CHRISTIANITY AND FREEMASONRY

ARE THEY COMPATIBLE?



A "TRUTH SERIES" PUBLICATION

























COPYRIGHT, CARL GALLUPS, JANUARY 1995
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED


A "truth Series" Ministry of Hickory Hammock Baptist Church, Carl Gallups, Pastor.










This booklet is written at the request of honest, inquiring people, who over the years have asked the question of me, "Is true Christianity compatible with Freemasonry?" (The organizations of Freemasonry include the Blue Lodge, Order of the Eastern Star, Order of the Rainbow, Order of the Demoly, Scottish Rite "Shriners", and the York Rite.)

My answer has always been that true Christianity is absolutely NOT compatible with Freemasonry. Of course, a lengthy conversation would ensue and to those who were brave enough to fully examine the truth of God's Word and the clear teachings of Freemasonry, they were able to clearly see the truth. Sadly, many others were not willing to examine or give credence to God's Word on the matter. The problem then becomes not a "head" (intellectual) problem, but a "heart" (sin) problem.

This booklet is designed to give you a clear and concise synopsis of the in-depth teaching that I (and many others, much more capable than I) have done on this topic.

Please understand that in exposing Freemasonry, I am NOT attacking individuals. I AM exposing a system that I believe has deceived many fine people into thinking they are a part of something "good", when in fact they are not. I am not prepared to say that every one who is a Mason is lost any more than I am prepared to say that everyone who is a church member is saved!

I AM prepared to say, however, that ANYONE, once confronted with the TRUTH about Masonic teachings and the TRUTH of God's Word and who chooses to STAY in the Masonic lodge cannot be a TRUE child of the Living God. (John 14: 6, I Tim. 4: 1-2, etc.)

You may not like this statement; you may even think it's a bit harsh or "judgmental". All I can say, dear friend, is that I can clearly, rationally and Biblically show you why you cannot by a Mason and still be a true believer and follower of Jesus Christ as Lord. I do not believe that you can Biblically demonstrate otherwise. I have issued this challenge for many years to Masons who thought they could also be Christians. Not ONE, to this date, has been able to justify their Mason membership Biblically, nor have they even attempted it in a Biblical manner! (I contend that this is because it cannot be done.)

I pray that you will read the following pages thoughtfully, with an open mind and a willing heart to know the truth. Your eternal destiny may very well depend upon it. Thank you for the honor of being able to share this information with you. I am thankful for your courage and desire to know more about this topic.

Freemasonry makes many religious claims (I will clearly illustrate this in a few moments) and in fact, even claims to be a "good enough" religion. Many have joined the Masons thinking that they have somehow satisfied their religious needs or requirements.

This booklet is written especially to those of you, who claim to be a Christian and at the same time are affiliated with Freemasonry.

PLEASE UNDERSTAND SEVERAL THINGS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE:


1.Freemasonry claims to be a religion. It also invokes distinctive religious "requirements", before you can even be considered for membership. (COIL'S MASONIC ENCYCLOPEDIA 95:512, and the FLORIDA MASONIC MONITOR page 5 – Qualifications of Candidates.) Two important specific religious requirements are that the candidate must believe in a "Supreme Being" and a "future existence". It also contains the use of clear religious practices and teachings; prayer, and altar, the Bible on the altar, the letter "G" for God, teachings on the "secret" names of God, The Grand Architect of the Universe, The Great Celestial Lodge Above, etc. No Mason can deny these religious elements.

2. Since Freemasonry makes religious claims, then, we have a right to measure its teachings against our religion, in this case, Biblical Christianity. The Bible, then, becomes our authority for all TRUE religious
claims.




Three Fundamentals of Biblical Christianity are as follows:

1. Jesus Christ is Deity and the ONLY way to Heaven and eternal Life (John 14:6 ff., etc.)

2. The Bible is the FINAL AUTHORITY for all matters of religious statements of faith, religious truth and morality. (PS 119:89, II Tim. 3:16, etc.)

3. Salvation is obtained through God's GRACE alone (not WORKS) (Ephesians 2:8-10, etc.)

These Three points are really the acid test for determining whether something is truly Biblical Christianity or some form of a cult. Every religious cult denies one or all of the above three fundamentals of the Christian faith. Freemasonry distinctly denies ALL THREE.

