Customer Reviews

The Lodge (How to Respond to World Religions)

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Freemasonry is so religion-neutral that it always fails to measure up against the "Is-This-A-Religion-Or-Just-A-Cult Test." It's is neither. It's just a society of men attempting to live life by the Golden Rule. Living a moral life according to the code of any religion should qualify a man to be a member. Masons do not attend lodge to worship; they are there because their values make that type of activity a natural extension of their life. Luckily, I never paid to read this drivel.

This 'book' begins by praising the Masonic Lodge (and its other bodies) for it good works then makes a fatal error in presuming that Masonry is a religion. From that point on, it argues against Freemasonry and cites other 'anti-masonic' sources to support ridiculous statements. This book is pure garbage and a weak attempt at an attack on the Lodge. Unless you collect anti-masonic material, like I do, don't waste your money!

This attack against what is considerably the noblest instution on Earth today is made by a people with an ax to grind for the purpose of selling books/tapes. The Bible says by your fruits you are known. Witness Shriner Hospitals, Learning Disorder Centers, Knights Templar Eye Foundation, ALL FREE. Compare that to the self promoting "evangelists of truth". I've found more truth in the simple altruistic fruits of Masonry than in this overhyped drivel. Save your money and join the Lodge.

Here is other example of someone attacking an instution that they know nothing of first hand. The author is clearly out to make a quick buck, hoping to capture the public's interest with fear tatics and not facts. I am glad I borrowed the book, as to not lose any money, but I am upset about the time I wasted. P.S. Not to forget the book itself is poorly written and leaves the reader wondering how did they get this published. If you have troubler sleeping get yourself a copy, otherwise have a tooth pulled its more enjoyable. Sorry I can not reccomend this book.

For anyone familar with the writings of Pike and/or various mystery religions of antiquity, masonry's incompatilibity with Christianity should be quite obvious. This book provides an excellent overview and explanation of masonry's occultic and non-Christian roots, as well as why it should be avoided at all costs by Christians. One need not ascribe to various conspiracy theories regarding masons to understand why there is something unsettling about their doctrines. That they engage in philanthropy is to be expected since at the core of masonry's metaphysical/theological New Age system of thought is the idea that each one of us is a god and that the divine is within one. (This, of course, was the lie of the evil one in the Garden of Eden.) As such, like Mormons and others influenced by hermeticism, masonry -- as it is explained in Pike -- claims Mankind can affect a spiritual and physical transformation of the world by fostering/harnessing the 'good' or 'light' aspects of a universal force that hermeticism teaches suffuses the universe. The force -- which is ontologically superior to masonry's platonic Demiurge -- contains all opposites; creation is simply a fallen manifestation of an eternal tension between matter and form. Regardless of whether or not masons are informed about the actual beliefs of their 'benevolent organization' is quite beside the point: the god of masonry is not the Personal, Loving Triune God of the Christian Bible. That masonry wraps itself in hospitals and 'good' works is precisely the reason why those interested in masonry should read this book. If one substitutes a secular gospel based on a this-wordly notion of social justice for the salvific gospel of Christ, one may very well expose one's self to spiritual deception (prelest) as did Adam and Eve when they unknowingly served evil.

This book is basically good for top surface learning of the Masonic cult. If you desire to learn the deep secrets and doctrines of the Masons I suggest other reading. The author did a nice job of pointing out the Lodge as a religion, prayer in the Lodge and doctrinal comparison. The sub-title is how to respond the author terribly failed to give adequate information to respond and witnessing weaknesses and strong points. However it's not a waste of time, any information learned is valuable for correction.

Bless Your Spirit, Rev. Matt Yarbrough, Jr.

Do not let the below reviews confuse you. This author has done his homework. It is definitely a religion.

My father is a 32 degree mason, and he offered to officiate at our wedding as the pastor. Since he goes to no other church and definitely has no certification from any other religion, and since he specifically stated that it was because of his standing in the Masons that he could legally marry us, I think this is an excellent example of the fact that they do consider it a religion.

The book tells it like it is, I just wish it went into more detail as to how to talk to a Mason about his religion.