One of the characteristics of much of fundamentalism is the orthodoxy of the sect's Scriptures, and it is typical of most religious scriptures to state that there is only one true religion. Believing in another religion than the "true" one is therefore to be opposed to God. An organization, such as Freemasonry, which embraces the concept of religious toleration must therefore have members who oppose God--in some contexts, this means being in league with the devil, or being Satanic. Therefore, it follows that no member of a fundamentalist group would join an organization with Satanic members, and that such an organization must be opposed by whatever means necessary--no truce with Satan can be contemplated. And "whatever means necessary" can include lies, deceit, or other methods; so long as the actions are undertaken in the name of God, all is excused. (Recall that torture and execution were commonly used to suppress "heresy" in mediaeval times.)

Given these facts, it is essentially impossible that there can be any accommodation between true fundamentalism and Freemasonry. For that matter, there cannot be any accommodation between true fundamentalism and _any_ other system of belief--one need only review the history of the demonization of the Catholic Church by Protestant groups in the US, or the treatment of Baha'is by Islam in Iran, or the persecution of Jews by just about every other religion (including the pagans) to recognize the pattern.

Until religions that have intolerance written into their essential beliefs go away, the battle against religious persecution and thought control is going to continue. Freemasonry is only the latest of many groups to carry the banner of toleration and be struck by the arrows fired by the witch hunters and inquisitors.

Roger M. Firestone, 32 KCCH
Sr. Warden, Dawson #16, FAAM of DC
Master, Adoniram-Zabud Council #2, CM of DC