FREEMASONRY—Q&A

Following is a dialogue that John Salza had with a Mason who was also a Protestant clergyman. This dialogue took place back in 1999, when John was still a Freemason. John entered into this dialogue when he began to have concerns about his Masonic membership and was seeking resolution to his dilemma. John left Freemasonry shortly after this dialogue (and began his Catholic apologetics apostolate).

J. Salza: Dear Brother Jim. How do you, as a clergyman, reconcile the following with your Christian faith?

- Masons do not pray in Jesus’ name. Jesus said that if we do not confess him before men, He will not confess us before His Father in heaven. If we do not honor the Son, we do not honor the Father who sent Him. We are deliberately failing to confess Him before men in our Masonic prayers. If we are not praying to the Son, we are not praying to the Father. If we are not praying to the Father, we are not praying to the God of Christianity.

- Freemasonry believes that all faiths are well-founded. When the EA candidate is brought into the lodge, he is asked by the WM in whom he puts his trust. So long as he professes a belief in deity, whether or not that belief rejects Jesus Christ, the WM is required to profess that the candidate’s faith is well-founded. How can a Christian Mason ever profess that another non-Christian’s faith is well-founded?

- Freemasonry believes that all religions lead to one God. This belief is obviously not true. If one is not praying to the Triune God of Christianity, he is praying to a false god. Jesus made this so clear, and nothing more needs to be said about this.

- Freemasonry teaches about a resurrection to an afterlife whether or not the Mason accepts Jesus Christ. This seems clear. Freemasonry teaches a doctrine of resurrection based upon morality and good works (the imitation of Hiram Abif). Once can be a Mason and reject Christ as his Savior, but is still taught that he will be raised to the celestial lodge above. This doctrine is incompatible with Christianity. No one comes to the Father but through the Son. Only through the saving grace of Jesus Christ will we all be saved. Freemasonry is either lying to non-Christian Masons, or is teaching a “higher” doctrine that is not compatible with the Christian faith.

I look forward to your thoughts. Peace.

John Salza

Bro. Jim: Brother John, thank you for your letter. I have done some research on how the concept of the soul crept into Masonic teaching but am not ready to say much other than the writers of the ritual were acquainted with the teachings of the great philosophers and included their thoughts on the soul in the ritual. I do not think they were trying to contradict the teaching of the Faith re the resurrection, but were using the common language of the people. More on that when I have spent more time in the Scottish Rite library perusing the books which belonged to the renowned Harry Carr of Quartor etc. London who donated his library to the Scottish Rite Library here in Dallas.

Your question today is even more profound and perplexing than thinking about the soul. Everything you state can be considered as the truth according to Scripture. But, John, I think you are making a religious denomination out of Masonry and I know you know that such is not true. Also, I wonder if as you raise your points on: prayer and Jesus’ name, faith being well-founded, all religions lead to one God and resurrection based on morality – are you being too literalistic?

When my wife and I were married in 1956 an employee of her parents could not attend the wedding because it was in a Presbyterian church. He was a Roman Catholic and his priest said no. He defied the priest and then went to confession and did penance. This gentleman had two daughters who were nuns. He loved and respected my wife and me and wanted to share our happy moment. Such was the law of the Church back then. This has been changed, thank God!

I know some Protestants that don’t think of Roman Catholics as Christians – most who think like this are literalist fundamentalists who deal more with the letter than the spirit of the Scripture. When the Master says “your faith is well-founded. Arise, follow your conductor, and fear no danger,” he is not referring to faith as a doctrinal statement. The Greek word for faith and trust is the same for both – pistis. My faith and your faith is in Christ, God’s Son, but more than that – as a Roman Catholic and as a Presbyterian when I say Christ I am saying God – the Creed says “very God, very man, begotten, not made.” He was in the beginning with God – all things were made through Him and without Him was not anything made that was made. I think it was Tertullian or maybe Athanasius who said “There never was a time when the Son was not!” This applies equally to the Spirit from whom proceedeth, etc. All of this to say, when you and I responded: “In God,” we did not feel we had to explain in detail who God is or what he is like. We, as those not of faith, are saying “in God as I understand him.”

As a Christian, I live by grace the Christian life. I can and do accomplish this without being literalistic or condemning. I seek not to give them hell, but give them heaven. I let God be the Judge believing that Christmas – the Incarnation – was God’s judgment on the world. The above is the middle of the road theology drawn from the tradition and creeds and confessions of the Church through the ages.

Again I state, I do not in any sense think of the Craft or Masonic teaching as a way of salvation. If some Masons want to make of it such that is their problem and as long as they leave the Christian free to think of Masonry as a fraternity period! then that is okay. But, and I know there are those who don’t want to do this – it creeps into some of the postings on GFN which makes me wonder if some of the brethren forget what Masonry is – a system of morality, veiled in allegory, and illustrated by symbols – and nothing more!

Brother John, I hope I have not confused you. I am proud that you are raising the questions that you have brought up. It tells me you are serious about the Faith and about the Craft. An informed Christian or Mason is much easier to live and converse with. In ended the sentence with a preposition! And as Brother Winston Churchhill said to Lady Astor: “ Madam! That is pedantry up with which I will not put!”

Thank you for your correspondence. I leave for Scotland next Wednesday and will return August 11. Regards to you and yours. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jim XXXX

J. Salza: Brother Jim. Thank you very much for your response. As you may sense, I am having serious questions about Freemasonry and my faith. Please do not be offended by my inquiries. I want your opinions as an ordained clergyman. Anything that talks about God and resurrection should be investigated by any Christian to see if it is compatible with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am beginning to think that Freemasonry, when the veil is lifted, is attempting to teach a “higher” or more liberal doctrine about the existence of God, man and salvation that is not based on the revelation given to humanity by Jesus Christ.

In regard to my Catholic faith, please remember that many other Christian churches oppose Masonry for its teachings like many branches of Lutheranism, Pentecostalism, Methodism, Baptists and the like. You have suggested that my readings of Scripture may be too literalistic. Listen to Jesus’ words, and tell me how else you read them.

-Prayer in Jesus’ name. The importance that Jesus placed on prayers in His name is very evident in Sacred Scripture. Jesus said “Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:11,13). Saint Paul taught “Giving thanks always for all things unto God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph. 5:20). “And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:11). “And whatsoever ye do in word and deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by Him” (Col. 3:17).

Jim, we are not only required to pray to Jesus in our hearts, but to also confess him before men! Jesus said “Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God. But he that denieth me before men, shall be denied before the angels of God” (Luke 12:8-9). In Masonic prayers, we are required to deliberately omit Jesus’ name from our prayers. If we are not honoring the Son, can we be honoring the Father? Who are we honoring? We are not confessing Jesus before men. How else do you read these words?

In addition, the Masonic prayers seem to show how important it is for Freemasonry to distinguish “its god” from all others. “Supreme Architect, in thy name we have assembled, and in thy name we desire to proceed in all our doings.” Jim, have you ever considered that Freemasonry is attempting to teach a “higher” or more liberal doctrine about God, man and salvation? I know it is difficult for men who have been in the fraternity for a very long time to even consider this. But for a man who is only 31 years old and a Mason for three years, I feel that I have an open mind on this matter. I am comparing Masonic doctrine to the doctrine Christ has given us through the Scriptures, Tradition, and the Catholic Church.

Jesus makes it clear that no one can come to God but through Him. If we deliberately omit His name out of respect for others, aren’t we deliberately omitting His name out of disrespect for Him? Jim, aren’t you being too optimistic or liberal about not praying in Jesus’ name? Isn’t this enough authority? Please give me your educated opinion.

It appears that the religion of Masonry teaches that all sectarian religions lead to one God which is deduced by reason and not by any divinely revealed truth. For example, Islam denies that Jesus Christ is the unique Son of God. Rather, it declares (quite irrationally) that Jesus was only a prophet. Since the God of Christianity has a Son, and Allah, the god of Islam, does not, we are talking about two radically different understandings of God, both of which Freemasonry holds to be “well-founded.”

Freemasonry teaches about the existence of God called “the Grand Architect of the Universe,” and about eternal life “in the celestial lodge above,” whether or not a Mason accepts Jesus Christ. Jim, this seems to me that Freemasonry is teaching a “higher” truth which is incompatible with Christianity. Is this view really radical? Are not we required to have a radical commitment to Christ? Masons cannot be worshiping the God of Christianity, can they? You know what is said about worshiping idols. See 1 Cor. 6:9-10 and 1 John 5:20-21. Jim, you recall that the worshipers of Baal thought they were worshiping the true God, but they learned that it was not the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and judgment came swift on Mount Carmel. See 1 Kings 18:20-40. Why should we be so presumptuous that judgment won’t be swift on us if we don’t confess Jesus Christ before men?

- Freemasonry and religion. You said that Freemasonry is a system of morality, veiled in allegory, and illustrated by symbols, and nothing more. Jim, don’t you think that teaching about a bodily resurrection to the celestial lodge above by imitating Hiram Abif is more than a course in morality? Freemasonry, you won’t deny, is replete with teachings of eternal life and salvation, but there is NO mention of Jesus Christ. Jim, we are both Masons, but open your mind to the possibility that Freemasonry is truly a religion, premised on the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man, which is deduced by reason and intellect, and not by the divine revelation of Jesus Christ. I never accepted this, but am beginning to think it is. Freemasonry teaches that it will only reveal its truths to the “candid and industrious inquirer.”

In addition, the highest Masonic authorities say that Freemasonry is a religion. The Heirloom Masonic Bible says “while the religion of Masonry is cosmopolitan, nonsectarian and universal, belief in God is fundamental and also universal” (p. 43). Mackey provides the same definition: “The religion of Freemasonry is not sectarian…it is NOT Christianity” (p. 619). Coil’s Masonic Encyclopedia provides: “Some attempt to avoid the issue by saying that Freemasonry is not a religion but is religious, seeming to believe that the substitution of an adjective for a noun makes a fundamental difference. It would be as sensible to say that a man had no intellect but was intellectual, or that he had no honor but was honorable. The oft repeated aphorism: Freemasonry is not a religion, but is most emphatically religion’s handmaid, has been challenged as meaningless, which it seems to be” (p. 512). Pike, in Morals and Dogma, states: “Freemasonry is the universal, eternal, immutable religion” (p. 219).

“Every Masonic lodge is a temple of religion, and its teachings are instruction in religion.” Manly Hall writes, “Despite these statements to the contrary, Masonry is a religion seeking to unite God and man…” The Secret Teaching of All Ages (p. 80). Pike stated, “Each was a gospel preached by a Reformer, and if any men are so little fortunate as to remain content therewith, when others have attained the higher truth, of course this higher truth is Masonry, it is their misfortune and not their fault. They are to be pitied for it and not persecuted.”

Jim, the highest Masonic authorities have declared Masonry a religion (albeit generic). These works are also recommended by most U.S. Grand Lodges. Why aren’t these works renounced? It is easy to say that these works don’t speak for Freemasonry. But then who does? Jim, isn’t anything that talks about the existence of God and the resurrection of the body with solemn ritual religion? It appears that the Masonic ritual itself, notwithstanding these other works, is teaching a liberal doctrine that is not Christianity. Jim, I truly want to remain a Mason, but I am seriously questioning its teachings.

