Book Review: "Masonry Unmasked: An Insider Reveals the Secrets of the Lodge"

Among his many hobbies and community service projects, my grandfather was a Mason.  All I ever knew about it was that: 1) because of him, I got to live at the Scottish Rite Dormitory for girls during college in Austin (which was great), and 2) there were some dressed-up guys doing some unusual chants and ceremony at the end of his funeral.  That's it. 

But I've always wondered about Masonry, particularly since becoming Catholic, since apparently Masons are anti-Catholic, or something.  So I was particularly interested to read Masonry Unmasked: An Insider Reveals the Secrets of the Lodge, by John Salza, for the Catholic Company's book review program.  Finally--all the scoop I ever wanted on masonry.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in this topic.  Written by a knowledgeable insider, the book provides thorough and straightforward insight into the Lodge, including its history, ideology, doctrines, and practices.  Salza gives an excellent analysis of Masonic ideology relative to Christianity, including a convincing argument that Masonry represents a grave error against Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular.  He explores the history of the Church's opposition to the Lodge in detail.  In fact, it turns out that:

"the Catholic Church has opposed the Lodge nearly since the birth of modern Freemasonry in 1717.  Since the founding of the Grand Lodge of England...twelve different popes have collectively issued twenty-three separate condemnations of Freemasonry over a 245-year period, from the reign of Clement XII (1738) to John Paul II (1983).  If we spread the number of condemnations evenly over this period of time, we would see the Church condemning Masonry about every ten years...Rarely has the Church spoken about a topic more frequently."

The most fascinating part of the book, in my opinion, is in the chapter entitled "The Masonic Conspiracy," about the indelible impact that Masonry has had on our American society.  Like my grandfather, many Masons are hardworking, strong contributors within their communities.  Many if not most Masons are no doubt largely unaware of the darker influences within Masonry, which goes to great lengths to euphemize its broader objectives to recruits and newer members.  In addition, there is a strong link between members of our government and the Lodge; in fact, seventeen U.S. presidents have been Master Masons.  But shockingly, as Salza demonstrates, "Freemasonry has fought relentlessly to get rid of the Christian beliefs on which America was founded, and to usher in its nonsectarian worldview."  The Lodge has been instrumental in pushing the separation of Church and State, secularization of public schools, and, in fact, striving for a New World Order governed by Masonic principles--one "devoid of Christ and his Church."

If I had a criticism of this book, I'd want to suggest that I'd like to hear the arguments for the "other side," so as to understand what the Masonic response to Salza's analysis would be.  It turns out, however, that Salza plumbs the Masonic position quite thoroughly--so much so, actually, that I really don't need to know any more  arguments in favor of Masonry.  This book has truly taught me all I need to know.

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This review was written as part of the Catholic book Reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Masonry Unmasked .