Freemasonry came to the Philippines during the mid-1900s through a Spanish naval captain named Jose Malcampo Monje. He is responsible for establishing the first Philippine Masonic Lodge in Kawit, Cavite. The spread of Freemasonry continued through the young Filipino students who studied in Spain na katulad nina Marcelo H. del Pilar, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Jose Alejandrino, Antonio Luna, Jose Rizal, at marami pang iba. Sa katunayan, ay marami kang makikitang symbols ng Freemasonry sa iba’t-ibang parte ng Pilipinas kung saan nakabaon ang relihiyong ito sa kaisipan ng maraming mga mamayang Filipino. May napansin ka bang Centennial Masonic Clock Monument sa Rizal Park? How about the Quezon Memorial Shrine?¹ To date, there are more than 20,000 Filipinos who are members of the Free and Accepted Masons in the country.     

Marahil marami kang napapakinggan na mga kaibigan or influential people na member ng freemasonry. Ano ba itong freemasonry na ito? At bakit ba parang pili lang ang mga taong nakaka-join sa grupong ito? Can a person join Freemasonry while remaining as a Christian? Is this group a cult? Ano ba ang ibig sabihin ng symbol nila na makikita mo na nakadikit sa mga sasakyan? Is this a religious organization? Is this a secret society?

According to them, Freemasonry is “not a religion” but why do they inject God and spirituality into their practices and rituals? Sabi din nila ay hindi daw ito “secret society,” pero bakit ayaw nilang ipakita kung papaano ang mga ritual na kanilang ginagawa sa pagiging miyembro ng isang Freemason? Sa katunayan ay sinsambit nila ang mga katagang ito sa pagiging Master Mason,

“All this I most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, …binding myself under no less penalty than that of having my body severed in two, my bowels torn from thence and burned to ashes, and these scattered before the four winds of heaven, that no more remembrance might be had among men or Masons of so vile a wretch as I should be, should I, in the least, knowingly or wittingly violate or transgress this my Master Mason obligation. So help me God and keep me steadfast.”    

There are some members of the Freemasons who will probably comment that this writer is not qualified to talk about the subject since he did not experienced being a member of their group. The fact is, one need not be a member of  a religious group or organization para malaman lang kung ano ang kanilang paniniwala at ginagawa. Ang kailangan mo lang gawin is to do a careful research and study of their official writings and literatures, along with listening to their authorities and former members who became Christian then you will have an idea of what they are doing.   

Maraming mga tao sa United States na familiar sa Loyal Order of Moose, National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Pero ang hindi nila naiintindihan ay may koneksiyon ang lahat ng ito sa Freemasonry. Aminin natin na marami ang nagkaka-interest na sumama sa grupong ito pero wala silang idea kung ano ba talaga ang kanilang sinasamahan. Some of the reasons why they wanted to join ay dahilan sa malawakang koneksiyon sa mga influential people ng kanilang society. Is there more than meets the eye? So ano nga ba ang Freemasonry?

According to one of their official website, “Freemasonry is a brotherhood rooted in the mission of making good men even better, guided by the core values of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth.”² Ipinaliwanag din nila na ang symbol na square at compass means truth, morality, and brotherly love.³ There is nothing wrong with good works if done for other people. After all, nanggaling naman talaga ang idea natin ng moral values and good works sa ating Diyos. But if anyone uses their morality and good works to justify themselves as righteous and holy then this is never acceptable in the eyes of God. We cannot deny the fact na marami din namang mabubuting ginagawa ang mga Freemasons that have contributed to the welfare of humanity tulad din ng ibang mga known religious groups. In fact, they are not the only ones who does these things but many religious cult groups as well katulad na lang ng mga Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC), Members Church of God International (“Ang Dating Daan”), and Metro Manila International Christian Church (MMICC). The Freemasons have put up some hospitals like the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children and Masonic Charitable Foundation. Marami silang mga philantrophic activities na ginagawa all over the world. They funded medical research, help the homeless, and support the needy. We have nothing against the good things they are doing. Ang kailangan lang nating malaman ay kung ang kanila bang mga paniniwala ay naka-align sa truth ng Salita ng Diyos.

