A New Zealand Christian minister has objected to a local Masonic lodge being used as a temporary book repository for the town library, on the grounds that Masonry is, in his view, dabbling in pagan witchcraft.From stuff.co.nz:
John Cromarty, of St David's Church in Carterton, objects to a Masonic Lodge being used as a temporary library because he says the group is connected to witchcraft, the Wairarapa Times-Age reports.
In a letter to Carterton Mayor Gary McPhee, Mr Cromarty said he and his wife had handed in their library cards and were asking their friends not to visit the lodge, which was housing the town's books while a new events centre was built.
He said while Freemasonry did some good in the community and portrayed a facade of being compatible with Christianity, its foundations were rooted in witchcraft and paganism.
A past master and a Freemason of the lodge, Warwick Cashmore, said Mr Cromarty's attitude was extremely disappointing.
"The basic tenants [sic] of freemasonry are brotherly love, relief, and truth," he said.
Tenets, for cryin' out loud.
