___Derek Ollom___
Here is my dilemma. I have recently met a woman who, to all appearances,
may be the love of my life. In talking to her, I told her that I am a
Master Mason. She is worried about that...she has pointed me to the
following webite which absolutely condemns Masonry and the lodge.
[http://www.pfo.org/masonldg.htm]

So, my question is this...how do I answer this? How do I make her feel
more comfortable with me being a Mason?
----

Hello, Brother.

I'm so sorry to hear that you face such challenges in your personal
relationships, solely because of your affiliation with the fraternity. I
suspect that how you choose to respond will largely depend upon the
particular religious views of your significant other, as well as your own
reasons for choosing to be a Freemason.

I agree with Larry that there are occasions where one may choose to sever
one's Masonic ties based upon such considerations, but I'd also suggest that
you consider what it means to begin a relationship based upon a compromise
of values. In my own case, I petitioned for membership as a relatively
newly-married man. My wife had some negative impressions of the Fraternity,
but as we discussed it, she came to appreciate why I wished to join, and she
also trusted my ability to make sound judgments in these matters. Over the
years, she has developed not one scintilla of interest in Freemasonry, but
she HAS developed a better perspective. She now sees it as a fine tool to
assist men in cultivating generous and gentlemanly qualities. As she has
come to know more Freemasons, she has commented on how it provides support
and encouragement for continued moral, intellectual and spiritual
development. Freemasonry doesn't take the place of a church; but it
certainly encourages men to take their religious life seriously, and to make
it a personal priority.

There are a number of books which nicely answer Mr. Tsoukalas' assertions.
One of the better volumes is Haffner's recently revised and re-released
title, "Workman Unashamed":

http://www.lewismasonic.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=&products_id=338

Haffner eventually left the Craft to devote himself to church service -- an
understandable decision for a man in his particular situation. As a
dedicated churchman, his grasp of issues both philosophical and scriptural
is very good, and the way in which he addresses various criticisms is both
clear and direct.

I don't have time to respond to all of Mr. Tsoukalas' remarks, but I'd point
out that he begins wrong, and continues to go wrong from there. For
instance, he claims:

"Masons . . . acknowledge that they are in darkness and in need of further
light. . . . For Masons claiming to follow Christ, this presents a
contradiction to the teachings of the Master and His apostles. Having been
justified by faith in Christ, the Christian no longer is in darkness. Christ
calls His own the light of the world because they are beacons of light to a
lost and dying world (Matthew 5:14-16). Paul wrote that we were once
darkness, but now we are light in the Lord. As a result we are to walk as
children of light (Ephesians 5:8). Following Christ means no longer walking
in darkness (John 8:12). But right off the bat in the first degree, the
Mason who professes Christ is admitting he is in darkness."

This is nonsense. As a Christian, I accept that Masonic ritual is an
extended ALLEGORY of the human condition -- an allegory which symbolically
depicts our mortal sojourn, and our ultimate end. That ALLEGORY begins the
moment one requests a petition, of course. But, it strictly begins when the
candidate STANDS AT THE DOOR AND KNOCKS, and the extends to EVERY ASPECT of
the ritual and their symbolic instruction -- to EVERYTHING that occurs
within the body of the Lodge, which itself is a grand symbol of the
universe. Consequently, when a Christian candidate knocks on the door and
states that he is in darkness and in need of light, he REPRESENTS THE
CONDITION OF EVERY MAN ENTERING THE WORLD, Derek. So, simple reflection on
the ritual will demonstrate just how hare-brained Mr. Tsoukalas' claim is,
although I confess it has been repeated by what I consider otherwise
intelligent men.

I could continue and comment on each aspect of the various degrees and tell
you how you as a Christian should think about them but that would be
inappropriate. As a Master Mason, it is YOUR PRIVILEGE to NOT have Mr.
Tsoukalas or anyone else tell you how you must interpret Masonic ritual.
That is YOUR RIGHT as a Mason, and NOT his. It is YOUR PRIVILEGE to
determine just what the ritual means in light of your walk as a Christian,
NOT his. Mr. Tsoukalas' remarks on this point alone are sufficient
demonstration that his intention is not honest discussion, but religious
polemic of the worst kind. His sophistic twisting --his subtly deceptive
words-- are in fact intended to accuse a Christian Brother (Rev 12:10), and
make him an offender for a word (Isa 29:19-21). You can read for yourself in
the verses I have provided what the end of such characters will be (Matt
7:21-23).

There is simply no honor in being a "liar for Jesus," and I have developed
over the years less and less patience for their superstitious nonsense. For,
Brother, here is the truth: the ONLY RESTRAINT on their FANTASTIC and often
IRRATIONAL ASSERTIONS of MASONIC EVIL is your own gullibility -- i.e., your
own level of tolerance or acceptance for their accusations Listen long
enough, and even the tamest of anti-Masons will begin to demonstrate their
true character: Masonry becomes not merely incompatible with their
particular religious opinions, but it becomes by their characterization a
positive evil. The great good and charitable works it performs are called an
evil deception; its system of morality is called a religion; its respect for
differing religious sentiments is called polytheism; its non-sectarian
language for God --derived, I remind you, from the New Testament-- is
characterized as a secret worship of Ba'al. Even the best of discussions
generally resolve to characterizations of Masonry as silly and cartoonish as
a Jack Chick pamphlet. In this manner is good spoken evil of (Is 5:20).

Traditionally, Masons have paid no heed to such Cowans and their
bleatings -- have not bothered to debate them over the relative merits and
demerits of Masonry. To do so is largely pointless, as we have been told by
those Masons and Builders who have gone this way before:

"[My critics] Sanballat and Geshem sent [word] to me, saying, 'Come and let
us meet together [and discuss your work of rebuilding the walls of
Jerusalem].' But they intended to do me harm [i.e., they had no good
intentions]. And [so] I sent messengers to them, saying, 'I am doing a great
work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and
come down to you [to discuss the matter]?'" (Neh 6:2-3). That is, their
intentions are clear at the outset -- they intend to do Masonry harm.

These are my initial thoughts. Again, I'm sorry that your Lady is distressed
by the nonsense published by extremist scaremongers. YOU know the truth --
tell her why you became a Freemason; share your heart's desires and
aspirations with her. Let her know how you believe your work as a Freemason
will make you a better man and a better partner. Let her know how you
believe it will strengthen your character, and make you better suited for
the Father's work. Let her know that authoritarian groups of all kinds have
long hated the independence cherished in the hearts of Freemasons, and have
railed against its championing of these principles of individual freedom
from the very beginning.

I would hope that your sincerity, and the obvious pernicious
misrepresentations of Masonic critics will speak to her, as they did to my
wife.

Ever On the Square, Brother.

Joe Swick
Verity Lodge No. 59 F&AM
Kent, Washington