Resurrection to an afterlife. Freemasonry teaches about a resurrection to the celestial lodge above which has nothing to do with a belief in Jesus Christ. The Heirloom Masonic Bible, given to Master Masons, provides: “The doctrine of the resurrection of the body to a future and eternal life constitutes an essential dogma of the religious faith of Freemasonry” (p. 55). Does that sound like a fraternity to you? The same source defines “raised” as: “literally, this refers to a portion of the ceremony, but more significantly, it refers symbolically to the resurrection, which is exemplified as the object of the degree” (p. 56). Mackey’s definition is almost identical.

As you know, just before the raising, a prayer is said that ends with: “Oh Lord, have compassion on thy children, administer them comfort in time of trouble, and save them with an everlasting salvation.” In the lecture that follows, it states: “a legend whose symbolic interpretation testifies to our faith in the resurrection of the body and the immortality of the soul.” Here, Masonry is not just talking about the philosophical doctrine of the soul’s immortality. This is a Masonic doctrine, not a Christian doctrine. Its “our” (Masonry’s) faith in the resurrection. The lecture goes on to state: “then let us imitate the good man in his virtuous and amiable conduct; in his unfeigned piety to God; in his inflexible duty to his trust, that we may welcome the grim tyrant Death, and receive him as a kind messenger sent from our Supreme Grand Master, to translate us from this imperfect to that all perfect, glorious and celestial lodge above where the Supreme Architect of the Universe presides.”

Jim, isn’t it evident that Jesus Christ has nothing to do with this resurrection? He is never mentioned in the ritual. His propitiatory atonement of death on the cross for our sins is irrelevant to the “higher” Masonic doctrine of resurrection. You and I know that God opened the door to salvation only through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. Not through works of righteousness, honor or virtue, which is what Hiram Abif represents. It seems to me to be a resurrection that all good Masons may attain, irrespective of the grace of Jesus Christ which He won for us by His propitiatory sacrifice. The ritual is replete with teachings about merit and salvation, but there is no mention of Christ. Don’t you find this odd?

If you accept that Freemasonry is a religion, the Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God, deduced by reason and nature, you would not find it so odd. No where in Masonic ritual is Jesus recognized as the Son of God. This is evident not only in the Masonic prayers and rituals, but has also been expressly stated by Masonic authorities. Pike, in Morals and Dogma, stated: “[Freemasonry] reverences all the great reformers. It sees in Moses the Lawgiver of the Jews, in Confucius and Zoroaster, in Jesus of Nazareth, and in the Arabian Iconoclast, Great Teachers of Morality, and Eminent Reformers, if nothing more” (p. 525). How can we not renounce such blasphemy?

This apparent Masonic doctrine of resurrection based on works is also in other parts of the ritual. The lambskin apron reminds us “of that purity of life and conduct which essentially necessary to his gaining admission into the celestial lodge above where the Supreme Architect of the Universe presides.” The common gavel “divests our minds and consciences of the vices and superfluities of life, thereby fitting us as living stones for that spiritual building, that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” “As Master Masons, we may enjoy the happy reflections consequent on a well-spent life, and die in the hope of a glorious immortality.” “Yet that All-seeing Eye,…pervades the inmost recesses of the human heart and will reward us according to our merit.” All these references to salvation and merit, but not one word about Jesus Christ, through whose grace only will we have salvation.

The Heirloom Masonic Bible that you and I received as Masons suggests that the Masonic resurrection is different than the Christian resurrection. It provides that “the doctrine…is exemplified in the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (p. 55). In other words, Jesus Christ is only an example of the resurrection? Jesus disagrees, for He claimed to be the very source of resurrection for all of humanity: “I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet he shall live” (John 11:25-26).

Jim, Freemasonry concerns me. I agree that all will face the judgment of Christ, and then they will realize who He is. But hasn’t Jesus been clear in the Gospels about obeying all that He commanded us, and hasn’t He laid down the rules and consequences of disregarding His Word during this life? It seems to me that you may be taking a very liberal and universalistic approach to the Gospel message. I truly want to remain a Mason. But its teachings seem to be incompatible with God’s revelation in His Son, Jesus Christ. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5). Jim, the Church has always taught that Paul is referring to baptism here. Does the lodge require all Masons to be baptized, as Jesus commanded? No.Jim, once we behold Jesus at death, isn’t it too late, if we haven’t believed and bore witness to the truth?

Also, take a look at the Apocalypse 20:4-6, which discusses the “first” resurrection, and Apocalypse 20:11-14, which addresses the “second” resurrection. Jesus also teaches about the resurrection of the just and the damned in John 5:28-29. To summarize, the “first” resurrection will be at the judgment seat of Christ where the believers in Jesus will be raised to eternal life. The “second” resurrection will be at the White Throne were the nonbelievers will be cast into the lake of fire. Could the Masonic resurrection really be the resurrection of the damned at the Great White Throne? Yes, I know John uses symbolic language in the Apocalypse, but there is an eerie connection with Masonic ritual. In the apron address, it states: “And when at last your trembling soul stands naked and alone before the Great White Throne, may it be your portion, oh, my brother, to hear from Him who sitteth as the Judge Supreme the welcome words, Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter, thou, into the joy of the Lord.”

The connection of this “Masonic” resurrection to the White Throne of judgment is chilling and compelling. I am not sure whether this is a simple oversight by the drafter of the ritual, but I think that is irrelevant. Any resurrection without the belief in Jesus Christ is a resurrection to eternal judgment.

-Taking oaths. I am also thinking about the oaths I took, and all those oaths I administered as the Worshipful Master. The Masonic oath is clearly distinguishable from other oaths. A public oath binds us to Christ (which is the root meaning of sacramentum). By means of a public oath, we enter into marriage, lawyers promise to uphold the Constitution, a witness promises to tell the truth about serious matters before a court, etc. In the Masonic oath, we swear to keep things secret that have not even been revealed to us, under symbolic, blood-curdling penalties. If the oaths mean what they say, then God is being called to witness subject matter that He has sanctioned. If they don’t mean what they say, then God is being called to witness a joke. This seems to be a violation of the Second Commandment about taking the Lord’s name in vain.

Listen to Jesus’ words regarding oaths: “Swear not at all, neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne, nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; neither by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king” (Matt. 5:34-35). Hear also St. James’ words: “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by earth, neither by any other oath; but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay, lest ye fall into condemnation” (James 5:12). Listen to St. Paul’s words on secrecy: “For it is a shame to speak of those things which are done of them in secret” (Eph. 5:12). Jim, what have we done by taking these oaths?

Jim, I have listened to many moral theologians discuss the deception of certain organizations, many of which camouflage themselves in Christianity, but have a “higher” order to convey. Freemasonry does weave itself in and out of religion, particularly Christianity in the U.S. lodges. Given the presence of the Bible and the solemnity of the rituals, it appears that we are doing something righteous before God and man. But the fact is, even though the Bible is displayed on the altar, no Mason is required to believe one word contained in it. The Bible is just a symbol to Freemasonry, and not the divinely revealed Word of God. U.S. lodges are dedicated to the Holy Saints John, but no indication is every made of their connection with the one for whom they died. Selected Scripture readings from the Bible are read during the rituals, but all references to Jesus have been carefully excised. The stories about Moses and King Solomon are part of the ritual, but nothing about the Son of God whom they prefigured. Is this because Freemasonry is only using elements of Christianity to reveal a “higher” truth?

Also take a look at the Heirloom Masonic Bible’s descriptions of the Holy Saints John. The Evangelist is venerated due to “his mystic visions,” which are said to be “sometimes similar to” (but evidently distinguishable from) the mystic communications of Freemasonry. The Baptist is somehow found to be “a fit patron” of the Masonic Institution. A “fit patron”? Somehow St. John the Baptist is the one deserving of Masonic honor? Notice also how St. John wouldn’t betray “his” Master. Is this the same Master of Freemasonry?

If Freemasonry were really a fraternity, why does it teach about God and the resurrection of the body to an afterlife? What other fraternity provides a Bible to its initiates with an addendum explaining its own special definitions and doctrines? Masons are not even required to believe in the Bible. Mackey states: “The Bible is used among Masons as a symbol of the will of God, however it may be expressed. And, therefore, whatever to any people expresses that will may be used as a substitute for the Bible in a Masonic Lodge” (p. 114). A substitute for the Bible? A substitute for divine revelation?

Does this shed light on the assertion that, in the religion of Freemasonry, all religions lead to one God, even though this is not what our Lord taught us? See Coil as well: “The prevailing Masonic opinion is that the Bible is only a symbol of Divine Will, Law, or Revelation, and not that its contents are Divine Law, inspired, or revealed. So far, no responsible authority has held that a Freemason must believe the Bible or any part of it” (p. 520). Jim, could it be any more clear? Masonry treats the Bible onlyl as a symbol, just like the square and compasses which rest on top of it.

What fraternity has the audacity to proclaim that one cannot renounce its principles? The Heirloom Masonic Bible states: “…but it is utterly impossible for any Mason who has been honest and understanding in accepting the Rites of Freemasonry to repudiate his Masonic Obligations” (p. 29). It is utterly impossible to repudiate Masonic obligations? This assertion is incredulous until one contemplates that Freemasonry may be claiming to be the one true religion. Doesn’t Freemasonry regard a man’s “sectarian” ability to achieve reconciliation with God (e.g., renouncing Freemasonry through the sacrament of penance)? Jim, it seems like Freemasonry takes this position because it believes itself to be the one true and irrefutable religion.

Jim, please listen to me. I want to remain a Mason and have an open mind. I think I am writing you in the hope that you, an educated man, can help or convince me that I am wrong. But these are the issues I face. Jim, I would like to share some of the most common Masonic rebuttals that I have been receiving about my feelings from other lodge brothers.

-“It’s a fraternity, not a religion.” This argument, of course, begs the question. Even the recommended Masonic authorities declare that Freemasonry is a religion. Any institution that worships God in solemn ritual is practicing religion. Certainly, Freemasonry is a generic religion, but it is a more formal religion than many others that claim to be religion (Buddhism, Hinduism, Shintoism, etc.).

-“You are reading too far into it.” Jim, I have been getting this argument a lot lately, and it is a cop-out. The fact is, I am actually reading it. I am reading the Masonic rituals. As you know, most of the lodges brothers don’t have a clue about what the secret, ciphered rituals really teach.

-“You can interpret the symbolism how you want to.” This, of course, affirms my concerns, namely, that Freemasonry is promoting indifferentism. In fact, Freemasonry seems to go beyond indifferentism by advancing its own theology about God and eternal life. Does this mean that Hiram Abif is a symbol of Jesus Christ? Maybe that is the whole point of Freemasonry. Whatever you believe is okay, because there is no single revealed truth beyond “The Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man.”

-“Look at all the good works Masonry does.” I think many of the works that Freemasonry does are fantastic. The problem is that Masons seem to use these works to glorify and defend Freemasonry. These works do not redound to the glory of Jesus Christ. If Masons are so willing to go public about their works, why won’t we go public about our doctrines? Imagine coming out and saying “We are Masons. We believe in deity, we pray in the name of the Great Architect of the Universe, we believe in the resurrection of the body to an afterlife, but we are not a Christian organization.” How would that be perceived? Like a fraternity?

