Download Islam, Mormonism, and Freemasonary

Islam, Mormonism, and Freemasonry:
Their Beliefs and Influence, and
A Christian Response
Dean Maurice Helland
Oral Roberts University
Contents
• 8 Doctrines each of:
• Islam
• Freemasonry
• Mormonism
• Their Influence in American Society
• Where they err
• A challenge to consider what Jesus Christ says
about the Bible and about one’s personal life
Introduction
• These three groups have caused much confusion in the
Christian community
• Each has made excellent contributions to American
society
• Their belief in God in a secular humanistic society is
commendable
• Their attempts to blend into American Society is also
very positive
• All Christians agree with them about doing good works
• All Christians agree with them to pray for our nation’s
leaders so we may live in peace
8 Doctrines of Islam
Eight Doctrines of Islam
1. There is only one God. He has no wife,
therefore he cannot have a son.
2. The unpardonable according to Islam is Shirk.
This is the belief that beings other than Allah
have divine attributes and are a source of
power.
3. The Qur’an is the pure Word of God
•
•
•
Revealed to Mohammed by Allah
Mohammed is the last prophet
All writings of previous prophets are corrupt in their present
form
Eight Doctrines of Islam
4. Islam will eventually be the only religion
on Earth.
– This will be accomplished through “jihad”
– “Jihad” is used to recruit “converts”
– Higher jihad: the“spiritual struggle” to
improve oneself spiritually
– Lower jihad: the literal interpretation of the
Qur’an’s injunctions
– The violent killing of non-Muslims will convert others to
Islam through fear… as a method of ‘evangelism’
Eight Doctrines of Islam
5. Allah granted Mohammed an unlimited number
of wives due to his position as a prophet
–
–
Moslem men limited to four wives
May also have sexual privileges with female slaves
6. Allah changes his teachings within the pages
of Qur’an
–
This permits Muslims to quote passages to nonMuslims that make Islam seem tolerant, even
though they know that passages of the Qur’an
written later contradict and annul them
Eight Doctrines of Islam
7. The drinking of Alcoholic beverages is
forbidden
8. Those who abandon Islam should be killed
-For more authoritative information on Islam in
English, read books by Mark A. Gabriel, PhD,
former professor of Islamic history at Al-Azhar
University in Cairo, Egypt. They are available
at www.charismahouse.com.
Influence of Islam on
American Society
•
•
•
There was none in the formative years of the
US as a nation
Immigration from Islamic countries was highly
restricted until 1965.
Islam’s Impact on America:
1. Afro-Americans (900,000 converts during 20th
Century)
•
•
The Nation of Islam began as a Black racist movement, a
reaction to the racial turmoil of 1930’s
The majority left it to become a truly orthodox Islamic
movement in the 1970’s
2. All Americans, after 9/11/2001
Influence of Islam on
American Society
• There has been a significant increase in
conversion rate of Afro-Americans to Islam since
9/11/01 (It quadrupled by 2005)
• The general reaction of Americans to U.S.
Muslims after 9/11: Despite some negativity,
– They have gone out of their way to comfort and care
for Muslim friends
– Public schools have often provided sympathetic
teaching on Islam for their students
– Communities have started holding forums for
dialogue between different religions including Islam
– A Tulsa Presbyterian university even permitted a
mosque to be built on its campus for Muslim students
8 Doctrines of Mormonism
Eight Doctrines of Mormonism
1. God the Father (Elohim) is a glorified,
exalted, resurrected man; only one of
many gods.
•
•
•
•
He lives on the planet Kolob
He has a multitudes of wives, begets children by
them
His children are born as spirit beings with no
body
At a certain stage, these spirits enter infants’
bodies on the planet Earth
Eight Doctrines of Mormonism
1. God the Father (Elohim) (continued)
•
•
•
Christ is a literal son of God the Father, first on
the planet Kolob and later on planet Earth.
Therefore, he is our literal brother, along with
Satan, the demons, and all mankind
He was promoted to be a god by the council of
gods; he then organized the planet Earth; then
he entered into a body provided to him by Mary
and Elohim.