Origin of Freemasonry 

According kay William J. Whalen, author ng Handbook of Secret Organizations, ang mga ibang fraternities na makikita natin sa mga schools and universities ay may ugat at nakabase sa gawain ng mga Freemasons. Kaya nga sila may mga secret rituals na ginagawa para maging miyembro ng kani-kniyang mga fraternities. As Whalen quotes William H. Shideler, founder of Phi Kappa Tau and a Mason himself, who stated: ‘Most of the rituals of college fraternities are based more or less directly upon the … Masonic ritual.”⁵ 

Paano bang nagsimula ang Freemasonry? May mga miyembrong nagsasabing nagsimula daw ang Freemasonry before the beginning of time. Obviously, this is a huge claim that could not hold water if we based it from God’s word. Sabi din naman ng iba na ang unang Masonic “aprons” daw ay sinuot nina Adam and Eve sa Genesis 3:7. Ang sabi naman ng iba ay may connection daw ito sa temple ni Solomon. Pero ang totoo ay nagsimula lamang ang modern Masonry noong mga 1717 where the four lodges in Great Britain formed the first Grand Lodge of England, na naging known as the Premier Grand Lodge of the world.⁶ Ang terminology at symbolism ng Masonry ay nanggaling karamihan sa stonemasonry ng mga European craftsmen ng mga Midieval Age. Ang mga stonemasons (Operative Masons) ay nagsasama-sama para i-improve yung kanilang craft and they also keep secrets from each other. Ang Freemasonry ay tinatawag ding Speculative Masonry dahil sa paggamit nila ng mga working tools ng Operative Masonry para gamiting mga symbols upang magturo ng moral and philosophical lessons.⁷ Itong mga non-operative Masons are tinawag din namang “Accepted” kung kaya’t ang tawag sa kanila ngayon ay Free and Accepted Masons depende kung saang lugar sila nandoon. Hindi nga lang natin talaga matukoy kung saan nagmula ang salitang “free” sa salitang “Freemasonry.” Sabi ng iba ay nanggaling daw ito sa “freestone” na hindi nabibiyak at ginagamit din ng mga Operative Masons.         

The first three degrees of Masonry in the Blue Lodge are Apprentice (1st Degree), Fellow Craft (2nd Degree), and Master Mason  (3rd Degree). Itong first three degrees ang nagfo-form ng Blue Lodge of Masonry. Since blue is symbolic of sky, it relates to the universal Masonry. Hindi puwedeng tawaging Mason ang isang tao kapag hindi niya narating ang 3rd Degree or Master Mason. Once na marating niya itong degree na ito ay puwede din namang hanggang dito na lamang siya. Pero kung gusto pa niyang malaman ang tungkol sa mga misteryo ng pagiging Mason para makita pa niya ang “mas matinding liwanag” ay puwede naman siyang tumuloy-tuloy at maging miyembro ng Scottish Rite or York Rite. Ang Scottish Rite ay nag-o-offer ng 4th degree hanggang 33rd degree. Ang 33rd Degree ay tinatawag na Inspector General Honorary or Sovereign Grand Inspector General. Mas kakaunti ang Degrees ng York Rite na nasa 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, at Super Exellent Master.⁸ Pero may katapat naman ito sa maraming mga titles sa Scottish Rite. Usually, ang isa sa mga requirement para makapasok sa Freemasonry ay dapat naniniwala ka sa isang Superme Being regardless of religious affiliation. Pero sa pinakamataas na order ng York Rite which is Order of the Knights of Templar, ang requirement ay dapat na ikaw ay Kristiyanong Mason who have completed the Royal Arch and their Cryptic Degrees in some jurisdiction dahil ang isa sa mga gawain nito ay protektahan ang pananampalataya.⁹ At para maging isang Shriner, kailangan ang isang Freemason member naman ay nasa 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason na ang katapat nito ay York Rite (Knights Templar).¹⁰ 

How To Be A Freemason

Ang Freemasonry ay para lamang sa mga lalaki. But there is also The Order of the Eastern Star that allows both men and women. Samantalang ang Demolay naman ay para sa mga nakababatang mga kalalakihan, at ang Rainbow Girls at Job’s Daughter naman ay para sa mga kababaihan. Ang kailangan lamang gawin para maging isang Freemason ay may mag-refer sa iyo na isang nakakakilala. But you need to ask how to become one. In fact, they are also quoting the Scripture in Matthew 7:7 to support this practice, na para bang kumakatok ka sa lodge nila upang ikaw ay papasukin.  

Is Freemasonry A Religion?