Freemasonry clearly denies the Deity of Jesus and His claim of being the ONLY way to salvation. Freemasonry's claim is that there are many ways for one to find salvation, and may deities to find it through. (Carl H. Claudy, Introduction to Freemasonry, page 38.) Albert Pike, Morals and Dogmas, 26th degree, page 524, Maundy Thursday Ritual, Chapter of Rose Croix, J.D. Buck, Mystic Masonry, page 119,138).

Freemasonry clearly denies the finality and authority of the Bible as the true and only Word of God. Freemasonry also recognizes the Book of Mormon, the Muslim Koran, the Hindu Veda and other books claiming to be the Word of God. (Masonry Defined, Pike and Mackey, page 78, 79 – Chase's Digest of Masonic Law, page 207-209.)

Freemasonry clearly denies that salvation is by God's Grace alone, and the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Freemasonry claims that salvation is found through being a "good man" and by adhering to the principles and practices of Freemasonry. (Encyclopedia of Freemasonry –Mackey, "The Apron", -- Pike, Morals and Dogma, 8th degree, page 136).

If you are only a member of the Blue Lodge, you must also understand that you have been PURPOSELY lied to and deceived concerning the true teaching and meanings of Freemasonry in regard to religious statements. By your own literature you are deemed to be a part of the "ignorant masses." – (Morals and Dogma page 819.)

If you claim to be a born again believer in Jesus Christ, why would you want to be a part of an organization that stands AGAINST everything that should be dear and non-negotiable to you regarding your Christian faith. Furthermore, why would you want to be a part of an organization that purposely LIES to you about your religious beliefs, the true meaning of their own teachings and their claims concerning these beliefs?

If you are a member of the SOUTHERN BAPTIST DENOMINATION, you should also know that you cannot be a "good Southern Baptist" and be affiliated with the Mason Lodge! This is according to the Resolution passed by the Southern Baptist Convention after a study was done on this topic by the Home Mission Board. In that Resolution, 8 "criticisms" of Freemasonry were voiced by the HMB and adopted by the Convention. They are as follows:

1. The prevalent use of offensive titles of authority, such as Worshipful Master. And the so-called secret names of God, Abaddon, Jah-Bul-On.
2. The use of bloody oaths or obligations.
3. Recommended readings, which are "undeniably pagan and occultic".
4. The devaluation of the Bible as "furniture of the Lodge."
5. The prevalent and unbiblical use of the term "Light".
6. The implication that salvation may be obtained by one's good works.
7. The "heresy of Universalism, prevalent in the teachings."
8. The refusal of most Lodges to admit African-Americans.

The Home Mission Board, (Now known as the NORTH AMERICAN MISSION BOARD) after the vote of the Convention on the Resolution on Freemasonry and its 8 points of criticism, issued a further, "clarifying statement" that further issued a strong statement against Freemasonry and a Southern Baptist's Membership in it.


It reads as follows:

"In light of all questions that have arisen and confusion concerning Freemasonry… in order that there be no misinterpretation, The Board of Directors wish to reiterate the long-standing position of the HMB on the subject of Universalism (The major teaching of Freemasonry – parenthesis mine – see concern number 7 above.): Whether it be the teaching of a religious body, a fraternal order (Freemasonry)… it is unbiblical and heretical and we oppose the embrace or perpetuation of any such teachings.

"It has never been the intention of the HMB to suggest that individual Southern Baptists may feel justified in affiliating with such teaching on the basis of personal conscience. Rather, we would call upon fellow Southern Baptist to never embrace or perpetuate such heresy."

Both of these documents (the Resolution and the Clarifying Statement) can be obtained in their entirety through the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, Alpharetta, Ga. 1-770 410-6000.

ADDITIONALY – The North American Mission Board has conducted numerous CULT AWARENESS WORKSHOPS around the Nation. Masons are included in the list of CULTS along with Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Islam, etc.!

You say, "I STILL FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH FREEMASONRY, I see no conflict of interest with Masonry and my Christian faith".

Please consider the following:

WHAT IF I TOLD YOU THAT FROM NOW ON "THIS CHURCH WILL BELIEVE…"

That ANY book of religious authority may be used here, even the Koran and Vedas. The Bible may be used also, but, it is NOT the final neither authority nor God's only word to us.

That everybody in the world is a "child of God". And that all men the world over are "brothers" – no matter what they do with or claim about Jesus Christ.

