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Uploaders note:  The following has been taken from the American Masonic
Review, Winter 1993; College Station, TX with the permission of Pierre
(Pete) G. Normand, Jr., editor.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FUTURE

by Gary Leazer, Ph.D.

(Former Director of the Interfaith Witness Department of the Home Mission
Board, Southern Baptist Convention)

    A year ago I knew little about a fraternity known as Freemasonry.
Then I was given an assignment which I neither asked for nor wanted, but
one which, when given, I was determined to complete as fairly and
objectively as was humanly possible.  I knew the assignment was a no-win
assignment from the very beginning because there were and still are very
powerful voices with my denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention,
calling for the complete condemnation of Freemasonry.

    That became clear from the beginning when a letter I wrote in August
1992 to Craig Branch, director of the Birmingham, Alabama, office of
Watchman Fellowship, an anti-cult ministry, was forwarded to James Larry
Holly, Branch, a member of the Presbyterian Church of America, recently
co-authored a book with John Ankerberg.  Holly, the Beaumont, Texas,
physician who has been instrumental in the attempts to have the SBC
condemn Freemasonry on two occasions, immediately called for my
replacement claiming that I was too prejudiced towards those opposed to
Freemasonry.  Lewis declined at that time to replace me stating that the
messengers to the SBC annual meeting in Indianapolis in June 1992 directed
the Interfaith Witness Department to do the study.  My impression of
Holly's actions then was his realization, after reading the contents of my
letter to Branch, that he would have no influence in the direction of my
research.  Holly has been quoted as being very disappointed that an ad hoc
committee was not appointed by the messengers at the June 1992 Convention
and to which he could be appointed.

    Another letter, which no doubt you have all heard about if you have
not read it, was the catalyst for my removal from the Freemasonry study
and eventually my move to a field staff position.  This letter was written
to a Southern Baptist Mason in January 1993 after I had completed my study
but before I had submitted it to Larry Lewis.  I summarized my conclusions
and recommendations in the letter.  Somehow, this letter also ended up in
Holly's possession. I received a phone call at 12:45 a.m. while was at a
meeting in Lexington, Kentucky, from Darrell Robinson, vice-president for
the Home Mission Board evangelism section and my immediate supervisor,
informing me that I was being removed from further work on the assignment.
Later, Holly claimed to have learned of another letter I had written to a
Mason and was trying to get a copy.  As a result of that claim, two Home
Mission Board staff came to my home and removed two boxes of letters and
research notes form my home office.  In those boxes, they found three
other letters which they said cast doubt on my objectivity.  As a result
of this, I was given the opportunity to request a demotion and transfer to
field staff position rather than risk an attempt by the HMB trustees to
fire me.  I requested a field staff position.

    I was criticized for allowing two Masons to read advance copies of
the study.  This was unusual, but not unique, given the controversial
nature of the assignment.  I have asked for critiques of my research from
groups I was writing about on at least two other occasions, one an article
on the visit of the Pope to this country several years ago and another on
an article about the Latter-Day Saints Church.  John Ankerberg, Ed Decker
and other anti-Masons would have more accurate books if they would talk
with people they are writing about, rather than depending on their own
vivid imaginations.  While I was criticized for allowing two Masons to
read the advance copy, no one criticized me for allowing three non-Masons
to read it.

    The study which I submitted to Lewis in January was subsequently
revised so much - twenty-five percent of the text was removed - and a more
negative spin was given to the text, that I requested that my name not be
attached to the study.  In spite of these changes I still believe the
study is the most accurate and fair of any done by a non-Mason.  The Home
Mission Board's 6 page report adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention
was written after I was removed from the process and I had absolutely
nothing to do with its content.  An Associate, Bill Gordon, who was Paige
Patterson's grader while a student at Criswell Bible College in Dallas,
was asked for input.  The curriculum at Criswell Bible College includes a
study of Freemasonry in its course of religious cults.  Patterson,
formerly president of Criswell Bible College is now the president of the
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in North Carolina, is generally
regarded as one of the two primary architects of the conservative
resurgence in the Convention and is a well-known anti-Mason.

