Freemasonry and God
Occasionally we are asked why we have no connections whatsoever with any Freemasonry or other Masonic organisation, British or Foreign. The answer is quite simply - we are 100% a Christian organisation and as such we are called upon to demonstrate the superior excellence of our faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as the One True God, in Unity with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.
There are undoubtedly other 'faiths' - religious or otherwise - but Jesus himself said: "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except by me".
On the other hand, Freemasonry requires members to accept that whatever a man's religion of mode of worship is, he is not excluded from joining and further that he is to demonstrate the superior excellence of whatever faith it is to which he adheres.
We avoid the obvious clash of such loyalties which must exist in practice because all of our members are of the same faith - Christian. In addition women, as well as men, are welcome to join us.
The following is a photograph of an opening page of one of the oldest copies of the Constitution of Freemasonry, dated March 1867 and "Published by the Order of the Grand Lodge" at Freemasons' Hall, London.
Concerning GOD and RELIGION
Let a man's religion or mode of worship be what it may, he is not excluded from the order, ....
Masons ....
are taught ....
How therefore could a true Knight Templar stand up within a Masonic Lodge meeting and openly declare as a Christian that Jesus Christ is Lord and none other?
To date not one single Freemason has told us that he is a genuine Christian and that he has made such a declaration.
In short, adherence to Freemasonry is indeed incompatible with being a Christian.
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THE SOCIETY OF KNIGHTS TEMPLAR – THEOLOGY PAPER
(010326)
THE INCOMPATIBILITY OF CHRISTIANITY WITH FREEMASONRY
I was ordained over 40 years ago and although now retired I have had an extensive ministry, not only in the United Kingdom but also in numerous places and with governments and organisations across the globe.
I now serve as the Society’s Spiritual Protector and the Grand Prior of our Knights Templar Grand Priory of All Britain. I have an absolute duty of care for our members and I am not therefore prepared to recognise as a true Christian and Knight Templar anyone who aligns themselves to a false belief system which suggests that there is more than one God.
The Christian position is absolutely clear in what actually makes Freemasonry incompatible with Christianity. I shall rely entirely on texts from the Holy Bible. The issue of Freemasonry and the Christian Faith (as delivered to the Saints) is not dependent upon the opinions, activities or mistaken beliefs of individuals, some of whom seem to be proud to explain that they are "not particularly religious". Such an attitude is not a virtue; it is a secular sell-out. It has no place in Templarism.
Let us be clear. Knight Templars are not a Church. However members should not be ‘unconverted’; they ought have been baptised and in be full membership (by confirmation or similar affirmation of membership) of a local church, chapel, cathedral or the like. Those who are indeed “saved” (see Acts 2: 47) may be called by God to be a Knight Templar. So in our ranks there is no room for unbelievers or the unsure, or those who believe or accept that there are “other gods”, or who practice “other beliefs” (Druidism, Esotericism and Rosicrucianism come to mind).
The Ten Commandments are clear. God said: “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not bow down to them or serve them” (Exodus 20: 3, 5). Yet this is exactly what we see on our tv screens and are told about – for example, Muslims who, five times a day, bow down and prostrate themselves to the ground and worship the false god, ‘Allah’.
In or out of regalia Templars are Knights (Warriors) of Christ and are not week-end re-enactors of medieval skirmishes and stunts. Templars are active disciples of Christ Jesus and certainly not “lukewarm” about Him either (Revelation 3:16).
I am reminded that, when he was elected OSMTJ Grand Master, Robert Mangum declared that his mission was to lead the Order “Back to Christ”. That’s just the sort of call which inspires existing and new members. However, as Dr Robert William Dale wrote (in 1884), there is “indolence which ought to be set on fire by the zeal of Christ for the honour of God and the righteousness and happiness of mankind”.
What a challenge for us – “Set on fire by the zeal of Christ for the honour of God”.
Let me now deal with the specific issue of Freemasonry. A man seeking to join the masonic fraternity has to have a belief in a “Supreme Being” – usually referred to as the “Grand or Great Architect of the Universe” (or simply GAOTU).
We Christians do not need to introduce the concept of an “architect” into the construction of the universe. God did not need any assistance. The first few words in the Bible make it quite clear: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” [Genesis 1:1]. We worship The Creator, not a mere designer.