We will proclaim a very clear gospel of salvation by works. These works will be revealed to you through the rituals, creeds, vows and ceremonies of the organization only.

Everyone who is received as a member here will be required to take a long series of secret oaths, swearing in the name of God—(in the name of ALLAH in the degrees of the Scottish Rite!) under the penalty of a gory death.

Everyone who is a member here will be sworn to protect each other's secrets of sin and wickedness, immorality and even certain illegal acts.

We will only allow as members in this church: White men well thought of, no crippled, no deaf, no blind and no women.

At EVERY funeral service here, I will pronounce the ASSURANCE of eternal life upon the deceased solely because he was member of our organization and his life was said to have contained many good works.

Every member here will take an oath of death to keep secret our gospel of "light" – our message of "salvation".


We will be required to open and close every meeting in prayer. We can use the name of any god we wish except for the name of JESUS.

In this place – no longer will you be allowed to proclaim the name of Jesus or talk to anyone about everlasting life being found ONLY in Him. We are afraid if may "offend" someone.


EVERY TRUE MASON KNOWS THAT EVERY ONE OF THE ABOVE, ARE THE TEACHINGS OF THE LODGE! WOULD YOU WANT YOUR CHURCH TO OPERATE THIS WAY? WOULD YOU WANT YOUR PASTOR TO BELONG TO AN ORGANIZATION THAT TAUGHT AND BELIEVED THESE THINGS? THEN HOW COULD IT POSSIBLY BE O.K. FOR YOU? THE BIBLE SAYS THAT IT IS NOT, AND THAT YOU MUST COME OUT! (II CORINTHIANS 6:14—17).

A Few Reasons Why A True Born Again Believer Cannot Be A Mason or Stay A Mason Once He Knows The Truth About Masons.

(Every statement below is documented by the most respected of Masonic leaders and authors and authorities and/or can be clearly seen by ANYONE who wishes to see. No true Mason can deny these statements and their authority once they have truly enlightened themselves by the literature of the "CRAFT"). There are MANY more reasons, but these speak clearly for themselves.

1. FREEMASONRY IS "ANOTHER" RELIGION. (Coil's MASONIC ENCYCLOPEDIA – Hereafter referred to as CME) 95:512

2. MASONRY TEACHES IT'S OWN PLAN OF SALVATION contrary to the gospel. (Masonic Ritual and Monitor – 58:50,69:88)

3. MASONIC RITUAL IS A SYSTEM OF PAGAN WORSHIP – (Albert Pike – Morals and Dogma 26:526).

4. MASONRY is a religious system based upon INTENTIONAL deceit, especially to the BLUE LODGE "ignorant masses." (Albert Pike Morals and Dogma, page 819).

5. FREEMASONRY IS DISTINCTLY NOT CHRISTIANITY! – (Albert Mackey's Encyclopedia of Freemasonry 96,II: 847-848).

6. A CHRISTIAN WHO MAY ENTER THE LODGE is told, (and he attests and swears to this in the First Degree initiation!), that he is in darkness and will be brought to the "light" through Masonry. (Albert Mackey – The manual of the Lodge 105:20, 13:5).

7. MASONRY TEACHES THAT THE GOD of the Bible is NOT the god of Masonry—(CME – 95:516-517).

8. MASONRY EXPLICITLY DENIES THE DEITY OF JESUS CHRIST – (Maundy Thursday Ritual – Chapter of the Rose Croix.)

9. IN the HIGHER degrees of Masonry – the initiate finds that Satan or Lucifer is revealed as the "BEARER OF LIGHT" to the MASON (Pike, Morals and Dogma 19th degree page 321).

10. The order of the Eastern Star (the women's branch of Freemasonry) has chosen as its symbol, the Pentagram! (The UNIVERSAL symbol of Satanism and witchcraft! This symbol is proudly displayed on all OES lodges and on the front of the white OES Bible. It is also to be found on the cover of every Satanic Bible! In their own literature, the OES ADMITS that they know it is the universal symbol for Witchcraft, but they used the symbol anyway to "try and bring good meaning to an evil symbol."


