Wednesday, November 15, 2006

An Open Letter To Dr. John Ankerberg, Dr. John Weldon Part II

Dear Sirs,

I have noticed that you, as many anti-Masonic writers do, base most of your theories regarding Masonry on information you come across in books by the “Authorities” of Freemasonry. Of course, the fact that there is not and never has been a Mason who is over any Masons other then those in his own particular state doesn’t mean anything to anti-Masons. If any Mason writes anything they can use, it doesn’t mater if he is the newest Mason and the Junior Steward in a rural Lodge with 20 members, he would be a “Masonic Authority” for your purposes.

Personally, I find it very disturbing that those of you who appear to be well educated can base your reasoning for condemning Freemasonry on what some self appointed authority wrote a hundred years ago. And, especially on information learned from some radical misfit who swore on the Holy Bible that he would never reveal. Have you have relinquished your own intelligence to the theory that so many “Experts” against Freemasonry use. If it’s printed in a book it has to be the gospel truth. What happened to thinking and reporting what you actually know from personal experiences and investigations.

For instance, in “Where Do Masonry and Christianity Conflict? – Part 1” you state;

“But Masons do not need to take our word for it. They only need to listen to their respected Masonic authorities. In his Masonic Encyclopedia, Henry Wilson Coil quotes the definition of religion given by Funk and Wagnalls’ New Standard Dictionary (1941), and then asserts that Freemasonry fits not only this definition, but also fits the dictionary definition of what constitutes a “church.” Coil states:”

The definition was, 1) “[a] belief in a divine or superhuman power... to be obeyed and worshipped as the Creator and ruler of the universe; 2) expression of... [this] belief in conduct and ritual.”

Just for the sake of this discussion, let’s say that you are 100% correct. If that is so, by your reasoning, would we not have to agree that any organization that has their own Chaplin and opens with prayer and uses rituals and most members express a belief in a divine or superhuman power, exactly like Freemasonry would also have to be a religion.

Now we would have to recognize the “Senate Religion”. By these broad definitions the U.S. Senate is definitely a religion. Almost every Senator believes in a divine power and they express it in prayer and rituals. Did you ever watch a movie or newscast of Japanese auto manufacturing companies starting the work day and during company meetings. So of course we also have the “Toyota Religion”. And of course there are the Elks, Moose, Odd Fellows, Woodmen of the World and even a separate from the Catholic Church, Knights Of Columbus religions.


By now you are saying, “Brother John you are just being ridicules.” Of course I am, just like you who say Masonry is a religion because there is a Holy Bible in the Lodge Room, meetings are opened with a prayer and Masonry teaches living together with peace and harmony.

Let’s leave what appears to be a ridiculous definition of Freemasonry as a religion and go to the Anti-Masons "main authority" on things Masonic, Albert Pike and his book “Morals And Dogma”.

Anti-Masons, particularly the really rabid ones love to quote from “Morals And Dogma”. Of course their quotes are always from the fictional version written by the admitted hoaxer Leo Taxil. But, even when quoting from Morals And Dogma, they are very careful to only quote only the fictional parts that justify their particular brand of poison. Not one mentions that on April 19,1897, Leo Taxil used his celebrity status to attract a large audience for a “Press Conference” in Paris for journalists and members of the Catholic hierarchy. There instead of more condemnations of Masonry that they all expected to hear, Taxil publicly announced that everything he had written about Masonic devil worship was the product of his own fertile imagination. He finally had his revenge on the Catholic Church by making them fall for the lies about Freemasonry they had wanted to hear.

Now in all fairness to both sides let’s quote Pike’s actually writings from his original version of “Morals And Dogma”. You can find a copy on the internet at, “PIETRE-STONES REVIEW OF FREEMASONRY”.

Chapter I

  • The Bible is an indispensable part of the furniture of a Christian Lodge, only because it is the sacred book of the Christian religion.” [furniture meaning the indispensable items required to make any room a Lodge room]
  • The obligation of the candidate is always to be taken on the sacred book or books of his religion, that he may deem it more solemn and binding; and therefore it was that you were asked of what religion you were. We have no other concern with your religious creed.
  • Thy religion shall be, to do good because it is a pleasure to thee, and not merely because it is a duty.[in describing the second commandment.]
  • Though Masonry neither usurps the place of, nor apes religion, prayer is an essential part of our ceremonies.

