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Mark,
Thanks for your question.
The Masons are not a Protestant sect that came about
as a result of the Reformation.
They trace
their origins to Medieval Monks who were also Knights.
The group went into schism and claimed to have secret
knowledge about God. In other words, it was
nothing more than a rehash of the Gnostic heresy
that plagued the Church in the early centuries.
Masons try to incorporate elements of:
- Christianity
- Judaism, and
- Islam
into their rituals. Although they
are religious, and they require faith in God to be
member, you really can't call Masonry a religion
of it's own.
For many members, especially those at the lower
levels, it's just a social lodge. To their credit,
Masons are also known for works of charity within
the community. At the same time, they profess high
ethical standards with an emphasis on the brotherhood
of man.
That said, as one climbs the Masonic ladder, one gets
polluted by heresy.
Their beliefs seek to reconcile all world religions
based on this secret
knowledge they claim
to have, hence, they are not only heretical by Catholic
standards, they are heretical by Protestant, Jewish,
and Islamic standards. Though the motivation of some such
Mason's may seem honorable and sincere,
they are sincerely wrong.
Therefore, Masonry is not an acceptable practice
for a Catholic to get involved in. It would be much
better for you to join a Catholic fraternal organization,
such as the Knights
of Columbus.
John
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