We both know that faith without works is dead. “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesized in thy name? …And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt. 7:23-24). “For by grace ye are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:7-9). Isn’t Masonry teaching us that virtue and morality make us fit before God, without the saving grace of Jesus Christ?

Of course, Jim, I am not saying that only Christians will be saved (I dare judge anyone lest I judge myself). But Jesus teaches that only those who believe in Him will be saved. Of course, belief in Jesus presupposes knowledge of who Jesus is. The Church does not say that those who, through no fault of their own, do not know Jesus, will not be saved by Him. Our Pope Pius IX referred to this as “invincible ignorance,” and the Second Vatican Council affirmed the same. But doesn’t Jesus say that those who willfully reject Him and His teachings will not be saved? Isn’t when we all meet Him at His throne of Judgment too late, lest all people have salvation? Doesn’t Masonry provide hope of eternal life for those who willfully reject Jesus Christ? Think about it, my brother.

I believe that we must respect a person’s freewill to practice their own religion. The Catholic Church has even said that this is a civil right that should not be infringed upon. But I also believe that, as Christians, we should also defend the Gospel’s every word as the absolute truth. There is a difference between being tolerant of a person’s freewill to practice their own religion, and being tolerant of error. Moreover, no one has a moral right to practice a false religion, yet Freemasonry would disagree, since there is no such thing in the lodge as a “false” religion. I think about Paul’s warning: “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess 1:8). There is only one Truth.

Even if I want to remain in Freemasonry for the social reasons, don’t the oaths that I took bind me to the underlying theology of the lodge – the Fatherhood of God without the Brotherhood of Jesus Christ? Jesus said: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor dust corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal” (Matt. 6: 19-21). “No man can serve two Masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matt. 6:24). “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matt. 17:24). “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it” (Mark 8:35).

Jim, my dear brother, these are the difficult issues with which I am struggling. I truly respect your opinions as an educated Christian and an educated brother in the Craft. Can you be both? I am unsure. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

In Christ,

John Salza

Bro. Jim: Dear Brother John. I read studiously your last email which was in response to mine. As I read your Scripture quotations I am reminded of the material printed by several groups opposed to the Masonic Fraternity. Your legal skill in debating is very evident. I am not a debater. I conclude from your point to point responses that we do indeed approach the faith from a different position. I do not hold to the plenary inspiration approach. I believe the Bible is the Word of God, that it becomes the Word and through the Revealed Word, which is Jesus Christ. It is in this way that God is revealed.

I am not a universalist. To hold such a position is contrary to the vows I assumed at ordination. From your choice of texts – to which I have no argument – it seems obvious to me that you conflict with Masonry is such that it may be best for your spiritual growth to back off a bit.

Your supporting statements from Masonic writings in contrast to your Scriptural texts make the point rather clearly that you are quite dubious about the Craft. To me it is still a fraternity regardless of some of the language of the ritual and commentaries. The United States is a nation regardless of the references on the coins and in the constitution to God. But to say such is to be defensive. It is though not my intent to be an apologist for Masonry. Your first loyalty must be to the Church. The conflict you express and elucidate, you take steps to remove any obstacle that comes between you and God and His Christ and God’s will for your life. I know that I can be a Christian and a Mason with a clear conscience. I do not have what it takes to articulate my position however.

Brother John: do what you feel is right for you. May God bless you as you seek to follow in His will the light He sends your way.

In Christian love and with fraternal greetings, Jim.

J. Salza: Brother Jim. As always, I thank you for your reply. However, I am disappointed with your response. I wrote to you, as one educated in both the faith and the craft, in the hope that you could defend Freemasonry in light of Christian revelation. You said that you do not have what it takes to articulate your position. Because you have a Master of Divinity degree, your inability to articulate your position causes me even more concern about Freemasonry. In fact, it has contributed to my serious consideration of resigning from the Masonic organization.

Jim, I am not looking to debate you. Please understand my intentions. I am looking to you for guidance. As such an educated leader as yourself, you should be able to address each of the concerns that I have raised and defend Freemasonry. You stated that you can be a Christian and a Mason with a clear conscience. Jim, what you believe in your conscience may be wrong. Consciences must be informed in the light of the truth that God has given us. St. Peter touches upon this a bit when he wrote: “No prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (2 Peter 1:20-21). “Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He reprove you, and you be proved a liar” (Proverbs 30:5-6).

I challenge you, as an ordained clergyman and a Mason, to reconsider my previous questions regarding Freemasonry and squarely address them in light of God’s revelation in Jesus Christ.

God bless you.

John

Bro. Jim: John, I have just returned from a wonderful vacation in Scotland and found your email awaiting me. You state that you are disappointed with my response. What troubles me even more is your statement that I have “contributed to my serious consideration of resigning from the Masonic organization.”

I apologize for being a stumbling block in our Masonic life and in your Christian pilgrimage. I think I know where the problem lies in my response to your Scriptural quotations. We have a common love for the Lord Jesus Christ and His Church. Also, we have a tie through the Masonic fraternity that bonds us in a fraternal brotherhood. Where we differ is in our relating our Christian faith to Freemasonry. I am able to live the Christian life and enjoy the fraternity of the Craft.

My conscience, you state, could be wrong! You then cite 2 Peter 1:20-21 which focuses in on where we differ. Formally it is referred to as the Doctrine of Inspiration. This is often referred to as plenary inspiration, the infallibility of the Scriptures. I take the position of Karl Barth which in essence says: the Bible is the Word of God because it is the Word of God. I cannot in faith as I understand it subscribe to the “every jot and tittle” interpretation of Scripture. Perhaps Shakespeare states it clearly in the Merchant of Venice: “What damned error but some sober brow will bless it and approve it with a text.” I do not feel the need to defend my understanding of TRUTH by quoting verse by verse my position.

In response to: “I challenge you, as an ordained clergyman and a Mason, to reconsider my previous questions regarding Freemasonry and squarely address them in light of God’s revelation in Jesus Christ,” I will simply state that God’s revelation is revelation, but how we interpret it is personal. I stand with the historic confessions of the Church – all the way back to the Apostles Creed through the Brief Statement of Faith of the Presbyterian Church USA. In these documents I find myself at odds with some statements. This does not mean I throw out the Creeds nor does it mean I am taking a non-Christian approach. I love the Lord Jesus Christ with all my heart and soul and strength and mind and seek, by the example of the Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the love of God the Father to be a faithful Christian and minister of the Word and sacraments. In my feebleness, I fail at times to live as a Christian is called to live and in my obedience to the Gospel call.

I do not feel the need to defend Masonic teaching in the light of the Gospel because I personally do not consider Masonry a religion or even a way of life. To me it is a place to enjoy my fellows in Masonic fraternity.

Again, I apologize for my failure to answer your questions as you expected. In humbly ask that you do not judge other clergy or the Craft by my ineptness to fulfill your need.

I will be taking a temporary assignment in Kearney, Nebraska next week which could last nine months so I may not have access to a personal computer. I will be here in Dallas until next Sunday. I pray God’s rich grace in blessing upon you aqs you seek to be faithful to His call to you.

James XXXX

P.S. I tuned in the Global Fraternal Network on the internet and read with interest your ongoing discussion with a Past Master – I forget his name. John, he completely misunderstood your intention. In fact, you deserve an apology from him for some of his statements. If I have time I will email a personal note to him and tell him so. You and I may not agree on the relationship of the Faith to the Craft – but please know I in no way doubt your integrity – your sincerity as you seek to be faithful to both. Jim.

J. Salza: Dear Brother Jim. Welcome back. I hope you had a wonderful time on your vacation. Thanks for getting back to me on my issues. I appreciate that you have not taken offense to my inquiries. Please understand that I don’t mean to condescend in any way. As an aside, isn’t it incredible how intolerant and defensive that Past Master became when I posed the simple question of who the Lion of Judah was? He sent me a private email saying that I was the snottiest and most condescending Mason he has ever come in contact with, and said God help my lodge if they ever put me in charge! Absolutely incredible. I told him that his comments were not only un-Masonic, but were entirely devoid of any accomplished research whatsoever, and unless he was willing to address my question, I no longer wanted to continue a dialogue. What offended him? The truth? Unfortunately for him, I have earned my Masonic stripes. I am a Proficiecny Ritualist, and probably know more about Masonic ritual than he or anyone in his state. Sorry for me.

Anyway, Jim, as I’ve stated before, I am considering terminating my Masonic membership. I do not want to leave Freemasonry. I am having an absolutely wonderful time with my family and friends. But the more research I do, and the more I pray and contemplate the ritual, the more I realize that Freemasonry is teaching a more liberal doctrine about God and eternal life than is Christianity. It seems to me that Freemasonry desires to unite men in spiritual (not just social) fellowship. Freemasonry seems to say that spiritual fellowship, by deliberately setting aside religious differences, is possible because all religions lead to one ever-merciful God.

Agreeably, setting aside religious differences, if for the sole purpose of having social relations, is a worthy endeavor. However, setting aside religious differences for the pursuit of spiritual fellowship is entirely another endeavor. Religious differences are important when it comes to solemn teachings and ceremonial rituals concerning God, group prayer, bodily resurrection and immortality! Otherwise, “sectarian” beliefs are irrelevant. This is the issue I have with Freemasonry. It seems to me that Freemasonry can only be successful in its attempt to achieve spiritual fellowship if religious indifferentism prevails (that is, the belief that all religions are equally valid).

I don’t think there is any doubt that Freemasonry puts all religions on equal footing. Any “scripture” that a Mason deems to be his “Volume of the Sacred Law” is required to lay side by side with the true revealed Word of God on the Masonic altar. These pagan writings take an equal place with Christ’s revelations in the New Testament. If this is not religious indifferentism, what is? This is alarming to me as a Christian. Jim, as Christians, don’t we have a unique and privileged responsibility to “draw the line” at this point? Otherwise, aren’t we condoning error?

Jim, you should page through the Heirloom Masonic Bible that they gave you when you became a Master Mason, and on which you probably took your third degree obligation. The definitions of certain Masonic terms make it clear that Freemasonry has its own doctrines about God and salvation apart from Christianity, and that it believes that all religions lead to one God. For example, the Masonic Bible says: “One of the most famous secrets of Masonic mysteries is the unity of the Godhead” (p. 63). To me, this clearly demonstrates Freemasonry’s indifference to the Christian understanding of God, and its belief in one unified God for all religions.

Freemasonry never instructs the Mason to contemplate his own religious beliefs during Masonic ritual. The Masonic Bible says, in regard to the letter G: “First, it represents the supreme Deity, the great Architect of the Universe, the great God of all Freemasons” (p. 42). The ritual never provides that the letter G represents the various gods of the various world religions, although that would be an equally syncretistic claim incompatible with the God of our baptism.

Jim, please look at that definition. “The great God of all Freemasons.” Freemasonry’ god. The Masonic god. It seems to be the same thing. Jim, as one who has studied theology, I don’t need to tell you that it is presumptuous to assume that there is only one God. There are many (false) gods, but only One True God. There are clearly Masonic doctrines about God. This frightens me.

