Introduction
Growing up, we heard unsettling stories about Freemasonry. One of the most striking tales was that when a Freemason dies, their heart is allegedly taken out before burial, followed by rituals performed in their traditional Masonic attire. Whether these claims were true or not, the secrecy surrounding Freemasonry made many believe that their activities were even more sinister. Their own writings reveal much more than what they publicly admit.
According to some sources, Freemasonry is defined as “a fraternal organization of men who meet to learn and practice moral and charitable values.” The BBC estimates that it is the world’s largest fraternal organization, boasting over six million members worldwide. The influence of this movement on society and individuals is undeniable.
Endorsements by Leaders
In recent years, prominent leaders in Ghana have openly endorsed Freemasonry, dispelling claims that it is a secret society or anti-Christian organization.
During the vetting of ministerial nominees for President John Mahama’s government, Mr. George Opare-Addo (a.k.a. Pablo) admitted being a Freemason and said he puts his trust in the “Grand Architect of the Universe” (GATU) during difficult times. Similarly, Honourable Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader of Ghana’s biggest opposition party, revealed in multiple interviews that he is both a committed Catholic and a Freemason.
During an interview with Bernard Avle on ‘The Point of View’ on Channel One TV, Hon. Afenyo-Markin defended his involvement in Freemasonry, arguing:
“Freemasonry is not anti-Christian. Many Catholics are Freemasons but are afraid to speak about it. If nothing else, the Rose Croix, the highest level of Masonry, requires one to profess Christ.”
He reiterated a similar stance during an interview on ‘The Probe’ on Joy News TV with Emefa Apawu:
“Freemasonry is not an occult society. It is not a secret society. And it is not an anti-Christ organization. As a Christian, I would never join a society that opposes Christ.”
Former Ghanaian President John Agyekum Kufuor, himself a Senior Grand Warden of the United Grand Lodge of England, has also defended Freemasonry, describing it as a fraternity focused on moral character development. He noted:
“Freemasonry instills a sense of moral responsibility, teaching members to acknowledge the Creator as the source of all things.”
Despite these defenses, the core beliefs and practices of Freemasonry contradict Christianity in fundamental ways. In this article, we will explore five major reasons why a true Christian cannot be a Freemason.
#1. Freemasonry’s View of God Contradicts the Bible.
The first and most critical issue with Freemasonry is its concept of God. Freemasonry promotes a universalist idea of God, commonly referred to as the “Grand Architect of the Universe.” This concept is designed to be inclusive of all religious beliefs, allowing Masons of different faiths—Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, and others—to participate in Masonic rituals without conflict.
John Ankerberg and John Weldon, in their book ‘The Secret Teachings of the Masonic Lodge: A Christian Perspective’, argue that:
“Freemasonry teaches the universal fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of all men, regardless of their religious beliefs.”
Freemasonry’s official Statement of the Board of General Purposes (1985) asserts:
“The names used for the Supreme Being enable men of different faiths to join in prayer without the terms of the prayer causing dissension among them.”
This contradicts the clear biblical teaching that there is only one true God—the God of the Bible, who has revealed Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (NKJV) states:
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”
Freemasonry’s broad, inclusive definition of God effectively denies the exclusive nature of the God of the Bible.
#2. Freemasonry Denies That Jesus Christ Is the Only Way to God.
Closely tied to their universalist view of God is the fact that Freemasonry does not recognize Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation. Instead, they believe that people of all faiths can reach God through different paths.
Paul Fahy, in ‘A Concise Evaluation of Freemasonry’, writes:
“Jesus is reduced to being a mere man like Aristotle, Plato, or Mohammed. When His name appears in Scripture quoted in Masonic rituals, it is omitted.”
Freemasonry’s Statement of the Board of General Purposes (1985) also states:
“Without interfering in religious practice, it expects each member to follow his own faith and place his duty to God (by whatever name He is known) above all other duties.”
This is in direct contradiction to John 14:6 (NKJV), where Jesus declares:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
A true Christian cannot be part of an organization that rejects the exclusivity of Christ as the only way to salvation.
#3. Freemasonry Places the Bible on the Same Level as Other Religious Books.
Christianity teaches that the Bible is the only inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). However, Freemasonry allows members of different faiths to place their own religious books (e.g., the Quran, Bhagavad Gita) on the same level as the Bible during Masonic rituals.
The Statement of the Board of General Purposes (1985) affirms:
“An open Volume of the Sacred Law is an essential part of every Masonic meeting. To a Christian, it is the Bible; to Freemasons of other faiths, it is the book held holy by them.”
This clearly undermines the Bible’s supreme authority as the inspired Word of God.
#4. Freemasonry Promotes the Universalist Agenda.
Freemasonry promotes the idea that all religions are the same and lead to a common destination.
As early as 1738, its charter stated: “Masonry being found in all nations, even of diverse religions, they are now generally charged to adhere to the religion to which all men agree” (Anderson, 1738).
The 1985 Lodge statement affirmed, “Freemasonry is not a religion… It demands of its members belief in a Supreme Being.”
However, the Bible teaches that salvation is through Jesus Christ alone, making the idea of uniting all faiths incompatible with Christian doctrine (2 Corinthians 6:14).
#5. Freemasonry Promotes a Different Path to Morality
Freemasonry teaches that moral uprightness and good works can lead to enlightenment. While morality is important, Christianity teaches that salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Paul Fahy notes that Freemasonry subtly leads people away from the gospel:
“Freemasonry’s secret goal is the preparation for, and ushering in of, an esoteric, occult kingdom—which the Bible identifies with the Antichrist.”
A Christian cannot follow two opposing spiritual paths—one that leads to Christ and another that leads to a vague “moral enlightenment.”
Conclusion
The increasing acceptance of Freemasonry among some ‘Christians’ is concerning. Despite its charitable works and claims of being a moral society, its core beliefs directly contradict the Bible. Freemasonry promotes a false understanding of God, denies the exclusivity of Christ, undermines the Bible, entrenches universalism, and offers a deceptive path to morality.
A true Christian cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). Believers must be fully committed to Jesus Christ and reject any association that compromises their faith.
Christianity and Freemasonry are incompatible. Choose Christ alone.