Further, the basic belief of the Christian Faith is to be found in the Holy Bible and especially in the New Testament. There it is absolutely defined by Jesus himself. When challenged about the law Jesus replied: “Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord”. [Mark 12: 29]. There is only one God. All other ‘gods’ are false. Some Christians simply refer to these entities as demons or devils. Indeed, in his Epistle, St James writes: “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe – and tremble.” [James 3: 19].
Contrast that with the concept of GAOTU which is used in Freemasonry to identify an ultimate deity but without reference to any particular religion or similar belief system. As a result Freemasons can hold to their own concept of their ‘god’, whether that is Ahura Mazda, Allah, Bahá, Brahman, Ram, Satan, Tao, Vishnu, Waheguru, and many others. But the corollary to that principle is that Freemasonry, though firmly claiming not to be a religion, has a very distinct religious stance and accepts that there are numerous religious ‘gods’. But that is NOT the Christian Faith.
Put very simply, for Freemasonry there are many ‘gods’. The Christian Faith is that there is only one God. How therefore, I warn, can there be a serious suggestion that Christian Knights Templar can admit Freemasons to their ranks?
In passing I should mention that even some non-Christian organisations have effectively banned them. No high-ranking officer in the British Police Service is a Freemason. The same applies to many other professions – even within the judiciary for example. In one denomination it should also be noted that in recent years no priest in the Church of England who is a Freemason has been elevated to the position of Bishop. And no Anglican Diocesan Bishop in England is a Freemason.
As St Paul writes: “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” [2 Corinthians 6:14].
Finally I must repeat, this matter is not dependent upon the opinions, activities or mistaken beliefs of any individual. It is entirely founded on the Word of God.
†Graham.
(A Knight Grand Cross of the Temple of Jerusalem)
[Lent 2026]
Below is a summary of the official stances of three main Christian denominations in England and Wales. Notice words such as “blasphemous”, “heretical”, “incompatible”, “grave sin”, “spiritually dangerous”:
Issue |
Church of England (Anglian) |
Methodist Church (UK) |
Roman Catholic Church |
|
Official Stance |
No ban; but 1987 General Synod report concludes there are “fundamental reasons to question the compatibility of Freemasonry with Christianity”. |
Strongly discouraged; viewed historically as incompatible with Methodist doctrine and discipline. No formal canonical ban. |
Absolute prohibition. Membership is a grave sin. Catholics who join may not receive Holy Communion. |
|
Key Documents |
Freemasonry and Christianity: Are They Compatible? (General Synod, 1987). |
Methodist Conference statement (esp. 1985–1990 debates) expressing concern about oaths, secrecy, and theology. |
Papal bulls from 1738, onward; Humanum Genus - Leo XIII, 1884. 1983 Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (John Paul II); and again in 2023. |
|
Primary Concerns |
Non‑Trinitarian prayers; use of “Jahbulon”; secrecy; oaths; theological ambiguity; ritual content judged “blasphemous” by some reviewers. |
Secrecy; oath‑taking; moral |
Naturalism; relativism; anti‑clericalism; incompatible ritual theology; secrecy; oaths; philosophical opposition to Catholic doctrine. |
|
Members permitted to join? |
Yes, but with pastoral caution. Clergy may be discouraged from active participation. |
Technically yes, but strongly discouraged; some circuits historically barred office‑holders. |
No. Membership is forbidden. |
|
Results of joining |
None formally, but pastoral issues may arise; some dioceses discourage clergy involvement. |
No formal penalty, but may affect suitability for leadership roles. |
Considered a grave sin; Catholics who join may not receive Holy Communion. |
|
View of Masonic Ritual |
Some elements judged it “blasphemous” or “heretical” in the 1987 report. |
Viewed as inconsistent with Methodist spirituality and covenantal theology. |
Considered doctrinally incompatible and spiritually dangerous. |
|
Current Status |
1987 report remains the most authoritative statement; no recent reversal. |
Continues to discourage membership; no recent reversal. |
Prohibition reaffirmed repeatedly.
|
On 20 October 2003 the Australian Anglican Diocese of Sydney, issued an official Synod Resolution (25/03) about Freemasonry which stated “Synod:
(a) affirms that Freemasonry and Christianity are fundamentally and irreconcilably incompatible, and
(b) affirms that Freemasonry teaches and upholds a system of false religious and spiritual beliefs that are contrary to biblical Christianity.
This paper may not be reproduced or distributed in any
way whatsoever without the permission of the author,
obtained in writing in
advance.
© Lent 2026 Grand Prior Graham
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