As a Christian, I believe that I have a unique duty to proclaim Christ’s name at all times. I don’t believe this duty should be compromised under any circumstances, especially in the name of an institution that promotes the worship of God and teaches about a bodily resurrection to eternal life, but does not base its teachings on Jesus Christ. I believe that the Lord Jesus, who shed His blood for me, deserves more honor than the Lodge gives Him, even at the risk of offending nonbelievers. Would you agree with this?

We both know that Jesus is the only way to God. He is not just one of the ways. If Jesus had never come to earth to die for our sins we would never know how to come to God. We would be condemned in our sins. Freemasonry says that its objective is a search for religious truth. As Christians, we have already found the truth! The search is over! It seems to me that Freemasonry can add nothing more to my search, and can only take away from it. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men – the testimony given in its proper time” (1 Tim. 2:5-6). “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Jim, you mentioned that interpretation of Scriptural is personal. Of course, as a Catholic, I vehemently disagree with such a proposition, as do the Fathers and medievals of the Church for century after century. That is, in fact, why we had a “reformation.” But that aside, if you plainly read the truths that Jesus has revealed to us in the New Testament, without adding to His words, I can only come to the conclusion that Freemasonry teaches a more liberal, universalistic doctrine about God and eternal life than we find in Sacred Scripture. St. Paul certainly would agree with me. Please read Acts 17 about Paul’s reaction to those who were “sincerely” searching for God, but who were “sincerely wrong.” Paul didn’t sugar-coat his teaching about God being one for everyone. Paul specifically stated that God had overlooked this ignorance in the past, but now has fixed His judgment by Jesus Christ whom He has raised from the dead.

You also mentioned that Freemasonry is just a social club. I don’t think there is any doubt that Freemasonry is more than a social club. Certainly, Freemasonry offers many social activities, but these appear to be ancillary to the higher purpose of Freemasonry to which men bind themselves by solemn oaths. Clearly, the purpose of the ritual, where men are taught about the resurrections and swear the blood oaths, is not to entertain or have some kind of social hour. The ritual is not fun and games. It is solemn and serious. The institution is one “by no means of a light and trifling nature, but of high importance and deep solemnity.”

Jim, I think you may be judging Freemasonry solely by its members, and not by its rituals. There definitely are wonderful men in Masonry (you being one of them). But I think in light of Jesus Christ’s revelation to humanity, we, as Christians, need to judge Freemasonry by its doctrines, dogmas, and ritualistic practices, and not by the goodness of its membership (which even begs the question what “goodness” is according to Freemasonry, since it reject revealed truth which is the only thing that can really tell us what is truly “good”).

Jim, I am not criticizing you for your convictions. Do not feel obligated to respond to my inquiries. These are issues that I need to resolve on my own. I share these with you because of your background and the fact that you have taken an interest in me.

I am glad that you had a safe and fulfilling vacation and hope to maintain our friendship.

God bless.

John Salza

NB: Brother Jim no longer responded to John.

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2. I am curious about Freemasonry

Patron: John, I was referred to you by someone from ewtn.com. I am curious about free masons because they seem to be a very powerful clique politically here in Philadelphia. I have come across Shriners and Blue Lodge members who seem to get the plum, powerful and connected positions, despite the fact that some of them haven't earned them (by, for instance, going door to door for candidates and really doing the footwork.) I see them in ruling positions in government (City Council, the Mayor and State Representatives) and especially in the building trade unions (I am a journeyman). It's frustrating because they seem to stick together and will exclude a guy like me because, though I work hard, I'm not "in the light". I have not really been approached to join, but I've read about freemasons a little bit, so I was curious. I have no desire to swear any oaths inconsistent with my faith, but can I join and still be a good Catholic? What's going on in the lodges that is so appealing to so many men? I don't know you, but I'm directing my questions to you at the behest of ewtn.com. Let me know, thanks.

J. Salza: Thanks for your note. I am a former 32nd degree Mason and Shriner who left the Lodge because I could not reconcile Freemasonry's teachings with my Catholic faith. I assist EWTN with these questions because I was an "insider," and can thus provide practical answers to men who have inquiries such as yours.

First, the Church prohibits Catholic membership in Freemasonry, so you cannot be a good Catholic and a Mason at the same time.

Please see http://www.cin.org/vatcong/masonas.html. This declaration confirms what the Church has taught for over three centuries. Please also note that it is not just the Catholic Church, but just about every other Christian church (and also much of Judaism and Islam) that has also condemned Masonry.

The primary reason for the Church's opposition to Freemasonry is that Freemasonry promotes indifferentism. Indifferentism is the heretical belief that all religions are equally legitimate paths to God. Freemasonry promotes indifferentism in many ways, such as by inviting all religious writings to take an equal place on the Masonic altar with the Sacred Scriptures, and promoting a common religious worship through esoteric ritual. The other reason why Masonry is incompatible with the Christian faith concerns Masonry's requirement that its members swear oaths of self-donation to the organization and its principles under symbolic, blood-curdling penalties of self-mutilation and death. I can elaborate on these reasons of indifferentism and false oaths if you would like.

From my perspective, Masonry is appealing to some men because of what is lacking in their own lives. Masonry provides them with a new family of men who have sworn the same oaths and have gone through the same secret rituals that they have gone through. It provides them with respect and esteem that they do not otherwise enjoy in their jobs or families. It also fills a spiritual void that is so prevalent among the men of Masonry. In my experience, most Masons were not practicing any religious faith; Masonry was all the religion they needed.

However, there is no "light" in the lodge room. Masonry teaches about an eternal life for all men based on virtue and good works, but deliberately omits Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, from its teachings and rituals. This leaves the Masonic lodge and its members in darkness.

Further, Masonic membership continues to decline. In my experience, the overwhelming majority of Masons do not attend their lodge meetings. These men continue their membership in name only, perhaps because of the doors it can open, and perhaps because of the backlash they would receive if they ever left the lodge. Also, most of what Freemasons say about Masonry (the number of members, famous Masons, charitable works, etc.), is, at best, misleading, if not outright misrepresentations. It is likely that you have not been approached to join Masonry because the Masonic motto is "to be 1, ask 1." Masonry typically requires candidates to ask to be a Mason, although many men are often solicited, directly or indirectly, to join Freemasonry.

So, my counsel to you is to remain a faithful Catholic and avoid any affiliation with Freemasonry. If I can be of further assistance, please contact me.

John Salza

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3. Can women join Masonic auxiliary groups? John responds to Fr. Dietzen

Father Dietzen says “yes” in an article he wrote for the Catholic Herald of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee in May, 2000. John shows that the correct answer is actually “no” in a rebuttal article he wrote for the Catholic Herald. John contacted Father Dietzen by email out of respect before he wrote the article.

J. Salza: Hi Father, I read your comments regarding Catholic women joining Masonic auxiliary groups. I am a former 32nd degree Mason who has come back into the fullness of the Church. I am writing a book regarding the incompatibility of Freemasonry with Christianity, with an emphasis on Catholic teaching (Papal documents, canon law, Catechism, scriptures, etc.)

I must tell you that Catholic women are not allowed to join these groups. These groups are considered Masonic, and all Masonic associations have been condemned by the Church. These groups still espouse the general principles of Freemasonry, including religious indifferentism, and eternal life with or without Christ.

Fr. Dietzen: It would be helpful to be sure you consult a good canon lawyer. A couple of the statements you make are not valid canonically.

J. Salza: Please explain specifically what you mean, because none of the statements I have made are “canonically invalid.” The statements that I made, summarily, that Catholic women cannot join Masonic auxiliary groups, are based on the Magisterial teachings of the Church (with which canon law is certainly not at odds). The Church has condemned all Masonic associations. Further, the condemnations are not only limited to Masons, but those who participate in Masonic associations. Jobs Daughters, Order of the Eastern Star, etc. are Masonic associations. Hence, Catholic women are forbidden from joining them. This information needs to be properly presented to the public. Please let me know if I can assist.

Fr. Dietzen: John, the church has not "condemned all masonic organizations". Canon 36, among others, is critical here.

J. Salza: Actually, Father, the Church has condemned all Masonic associations. This was clearly provided by Pope Clement XII in the Papacy’s first written condemnation of Masonry, In Enimenti, when he stated "We have resolved and decreed to condemn and forbid such societies, assemblies, reunions, conventions, aggregations or meetings called either Freemasonic or known under some other denomination. We condemn and forbid them by this, our present constitution, which is to be considered valid forever."

The Church's position was reiterated for nearly the next 300 years, more recently by the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in 1983 when it provided: "Therefore, the Church’s negative judgment in regard to Masonic associations remains unchanged since their principles have always been considered irreconcilable with the doctrine of the Church and therefore membership in them remains forbidden. The faithful who enroll in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion." (There are also about 27 papal letters in between these two condemnations)

Women's auxiliary groups are Masonic associations. Therefore, they fall within the foregoing condemnations. To say that the Church has not condemned all Masonic associations, then, is to either say that Eastern Star, Jobs Daughters, etc are not Masonic associations (wrong), or that these condemnations are no longer valid (wrong).

The point that you must understand is that these auxiliary groups espouse the same Masonic philosophy that has been condemned by the Church (apostasy concerning the nature of God, religious indifferentism, eternal life so long as morality is maintained, etc.) So this is not a stringent legalistic interpretation. This is a fact. You must know about what these groups teach in order to understand the Church's teaching. I know Masonic ritual as well as anyone. I held a proficiency ritualist card for the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin when I was a Mason. This is a unique Masonic credential given to so-called experts in Masonic ritual. We need to get this out to the public.

Father Dietzen no longer responded.

The full text of John Salza’s article is below:

Catholic Herald, 29 July 2000

Dietzen Mistaken in Column on Masonic Groups

This letter is in response to columnist Fr. John Dietzen’s conclusion in the May 4 Catholic Herald that Catholic women may join Masonic auxiliary groups. He bases his conclusion on Canon 36 which mandates a strict interpretation of singular administrative acts. I believe this conclusion is erroneous.

The Church’s many condemnations (about 28) of Freemasonry and Masonic principles are considered authentic Magisterial teaching on faith and morals and would therefore not be considered “singular administrative acts” to which Canon 36 would apply.

More importantly, the Church has condemned all Masonic associations, which would include auxiliary Masonic groups such as Order of the Eastern Star, Job’s Daughters for girls and DeMolay for boys. This was clearly provided by Pope Clement XII in the papacy’s first written condemnation of Masonry, In Enimenti, when he stated:

“We have resolved and decreed to condemn and forbid such societies, assemblies, reunions, conventions, aggregations or meetings called either Freemasonic or know other some other denomination. We condemn and forbid them by this, our present constitution, which is to be considered valid forever.”

The Church’s position was reiterated by the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in 1983:

“Therefore, the Church’s negative judgment in regard to Masonic associations remains unchanged since their principles have always been considered irreconcilable with the doctrine of the Church and therefore membership in them remains forbidden. The faithful who enroll in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion.”

The above-mentioned auxiliary groups are Masonic associations. Therefore, they fall within the foregoing condemnations. To say that the Church has not condemned all Masonic associations, then, is to either say that the Eastern Star, Job’s Daughters, DeMolay, etc. are not Masonic associations (wrong), or that these condemnations are no longer valid (wrong).