ONLY THE BEGINNING:
    I know many of you feel relief that the Southern Baptist Convention
did not condemn Freemasonry, but you should not be satisfied with the
report adopted by the Convention.  You cannot agree with the eight points
critical of Freemasonry which are found in the report.  I hope you will
respond clearly and quickly to each of these points.  Literally thousands
of Southern Baptists and others have read these points and believe them to
be an accurate summary of Masonic teachings.  You simply cannot afford to
ignore this report.  An article in the August issue of the Scottish Rite
Journal quoted J. Walter Carpenter, a trustee of the Home Mission Board
and editor of the Southern Baptist Watchman, an independent newspaper, who
cautioned that Masons must be aware of the criticism of the Home Mission
Board report, giving them close attention and action, if Freemasonry is to
avoid attacks from religious groups, including the Southern Baptists, in
the future.  My study does not agree with the conclusions in the Home
Mission Board report, but the report, not my study, is the official
position of the Southern Baptist Convention.

    I found that the criticisms of Freemasonry in the Home Mission Board
report are widely believed by Southern Baptist, primarily because of the
continued widespread availability of anti-Masonic books in Baptist book
stores and other Christian book stores across the nation.  For example,
the Baptist book store at our denominational assembly at Ridgecrest, North
Carolina is carry an anti-Masonic book by John Ankerberg, but not the
study I wrote.  For years, the books have been believed to accurately
reflect Masonic teachings, partly because anything written in a book is
believed true by many, and secondly, and more importantly, Masons have
been silent.  Silence has been interpreted to mean agreement.

    Anti-Masons will use the first part of the summary adopted in
Houston, "In light of the fact that many tenets and teaching of
Freemasonry are not compatible with Christianity and Southern Baptist
Doctrine," to their advantage.  Surely you can not be pleased with that
statement.  It does not reflect my conclusions and I feel certain it does
not reflect yours.

    They will also refer to a non-binding resolution adopted by
messengers at the 1992 Southern Baptist Convention "On Christian Witness
and Voluntary Associations."  Resolutions represent the opinions of the
messengers present and voting, but in recent years resolutions have been
used as if they are binding on SBC agencies, institutions, churches and
employees of SBC agencies and institutions.  The resolution urges "all
Southern Baptists to refrain from participation or membership in
organizations with teachings, oaths, or mystical knowledge which are
contrary to the Bible and to the public expression of our faith in the
gospel of Jesus Christ."  Although the resolution does not mention
Freemasonry, many observers believe it was directed at Freemasonry.

    The anti-Masonic movement lost a major battle to secure an outright
condemnation of Freemasonry in Houston in June, but it has not given up
the fight.  Anti-Masons do not consider the war lost; no treaty has been
signed.  I believe this issue will surface again in three to five years.
The Home Mission Board hopes this issue will never come up again as there
is no doubt it has hurt income to some degree.  The Board hopes the issue
will die a quick death.  I have been told I will have no input in any
future restudy of Freemasonry.  Some anti-Masons want to bring it up at the
SBC next year.  You must begin preparing now for that eventuality.
Remember that this issue came up in 1985 and then again in 1991.  I
appreciate the call in this month's issue of The Scottish Rite Journal for
a "renewed effort on the part of all Freemasons today to re-energize our
Fraternity."  The ball is in your court: you have the momentum if you will
take advantage of it.

    There are a number of positive steps you can take immediately.  I
would recommend that you lay everything on the table.  Nothing, no ritual,
no teaching, no practice, should be off limits.  Look at literally
everything.  Your very survival as a fraternity depends upon it.

EDUCATION IS THE KEY:
    An editorial entitled "Freemasonry and Religion Often Misunderstood
by Masons and non-Masons" in the November-December 1992 issue of the
Washington Masonic Tribune stated that Masons must "be better informed
about ways in which we can answer the questions and comments made to us by
uninformed citizens.  You can no longer afford to be passive and not
respond to accusations that are false.  Masonic membership is a true
privilege and there are so many positive elements of Freemasonry to be
proud of that we must be willing to speak out and inform our friends and
neighbors."  I would recommend that each issue of your grand lodge
periodicals include an article discussing a specific Masonic teaching.
Anti-Masons have raised a number of questions about Freemasonry.  Whether
these anti-Masons are correct or not - and my research suggests they are
not - Masons must respond.