11. THE PENTAGRAM (symbol for the OES) is the Satanic symbol for "the goat's head" – the old god of Baal worship – universally connected with Satanic ritual worship. In the upper degrees of Freemasonry (30 through 32) – the initiate is informed that the "MASONIC RELIGION is "LUCIFERIAN DOCTRINE." (Albert Pike – Morals and Dogma Degrees 30, 31, and 32.)

12. The SATAN of the BIBLE is clearly denied and dismissed as a Christian Myth" and is presented as the true light of Masons! (Pike – Morals and Dogma 32 degree page 859).

13. ANYTIME BIBLE scripture is used in Masonic ritual; the name of Jesus is PURPOSELY removed! (Albert Mackey – Masonic Law page 207 – 209).

14. NO MATTER what you may have been told, Blue Lodge Masonry is NOT founded on the Bible, nor does the true meaning of Masonry having anything to do with the Bible! (Chase Digest of Masonic Law pages 207 – 209).
By studying Masonic literature itself, you can clearly see that Freemasonry in its beginning levels, all the way through the highest degrees, it completely incompatible with the true Christianity.


Masonry is opposed to the one true God, it is opposed to the teachings of the Bible as authority, it is opposed to the person and deity of Jesus Christ, it is opposed to salvation by grace, and it is opposed to every major Christian doctrine. HOW THEN CAN A TRUE CHRISTIAN JOIN IN, LIVE BY, AND PROMOTE THE TEACHINGS OF MASONRY?


PLEASE do not maintain the hypocrisy of claiming to be a Christian while living you life in an organization that denies everything Christian. Either follow Jesus or follow Masonry. Either live as a Believer or live as a Mason. Jesus said in Matt. 15:7-8 – "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." The Word of God declares in Joshua 24: 14-15 – "But if serving the true Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose you this day who you will serve, whether the gods your fore fathers served, … but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!


WHAT DO I DO?
In Prayer, repent of the sin of your affiliation with Freemasonry. Denounce its grip over your life by pleading the Blood of Jesus as your cleansing power.
2. Write the Mason lodge a letter declaring your removal from their rolls and denunciation of your oaths and vows.
3. Publicly declare your disaffiliation with Freemasonry.
4. Enjoy your freedom in Jesus! Live for Him alone!
5. Walk in the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Thank you, again, for taking time to read and study this booklet. My prayer is that the Lord Jesus has used it to shed some real LIGHT on Freemasonry. There is so much more that could be said and written on the topic. I have only tired to give you what I consider to be the basic Biblical and Masonic facts so that you may make an educated and rational decision concerning your affiliation with Freemasonry.

Please remember that I desire to attack or harm no individual. I am merely "exposing the darkness", as the Word or God commands, of a system that many believe is very deceptive and dangerous. (Eph. 5: 8-14)
If you would like to discuss this subject further please let me know. I would love to sit down with you and thoughtfully, prayerfully address this matter and any concerns this booklet may have raised for you.

May the God of TRUE LIGHT, Jesus Christ, richly bless you and bring you into the light of His Blessed Truth!



"Ask the Preacher" articles as they appeared in the Santa Rosa Press Gazette (Milton, Florida). The author is Pastor Carl Gallups of Hickory Hammock Baptist Church in Milton, Florida. These articles are copyrighted by Carl Gallups and may be reproduced provided that copyright notice is given.


Dear Pastor Gallups, I have heard you say before that a person cannot be a Christian and at the same time be involved in Freemasonry. I strongly disagree with this view. I have several relatives and friends who are Masons and fine Christians at the same time. C. R. - Milton

Dear C.R., There are numerous scholarly works on this topic that you can purchase at any Christian bookstore. If you have access to the Internet you will find literally scores of websites with volumes of information on this controversial topic.

Yes, C.R.,. I have done years of research in this matter and have talked to active masons and former masons. I have read much of their own literature, which I have in my possession and have been present at several of their public rituals. So, what I am about to say, cannot be denied by any Mason unless they are totally uneducated in the ways and teaching of their own organization or unless they simply are not being truthful about the matter.

For the man or woman who is a part of any Masonic organization who at the same time claims to be a born again Christian, I would emphatically say that the two ways of life and philosophies are NOT compatible in ANY way. The three fundamental, foundational truths of evangelical, New Testament Christianity are as follows. 1. Jesus is God in the Flesh and the ONLY way for ANY person to be saved and make it to heaven. 2. The Bible is the ONLY word and the FINAL word of the Living and True God. 3. Salvation is by God's grace ALONE and not by ANY works that man can do.