To understand the Church’s teaching, the faithful must understand that these auxiliary groups espouse the same Masonic philosophy that has always been condemned by the Church (apostasy concerning the nature of God, religious indifferentism, eternal life based on works and morality, etc.). These principles are considered irreconcilable with the doctrine of the Church. Therefore, the Catholic Church’s prohibition against Masonic associations does include Order of the Eastern Star, Job’s Daughters, DeMolay and any other society or assembly that is considered Masonic.

John Salza

(Salza is a former 32^nd degree Mason.)

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4. A challenge from a "Catholic" Mason

Joe: John, as both a catholic and a freemason I will not provide you with my name because my church does mean a great deal to me and I have no desire to be excommunicated from it.

J. Salza: Does this mean that if you provided your name, you would risk excommunication? Since we both know the answer to that question is ‘yes,’ then why do you continue to be a Mason if “your church means such a great deal to you”?

Joe: With this said I have a few responses to some of your claims about masonry's supposed incompatability with christianity.

First, I would like to address masonry's indifferent nature and the reason for it. We are a group whose doors are open to men from any walk of life, rich or poor, old or young. Our sole requirement is that you be unanimously accepted into the lodge and that you believe in a supreme being. We do not require that men believe in a supreme being so that we can impress more beliefs upon them, but rather because we feel that no athiest can be held to his word. We COULD be a strictly catholic orginization, but then no protestants would join. We COULD be a strictly Christian orginization, but then the jewish would be left out. We could require members to profess their faith in Yahweh, but then hindu and muslem countries would not be able to practice masonry. My point here is that we do not combine everyone's beliefs, we give them the right to practice whatever religion they choose. There is a rule in masonry, you are not allowed to discuss politics or religion when in lodge. This rule is in place so that brothers do not discriminate against each other for their political or religious views.

Masonry has a unique challenge, we NEED our members to profess faith in a supreme being, but we want to be open to any man who is interested and worthy. When we invoke the blessing of deity at our meetings each man is expected to be giving silent prayer to whomever he believes in not to some composite god of masonry. When I bow my head at our short prayers I am praying to Yahweh, it is irrelevant who my brothers are praying to.

Indifferentism is heretical, I will not contest that. Masons practice TOLERANCE and it is interpreted as indifferentism by those who do not have the wisdom to seek both sides of the story.

J. Salza: Joe, the issue is not tolerance as you suggest, but indifferentism toward
God's revealed truth. The problem that Freemasonry has is that it has decided to cross the line and propose its belief in certain religious truths such as the resurrection of the body. If the organization only required a belief in God to get in the door, and then never mentioned God once you were inside, there would be little problem.

But Freemasonry does not do that. Freemasonry's whole focus is on God, the Great Architect of the Universe, and the good works it believes is necessary to get into the celestial lodge above. Like it or not, these are religious ideas that Freemasonry is advancing, and if it chooses to do so, then it better advance the supremacy of the Lord Jesus Christ. But Freemasonry doesn't mention Christ because it is indifferent to Him. If you want to believe in Jesus, fine. But if you reject Him, that is okay to, since Freemasonry will tell you just the same that you will get into the celestial lodge above. This is incompatible with Christianity.

You said that when you pray to Yahweh, it is irrelevant to you who the other Masons are praying to. If only God felt that way, you would have an argument. Your comment evinces precisely the point that I am making. You and everyone else in the lodge room are indifferent to the truth about God as He has revealed in Jesus Christ. It makes no difference to you who is praying to whom, whether it be the true God or the great thumb. The most important thing to you is that you are all brothers.

I always found it odd that Masonry precludes “religious discussion” in the lodge room. However, Freemasonry’s rituals focus entirely upon “religion,” that is, its own views of God and eternal life. Masonry wants to exclude “sectarian” religious discussion in the lodge room because it doesn’t want any view to compete with its own universalistic view of salvation. That is why it precludes other religious views from being expressed in the lodge.

Joe: Let me give you an outside example. Does the catholic church renounce
the United States? They should by your reasoning! Does the phrase "One nation, under GOD..." ring a bell? How do you know that the god they are talking about is Yahweh and not a pagan god like zeus???? The USA allows citizens to be pagan if they choose, masons don't even allow members to be pagan yet all catholics in this country are members of it!

J. Salza: Does the United States have its own names for God and heaven, its own symbols for God and heaven, its own rituals, its own prayers, its own altar, its own feast days, its own calendar, and so on and so on? For you to compare the religion of Freemasonry to our government shows just how desperate you are in attempting to defend the indefensible. I can assure you that the Catholic Church condemns anything that the United States does that is contrary to the religion of Jesus Christ. In addition, your comment that Freemasonry does not allow pagans to be Masons is simply wrong. Any person who professes a belief in “deity” is welcomed into the bosom of Masonic fellowship. If you disagree, then please articulate for me the religious requirements for joining a lodge.

Joe: Since you claim to be an expert on christianity's incompatibility with masonry, I challenge you to suggest a solution by which masonry can be acceptable to the catholic church without sacrificing our requirement that members believe in God. If you can solve this, I PROMISE YOU that I will make it my life's work to see that the change is made or else renounce masonry.

J. Salza: I will be happy to answer your "challenge." If Freemasonry limited its teachings about God to only recognizing a belief in God as an admission requirement, and then said nothing about God in the lodge room, and did not require oaths, then there would be no problem. But this will never happen because Freemasonry is built upon these religious ideas. If you have studied anything about Masonry, you know that Freemasonry's most sublime degree, the third degree, is the culmination of Freemasonry's belief in resurrection of the body. Yet, Masonry requires no belief in Jesus Christ. Joe, this is a significant problem, and the main problem that caused me to leave the lodge. If you are going to advance a revealed truth (resurrection), then you have to tell the lodge brothers the whole truth (that resurrection only comes from Jesus Christ and His saving grace). Eliminating Christ from this teaching is heretical, because it distorts the truth and turns it into a half-truth, really a lie.

Joe: On to another comment of yours: "and place all religious writings along side the Bible on the Masonic altar. This is also demonstrated by the Lodge's prayers and its unique names and symbols for God and heaven"

I have never sat in a lodge where there was any book other than the Holy Bible opened. Other religious writings would be used in other countries where there are predominant religion is not christianity. The lodge's prayers and unique names and symbols are again so that no man will feel that he does not belong because of his different religion.

J. Salza: Joe, I hate to break the news to you, but Freemasonry’s invitation to have any religious writing on its altar is one of the most basic tenets of the craft. Moreover, I HAVE been in lodge rooms where other false books where placed side by side with God’s revealed Word in Sacred Scripture. The fact that you haven’t seen this doesn’t prove anything for you, other than you have not been around Freemasonry like I have.

Joe: Finally, you say: "These oaths require a Christian to swear on the Holy Bible that he will uphold a code of moral conduct that prefers Masons over non-Masons, and to preserve secret passwords and handshakes."

I will admit that this one is a little harder to defend but I will defend it. This is how. Tell me if you have ever known a catholic who has done any of the following to another catholic.

-Struck or did physical harm to a catholic
-Had ilicit carnal intercourse with a catholic's wife, mother, sister or daughter
-Knowingly cheat, wrong or defraud another catholic
-Revealed a secret told to a catholic in confidence
-Not immediately helped a catholic in danger

I ask you this because I have never known a mason who has violated any of the above which are taken from the master mason's obligation which I am aware that you have access to. I can however think of AT LEAST one catholic to fit into each category who has done one of the above against me personally. If any of these catholics had been masons, they would be no longer. We hold each other to a higher moral standard than any orginization does.

J. Salza: Joe, once again, you are trying to defend Freemasonry based upon your limited, personal experiences with fellow Masons. This proves nothing for you, nor does it demonstrate anything about what Freemasonry officially teaches. The fact that I know Masons who HAVE contravened these moral edicts neutralizes your argumentation. It is not about personal experiences, but about truth. Your argument also shows that you hold Freemasonry’s moral standards higher than those given by Jesus Christ to His Holy Church. This shows where your true allegiance is. You cannot serve both God and mammon. You are separating yourself from Christ and His Church more profoundly than you realize.

Regarding the oaths, they are immoral because their subject matter is trivial (preserving secret pass words and handshakes). When you invoke God's name in an oath, the subject matter must be grave; otherwise, the oath is trivial. This is basic moral theology. When you invoke God's name to witness the trivialities of Freemasonry, you are using God's name in vain. This amounts to blasphemy, which is a serious sin. If you want to argue that the subject matter of the oaths are serious, then you will have to still explain why Freemasonry requires oaths, when Jesus Christ never did. The Lord never required His disciples to swear trivial oaths promising to avoid sins such as fornication and adultery. The Scriptures warn against swearing such oaths. So if Jesus and the apostles warned against these oaths, then Freemasonry has no good reason to impose them.

Joe: You also say: Masons conspicuously avoid using their rituals to defend the Lodge against Christian opposition. This is because the rituals' teachings concerning God, salvation by works alone, resurrection and eternal life in the celestial lodge above are indefensible from a Christian perspective. The Mason's avoidance of using Masonic ritual to defend his craft becomes evident very quickly when one views the many Masonic web sites that have been created by Masons to defend Freemasonry.

I think I just gave a pretty good explanation using nothing but our ritual, values and goals. I would love to hear your response to the comments I have made because I sincerely believe that masonry has made me a better catholic and an overall better person. I am also positive that catholics could learn the same from masonry if they were allowed to participate in it. It breaks my heart that I cannot go back to the catholic school I graduated from and offer the faculty an absolutely free training seminar on the troubled teen recognition and intervention techniques paid for and conducted by masons that would have made a huge difference in the most difficult and painful hours of my life. I regret that many catholic teenagers will be depressed, alienated and prone to drug and alcohol abuse because the teachers are not informed on how and when to act against it. I would seriously consider accepting the penalty of excommunication to get this training to them if I was not sure that they would refuse it because it is offered by masons.

Would the elimination of masonry (which is what you would like to see done, correct me if I am wrong) and its acceptance of members with a wide range of beliefs be worth the loss of the nearly two million dollars contributed to charities (mostly schools and hospitals) DAILY by masons?

Please think this over and reconsider your shameful slander of our orginization and the mockery of our rituals and morals you have propagated.

When you are done with your considering, research Jaques DeMolay and the Knight's Templar and their connection to the Papacy of their time. What you will find is the source of the ancient grudge catholicism has against masonry.

God bless and please respond
-Joe

J. Salza: Joe, thanks for your email. Please allow me to respond. First, you stated that you “gave a pretty good explanation using nothing but our ritual,” but you did no such thing. You did not explain, using your rituals, why Freemasonry is able to teach about Masonic morality as bringing about eternal life without Christ. The only thing you have done is acknowledged the heretical teachings of Freemasonry. The only “mockery” of your rituals that I have exposed is the mockery they make of the teachings of Jesus Christ. And neither you nor any one of your Masonic brothers will be able to defend them.

