737
General Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star
Supports the Peace Chapel at the International Peace Garden which
provides a non-denominational chapel for meditation and religious
services
General Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star
1618 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-2578
(202) 667-4737
George Washington Masonic National Memorial
A museum and monument to our first President (and a Mason)
George Washington Masonic National Memorial
101 Calahan Drive
Alexandria, Virginia 22301
(703) 683-2007
George Washington University Grants
Provides grants to students in the Schools of Government and
Business Administration and International Affairs and matching
grants for graduate students
Supreme Council, 33rd Degree, Southern Jurisdiction
1733 Sixteenth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-3199
*****-SR MASON
Grotto Dentistry for the Handicapped Program
Provides dental care to handicapped children
Supreme Council, M.O.V.P.E.R.
34 N. Fourth Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 463-9193
Illinois Scottish Rite Nursing Scholarships
Provides scholarship assistance to nursing students throughout
the State of Illinois
Illinois Scottish Rite Fund
Illinois Council of Deliberation
915 N. Dearborn Street
Chicago, Illinois 60610
(312) 787-7605
Indiana Masonic Home Foundation
An endowment which supports the Indiana Masonic Home, a retirement
and convalescence center. Located on 360 acres, is home for over
400 residents.
P. O. Box 44210
525 North Illinois Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46224-0210
(800) 277-4643
Indianapolis Scottish Rite Foundation
Supports geriatric research at the University of Indiana Medical School
Indianapolis Scottish Rite Bodies
650 N. Meridian Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-1294
(317) 635-2301
International Order of Job’s Daughters
A organization for girls between the ages of eleven and twenty who are relatives of Master Masons
Supreme Guardian Council, International Order of Job’s Daughters
233 West 6th Street
Papillion, Nebraska 68046
(402) 592-7987\
International Order of Rainbow for Girls
A organization for girls between the ages of eleven and eighteen who are daughters of Masonic or Eastern Star families or friends of such girls
International Order of Rainbow for Girls
P.O. Box 788
McAlester, Oklahoma 74502
(918) 423-1328
Kansas Masonic Oncology Center
Provides out-patient services for cancer treatment
Kansas Masonic Foundation
320 West 8th Street
P.O. Box 1217
Topeka, Kansas 66601-1217
(913) 357-7646
Knights Templar Educational Foundation
Provides students with low-cost education loans
5097 Elston Ave, Suite 101
Chicago, Illinois 60630-2460
(312) 427-5670
Knights Templar Eye Foundation
Supports eye surgery and prescription glasses
P.O. Box 579
Springfield, Illinois 62705-0579
(217) 523-3838
Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center
Provides treatment for cancer patients and supports research
Masonic Cancer Center Fund, Inc.
1700 West Highway 36, Suite 120
Roseville, Minnesota 55113
(612)639-8433
Masonic Hospital Visitation Program
Provides Masonic volunteers to work with patients at Veterans
Administration and military hospitals
Masonic Services Association of the United States
8120 Fenton Street
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
(301) 588-4010
Masonic Medical Research Laboratory, Utica, New York
Supports research in heart disease, cancer, aging, hypertension,
and blood substitutes
2150 Bleeker Street
Utica, New York 13501-1787
(315) 735-2217
Masonic Memorial Auditorium, International Peace Garden
Provides meeting and performance facilities for visitors
Grand Lodge of North Dakota
201 14th Avenue North
Fargo, North Dakota 58102
(701) 235-8321
Masonic Services Association of the United States
Serves as a clearing house for Masonic information
National Masonic Foundation for the Prevention of
Drug and Alcohol Abuse Among Children
Supports education for youth about drugs and alcohol
1629 K Street N.W., Suite 606
Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 331-1933
Ohio Special Olympics
The Masonic Grand Lodge of Ohio sponsors every Ohio Special Olympian at these games
Grand Lodge of Ohio
P.O. Box 629
Worthington, Ohio 43085-0629
(614) 885-5318
Order of DeMolay
A fraternal organization for boys between the ages of thirteen and
twenty-one; its purpose is the encouragement and development of good
citizenship and sound character
International Supreme Council, Order of DeMolay
10200 N. Executive Hills Boulevard
P.O. Box 901342
Kansas City, Missouri 64190-1342
(816) 891-8333
Research In Schizophrenia
Supports research into the causes and treatment of schizophrenia and related disorders
Supreme Council, 33rd Degree, N.M.J.
P.O. Box 519
33 Marrett Road
Lexington, Massachusetts 02173
(617) 862-4410
Royal Arch Research Assistance Program
Supports research into auditory perception disorders in children
General Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons International
111 South 4th Street
Danville, Kentucky 40423-0489
(606) 236-0757
Scottish Rite Children’s Medical Center in Georgia
Provides generalized and specialized services to children
Scottish Rites Children’s Medical Center
1001 Johnson Ferry Road, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30363
(404) 256-5252
Scottish Rite Museum of Our National Heritage
A museum and library focusing on our American heritage as well as
Freemasonry’s role in the history of our country
Supreme Council, 33rd Degree, N.M.J.
P.O. Box 519
33 Marrett Road
Lexington, Massachusetts 02173
(617) 862-4410
Scottish Rite Supreme Council Library
The first public library in the District of Columbia which today
serves the general public as well as international Masonic scholars
Supreme Council, 33rd Degree, Southern Jurisdiction
1733 Sixteenth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-3199
*****-SR MASON
Shepherd Scholarship
Supports students seeking degrees in fields associated with service
to country and humanity
Shriners Hospitals for Children and Shriners Burn Institutes
Provides orthopedic services to children through a network of 22
hospitals and treatment for burns victims at three burns centers,
also provides specialized medical services for spinal cord injuries,
and cleft palates.
Direct phone to Shriners Hospitals for Children (USA) 800-237-5055
Shriner Headquarters
2900 Rocky Point Drive
Tampa, Florida 33607
[USA - (800) 282-9161 ] [Canada - (800) 361-7256] [All other areas
call collect - (813) 281-0300]
Tall Cedar Foundation
Supports the Muscular Dystrophy Association
Supreme Forest, Tall Cedars of Lebanon
2609 N. Front Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110
(717) 232-5991
Tennessee and Alabama Scottish Rite Shoe Program
Provides new shoes for need Tennessee and Alabama children
Chattanooga Scottish Rite Bodies
510 Uptain Building
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37411-4031
(615) 855-0175
Birmingham Scottish Rite Bodies
400 Valley Avenue
Birmingham, Alabama 35209-3899
(205) 942-2687
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
Provides orthopedic, neuralgic, and child development services to children in Texas
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
2222 Welborn Street
Dallas, Texas 75219-9982
(214) 521-3168
Masons Assisting Children (MAC)
Provides needy homeless children in the school district with clothing and toiletries
Masons Assisting Children
2200 West Mesquite
Las Vegas, Nevada 89106
Scottish Rite Foundation
Operates a clinic for dyslexic and aphasia disorders in children
Scottish Rite Foundation
2200 West Mesquite
Las Vegas, Nevada 89106