There is no doubt about it. Ang Freemasonry ay isang relihiyon at hindi lamang “brotherhood” na sinasabi ng mga karamihan. Ito ay sa kadahilanang may sinasabi ito patungkol sa Diyos, kay Jesus Christ, sa kasalanan, kaligtasan, at future judgment. Pero iginigiit pa rin ng mga authorities ng Freemason na ang kanilang samahan ay hindi relihiyon. According to Joseph Fort Newton, an Episcopal minister and recognized authority in the Masonic world,

“Masonry is not religion a religion but Religion–not a church but worship, in which men of all relgions may unite.” ¹¹

Is this true? Tingnan natin kung hindi nga ba talaga religion ang Freemasonry. Kasi kung meron silang opinyon about spirituality then ibig sabihin niyan they are a religious organization. The question that needs to be ask is if they are a legitimate Christian group or a cult of Christianity. 

1. Freemasonry’s view on the unity of all religions.

“Religion, then, is the bond that binds us, first to God, Whose is, ‘the something universal’ which unites us all things into one whole, and gives to the universe meaning and beauty. Second, it is the tie by which we are united to our fellow men in the service of duty, the sanctity of love, and the spirit of fraternal righteousness” ¹² 

Refutation:

Ang religion ay hindi makapagliligtas sa atin. Ang salitang “religion” sa BIble ay nanggaling sa Griyegomng salitang threskia na ang ibig sabihin ay external ceremonies na pawang ginagawa ng mga Hudyo sa panahon ni Jesus by taking care of the widows and orphans. Actually, walang masama dito kung pagtulong din lang ang pag-uusapan. Pero kung gagamitin mo ang relihiyon upang ikaw ay maligtas then dito ka magkakamali. Ang pure religion ay isang outcome lamang dapat ng kaligtasan at relasyon mo sa Diyos sa pamamagitan ni Jesus Christ.

²⁶ If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. ²⁷ Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. – James 1:26-27   

2. Freemasonry’s view on the Bible’s equality with the other religious literatures.

“The Bible is properly called a greater light of Freemasonry, for from the center of the Lordge it pours forth upon the East, the West, and the South its refulgent rays of Divine truth. The Bible is used among Freemasons as a symbol of the will of God, however it may be expressed. Therefore, whatever to any people expresses that will may be used as a substitute for the Bible in a Masonic Lodge. Thus, in a Lodge consisting entirely of Jews, the Old Testament alone may be placed on the altar, and Turkish Freemasons make used of the Koran. Whether it be the Gospels to the Christian, the Pentateuch to the Israelite< the Koran to the Mussulman, or the Vedas to the Brahman, it everywhere Masonically conveys the same idea–the symbolism of the Divine Will revealed to man.”¹³        

Refutation:

Ang Salita ng Diyos ang nag-iisang inspired writing na ibinigay sa atin ng Diyos na dapat basahin at wala nang iba. Ito lamang ang may authority sa lahat ng salita sa mundong ito. Sapat na ang Bible para makilala natin ang Diyos, si Hesus, at ang Banal na Espiritu. Sapat na rin ito para tayo ay makasumpong ng kaligtasan sa pangalan ni Jesus. Sapat na rin ito para tayo ay maitama at mamuhay ng mabuti sa mundong ito sa tulong ng Banal na Espiritu. 

¹⁶ All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

3. Freemasonry’s view on the universality of God.

“A belief in the existence of God is an essential point of Speculative Freemasonry–so essential, indeed, that it is a landmark of the Order that no Atheist can be made a Freemason. Nor is this left to an inference; for a specific declaration to that effect is demanded as an indispensable preparation for initiation. Hence, Hutchinson says that the worship of God ‘was the first and corner-stone on which our originals thought it expedient to place the foundation of Masonry. The religion of Freemasonry is cosmopolitan, universal; but the required belief in God is not incompatible with this universality; for it is the belief of all peoples. ‘Be assured,’ says Godfrey Higgins, ‘that God is equally present with the pious Hindoo in the temple, the Jew in the synagogue, the Mohammedan in the Mosque, and their Christian in the church.” ¹⁴     

Refutation:

Ang “diyos” ng Freemasonry ay hindi Diyos ng Bibliya. Ang sabi ng Bible ay mayroon lamang isang Diyos na ang pangalan ay Yahweh. And this one Yahweh exist in three distinct divine Persons: the Father, the Son namely Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Ibang-iba ang Triune God na ito sa mga diyos na sinasamba ng mga tao sa kani-kanilang relihiyon. This universalism is also the reason why many self-proclaimed “Christians” cannot share the gospel to their Masonic brothers. According to Dr. Ron Rhodes, “The Masonic policy is that ‘no phrase or terms should be used in a Masonic service that would arouse sectarian feelings or wound the religious sensibilities of any Freemason.'”¹⁵ Sabi nga ng Panginoon, 

I am the LORD (Yahweh), and there is no other, besides me there is no God (elohim: pagan gods); I equip you, though you do not know me, – Isaiah 45:5  

4. Freemason’s view that Jesus is just one of the religious gurus.

“In his private devotions a man may petition God or Jehovah, Allah or Buddha, Mohammed or Jesus; he may call upon the God of Israel or the Great First Cause. In the Masonic Lodge he hears humble petition to the Great Architect of the Universe, finding his own deity under that name. A hundred paths may wind upward around a mountain; at the top they meet.”¹⁶ 

Refutation:

Ang sabi ng Bible si Jesus ang unique na Anak ng Diyos, Tagapagligtas, kapantay ng Ama, walang bahid ng anumang kasalanan, at Diyos na nagkatawang-tao. At kung mananampalataya tayo sa Kaniya ay magkakaroon tayo ng buhay na walang-hanggan. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit Siya bukod-tangi at naiiba sa lahat ng founder ng religion na pawang mga makasalanan at nangangailangan ng Tagapagligtas na si Jesus.¹⁷    

5.  Freemasonry’s attempt to transform an individual.  

“… the candidate should become a new man: he should have a new range of thought; a new feeling about mankind; a new idea about God; and new confidence in immortality; a new passion for brotherhood; a new generosity and charity. The whole purpose of the ritual, of the symbols, of all that is done and said, is solemnly to bring about such a transformation in the man.”¹⁸   

Refutation:

What they offer only is external change but not inner transformation. Ang sabi ni Apostle Paul, si Hesus lang ang puwedeng makapagpabago sa atin at wala nang iba. May sinulat siya sa 2 Corinthians 5:17 na “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”  

So you will noticed, ilan lang ito sa mga taliwas na katuruan ng Freemasonry. In fact, as a Freemason, you are not allowed to share the gospel to the other Freemasons because it will be seen as disrespect of the belief of others. 

Conclusion

Can a person join Freemasonry while remaining as a Christian? I do not think so. There will be many compromises that a Christian should do if he really wants to be an active Freemason. Imagine the words like Worshipful Master address to a high ranking Freemason. Or the terms “Abaddon” and “Jab-Bul-On” as secret names for God which is a misrepresentation of the personal name of God Himself. The Bible warns us to “not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” (2 Cor. 6:14). Truly, Freemasonry is a cult of Christianity. Ang aking panalangin sa mga Masong nagsasabing sila daw ay Kristiyano na makita na nila ang tunay na liwanag ng Salita ng Diyos. As Jim Shaw, a former 33rd Degree Mason-turned-Christian testifies,

“Never in all my years of dedicated service to Masonry did anyone in the Lodge witness to me about the love and saving grace of Jesus. The Lodge attended a church once a year as a group. each time the pastor (who was himself a Mason) would introduce us to the congregation and then exalt the Craft, telling them about all our wonderful works. We usually left the church thinking of how wonderful we were and feeling sorry for all those in the church who were not Masons, participating in all our good deeds.

“After having been witnessed to by my ophthalmologist for some time I read those simple, wonderful words of Jesus, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me hath everlasting life.’ These words, so short and so sweet, went right through my heart. I looked in the Bible for more and I found blessed assurance everywhere I looked. Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, really loved me. That truth set me free. I received the One who loved me as a real Brother. He will do the same for you.”¹⁹

¹¹ Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. ¹² For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. – Ephesians 5:11-12

Footnotes:

¹ Manuel L. Quezon became a Freemason in March 17, 1908. (See “Quezon Memorial Shrine, Quezon City: Freemason history and Symbols in the 1935 Philippine Constitution Repository and Museo ni Manuel Quezon,” Lakbay ng Lakan, accessed March 21, 2021, https://lakansining.wordpress.com/2020/08/02/quezon-memorial-shrine-quezon-city-freemason-history-and-symbols-in-the-1935-philippine-constitution-repository-and-museo-ni-manuel-quezon/comment-page-1/.  

