Masonic Criticisms and Responses

It would seem that Freemasons and their critics spend a lot of time on this forum stating and rebutting the same arguments. In the interest of moving things forward, I’ve compiled a list of the common complaints and replies, as well as threads dealing with these conflicts.

I don’t claim this list to cover every argument, or every response as every Mason would have it, or list every relevant post. I would see it ideally as something that could evolve, over time, to be as useful as possible.

I fully welcome criticism on this list, in hopes of making it a most useful resource:

1) Freemasonry is a religion

Freemasonry doesn’t do the things that make a religion a religion. It doesn’t teach theology, ordain priests, define sin and salvation, or define a Deity. Every Freemason brings his own religion with him, and takes it with him when he leaves.

Mastor Of The Closet
Are masons really the ones behind all the conspiracy theories?
Mason Obession

2) Freemasonry teaches that all religions are equal

Freemasonry actually says nothing about religions themselves. Rather, it points out that faith and reverence are virtues, without specifying where a man should find his personal faith. Masons stand together in brotherhood, secure in their own faith, but never infringing upon that of his neighbor.

Freemasonry, An Anchor of Morality in A sea of Moral Relativism
Religion on political topics not allowed?

3) Freemasonry is anti-Catholic

Critics often cite Bible passages that claim that anyone not believing in Christ is going to hell. Since Freemasonry doesn’t restrict itself to just Christians, it is therefore heathen. This claim is spurious, at best… if that were true, surely they would object to the Boy Scouts, the local softball league, or my wife’s knitting circle. Freemasonry, like most other groups, places no such restrictions on a member’s beliefs.

Critics will also quote the Bible, saying that Christians aren’t allowed to swear oaths. What about the oaths sworn by Christian priests, upon being ordained? Or Christian politicians, upon assuming office? Or Christian couples, during their Christian weddings?

the church and freemasonry
Freemasonry Exposed full detail of their deciept
Pentagrams in lodges? Eastern Star?
Where does the idea that Freemasons worship Lucifer come from??

4) Freemasons have their own God

Freemasonry requires its members to have a belief in a Supreme Being, but does not further inquire into an individual member’s faith. Further, it does not attempt to specify or change what a member believes in.

Templars and Baphomet
Freemasonry, An Anchor of Morality in A sea of Moral Relativism

5) Freemasons pray to false or pagan gods

This is simply an argument trotted out by those intolerant of other religions. Freemasonry makes no judgment of any religion.

Freemasonry, An Anchor of Morality in A sea of Moral Relativism
Some Mason Material
Where does the idea that Freemasons worship Lucifer come from??

6) Freemasonry uses the All-Seeing Eye as one of its symbols, and it is Satanic

The All-Seeing Eye has been used by many peoples, cultures, and religions to denote a benevolent Deity watching over us. Freemasonry uses it to represent the creator figure… to a Catholic, it would represent the Catholic God. To a Muslim, it would represent the Muslim God.

the All-seeing eye...
Masonic Symbols in Israeli Supreme Court Building paid for by the Rothchilds

7) Freemasonry uses the Eye and Pyramid as one of its symbols, and it is Satanic

The Eye and Pyramid, as it appears on the Great Seal of the United States or the Dollar Bill, is not a Masonic symbol.

Masonic Symbols in Israeli Supreme Court Building paid for by the Rothchilds
post pics of illuminati symbolism in buildings, etc
Who's eye is in the pyramid on the $1.00 bill

8) Freemasonry is a cult

Freemasonry doesn’t have the traits of a cult. Freemasonry is a ‘free-will’ organization – members join of their free will and accord, and can leave just as voluntarily. Freemasonry doesn’t try to brainwash its members… in fact, free thought is encouraged. Freemasonry doesn’t demand obedience to a ‘leader’ or particular deity.

Initiation!
Mastor Of The Closet
Illuminating masons

9) Masons take brutal oaths

It is explicitly told to candidates that the ‘brutal penalties’ are wholly figurative. Like the childhood phrase “Cross my heart and hope to die”, it is a device to make the importance stand out in the candidate’s mind.

As well, before a candidate takes his first oath, he is informed that the obligations can not conflict with his duty to God, his country, his neighbor, or himself. If he was then asked to swear something that conflicted with any one of those, the oath would therefore be meaningless.

A question for Masonic Light and other Masons
Has anyone ever met anyone who was a member of the illuminati or other society?

10) Freemasonry practices racism

Once upon a time, Masonic lodges in America were segregated… just as society itself was. Times have changed, and so have such practices inside and outside the lodge room. Today, a white man can join a Prince Hall lodge, and a black man can join a ‘traditional’ lodge. Both lodges choose to remain alive, celebrating their own unique heritage, of their own free will.

The KKK. Are they masons in disguise or practicing occultists?

11) Freemasonry practices sexism

Freemasonry began with the stone mason guilds, which were exclusively male – as were ALL of the trades, in that time period. Freemasonry holds on strongly to tradition, and so has remained male-only. It does not claim that women are inferior to men… we just choose to be a gathering of men only. Women have the right to form their own organization (and have!).

Trying again to learn about Masons and secret clubs

12) Freemasons designed Washington DC with secret Masonic symbols in mind, and it’s a sign of evil

With a little imagination, one can see just about anything one wants. It wouldn’t be surprising if Masons did sneak ‘inside jokes’ into the design of the capital – after the Revolutionary War, a huge percentage of American men were Masons. Masons like symbolism. And many operative masons and architects have been part of the fraternity.

But what is never shown is *why* these inside jokes, if they do exist, would be sinister.