    Edmund Burke said, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is
for good men to do nothing."  As abhorrent as it may sound, it is my
opinion that if Masons don't take advantage of this opportunity,
Freemasonry will be a subject your great-grandchildren will only read
about in obscure history books.  I am not exaggerating when I say you have
a herculean task ahead of you.  Booklets explaining Freemasonry, such as
the excellent "Conscience and the Craft" by Jim Tresner, would be helpful
to give pastors and other church leaders.  In my opinion, Jim Tresner, is
the most knowledgeable and articulate Masonic writer today.  Education is
one of the keys in responding to charges leveled by the anti-Masons.  This
education can never end.  It is the life blood of Freemasonry.

    I would caution you about accepting invitations to debate
anti-Masons.  If they video-tape the debate, they can edit it.  Years ago,
the founder of the Jehovah Witnesses, Charles Taze Russell, called for
debates with the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and many Protestant
church leaders.  When they didn't or wouldn't, he said they were afraid.
In one sense, it may seem like a defeat in itself, but little or no good
can come of debating these individuals and much negative can.  Small
insignificant individuals and groups will boast of debating the whole
fraternity rather than just individual Masons.  Video clips can change
what the speaker said.  I found myself asking, "Did I really say that?"
during my research when Holly and others twisted my words to suit their
desire.

THE ANTI-MASONIC MINDSET:

    You must attempt to understand the mindset of the anti-Mason. They
tend to see everything as black and white, or us and them.  For example, I
saw this with anti-Mason's insistence that the opinion of one Mason had to
be the opinion of all Masons.  This argument was directed at a number of
books by Masons.  I understand the Masonic position that each writer
speaks only for himself, but I think you are sometimes your own worst
enemy when you recommend certain books to your readers.  I support the
right of every Mason to write any book he wishes, but I question the
wisdom of these books being recommended to fellow Masons.  Every Mason has
a right to write books, but not all books are profitable to read.  I saw
it in the charge that Masonic "light" refers to salvation since Jesus
Christ is spoken of as "the Light" in the New Testament.  One anti-Mason
express surprise when I told him the word refers to understanding or
knowledge rather than salvation.  Toleration of diverse beliefs, a Masonic
virtue, is rejected by anti-Masons and fundamentalist Christians as simple
and unacceptable compromise with false or pagan beliefs.

    Masons will never be able to satisfy every anti-Mason.  Some depend on
the sale of their books, videos and speaking invitations for their
livelihood.  Others strongly disagree with the Masonic mission which
"transcends all religious , ethnic, cultural, social and educational
differences."  Many anti-Masons, who are usually fundamentalists, define
"being right" very narrowly and find it impossible to accept even persons
within their own denominations who don't measure up to their narrow
definitions.  Some are unacceptable simply because they don't vote for the
right candidate or issue, whether secular or religious.  In my study, I
referred to the 1921 decision by the Supreme Court of Nebraska that
Freemasonry was not a religion.  Ankerberg responded by arguing that
courts are often wrong.  The thought that he might be wrong probably never
crossed Ankerberg's mind.  That is the mindset common to anti-Masons.  I
want to add here that not all fundamentalists are anti-Masonic.  A number
of Masons and your supporters would hold that religious persuasion.
Perhaps, it would be more appropriate to speak of an aberrant form of
fundamentalist, what psychologists call "toxic faith."

PREMILLENIALIST CONSPIRACISTS:

    There is another issue rapidly approaching which will most likely
adversely affect Freemasonry.  That issue is the conspiracy theories
revolving around the new millennium.  One of the most popular conspiracists
today is Texe Marrs.  He is the author of over 25 books, including Dark
Majesty: The Secret Brotherhood and the Magic of A Thousand Point of
Light.  Marrs claims there is a worldwide conspiracy of well-known men
whose goal "is to accumulate most all of this planet's wealth and power
under their wings.  They intend to become our masters, our benefactors,
and our gods."  With the Illuminati in this alleged conspiracy are
Freemasonry, the United Nations, CIA, FBI, KGB, the World Council of
Churches, the Vatican, the World Bank, multinational corporations, and
"some TV evangelists."  Among the politicians involved in this conspiracy
are Ronald Reagan, George Bush, Bill Clinton, Dan Quayle, Henry Kissinger,
General Colin Powell, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, "and just about every
other major political figure and social leader in America."  In spite of
the absurdity of Marrs' theory, his books are sold in reputable Christian
book stores and purchased by thousands of naive readers.