Second, the “two million dollar a day” figure that Freemasonry claims to donate to charities on a daily basis is just that – an unsubstantiated claim. Why doesn’t Freemasonry open up its financial records to the public? The organization has been publicly exposed by several reporters who have investigated the craft’s financial dealings, most especially the Shriners (who reportedly had a track record of giving less than one percent of its revenues to charity, while the remaining revenues were spent on food, alcohol, Temple refurbishment, and costumes for Masonic rituals).

Even if Freemasonry did give substantial sums to charities, this does not mitigate the religious errors the organization advances. The Mormons and Jehovah’s Witness do a lot for charity as well, but you wouldn’t run off and join them, would you? To the extent Freemasonry does good works, those works should not be criticized. But if Freemasonry is so willing to go public with their good works, then why don’t they go public with their religious doctrines as well?

The only “grudge” that the Catholic Church has against Masonry is that Masonry teaches heresy about God and eternal life. I suppose this is the same grudge the Church has against Islam, Judaism and Protestantism. As a baptized Catholic, you are accountable before God by your obedience to the popes of Christ’s Church. I implore you to study the Church’s teachings on this issue and reconsider your position.

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5. My fiance wants to be a Mason

Christie: Hello there Mr. Salza.

This is is Christie again, I hope you remember me. I emailed you a while back about my fiance wanting to be a mason. I know that you two have been emailing each other and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for emailing him back. He told me about your email and I'm afraid that it's not enough. I'm asking that you can help me make him realize that masonry is not good. About the whole topic that masonry is a "religion" he doesn't agree and believe that. That's one of the things we argue about. As for me, I see what he sees. I don't understand much about this masonry either even after reading your article and other articles. I also still don't believe that it's a religion. If you could help me understand, maybe I can help my fiance understand as well. My fiance and I really haven't been talking about it because it just makes us get into an argument and it destroys us. We decided to not talk about it until he's ready to decide. If he decides to join, we will not get married and I'm afraid for that. We could really use your expertise as a great help. Please let me know when your book gets out so I can read it. Thank you again for your help. May God continue to bless you and your family.

In Christ,

Christie

J. Salza: Dear Christie.

I can understand what you are going through. There are many good men in Freemasonry. But we don't judge whether an organization's teachings are true based upon the conduct of its members. I am sure that there are many good men in Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons too, but we don't go around sanctioning what they teach.

The difficulty that you will have is that you don't know what Freemasonry teaches. That is because most of the teachings are secret, and the Masons swear under covenant oaths never to reveal what they have learned, even to their wives. Thus, there is necessarily a division between Masonic husbands and their wives, and this competes with the one-flesh union that God desires to bring about in a valid, sacramental marriage.

The other issue is that most Masons don't really know what the lodge teaches. That is because the rituals are generally written in secret ciphered text, and only those who spend a lot of time researching these things actually figure it out. I was one of those people. I became an expert in Masonic ritual and was authorized by my Grand Lodge to teach the rituals.

When my book is completed (Fall, 2006), it will reveal to the public exactly why Freemasonry is incompatible with Christianity. But even though this will be obvious, it is only by God's grace that men will see the light and leave the lodge. There are many men, no matter how obvious it is, who will not leave the lodge. My father is such a man. I have presented all the incompatibilities between the lodge and the Church using his own Masonic rituals, and he refuses to see it. He is blinded by Freemasonry. That is the power of the lodge. It brainwashes its members through its secrecy and oaths. Keep up the prayers. I will as well.

Christie: Mr. Salza, again, thank you for the enlightenment. I believe that freemasonry doesn't believe in Jesus Christ as Lord, unfortunately, I'm having a hard to really convince myself and my fiance that that's what freemasonry thinks. Because we are catholics, my future father-in-law is in freemasonry, and yet he believes that Jesus Christ is Lord and God. He practices Catholicism but also a master mason. He's a good man and so is his brother, who is also a mason. My future father-in-law is a devout catholic, the only thing he does not agree on is what they think about freemasonry and he has passed it down to my fiance. For myself, I am also having a hard time to believe that freemasonry is wrong. I know that the church is against it and so I am too because I know that I have to. I don't know all the details and would like to know more. I am anxious for your book to come out. I keep telling myself that freemasonry is wrong and is against our teaching but I still don't see things clearly. I just pray that things will be ok. Again, thank you for everything. Christie

J. Salza: Christie, another thing. This will be part of a chapter that I have in my book about Freemasonry. You stated that you question whether Freemasonry is a religion (even though the Church says it is). Please consider the following characteristics of Freemasonry. It has:

-its own names for God

-its own symbols for God

-its own names for heaven

-its own symbols for heaven

-its own altar

-its own soteriology (how to get to heaven)

-its own religious doctrines

-its own worship place (Temple)

-its own religious writings (book of the law)

-its own liturgical texts

-its own feast days

-its own calendar (6005 versus 2005)

-its own covenant oaths

-its own vestments for rituals

-its own organist, soloist, deacon, etc.

-its own benedictions and prayers

-its own funeral rites

-its own cosmology

-etc, etc.

I could think of more, but this should suffice. Needless to say, Freemasonry is much more than a fraternity. It is a religion, and a very formal one at that. When you look at these characteristics, ask yourself. What else would Freemasonry need to make it a religion? What is it lacking that doesn't make it one? Most religions have less formality than Freemasonry, and proudly call itself a religion. The only reason that Freemasonry doesn't publicly say it is a religion is because it would never recruit new members if it did. It only reveals to them what it is really about after they are consecrated to secrecy.

Grace be with you.

John Salza

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6. A dialogue with a "Christian" Freemason

Mason: Dear Brother John:

I truly understand your rejection of freemasonry, believe me when I say I do, for I myself was a staunch anti mason after 13 years in a Catholic school. I personally thought of masons as anti-christian, indecent persons who got together secretly to plot against the government and/or the Church.

J. Salza: My rejection of Freemasonry is not based on the decency or indecency of its members - many Masons are good men. My rejection of Freemasonry is based upon the teaching of Jesus Christ's Church. The Church's teaching is not primarily based on "plotting against the Church" (although that is the case with much of European, and particularly Italian Freemasonry) but because of the theological differences between Christianity and the lodge. As Catholics, we have an authority to answer to, and it is not us; it is Christ and His Holy Catholic Church. God will judge us accordingly. The Catholic Church has unequivocally condemned Freemasonry beginning in 1738, with the latest condemnation being issued in 1983. There is simply no way a Catholic can rationalize disobedience to the Vicar of Christ on this matter without putting himself in grave sin, which the 1983 declaration against Masonic Associations clearly sets forth.

Mason: That perspective changed, however, since I met father Alberto, who although is not a freemason himself, always attends our open tenures and even blesses the Lodge before opening. When I asked him if he considered an oxymoron to be a priest and a supporter of freemasonry, he said that freemasonry has brought him even closer to God and the teachings of Christ since freemasonry is an institution that preaches the gospel not by words but by deeds.

J. Salza: First, Father Alberto is not the pope or the Magisterium, so it does not matter what he says about the matter. The Church has spoken. Moreover, since he is a cleric, there is no excuse for his ignorance, assuming he is. I invite you to have Father Alberto contact me directly. I will explain to him the Church's nearly 300 years of condemnations and their theological basis. The fact is, Father Alberto only sees what is on the outside of the lodge, which looks good (fraternity, fellowship, good works, etc.). Father does not see the rituals of the lodge (the oath swearing, the teachings of eternal life, the regeneration ceremony of Hiram Abiff, etc.). I trust that if he did, he would be stunned.

That is the deception of the lodge; it convinces people of its goodness by showing the externals, while it keeps its teachings secret. This is how sinister Freemasonry is. It likes to cloak itself in Christian appearance, even inviting a priest to offer invocations to begin its meetings. But the lodge would never let the priest be present at its solemn and secret rituals which teach about resurrection and eternal life with no mention of Jesus Christ. Not unless the priest were to renounce his Catholicism and take the false oaths of Freemasonry. This is why the Shriners push to have “interfaith” gatherings with the Knights of Columbus. Masonry wants to appear acceptable to Catholic and Christian men. But you can’t mix the sacred with the profane. This is scandalous.

Why don't you give Father Alberto a copy of your lodge's ritual book, translated into English, especially the part about the bodily resurrection in the third degree? Then let's see what Father Alberto thinks about Freemasonry. If you are really genuine about your search for the truth, share this with Fr. Alberto. Or have him visit my website, since I have all the Masonic rituals available there as well. Then let us see if Fr. Alberto still thinks that Freemasonry is “preaching the gospel.” I can assure, whatever gospel it is preaching, it is not the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Mason: The words that convinced me that freemasonry is truly a fraternity blessed by God were "When Jesus said love thy neighbor, he didn't mean your christian neighbor, he meant everyone, including non-Christian believers.

J. Salza: You are creating a big problem for yourself here, by quoting our Lord Jesus, since the lodge deliberately removes all references to Jesus from its rituals. Why? Because it does not regard Christ as the unique Savior of the world. It seeks fellowship over truth. As St. Paul says, what do Christ and Belial have in common? What fellowship does light have with darkness? The Lord says, "come out and be separate from them." You can’t “love thy neighbor” without telling him the truth. You can’t truly love your lodge brothers while allowing them to remain in darkness.

Mason: After that tenure I went to read the gospel and I stumbled upon the part when an angry mob was about to maim jesus for him saying that God was not only the God of Israel but the God of all humanity, indifferentism??, I don't think so.

J. Salza: No one is saying that God is not the God of all humanity. What we are
saying is that the God of humanity decided to reveal Himself in the person of Jesus Christ, is eternally begotten Son, through whom (and only through whom) is salvation. Christianity holds Christ to be the exclusive means of salvation for all of humanity. Freemasonry says, "take Christ or leave Christ, but you can still attain the celestial lodge above by being a good Mason." This is heretical by the standards of any Christian church.

Mason: Jesus was only saying that God loves all humanity not only the ones that follow his Church and that my brother is the pillar of freemasonry.

J. Salza: Again, you are confusing the issue. No one is saying God does not love all people. The Church is saying that because God loves all people, He has sent His Son to save us from eternal damnation, which you and I were born into and would be subject to without the infinite merits of Jesus Christ. By telling all Masons that they will gain eternal life in the celestial lodge above, no matter what religion they profess (no matter how evil or erroneous), Freemasonry disregards the truth of Christ, and turns the truth of salvation into a lie. It actually shows a LACK of love for your fellow Masonic brethren.

Moreover, Masonic ritual never says that “God loves all humanity.” You say that this is the “pillar of Freemasonry,” but the rituals say no such thing. Freemasonry doesn’t say God loves humanity because the god of the lodge is an impersonal, deistic, Grand Architect of the Universe who has no interaction with human beings, much less any love for them. I have performed every role in all three Masonic degrees, and no where does the ritual say anything about God loving anyone or anything. If you want to tap into God’s love for humanity, then the answer is Jesus Christ (the name that is deliberately excised from the Masonic rituals that, according to you, teach about “God’s love for humanity”).

Mason: As for the fact that you said that freemasonry accepts people that aren't Christians I suppose you also quit your job because someday you might have to represent someone in court who isn't christian and also your citizenship because the government is indifferent to religion and gives equal status to Christians and non-Christian.

J. Salza: Once again, representing someone in court has nothing to do with participating in religious rituals that speak of eternal life without Christ. Neither the government nor my employer require me to swear oaths with self-curses to uphold principles that are indifferent to the Christian religion, so your analogy makes absolutely no sense.