The religious teachings of freemasonry DENY all three fundamentals of New Testament Christianity! The Masons teach that; 1. Jesus is just one of MANY ways by which a person can get to heaven and that all religious systems are of equal value in this matter 2. There are MANY "words" of God in many different forms and that ALL religious works contain elements of truth and that NONE (including the Bible) are the complete word of God. 3. A person can get to heaven to the "Grand Architect of the Universe" by the "good works" done while being a "good and faithful mason."

Why, if you really are a Christian, would you want to belong to ANY organization or religious system that denies the very foundation of what you say you believe? You either are not a true mason or you are not a true Christian, but, you cannot be BOTH at the same time! It is utterly impossible! You must either denounce your so- called Christian faith or denounce your allegiance to and involvement in freemasonry. I see no other choice for the true, born again Christian believer.

My prayer for you, C. R. is that YOU would commit to Jesus Christ and Him alone. No religious or fraternal organization, not even membership in a particular church, can guarantee your entrance into heaven. ONLY Jesus Christ and personal faith in Him can do that.



Pastor Gallups - " From reading some of your past articles regarding the Masons, I think that you are operating under the false assumption that Freemasonry is a "religion". It is not, it is a fraternal organization, nothing more." N.P. - Milton

Dear N.P., You are right that Freemasonry is not a religion in the traditional sense of the word. However, if a person knows anything about Freemasonry at all, that person would know that Freemasonry DOES make emphatic religious claims and even has certain religious REQUIREMENTS that a person must profess before he is even considered for membership.

For example, in order to be considered for membership, a person must profess his belief in "the existence of a supreme being" and of "a future existence". (The Florida Masonic Monitor, page 5, under The Qualifications of a Candidate.) Further, prayers to "God" are invoked throughout the entire Masonic proceedings. Additionally, anyone who has ever attended a Masonic funeral cannot intelligently deny the emphatically religious message at the funeral. Consider the following statement found on page 62 of the Florida Masonic Monitor, "it (Freemasonry) is so INTERWOVEN WITH RELIGION as to lay us under obligations to pay that rational homage to the Deity…"

So you see, J.T, while Freemasonry may not be a formal and traditional religion, this "fraternal organization" does make many religious claims. Whenever any organization is permeated by this much religiosity, there is a responsibility to examine these religious claims in light of the true and contextual teaching of the Bible. As indicated in my previous articles, NONE of the religious claims of Freemasonry, especially regarding; the deity of Jesus, the absolute authority of the Bible and salvation being by God's Grace ALONE, line up with the teachings of God's word.

I still say that Freemasonry and New Testament Christianity are NOT COMPATIBLE and that any person involved in Freemasonry who at the same time claims to be a born again Christian, once enlightened on this matter, should have nothing else to do with Freemasonry. It really is that simple. If you are involved in Freemasonry, N.P., it is my prayer that you would look to Jesus ALONE for your salvation and hope of eternal security as well as your strength for living today!



Dear Pastor Gallups, " I have heard you make a connection between the Muslim faith and the order of Freemasonry. Can you explain that here for me?" G.H. Milton

Dear G..H., After a man passes through the "Blue Lodge" or the first 3 degrees of Masonry and has achieved the status of Master Mason he can petition to become a member of the Shrine or the "Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine." Until 2000, one had to complete the Scottish Rite or York Rite degrees of Masonry to be eligible for Shrine membership, but now any Master Mason can join.

One of the most distinguishing marks of a Shriner is the Fez hat that he wears. So named after the city of Fez, Morocco...which by the way has been the site of numerous documented massacres of both Jews and Christians by various Muslim conquerors. The Fez is a distinctly Muslim symbol and, at least indirectly, celebrates the Muslim conquest of the area.

The emblem found on the fez is that of Muslim origin. It contains the Arabic pagan god symbols of the Crescent Moon and Star found on every flag of Islam. The symbols are hung under a "scimitar" or an Arabic sword of war. This is the sword that has killed the "infidels" down through the ages under Muslim conquest.

It is often reported on many Christian websites that the color red represents the blood of Christians and Jews spilled by the Muslim conquerors. I can find no hard facts to back this claim, but it is a fact that the FEZ is a Muslim symbol, invented in Fez, Morocco - the undisputed site of many Muslim atrocities leveled against Christians and Jews.