He lived and died on Earth as Savior in order to
provide resurrection and eternal life for all
mankind
Eight Doctrines of Mormonism
2. “If it had not been for Joseph Smith and the
restoration, there would be no salvation. There
is no salvation outside the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day saints” (McConkie)
•
“Replacement Theology”
1. The Bible is true only when translated correctly.
2. Mormonism replaces the authority of Bible with revelations
by Joseph Smith and later “prophets”.
•
The Mormon Church insists that it is a “Christian”
Organization.
1. The name “Jesus Christ” is in their Church’s name.
Eight Doctrines of Mormonism
3. The Book of Mormon is the pure word of God
 It was engraved on golden plates by ancient
prophets of the white-skinned Nephite race
which then lived in America. The plates
were buried, then recovered and translated
by occult means sixteen centuries later by
Joseph Smith, Jr.
 Its purpose was to restore the plain and
precious truths which were supposedly
removed from the Bible by unscrupulous
clergy during the Dark Ages
Eight Doctrines of Mormonism
4. Jesus Christ will return to the earth as
President of the Mormon Church and
faithful Mormons will rule over the entire
world.

America’s destiny will “hang upon a single
thread. At that critical juncture, this people
(read: the Mormons) will step forth and save
it from the threatened destruction.” (Joseph
Smith, according to Brigham Young)
Eight Doctrines of Mormonism
4. Jesus Christ will return to the earth (cont.)
• Christ’s return will be preceded by:
– The extermination of non-Mormons in
the Americas by Mormon Indians (so
said Jesus Christ, according to the
Book of Mormon)
– The gathering of Israelites from all
nations to Zion (read: Israel & America)
Eight Doctrines of Mormonism
5. Joseph Smith and all men in the Mormon
priesthood had the right to an unlimited
number of wives prior to 1890.
• Polygamy was ordered to cease in
1890 (under pressure of the U.S.
government).
• Its practice will be renewed at the
Second Coming of Christ
Eight Doctrines of Mormonism
6. The Book of Mormon contains overt
contradictions
•
•
Thousands of unannotated changes have
been made to it by the Mormon Church
itself since the first edition
Reasoning: Only the opinion of the current
“prophet” (president of the Mormon Church)
is valid at any given moment
Eight Doctrines of Mormonism
7. The drinking of alcoholic beverages is
forbidden
8. According to the original Mormon
doctrine of Blood Atonement, those who
abandoned Mormonism were to be killed
•
This was actually practiced for a time under
both Joseph Smith and Brigham Young.
The Beginnings of Mormonism in America
• Joseph Smith was born in 1805, and the
Mormon Church was organized in 1830.
• Smith became a Mason in 1842.
– Secrets of Masonic Lodge were incorporated into
Mormon Temple Ceremonies (including their bloody
oaths, until they were suddenly removed in 1990).
• Smith claimed 2 restorations by his revelations:
– He restored Christianity.
– He restored Freemasonry.
Influence of Mormonism on American Society
• Christian Theologians who are not ex-Mormons
have begun to respond to the scholars being
produced by the Mormon Church
• Former Mormon missionaries are actively
recruited into the FBI and the CIA
– The Mormon Church projects a strong family image
– Their missionaries have been trained by Church in
over 50 languages
– They have spent time in foreign countries on missions
• With present emphasis on multiculturalism, they
have much influence in American society
Influence of Mormonism on American Society
• The Mormon Church works closely with
pro-life and anti-homosexual activist
groups and denominations
• The Mormon Tabernacle Choir sings a
combination of Christian hymns and
Mormon hymns on worldwide radio and
TV programs
• It broadcasts on satellite 24/7
Another Branch of Mormonism
• Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints (Now called
“Community of Christ”)
–It is a historic split from the Utah Mormons with
headquarters in Independence, Missouri.
– It claims 112,000 members.
– Historically, it has never accepted polygamy.
– It is now a member of the World Council of Churches.
– It has adopted the liberal viewpoint.