Regarding Father Alberto's quote: "This means, it is true that one religious sect is as good as any other." Fr. Alberto claims that the Second Vatican Council taught this, and he couldn't be any more wrong. No where in any of the 16 documents of Vatican II, nor any other council, or teaching of any pope in 2,000 years, does the Church say that "one religious sect is as good as any other." In fact, I could provide you encyclical after encyclical from pope after pope that expressly condemns this statement. This statement is the exact definition of "indifferentism" - one religion is as good as any other. Evidently, Fr. Alberto believes that Masonry is practicing it. Of course, Fr. Alberto is correct, since indifferentism is the basis for the Church’s condemnation of Freemasonry.

Again, I invite you to have Fr. Alberto contact me. If you provide me a phone number, I will be glad to contact him at my expense. I will also be happy to share all the rituals with him, so that he can understand the Church's position on the matter. Please let me know.

Grace be with you.

John Salza

Mason: I think you have misunderstood my e-mails. Fr. Alberto is a Jesuit priest, he actually read the ritual book and said that many rituals are very similar to the Jesuit degree system. He also tols several brothers that the Jesuits actually helped form the 32 degrees of the Scottish Rite! Moving on, I can see clearly how you pulled away from the lodge. You probably read the letter that Cardinal Ratzinger wrote to the sacred congregation of the faith, maybe I'm wrong but many of your accusations are similar to this letter. You must remember that Ratzinger is also an Opus Dei member and has a personal vendetta against freemasons for killing John Paul I, which is true but as you mentioned earlier Italian freemasonry is not regular freemasonry. Now let take a few minutes to take a look at your accusations one by one.

J. Salza: First, we as Catholics are accountable to God on the basis of our obedience to the Church, not to particular Cardinals or bishops or priests. It really doesn't matter what they say. The Church has condemned Freemasonry, just as every other Christian church who has investigated her teachings. The Ratzinger "letter" that you refer to was not a "letter," but an official declaration from the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith who has the God-given charism to teach, guard and protect the Church's deposit of faith. Cardinal Ratzinger wrote the condemnation, and Pope John Paul II approved its publication. You are bound in conscience to obey the declaration; if you don't, you are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion. You can rationalize all you want that you don't have to follow it, but the Church's Magisterium, as well as her canon law, say you do, and you will be judged by God accordingly.

Regarding the Jesuits, Fr. Mitch Pacwa is a renowned Jesuit priest who offered to write the Foreward to my book on Freemasonry. Fr. Pacwa fully endorses my position on Freemasonry and would laugh at your claims about the Jesuits and the Scottish Rite. If you are really going to advance such incredulous argumentation, please provide me with the authorities from whence you are getting your information.

Mason: Taking oaths: First of all is ironic that you being a catholic you condemn oaths since catholicism is the one religion which demands most oaths. Isn't marriage an oath, isn't confirmation an oath, isn't the ordination of priests, bishops and cardinals oaths? Now for the penalties you obviously know they are simbolic since Christian influence on freemasonry was such that symbolism was incorporated, since as you know jesus always spoke in metaphors and allegories, most of which were not to be taken literally for I know for sure you are not writing to me without a heart, without a throat and definitely not without the bottom part of your body.

J. Salza: You should read a book on the moral theology of oath-taking. Freemasonry's oaths are illicit because they concern trivial matters (keeping secret words and handshakes), which do not give rise to the necessity of an oath. This is why other organizations like the KofC do not require its members to swear oaths to God; they only require them to take fraternal pledges, which is much different. Moreover, Freemasonry attaches self-curses to the oaths, which makes them even more sinful, since either the oath-taker is worthy of suffering such dire consequences for his breach, or the self-curse and the oath itself, is just a sham. This puts Masons into the proverbial catch-22. To declare that the oaths are not to be taken seriously must then mean that the Godliness and morality that Freemasonry seeks cannot be taken seriously either.

Mason: The ever present third degree: I have heard the same accusation over and over again, the third degree is the allegorical representation of the death of hiram habiff. He was maimed and killed by three fellow craftsmen and taken to a mountain where he was buried, the next day king solomon asked nine master masons to look for him and only found his decaying body. THAT ALL!!! After that the candidate is lifted not representing resurrection but the welcoming into a brotherhood after a rite of passage. The candidate is in no way resurrected, the other brothers just can't leave him on the floor.

J. Salza: You obviously don't know Masonic ritual as well as you think you do. I do. I was a Proficiency Cardholder for my Grand Lodge, receiving the credential faster than anyone in my state. Take a look at the third degree (even on my website). Literally, H.A. was reinterred, but symbolically he was raised to the celestial lodge above. That is the essence of the third degree. You obviously have not even taken a look at the Landmarks from Mackey et. al, or read the Masonic Bible that they presumably gave you, all of which attest to the third degree's symbolic representation of the resurrection of the body. In fact, just start by reading your jurisdiction's manual of Masonic ritual. For most Masons, admitting that the third degree teaches about the lodge's faith in the resurrection of the body is just to painful. They thus avoid it like the plague. But it is in black and white.

If this weren't true, then you would be arguing that the highest and most sublime degree of Freemasonry is nothing more than a story about a murder and a funeral. Tell me, what would be the point?

Why don’t you go to the third degree ritual I have on my website and read the section on the resurrection ceremony? After you read it, tell me if there are any inaccuracies in my presentation (I will warn you, the ritual is approved by all the Grand Lodges in the United States). Your problem won’t be with the ritual, but with the fact that you won’t be able to defend your position in light of it.

Mason: Catholic history 101: Like you said the Vatican has condemned freemasonry for over 300 years. Let take a look back shall we? The Grand Lodge of England was founded in 1717, the vatican remained silent; anderson's constitution was made public in 1723, silence again. It wasn't until 1738 when pope clement XII began the excommunication of freemasonry. Why? even the most brilliant of canonical doctors can't seem to find an answer, the vatican only said for "reasons known to us", they didn't mentioned any accusation like yours, again in the 1917 and 1983 the excommunication was based on plotting against the Church not fo our rituals or our practices.

J. Salza: This is fallacious reasoning. Are you really arguing that since there were 21 years between the creation of the Grand Lodge of England and Pope Clement’s condemnation, the condemnation is not authoritative? Tell me, how quickly should Clement have issued the condemnation for it to be valid? Within ten years, one year, immediately? Does this mean that the Immaculate Conception is not true, since Pope Pius IX didn’t dogmatize until 1900 years after it actually occurred?

This argument actually reveals that you know the Church has condemned Freemasonry, but are trying to sneak out from under the condemnation. This makes you culpable for your ongoing disobedience of the condemnations you know are authoritative. “Procedure” can’t get you out of this one.

Another thing. I would bet that you have not read one word of any of the 20-some papal condemnations of Freemasonry on the grounds that the lodge's theological teachings are incompatible with the Catholic faith, and not because Masonry plots against the Church. Here is some “Catholic History 101” for you: READ the documents before you carelessly form your biased conclusions. It is obvious that you haven't. If you want to be a Masonic apologist, then fight your fight by at least reading the documents. Don't be deliberately ignorant, which is part and parcel of the Masonic approach. It is easier to be ignorant and do what you want, than to meet the Church's teachings head-on, for that may require you to change your life.

Finally, the Church’s condemnations are principally for indifferentism, syncretism and false oaths, not “plotting against the Church,” so this won’t save you. There are multiple canons under the 1983 code that sanction Catholic Masons, irrespective of whether or not they deliberately plot against the Church. Nevertheless, any organization that denies the unique and exclusive claims of Christianity would surely be considered “against the Church,” especially one that requires its members to swear binding oaths and keep its doctrines secret.

Grace be with you.

Mason: Leaving Jesus out of it: To begin let's just say that G.A.O.T.U is something different for every brother, to some is allah, to others is budda, for me is Jesus Christ, the one who died for my sins, even though I can't speak of religion in the Lodge (just like I can't in a public school, government building, local business) nothing prevents me from praying to Jesus silently in my mind which is what I do every time someone names GAOTU.

P.S.: Please write me on your reply to cardinal mahoney's (not just padre
alberto) opinion on freemasonry

God bless you brother (in Christ) john.

J. Salza: Thank you for affirming that the GAOTU represents the gods of the world’s religions. Thank you for affirming that the GAOTU does not exclusively represent the Triune God of Father, Son and Holy Ghost. You have just articulated the problem better than I could have. Jesus said that we must confess Him before men, or He will not confess us before His heavenly Father. If you aren’t confessing Christ in the lodge room out of respect for your Masonic brothers, you are doing so out of disrespect for Him. I pray that God gives you the wisdom to embrace the only “way, truth and life,” Jesus our Lord.

Grace be with you.

John Salza

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7. Masonic oaths and the Knights of Columbus

Michelle: I'm highly interested in obtaining your book. My husband is convinced that the Masonic lodge is nothing more than a benevolent, charitable "club". He swears that "once a Mason, always a Mason". He made it to the third degree but is now a Catholic. While he has no dealings with a lodge nor pays dues, he still swears allegiance because he took the "oaths". I don't know what to say in response other than you can't be a Catholic and a Mason. Can you help if you have the time? Thank you in advance, - Michelle

J. Salza: Dear Michelle:

Thank you for your email. This book will be very helpful to you and your husband (it should be out in 2006). Your husband will find it credible because it was written by me, a former 32nd degree Mason. I disclose all the secret rituals that your husband will not reveal, which demonstrates that Freemasonry is incompatible with the Catholic faith.

Freemasonry promotes indifferentism, which is the belief that all religions are equally valuable and profitable for gaining eternal life. Of course, if this were true, then God would not have sent His Son to die on a cross to save us. Freemasonry, in its third degree, teaches its belief in the resurrection of the body (through a symbolic, allegorical drama where they murder and then raise from the dead a fictitious character called Hiram Abif). But you don't have to be a Christian to be a Mason. Therefore, Freemasonry believes that Jesus Christ is not necessary to its belief in resurrection. It says take Jesus or leave Jesus, but you can still be a good Mason, and can still be raised to eternal life. This is heretical.

The oaths your husband took are also gravely sinful, because they are administered under self-curses, and require men to swear about trivial matters (such as not having sex with another Master Mason's wife, mother, sister or daughter). Such oaths are never proper; invoking God to witness such triviality is blasphemous, especially when they are taken under symbolic penalties like having your throat cut across and your tongue torn out by its roots.

Your husband should also know that the Church has declared Catholics who join Masonry to be in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion. If your husband receives communion, he is committing the serious sin of sacrilege. The only way he can reconcile himself with the Church is to go to confession and renounce his Masonic membership.

I would be pleased to talk to you sometime. I am leaving for vacation but will be back the week of December 7, if you care to leave me another email, I will call you.

God bless.

Michelle: One more quick question please!

How does Mason's oaths differ from the secret oaths of the Knights of Columbus? This is also another question frequently thrown in my face. Your answer to this question will be VERY greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance and may God bless you in abundance for your work in this area! I am very grateful! - Michelle

J. Salza: Michelle, I can speak first hand to your question because I took both of them.

Freemasonry imposes an oath, and the Kof C requires a fraternal pledge. There is a big difference.