Chapter II

[Instead Of Pike’s words, I’ll quote the actually bible verses he refers to]


  • James 1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

1:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

  • Jam 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.

2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead.

Chapter IV

  • It’s [Masonry’s] teachings are eminently practical; and its statutes can be obeyed by every just, upright, and honest man, no matter what his faith or creed. Its object is to attain the greatest practical good, without seeking to make men perfect. It [Masonry] does not meddle with the domain of religion, nor inquire into the mysteries of regeneration.
  • Speak kindly to your erring brother ! God pities him: Christ has died for him: Providence waits for him:

How can anyone believe that Pike is saying Freemasonry is a Religion or that he is saying anything anti-Christian after reading his values, above. Unless of course a profit can be made by those “false Christian Leaders who have never read Christ’s own commandment, (Luke 6:37) Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:.

BUT, wait a minute, could Luke have made an error, that sounds like something that Freemasons teach.

Brothers Ankerberg and Weldon, get out and talk to some of the state Grand Masters and Worshipful Masters of individual Lodges. Actually investigate what you are saying instead of aping others.

Better yet, join a Masonic Lodge and see for yourself what really goes on inside. I am sure in your mind God would forgive you if you are really doing the right thing by exposing Freemasonry. You’ll never find that the Masonic Lodge is teaching religion or teaching against any ones religion. Now that means the teachings of Freemasonry and not the beliefs of some individual Mason. Then you'll never be able to look any Mason in the eye and say from personal experience, “Freemasonry is a religion.”

And hey, you can always quit the Lodge later and make lots of money with a first hand expose like many of your “expert sources” have done. Use John J. Robinson as an example. Well no, that wouldn’t work because after 5 years of actually getting out of his office, investigating around the world and studying the subject first hand, he became a Freemason because of the truths he learned from his investigations about the Fraternity.

4 Comments:

Blogger Tom Accuosti said...

It [Masonry] does not meddle with the domain of religion, nor inquire into the mysteries of regeneration.

Thanks, Corky!I often have arguments on other internet groups with k00ks who insist on quoting Pike to "prove" that FM is a religion. Odd, isn't it, how they gloss over this paragraph?

Tom Accuosti
The Tao of Masonry

1:49 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bless you, brother, for you powerful writings to Mr. Ankerberg. I have much respect for this man as a self-proclaimed Christian (who am I to say that he's not); however, these Anti-Masonic writings are so far of-course that it lead me through a rocky time where I had to consider what parts, if any, I would continue to uphold of Mr. Ankerberg's teachings. The poor man is trapped in the same web so many others are today - if they don't understand it, they fear it. And rather than fearing it alone, why not convince those around you to fear it right along side you? I, like you, am a Christian first, loving husband and father second, and FreeMason third. Does my Masonry conflict with my Christianity? Well, as I currently hold the office of Deacon and Sunday School teacher in my Southern Baptist Church, I proudly say "no". I use each of these offices (including FreeMasonry) to serve God, and I fully expect that, one day, God will judge me on each of them accordingly. My worship of God comes out in both my Christian life, and my Masonic life, and try to live the two very openly hand-in-hand!

12:37 PM  
Anonymous Carl Kurtz said...

Brother,
I am MM Carl Kurtz of Arlington 438, I have seen this book come up in the darkest of ways today. I am seeing a bright beautiful young lady whose father is a bible beating condimnation sort where unless you fall under his views of right and wrong your on the outs. He basically is stopping his feet and throwing a fit because he cannot find any reason why his daughter and I should not date. So he used this book as "evidence" as why we should not be togeather. I am a christian, but as I have PTSD my memory is not what it should be so selective quoting to beat him at his own game is out of the question. I am searching some direction and wonder if you can help provide it. After 6 years as a US Marine and now a TCU student I am so shocked and well pissed I dont know where to attck in defense first.

Thank you.

11:10 PM  
Anonymous Carl Kurtz said...

Gentalmen,
Thank you for some insight, things have not improved but I am no longer expecting them too. His loss I would say but that would mean he was actually mature enough to learn the word of God, grow within the world we live in and not try to be the ruler of both.
Carl

10:40 AM  

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