I got some Freemasonry done last month. My self a two buddy fix my drive way.

Amen, OldDad!

People just need to keep researching, and not take anything anyone says for granted.  Whether secular, or spiritual.  

Masons are required to tell lies and even perjure themselves to protect other Masons. They are also required to obey even orders which they know to be immoral:

"You must conceal all the crimes of your brother Masons, except murder and treason, and these only at your own option, and should you be summoned as a witness against a brother Mason be always sure to shield him. Prevaricate [falsify], don't tell the whole truth in his case, keep his secrets, forget the most important points. It may be perjury to do this, it is true, but you're keeping your obligations, and remember if you live up to your obligation strictly, you'll be free from sin." (Edmond Ronayne, "Masonic Handbook," page 183)

--Man, what are you smoking? This statement is so sick and perverted from the truth, that I am ill to read it. Masonry is a system of morality, based on Brotherly Love ,relief and truth. Masons are required to tell the truth, and treat all people, on the square and level.

Many police officers and others in the law enforcement and justice professions are masons.

"Right or wrong his very existence as a Mason hangs upon obedience to the powers immediately set above him. The one unpardonable crime in a Mason is contumacy [insubordination] or disobedience." (Robert Morris, "Webb's Monitor of Freemasonry," page 169)


--There is no such thing as a crime of disobedience.

