Freemasonry is a religion and is essentially incompatible with Christianity. Its "mysteries" are rooted in the pagan mystery religions of ancient Egypt, Greece and Mesopotamia. The So. Baptist Convention is the first denomination to essentially bless the Masonic Lodge (12/1/97 CC). Of the 3.5 million or more Masons in the U.S., about 1.3 million are Southern Baptists (6/1/93 CC). And 14 percent of SB pastors and 18 percent of SB deacon chairs are Masons. Shriners (Masons who hold the highest degrees) do many good works, but its initiates make a blood oath and confession of the demon god Allah as God. A 1994 book by Ron Carlson and Ed Decker, titled Fast Facts on False Teachings has a revealing chapter on Freemasonry [Harvest House Pub., 1075 Arrowsmith, Eugene, OR 97402, 255 pages, $11 pp]. (Available in our bookstore)