² Operative Masons vs. Speculative Masons: What is the Difference?, accessed March 21, 2021. https://www.freemason.com/operative-vs-speculative-masons/.

³ There are numerous allegories and symbols in Freemasonry that even their “authorities” are contradicting each other in their definition and explanation. A former 33rd Degree Mason-turned-Christian namely Jim Shaw explains, “Blue Lodge Masons are taught that the Square is to remind them that they must be ‘square’ in their dealings with all men, i.e. to be honest. The Compass, they are taught, is to teach them to ‘circumscribe their passions,’ i.e. to control their desires and to be temperate. The real meaning of these ‘great lights,’ however, is sexual. The Square represents the female (passive) generative principle, the earth, and the baser, sensual nature, and the Compass represents the male (active) generative principle, the sun/heavens, and the higher, spiritual nature. The Compass, arranged above the Square, symbolizes the (male) Sun, impregnating the passive (female) Earth with it’s life-producing rays. The true meanings, then are two-fold: the earthly (human) representations are of the man and his phallus, and the woman with her receptive eteis (vagina). The cosmic meaning is that of the active Sun (deity, the Sun-god) from above, imparting life into the passive Earth, (deity, the earth/fertility goddess) below and producing new life.” Albert Pike, “Morals and Dogma of The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry: First Three Degrees,” 11, 839, 850-51. Cited by Jim Shaw and Tom McKenney, “The Deadly Deception,” Lafayette, LA: Huntington House Inc. 1988), 143-44.

⁴ “We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment” Isa. 64:6.

⁵ William J. Whalen, Handbook of Secret Organizations (Milwaukee: The Bruce Publishing Company, 1966), 43-44. Adapted from Harold J. Berry, Masons: What They Believe, 1990.

⁶ “The basic, local organizational unit of Freemasonry is the Lodge, which is usually overseen at the regional level (state, province, or national border) by a Grand Lodge.” Adapted from Joe Carter, “The FAQs: Is Freemasonry Compatible with Christianity?” The Gospel Coalition, February 19, 2020, accessed March 21, 2021, https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/the-faqs-is-freemasonry-compatible-with-christianity/)

⁷ See Henry Wilson Coil, 33rd Degree, Coil’s Masonic Encyclopedia (New York: Macoy Publishing & Masonic Supply Company, 1961), 266. Adapted from Harold J. Berry, Masons: What They Believe, 1990.

⁸ George Mather and Larry Nichols, Masonic Lodge (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1995). Cited by Ron Rhodes, Reasoning from the Scriptures with Masons, (Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 2001), 23-24. 

⁹ The term “Christian” does not refer to the biblical meaning but more of an external religious profession only that does not include experiential.

¹⁰ The term Shriner, is known formally as Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shriners. If you notice, the first letter rearrange stands for “A Mason.”

¹¹ Joseph Fort Newton, The Religion of Masonry: An Interpretation (Richmond, VA: Macoy Publishing and Masonic Supply Company, Inc., 1969), 11. Adapted from Harold J. Berry, Masons: What They Believe, 1990.

¹² Newton. The Religion of Masonry. 34.

¹³ Mackey’s Revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry Volume 1, (Chicago, IL: The Masonic History Company, 1929), 133.

¹⁴ Mackey’s Revised Encyclopedia. Masonic HIstory. 409-410.

¹⁵ J. W. Acker, Strange Altars: A Scriptural Appraisal of the Lodge (St. Louis: Concordia, 1959), 37. Cited by Ron Rhodes, Reasoning from the Scriptures with Masons, (Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 2001), 107. 

¹⁶ Carl H. Claudy, Introduction to Freemasonry, Vol. I, 20th prtg. (Washington, DC: The Temple Publishers, 1943), 38.

¹⁷ See Jn. 3:16; Matt. 1:21; Jn. 5:18; 1 Pet. 2:22; Jn. 1:14, 18.

¹⁸ H.L. haywood, The Great Teachings of Masonry (Richmond: Macoy Publishing and Masonic Supply Co., 1971), 138-39. Cited by Ron Rhodes, Reasoning from the Scriptures with Masons, (Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 2001), 175.

¹⁹ Jim Shaw and Tom McKenney, “The Deadly Deception,” Lafayette, LA: Huntington House Inc. 1988), 125.