According to masonic oaths, Masons are to be killed if they reveal masonic secrets. In 1826, Captain William Morgan, a high-degree Mason, made masonic secrets public in his book "Freemasonry Exposed." According to the "Masonic Handbook," he was murdered for it.

---The oath that each Masons takes, has a symboolic penlaty. The penalty is never invoked. No Mason will be killed for breaking a Masonic oath. The only penlaties are reprimand, suspension or expulsion.

"When a brother reveals any of our great secrets; whenever, for instance, he tells anything about Boaz, or Tubalcain, or Jachin, or that awful Mah-hah-bone, or even whenever a minister prays in the name of Christ in any of our assemblies, you must always hold yourself in readiness, if called upon, to cut his throat from ear to ear, pull out his tongue by the roots, and bury his body at the bottom of some lake or pond. Of course, all this must be done in secret, as it was in the case of that notorious man Morgan, for both law and civilization are opposed to such barbarous crimes, but then, you know you must live up to your obligation, and so long as you have sworn to do it, by being very strict and obedient in the matter, you'll be free from sin." (Edmond Ronayne, "Masonic Handbook," page 74)

--This book that you are referencincing is not in use by any legitimate Masonic Grand lodge in the USA or overseas. Therefore any quotations from it anre meaningless! Masonry has no plan or ability to make a man free from sin

Here's a very current link to the handbook from Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Ronaynes-Handbook-Freemasonry-Edmond-Ronayne/dp/1425320155

Of particular note is the user review near the bottom of the page there, when Vicki Holloway gives the handbook 5 stars and says:

    

Masons always say, "we don't use that book!"  and yet it continues to sell, and to be recommended for use to and by other masons.

The way I see it there are two major dangers of Freemasonry.

First, as this board has mildly demonstrated, it causes distraction and friction between masons and non-masons.  Check the internet and you will find many valuable church recourses dedicated to the condemnation of freemasonry. If you check what these churches are posting, printing, and sometimes preaching about the masons, you will find most of the allegations are false.  I see this as a danger because it detracts from the purpose of the Church, it causes division among the members of the Church, it causes Christians who are masons to feel unjustly slandered, and ultimately it is a waste of time.  Too many churches will try to “save” a person from freemasonry by departing from the truth; I assume they do this out of ignorance or the idea that the ends justify the means but it ultimately results in a loss of integrity for the Church. 

Secondly, while freemasonry does not present a mode of salvation, a definition of God, or any other doctrine that is normally associated with religion, it does form a labyrinth of philosophy that one seeking Christ could become lost in and substitute freemasonry with Christianity.  While this may not be the intent of freemasonry, it is sometimes the result.

It has been my experience that much of the anti-mason views are fabricated, or based on previous misleading publications to serve alternate motives.  For example, the fraternity does not hold a deist view (or any religious view) as often claimed, but it does allow membership regardless of religious belief (same as the Elks lodge – but no beer).

It has also been my experience that freemasonry does not live up to what it purposes – “making good men better”.  Today’s freemasonry is little more than other clubs and fraternities in the United States. 

I wonder what this says about the state of the church in growing, equipping, and utilizing its members.  It seems to me that the benefits of being a mason should be adequately met and exceeded by the local church. 

   OOPS!!!!!  I was trying to say that that one seeking Christ could become lost in the philosophy of Masonry and accept freemasonry as a substitute for Chrisianity. (Big oops – fingers went faster than my brain).

It just bothers me that some will become so against something for baseless reasons.  The “Masonic oaths” do not indicate a mason will be killed if he violates secrecy (some ignore the “no less than” and explanation in the initiation), and the secrecy is concerning the transactions of a lodge with a member of the lodge.  I can’t fault this because if I confided in a friend I expect him to keep it confidential.

Masons have themselves to blame for being suspect.  They enjoyed the “secrete society” image when it was popular, now they have to live in the age of misinformation.  

That’s the downside of the internet.  You’d be amazed how many people believe that Mr. Rogers was a marine, a sniper, and had tattoos on his arms.  It’s true because someone told them it was true, or they read it….on the internet!  

Well, that’s my opinion anyway.  Now I have to get back to working on my house – world’s ending in 2012, the earth’s heating up, the core’s cooling down, and I’d like to finish things here. (Google it if you don’t believe me)