1. An oath requires the oath-taker to invoke God to witness the promise being made, and subjects the oath-taker to God's divine promise. This is evidenced by the phrase "I solemnly swear" and "so help me God." The KofC does not have this language. Freemasonry does, because Masonry uses oaths, not pledges.

2. The Masonic oaths are not read to the candidate in advance, so he really doesn't know what he will be required to promise. The KofC pledge is read to the candidate in advance.

3. Freemasonry's oaths are also imposed with self-curses (having my throat cut across, and my tongue torn out, etc.) These self-curses mean that the candidate is worthy of the mutilation and death that the penalties symbolize if he ever fails to keep his oath. This also means that Freemasonry takes its business very seriously - they can't just call their organization a social club, otherwise they wouldn't require oaths with self-curses. If they say its all a joke, then they are calling God to witness a lie, which is blasphemous. This also makes their search for godliness and morality also a joke.

These oaths are gravely sinful, and can only be absolved in a sacramental confession. I will talk about these oaths in depth in my book.

I will try to call you soon. I am busy traveling the next two weeks but will try my best.

God bless.

John Salza

NOTE: The Christian religion says we cannot bear false witness, which includes swearing illicit and immoral oaths to God, such as Freemasonry requires of its members, especially when such oaths include a self-curse.

For those who accuse ex-Masons of bearing false witness, the burden is on them to show where we are lying about Freemasonry's rituals. The fact is, Masons cannot demonstrate we are lying, and thus by attacking the credibility of former Masons (instead of their arguments), they expose themselves even more. We are presenting Freemasonry's rituals just as they are, and letting the world decide whether the pan-religion of Freemasonry is compatible with the true religion of Jesus Christ.

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8. What does canon law say about Freemasonry?

Gino: John, I heard that canon law no longer prohibits membership in Freemasonry. Is this true?

J. Salza: Gino, I will cut and paste from the FAQ on my website to answer your question:

The Church, through its Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, has formally declared that Catholics who enroll in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion. This declaration, which is the most recent teaching of the Church, has affirmed nearly 300 years of papal pronouncements against Freemasonry on the grounds that the teachings of the Lodge are contrary to Catholic faith and morals.

The Church’s declaration on Freemasonry exposes Catholic Masons to a number of penalties under canon law. For example, a Catholic who is aware that the Church authoritatively judges membership in Freemasonry to be gravely sinful must not approach Holy Communion (c. 916). The Church imposes the duty upon all grave sinners not to make a sacrilegious communion. Such a Catholic Mason who is aware of the grave sin must receive absolution in a sacramental confession before being able to receive communion again, unless there is a grave reason and no opportunity to confess (c. 916). This confession, in order to be valid, also requires the Catholic Mason to renounce his Masonic membership.

Further, because membership in Freemasonry is an external or public condition, the Catholic Mason can be refused Holy Communion by the pastors of the Church for obstinately persevering in his Masonic membership (c. 915). Such a Catholic Mason would also be forbidden from receiving the Anointing of the Sick (c. 1007) as well as ecclesiastical funeral rites if public scandal were to result (c. 1184, §1, °3).

Canon 1364 also imposes an automatic excommunication upon apostates, heretics, or schismatics. This canon could also apply to Catholic Masons. If, for example, a Catholic Mason embraced the theological teachings of Freemasonry that the Church has condemned (indifferentism, syncretism), he would be in heresy by virtue of his belief in these teachings. Further, if a Catholic Mason knew the Church opposes membership in Freemasonry, and yet adamantly and persistently refused to submit to the pope’s authority in precluding his membership in the Lodge, he may also find himself in schism. Catholic Masons could also be subject to canon 1374 which imposes an interdict or just penalty upon those who join associations that plot against the Church.

For the canonical penalties to apply, the Catholic Mason would have to act in a gravely imputable way (that is, the Catholic would have to be aware of the Church’s teaching on Freemasonry and, after being warned about it, choose to disregard it). In my personal experience, a fair number of Catholic Masons do act in a gravely imputable way in regard to their Masonic membership. In these cases, the canonical penalties, including excommunication, apply. The Church's penalties are not meant to alienate the person on whom the penalty is levied. Instead, the penalties are meant to communicate to the person the gravity of his conduct, encourage his repentance and reconciliation with the Church, and bring him back into the one fold of Christ. After all, the mission of the Church is the salvation of souls.

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9. A message from an inquiring Freemason

Craig: Mr. Salza:

I have been looking into the Catholicism as opposed to being a Lutheran and considering what you said in your reply. I am also a Freemason, after joining a lodge I began to look into joining a Church which I did.

I have never heard of a plan for salvation from anyone, most of the members belong to Churches and are active in them. I have never heard of any universal religion either.

Craig

J. Salza: Dear Craig

Thanks for your email. I don't know how involved you are with Freemasonry, or how much you have studied its rituals. I spent over three years in Freemasonry, and became an expert in Masonic ritual (performing all the degrees, lectures, etc. of the Worshipful Master and other officers). As I became more educated about Freemasonry, I realized that the Catholic Church, as well as the Lutheran, and every other Christian church condemns it. This was a big surprise to me at first, but I really wanted to know the truth about Masonry, and why there was so much opposition to it. I also found out that thousands of Christian men like you and me left the lodge for Jesus Christ.

I will have a book about this topic out by the end of next year. It will explain everything. If you send me your phone number, I will also be happy to call you and speak to you about it. Freemasonry promotes indifferentism which is the heretical belief that all religions are good, okay to be in, and that they all lead to God. This is not true. God has revealed to us one religion through His only begotten Son, who died for us to save us from our sins. For example, Masonry will put any pagan writing side by side with the Holy Bible on its Masonic altar. If a Hindu, or Buddhist, or Shintoist Mason is present, there pagan writings take center stage in the lodge room, along with God's revealed written word. To place false pagan writings on par with the Sacred Scriptures is sacrilegious, and a terrible insult to God.

When you were presented with the apron in the first degree, they told you the apron exemplified "the purity of life and conduct necessary to get to the celestial lodge above." So Masonry teaches that good conduct gets you to heaven. But it fails to mention anything about Jesus Christ, who is the "Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by me." (John 14:6). We are able to go to heaven, to be in union with the Blessed Trinity forever, only by the grace of God, not by our conduct. But Masonry says nothing about grace which was won for us by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

In the third degree, the whole ceremony is centered on the Masonic faith in the resurrection of the body. But, again, nothing about Jesus, who is the one who revealed the Resurrection to humanity. This is heresy. Masonry embodies a religious system of false teachings. When you mix truth with error, you only get error. Masonry gives its members the impression that they are okay where they are, that if they live a life of Masonic virtue, they will go to heaven. This is not true, and contrary to Jesus Christ's commission to us to preach His word to all creation. The oaths you swore in the lodge are also false and blasphemous, and warrant God's condemnation, because they take God's name in vain over trivial matters, over subject matter that should not be part of an oath, or over immoral matters (swearing not to have sex with a Master Mason's wife, mother sister or daughter; what about non-Masonically affiliated women?) Freemasonry is therefore contrary to the Christian faith.

I hope you prayerfully consider your continued union with Freemasonry. If I can be of further assistance, please let me know.

God bless.

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10. A dialogue with an angry Freemason

Paul: Came across some of your writings on a web site. What crap! You must be doing to get some attention on radio or something. Do you think you understant the teachings. You know it is not a Religion! Why say it is? Just goes to show how some people are. But, to use the catholic religion to preach ?? I am suprised they let you? Maybe they don't know?

Keep up the stupidy

J. Salza: If you choose to defend Freemasonry, than please do it by using the rituals. Just as I have criticized Freemasonry using its rituals. Otherwise, that just tells me that you can't defend Freemasonry. That, to me, is “stupidy” (sic).

Thanks and God bless.

John Salza

Paul: Thanks for responding. Do you really think the group is all that bad? You had such problems- you have to go do things you are doing to prove what? Why after your time spent, are you so upset with it. Seems a little strange. I think you may be looking for a little notority by doing what you are doing. I do not need to defend fremasonry, it takes care of its self, and has for many years. It just bothers me to see someone so down on it when I know it does a lot of good for a lot of people. I think, if someone was to look at any organization, including the catholic groups, methodist, jewish, and such, one could surely find something to complain about. Don't you think?

Regards,

Paul

J. Salza: Dear Paul.

I am not criticizing Freemasonry for the good it does. Many groups do good for the community. The issue is not what good it does, but what it teaches. Freemasonry has been condemned by every Christian church who has investigated its teachings, and this should alarm you. The problem with Freemasonry is that it promotes indifferentism - the erroneous belief that all religions are good. Masonry also espouses the belief that all Masons can get to the celestial lodge above, irrespective of their belief in Jesus Christ.

However, it is only by virtue of Christ's death and resurrection that we can get to heaven, and Freemasonry denies, or at a minimum, ignores this truth. Freemasonry is indifferent to truth. It believes that all truths are relative. But God cannot be happy with this, because He has chosen to definitively reveal Himself in the person of Jesus Christ, the only "way, truth and life." Freemasonry does not require its members to believe in Jesus as it teaches about how living a life of Masonic virtue can bring them to heaven. This is why Freemasonry and Christianity are irreconcilable.

God bless.

John

Paul: OK, I see where you are going. You are taught to believe one way, and like many people, it's the only way you know. If it's not about Jesus, it can't be right. Your religion is the only one that is possible to be correct.

As you know, Masonry is not a Religion, although you say it is, which is another sore spot with me. You should not say things that are not true-should you? Has anyone in lodge tried to preach to you or change your beliefs or religion? I think not. They respected you for you thoughts Why don't you just go about your religous beliefs and forget about Masonry and putting it down ?? What is it you are attemting to do?

You are a hopeless case.

Good Luck !

Paul

J. Salza: Paul, first let's not even discuss the Catholic faith, because ALL Christian religions have condemned Freemasonry, not just the Catholic Church. This should be alarming to you if you are a Christian.

Second, you say that Freemasonry is not a religion. Then please explain to me why Masonry teaches its belief in the resurrection of the body in its third degree. Paul, bodily resurrection is a religious teaching. Moreover, not all religions even believe in bodily resurrection, yet Masonry invites all religions into its membership. This proves that Masonry has a religious teaching that is independent of the religious faiths of its members. This is called religion. You can't get around this by trying to label Masonry something else. In fact, your own Masonic authors have called Masonry the universal religion. This is why every Christian church that has investigated the teachings of the lodge have not yet failed to condemn it.

I, like many hundreds of Christian men who have left the lodge, are trying to bring this truth to others, just as all the Christian churches have done. I have had literally hundreds of dialogues with Masons, and not one of them could successfully defend the lodge against the Christian arguments we pose. Freemasonry can call itself religious, but not religion, but that is like saying that Paul is intellectual, but has no intellect. That is just a play on words. Any organization that worships God according to a ritual system and has religious teachings (which are not even universal) is a religion.

God bless.

John Salza

Paul: Dear John,

Like a lawyer, you twist things to justify yourself. Actually, it's really quite simple; it has nothing to do with Oaths or Penalties: You made a promise to someone; you broke tha