The Shriner meets in TEMPLE - most of which have distinctly Arabic names. They are often built to resemble a Mosque. He wears his fez with the Muslim symbols on it. He takes his oaths and says his prayers in the name of ALLAH. Many of his secret passwords and code phrases are in Arabic, which he is required to memorize in order to be in the "order".

I could go on and on but I think you see the obvious connection. If you have a Shriner friend or relative he will probably deny what I am saying. However, I can refer you to several men in this community who have come out of Masonry and the Shriners and who have committed their life to Jesus Christ as Lord who can verify all that I have written here. This is why I have long contended that a person cannot be both a Mason and a Christian. Please read Joshua 24:14-15



READERS OF THIS ARTICLE - A short time after the above letter appeared in the Newspaper, Mr. Gregory Smith of the Hadji Shrine of Pensacola, paid for and took out a quarter page space to refute all that I had said above. Below is my response to his rebutal.

Dear Readers,

In order to dispel the inaccuracies of Mr. Gregory Smith's (General Counsel of Hadji Shrine Temple) response to one of my recent "Ask the Preacher" articles, I find it necessary to write this. If you read that article, you will remember that I "predicted" such a response from the Shrine. But, I also assured my readers that I did indeed know what I was speaking of.

Mr. Smith states that "he (Pastor Gallups) has little or no knowledge of Freemasonry…he knows nothing about…the fundamental teachings of the Christian faith."

My well-read library of Freemasonry's own materials is extensive. I have spoken, preached, written and conducted conferences on this topic for many years around the United States and Canada. My writings and tapes on this subject have been distributed around the country. I was invited by the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention some years back to come and speak to this issue to the Board of Directors.

I have often found that I have more knowledge of this subject than most Masons themselves. Particularly regarding the theological aspects and implications of Freemasonry. It is not that I am so wise, it is simply that I have read and studied THEIR material profusely. Many Masons have not. As for me knowing "nothing" about the Christian faith, well, the ridiculousness of that statement requires no comment.

Mr. Smith says that the ruling principle of Freemasonry is " The brotherhood of man, under the Fatherhood of God." My point precisely! If Mr. Smith truly knew his Bible, he would also know that the New Testament is VERY clear that God is the Creator of all but the "Father" of those ALONE who are born again through His Son, Jesus Christ. Men are Creations of God but are "brothers" ONLY in Jesus Christ. So…Biblically speaking, the very "ruling principle" of Freemasonry is totally UNBIBLICAL.

Mr. Smith also erroneously would have his readers believe that Freemasonry requires members to believe in the "one everlasting and true God." Not so. Page 5, paragraph 4, of the Florida Masonic Monitor under Qualifications of Candidates, states, "a Mason must be a man believing in the existence of a Supreme Being".

Believing in the existence of "A Supreme Being" is a far cry from believing in THE ONE EVERLASTING AND TRUE GOD. I have always found it hypocritical of the Masonic Order that they require definitive religious beliefs in order to join, yet when they are questioned on the accuracy of their theology they proclaim, "we are not a religious organization."

Mr. Smith's observation that Baptist Hospital has some professional association with the Scottish Rite, I suppose, was an attempt to imply that Baptists support Freemasonry. They do NOT. The Southern Baptist Convention has published much literature condemning the Order of Freemasonry and its affiliate organizations as "universalist" and "heretical".

Baptist Hospital was incorporated in 1951. Some wonderful people from the First Baptist Church of Pensacola conceived it in the 1930's. Thus, it derives its name from this history. Since its opening in 1951 it has not been affiliated with ANY Baptist denomination.

As to Mr. Smith's denial that the wearing of Fez has no connection to the city of Fez Morocco. He was either being purposely deceitful to his readers or he simply does not know the truth. There are scores of SHRINER websites that attest to the fact that the Fez has direct connections to the city of FEZ, Morocco.

Mr. Smith quoted John 7:24 "Stop judging by mere appearances and make a right judgment." He has taken the passage grossly out of context. Ironically the words contained in the passage are the very words of Jesus himself in regards to those who REJECTED him as the only Messiah and Savior! The very thing that Freemasonry does. . I have also read Ephesians 5:8-14. So… now that the readers know the TRUTH… I will let THEM make a "right judgment.