    Gary H. Kah, A. Ralph Epperson, William T. Still and Pat Robertson
are other well-known conspiracists who see Freemasonry as part of a
world-wide conspiracy.  A section on these conspiracy theories was removed
from my study after it was submitted to the Home Mission Board president.
These conspiracy theories, which are rooted in premillennialism, which
holds that the Anti-Christ will arise to rule the entire world before
Jesus Christ returns to usher in the millennium.  According to conservative
biblical theology, human history will end after 6,000 years.  Those 6,000
years are believed to conclude at the end of this decade.  I see the
Church as an ally in helping people understand the biblical teaching about
eschatalogy.  Herschel H. Hobbs, one of the few statesmen in the Southern
Baptist Convention, summarized this issue by saying, "Amazingly, many
otherwise sensible people are led astray, or else disturbed, in their faith
by such (false teachers).  By the time they get through, people who listen
to them are so mixed up they do not know who to believe."

A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY:

    During my research I received over 2,000 letters, over ninety-five
percent of them were from Masons or Eastern Star ladies.  Almost without
exception the writers of those letters as well as individual Masons I
talked with were the finest men and women anyone could want to know.  I
wish I could say the same thing about the other four or five percent of
the letters which were from anti-Masons.  I wrote it out of no malice
toward Freemasonry, but with a genuine desire that the controversy
surrounding your fraternity can be stopped once and for all.  I sincerely
believe that it is possible if you take advantage of this window of
opportunity.  If you do, the future will indeed be bright for Freemasonry.

(Condensed from the Keynote Address to the Southeast Masonic Conference, 6
August 1993, Atlanta, Georgia.)

Gary Leazer
Center for Interfaith Studies
P.O Box 870523
Stone Mountain, GA  30087-0014


Post Script.

Dr Gary Leazer, author of the original eighty-page "Study of Freemasonry,"
as ordered by the Southern Baptist Convention's Home Mission Board,
submitted a forced resignation on October 22, 1993, following the
publication of an address he made on August 6 to the Southeast Masonic
Conference meeting in Atlanta.

    Dr. Larry Lewis, President of the HMB, told the Baptist Press he
requested Leazer's resignation for what he called "gross insubordination"
stemming from the August address.  A transcript of the address, which was
published in the October Georgia Masonic Messenger, appears as the cover
article in this issue of American Masonic Review.

    In his speech, Leazer was critical of the six-page report as it was
presented to the SBC in June.  "My study does not agree with the
conclusions in the HMB report," he said.  Leazer revealed that his
original study was drastically altered by administrators of the HMB in
order to make it more negative toward the fraternity than his research had
warranted.

    In the summer of 1992, when the Southern Baptist Convention approved
a resolution directing the Home Mission Board to conduct a study of
Freemasonry, Dr. Leazer, as director of the Interfaith Witness Department,
was given the task of conducting that study.  However, when the
eighty-page study was finished, it re-affirmed the HMB's 1986 position
that Freemasonry is not a religion and recommended that the SBC take no
stand for or against the fraternity.  Furthermore, Leazer's study was
critical of the writing of leading anti-Masons such as Dr. James L. Holly,
and televangelist John Ankerberg.  In the Fall of 1992, Holly withdrew his
support for the study.

    Following the completion of the study, Dr. Larry Lewis, head of the
H>M>B>, sent two staff members to Leazer's home to remove and examine all
of Leazer's correspondence.  Among this correspondence, the staff members
found several letters from Baptist Masons.  Lewis subsequently removed
Leazer as director of the Interfaith Witness Department and assigned him
to a field position.  According to Leazer, "their concern was that I had
encouraged several Masons to go to the Southern Baptist Convention and
vote their conscience."

    The Home Mission Board then began editing Leazer's study, removing
critical references to the work of Holly and Ankerberg.  Leazer felt that
the study and its findings had been so fundamentally altered that he asked
that his name "not be attached to the study."

    Leazer is planning to write a book about his experiences while
conducting the study over the past two years.