Freemasonry

Founder: Not Known
Beginning:1717,with the Grand lodge of England
Membership:6,000,000 worldwide(4,000,000 in the U.S.)

They give money for the building of orphanages, hospitals and parks.They give money for medical research for cures of diseases. They are seen as one of the most humanitarian groups in the world.

The things that go on without the Masonic lodge, is a cloak and a cover for what goes on within the Masonic lodge. How did freemasonry begin? In the Middle Ages, actual stone Masons formed "Lodges", or what we would call workers unions. They gathered together for protection and professional credibility. And they had certain badges, symbols and handshakes, to ensure the quality of their work.

However, during this time there were those who saw the corruption in the government, and corruption in the church. And they decided that everything could be made right, if all of mankind could come together as a global brotherhood. But the government as it was seen, and the church as it was seen had to be done away with. And certainly this couldn't be done openly. Surely they would be attacked if this were to be known outright. They had a plan; join the Masonic Lodges and use them as a cover. So amongst the actual stone Masons, grew speculative Masons. These speculative Masons had no knowledge of stone Masonry at all; but whose purpose was only to bring about a global brotherhood under the cover of the Masonic Lodge, its terms, symbols and secrecy. "If then we wish order and peace to prevail on earth, we must be united; we must have but one will ,but one mind. Both we find in the teachings of masonry only, and against that compact of unity tyranny and usurptions, whether religious or political, all must fall subdued and powerless" (J. Blanchard -- "Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated"pg.277-299)

All grand Lodges in the world trace their origin back to the first grand Lodge in London, England which was formed in 1717. But the rituals and practices that go on in the Masonic Lodge, have their origins in paganism and the ancient mystery religions.

FREEMASONRY	THE BIBLE
1.)Freemasonry sees God as the great architect of the universe, who is unapproachable and unknowable. "Men have to decide whether they want a God like the ancient Hebrew Jahweh, a partisan, tribal God, with whom they can talk and argue and from whom they can hide if necessary, or a boundless, eternal, universal, undenominational, and international, divine spirit, so vastly removed from the speck called man, that He cannot be known, named, or approached".(Henry Wilson Coil -- "Coils Masonic Encyclopedia"pg.516-517)	1.)the Bible teaches that God is approachable and knowable through Jesus Christ. Eph.2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
2.)Freemasonry sees Jesus as just one bearer of light amongst many others who are of equal, if not of greater significance. "The true disciple of ancient Masonry has given up forever the worship of personalities.... As a Mason his religion must be universal: Christ, Buddha or Mohammed, the name means, little, for he recognizes only the Light and not the bearer."(Manly Hall--"Lost Keys of Free Masonry"-- 64 through 65)	2.The Bible teaches that Jesus is the one and only light of the world. Jn.14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
3.)Freemasonry sees the Bible as just one of many books that are symbols of the Masonic doctrine. It is only a symbol of truth, not the truth itself. "The Bible, so rich in symbolism, is itself a symbol. ... It is a sovereign symbol of the Book of Faith, the will of God as man has learned it in the midst of the years--that perpetual revelation of himself which God is making to mankind in every land in every age. Thus, by the very honor which Masonry pays to the Bible, it teaches us to revere [honor and respect] every book of faith ... joining hands with the man of Islam as he takes oath on the Koran, and witb the Hindu as he makes covenant with God upon the book that he loves best. For Masonry knows, what so many forget, that religions are many, but Religion is one---perhaps we may say one thing .... Therefore it invites to its altar men of all faiths knowing that, if they use different names for "the Nameless One of a hundred names," they are yet praying to the one God and Father of all; knowing, also, that while they read different volumes, they are in fact reading the same vast Book of the faith of Man." (Joseph Fort Newton -- "Holman Temple Illustrated Edition of the Holy Bible" in the preface)	3.)The Bible teaches that the word of God is truth. Jn.17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. IITim.3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: Rev.22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
4.)Freemasonry teaches that salvation is obtained through an individual's morality (his works). "Let its pure and spotless surface be to you an everpresent reminder of purity of life and rectitude of conduct, a never ending argument for nobler deeds, for higher thoughts, for greater achievements. And when those weary feet shall come to the end of their toilsome journey, and from your nerveless grasp shall drop forever the working tools of life, may the record Of your noble life and actions be as pure and spotless as the fair emblem I have placed in your hands tonight. And wben at that last great day your poor, trembling soul stands naked and alone before the great white throne, may it be your portion 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 tby Lord."" (Raymond Lee Allen -- "Tennessee craftsmen or Masonic textbook"14th edition, page 17)	4.)The Bible teaches that man is saved by grace and not his works. Eph.2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works IITim.1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, Titus 3:5 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;