• It considers both Bible and Book of Mormon to be
“religious experiences,” not historic truth.
Influence of Mormonism on American Society
• The growth rate of Utah Mormon Church
has been phenomenal.
– It claims over 12 million members.
– It has doubled in size since 1980.
– Within 70 years, it is projected to be one of
the main world religions.
Influence of Mormonism on American Society
• The growth rate of Utah Mormon Church:
(continued)
– In 1990, its estimated annual income came to
over five billion dollars.
– Missionaries and ministers must raise their
own support. Church monies are used for
building new chapels (for public services),
temples (for secret ceremonies including
baptism for the dead), and evangelization.
8 Doctrines of Freemasonry
Eight Doctrines of Freemasonry
1. Freemasonry is a secret society.
1. Each level includes oaths never to reveal its secrets
on pain of death by varied and grotesque means
2. The oaths include swearing to cover up crimes
committed by fellow Masons, up to and including
treason
2. God is defined as the Great Architect of the
Universe
1. Belief in God is its only dogma
2. It believes that the True God forming the basis of all
religions may be found in nature (including animal
nature) and truth
Eight Doctrines of Freemasonry
3. The holy book that predominates in any given
culture is placed open on the Masonic alter
1. The King James Bible in Christian cultures
2. The Qur’an in Islamic cultures, etc.
3. Sacred books are considered symbols, not literally
true
4. The Ritual of each lodge is its final authority
1. Before becoming a member, all other people are
represented as living in spiritual darkness
Eight Doctrines of Freemasonry
5.
Jesus Christ was a religious leader on the same level
as Buddha, Confucius, Mohammed, and Joseph Smith
•
•
6.
Jesus Christ’s name has not been permitted to be invoked in
prayer at Masonic meetings since the middle of the nineteenth
century
No mason can attempt to change a fellow-mason’s religion
It claims to be a religious institution, but not a religion.
•
•
•
It claims to know what is right about other religions
It places itself above all other religions
Some believe it will serve as the basis for the coming OneWorld Religion in a New World Order
Eight Doctrines of Freemasonry
7. A Freemason must not violate the
chastity of a Master Mason’s wife,
mother, sister or daughter, knowing them
to be such.
•
This does not prohibit violating them if they
are not chaste.
8. Freemasonry intentionally misleads
initiates concerning its teachings.
•
It reveals its true teachings only to those in
and above the 30th degree
Influence of Freemasonry on American Society
•
The topic of Freemasonry is generally
ignored by other Americans
– It is not a subject of public discussion
– They make their public appearances only at:
•
•
•
Funerals for its members
The visit of the lodge to a church, synagogue, or
mosque once a year where the minister is a
member
Circuses and children's hospitals sponsored by
the Shriners
Influence of Freemasonry on American Society
•
Many assume it to be a Christian organization
– The sacred book on the alter is kissed to seal one’s
solemn vows
– Its slogan is “The Fatherhood of God and the
Brotherhood of Man”
•
“G” = Great Architect of the Universe
– Now, however, atheists may be members
– Roman Catholic members have ceased to be
automatically excommunicated since 1983
– Their ardent advocacy of separation of Church and
State is considered to be quite ‘American’
Influence of Freemasonry on American Society
• Sexual license and heavy drinking
characterize Shriner meetings
• Shriners must be 32nd degree masons or
Knights Templar
• In their initiation ceremonies, they must swear
allegiance to Allah and the Qur’an
• Only a small percentage of their funds
actually go to their famous children’s hospitals
A Christian Response to:
Islam, Mormonism,
and Freemasonry
A Christian Response
• Islam, Mormonism, and
Freemasonry all share
one thing in common:
• --They hold that the Bible
has been corrupted and
therefore is of limited value
today.
– Whether they admit it or
not, they base their beliefs
on pagan superstition and
practices.
– Their low estimation of the
Bible is based solely on the
word of their founders
and/or misguided Christian
theologians
• However, the Bible
makes it clear that
Jesus was:
• Crucified before the
whole Jewish nation by
Roman authorities.
• Rose from the dead on
the third day as he
himself had predicted.
