Some months ago, a Tennessean named Glenn Beck reached out to me regarding my research into and publications about the unbiblical nature of the cult of Freemasonry. Glenn is a Southern Baptist Deacon and Sunday School teacher. He is also, perhaps, the most decorated Freemason ever to leave the craft and speak out about it. A few weeks ago, I traveled to East Tennessee and sat down with Glenn for an in-depth interview about his experience as a Freemason. That interview is included below:
How you long have you been a Christian?
I have been a Christian since I was 16 years old. I am now in my 70s.
What led you to get saved?
The conviction of the Holy Spirit, I attended a revival that lasted two weeks. There was an altar call every night. Every night I would go out the back door, until one night responded to the call of the Holy Spirit and walked down the aisle to the mourners bench where I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and was later baptized in a local river.
Of what church are you a member?
I am a member of Russellville Baptist Church in Russellville, TN.
How do you and have you served there?
I am the Senior Men's Sunday School teacher and a deacon. I've been a deacon there for 3 years. I also served as a deacon at a former church.
How long were you a Freemason?
I was a Mason for 38 years.
What led you to become a Freemason?
I think all the things that drive men: ego, politics, greed, and selfishness. I began to look at men I knew around the community who were Masons and over time learned that if you wanted jobs you had to go see certain people because they knew certain people. That was the system. So, I asked a family friend who was known to be Mason how to become a Mason and he gave me a petition to join the lodge.
How are potential members recruited to the lodge?
As I stated in my previous answer, I asked. If you are interested in becoming a Mason you have to ask a Mason. You will be given a petition for membership in the lodge. You complete the petition and submit it to the lodge. If your petition is accepted then the worshipful master appoints an investigative committee to check into you as a candidate.
Tell us about your various Masonic degrees and honors.
I took the three degrees of Blue Lodge and was raised a Master Mason in 1976. After becoming a Master Mason, I petitioned for the Scottish Rite and became a Shriner all in 1976. After going through the Scottish Rite, I was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason. (All Shriners are Masons but not all Masons are Shriners). I also went into the Eastern Star, my wife and I, and served as Worthy Patron six times. I served as Worshipful Master of my local Lodge in 1980. Around 1995, I became interested in the York Rite and petitioned for those degrees. This is the "Christian" branch of Masonry. The Scottish Rite was set up for the Masonic Jews and the name of Jesus is not in it. York Rite Masons must swear to defend the Christian faith. (The York Rite is older in origin than the Scottish Rite ).
I petitioned the Chapter, Council, and Commandery in the York Rite. I progressed through the nine degrees of the York rite. I served as High Priest and Illustrious Master. I served as Commander of the Commandery. I was awarded the (KYCH) Knights of York Cross of Honor, the Knight York Grand Cross of Honor, and the Order of the Purple Cross. I was a Rosicrucian, a member of to St. Thomas of Acon, Knights Masons, AMD Mason, Red Cross of Constantine, and the Holy Royal Order of Knights Templar Priests. I was elected to serve as Grand Commander of Knights Templar in Tennessee in 2010. I served the Grand Lodge and District Chairman. I was serving as Governor of the York Rite College when I left Masonry.