Post your photos of Masonic lodges and suspected secret society buildings
post pics of illuminati symbolism in buildings, etc
Why all the fuss about Masons????

13) Freemasonry is a Illuminati plot to take over the world

There was an organization in Bavaria that called itself the Illuminati in the late 1700s. The founder, Adam Weishaupt, recruited heavily from local Masonic lodges. The goal of this organization was to stand against tyrannical Catholic edicts, and as such it was quickly disbanded by the Bavarian government.

But that’s generally not what conspiracy theorists are talking about… they claim that there is some sort of shadowy group that controls the world, and Freemasons are part of it. They can never offer any proof of the claim. Any Freemason, however, can tell you that it isn’t true.

Freemasonry
the illuminati and freemasons
what are the masons objectives?

14) Freemasonry is a Jewish plot to take over the world

This claim is usually based on the Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion - a fraudulent document which served as a rationale for anti-Semitism in the first half of the 20th century. Investigations have shown that it was a hoax perpetrated by the Russian secret police.

The Protocols of the Learned elders of zion
Illuminating masons
Masonic Symbols in Israeli Supreme Court Building paid for by the Rothchilds

15) Freemasonry is a Capitalist plot to take over the world

Freemasonry makes no political demands of its members. There are Freemasons that support capitalism, socialism, communism, and likely every flavor of political and economic ideology. This can be shown by pointing out that Freemasonry exists in countries that happily practice those ideals.

Masons and capitalism

16) All Freemasons are all rich industrialists or bankers

Many Freemasons can attest that this is (unfortunately) not true - including this poster.

THE SECRET COVENANT (A Satanic Point of View)
Masons and capitalism

17) 33rd degree Freemasons are running things behind the scenes
18) Freemasonry has tons of super secret higher degrees

A quick lesson on the structure of the organization: Freemasonry itself only has three degrees. Once a member has attained the 3rd degree (master mason), he has gone as high as he can.

However, there are side orders (such as the Scottish Rite and York Rite) that offer further learning experiences to a Mason. Some of them use a degree structure, similar to that of Freemasonry. However participation in these side orders has no bearing upon a Mason’s status in his lodge. They are not ‘higher’. They do not earn a Mason super powers, or let him in on some ‘conspiracy’.

Questions regarding advancing beyond the 3rd Degree
Saddam is a Mason !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why do non 33 degree masonic members rant about what all the symbolism & secrets mean
Illuminating masons
What would you do if you found out the Mason's weren't evil
High Level Freemasons
"Kramer" from Seinfeld a 33 degree freemason?
Mason Obession

19) Freemasons were involved in the assassination of U. S. President John F. Kennedy

Claimants of this theory never point out proof, only ‘imagery’ that they see… similarities in names, or numbers, and say “see, this proves that Masons were involved!” Such arguments are ludicrous, and are about as substantial as claims that aliens and Elvis killed the President.

Need info on Masons, warren Commission.

20) Jack the Ripper was a Freemason

Allegedly, a message scrawled on the wall at one of the murder scenes mentioned the "Juwes" "who will not be blamed for nothing". Creative critics have tried to link this phrase to Jubela, Jubelo and Jubelum – three ruffians that appear in Masonic parables. These critics dismiss rather quickly the notion that the murderer could have been frustrated with one of the many local Jewish craftsmen – it did occur during a time of strong prejudice.

Jack the Ripper to be revealed! A mason maybe?

21) Freemasons killed William Morgan for exposing their secrets

William Morgan was a Mason in New York state in the 1800s. Little is known, except that he was denied admittance to his local lodge, and threatened to print an expose in retaliation. Soon after, Morgan disappeared. It is alleged that Masons killed Morgan for exposing their secrets.

Regardless, nobody knows what happened. To make matters worse, there are several oddities involved – such as changes in his wife’s story. It is likely we will never know the truth. However, there is one thing to keep in mind – it is not the first time (by far) that an expose was printed, and nothing happened to any of those folks. It is quite likely that Morgan angered many of the local townsfolk (he was barred from his local lodge, remember) and one of them vented.

Will Someone Please Explain The Illuminati?
Masonic Related Murders? Mozart/Kubrick/Etc.?

22) The P2 Lodge did evil things

Many of the claims made by critics are true. The P2 Lodge did engage in various nefarious activities. It’s also true that the lodge, infiltrated by various political factions, was deemed irregular and disbanded well before its noted crimes took place. Should an organization be judged by the members it deems unworthy, or those that it keeps?

P2: The Propaganda lodge.
Illuminating masons

23) Freemasons have to obey the Master of their lodge

A Mason is not required to obey the ‘orders’ of a Master, any more than a member of any other organization has to obey its President. The Master’s ‘power’ extends only into lodge business.

Illuminating masons

24) Masonic authors talk about the evils of Freemasonry

Freemasonry has been blessed with a plethora of prolific writers over the years. They’ve created many great philosophical works. But it is important to realize that no man speaks for Freemasonry as a whole. The writings of an author, no matter how insightful they may be, reflects only the opinions of that author.

Masons - Ancient/Secret Knowledge?
Freemasonry Exposed full detail of their deciept
Morals and Dogma excerpt from 3 - Master
What would you do if you found out the Mason's weren't evil

25) All United States Presidents have been Freemasons

Only 14 US Presidents have been Masons.

Masonic Presidents

I would have sworn this was something people said they desired and would support.

oh yes this list is great. in fact looks complete to me, a perfect candidate for a sticky.

Thanks! I appreciate the feedback.

Any comment from a moderator? Is this of value, in that manner?