• Appeared on numerous
occasions to over 500
eye-witnesses.
The Bible is the Infallible
Word of God
• Jesus Christ believed in and proclaimed
the indestructibility of the Old Testament.
• He clearly indicated that both the Holy
Spirit and his disciples would testify to the
world of the truth about him.
– He gave divine sanction for the writing of the
New Testament.
– His disciples understood this and so the
Church of born-again believers understands it
today.
The Bible is the Infallible
Word of God
• Old Testament
– While there may be transmission errors in some
numbers and name spellings, manuscript evidence
confirms over 99% accuracy in the present text of the
Bible.
• New Testament
– Early persecution by both Jews and Romans tended
to guarantee the integrity of the text.
– People throughout the centuries have been and still
are being martyred for their faith in its trustworthiness.
– Its original message remains intact and completely
reliable today.
The Wise and Foolish Builders
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of
mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who
built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the
streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that
house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on
the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine
and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man
who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the
streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that
house, and it fell with a great crash.“
Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)
A Christian Response to these 8 Doctrines
1. The God of the Bible is omniscient, omnipresent,
and omnipotent.
– He created all things, both visible and invisible.
– He is eternal, having no beginning or end.
2. God is revealed in the New Testament as a
Trinity.
– Father, Son, and Holy Spirit make up ONE GOD.
– He alone is to be worshiped .
– Only through confession of Jesus Christ as Savior
can one come to God the Father.
A Christian Response to these 8 Doctrines
3. Jesus Christ is superior to all other religious
leaders
–
–
–
–
The Son of God is by nature at the same time both
God and Man
Christ died on cross to obtain forgiveness of sin for
all who believe in Him
Christ is the only mediator between God and man
There is no other name by which man may come to
the Father and be saved from an eternal hell
A Christian Response to these 8 Doctrines
4. Jesus Christ will return to Earth in glory with
the resurrected saints.
–
–
–
He will conquer the Anti-Christ and his armies.
The Church does the work of Christ on earth until
He returns through living holy lives, doing good
works, and preaching the Gospel, the “Good News”
of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
His unveiling before mankind will result in every
tongue confessing that He is Lord, to the glory of
God.
A Christian Response to these 8 Doctrines
4. Jesus Christ taught that sexual
intercourse outside of lawful marriage is
wrong:
•
•
Marriage is defined as the union of one man
with one woman.
This teaching is confirmed throughout the
New Testament.
A Christian Response to these 8 Doctrines
6. Deception is normally considered to be
sinful
•
•
•
•
The Bible recognizes the occasional need
for covert activities when lives are at stake
Man’s word is to be his bond, “yes” or “no”
Oaths and vows of secrecy are condemned
Lying is labeled by Christ as satanically
inspired
7. Drunkenness is forbidden
A Christian Response to these 8 Doctrines
8. The Nature of Truth is Precise and therefore
Exclusive.
•
•
•
•
•
All religions other than Christianity are man’s
attempt to reach God
Christianity is about God’s attempt to reach man
Other religions lead only to eternal condemnation.
Those who reject the gospel of Jesus Christ will
spend eternity in hell
Those who repent of their sins, follow Christ through
water baptism, and live a holy life are accepted by
God, forgiven of their sins and granted eternal life in
heaven.
Invitation
• Dear friend, the message brought to the
world by Jesus Christ is true and it is real.
It really does offer you a new life, peace
with God, the strength to start over again,
and a real home in the real heaven where
Christ dwells. Please meditate a moment
on the following words of Jesus, then ask
Him into your heart and life.
"Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Trust in God; trust also in me. In my
Father's house are many rooms; if it were
not so, I would have told you. I am going
there to prepare a place for you. And if I go
and prepare a place for you, I will come
back and take you to be with me that you
also may be where I am.
John 14:1-3 (NIV)
To all who received him, to those who
believed in his name, he gave the
right to become children of God—
John 1:12 (NIV)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and
burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my
yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am
gentle and humble in heart, and you will
find rest for your souls. For my yoke is
easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)