How The Elks Lodge came to be what it is today is a very interesting story. Today, it has thousands of members around the world, thousands of lodges in different parts of the U.S., and an important focus on charity, friendship, and community. Christians may wonder whether this organization has anything to do with Christianity and how they should view it. Let's dive into what the Elks Lodge is, how it was founded, and how it functions today.
Origins of the Elks Lodge
The Elks Lodge was founded in 1868 by a group of actors in New York. The organization was originally known as “Jolly Corks.” The original group was a club that formed as a reaction against a New York law that closed saloons on Sundays, which many of the actors, comedians, and entertainers took issue with. The saloons were gathering places for many kinds of people from all walks of life. After a member of the “Jolly Corks” passed away, leaving a wife and his child destitute, the Jolly Corks decided to do something to help the mother and child and others who were also in need. This sowed the seed for what would become the Elks Lodge. The Elk, native to North America, was the chosen symbol because the Elk is strong but also gracious, just like the members of the Elks Lodge communities strived to be.
The comedian and dancer Charles Algernon Sydney Vivian found the law passed by New York to be very frustrating and wanted to establish a community that did philanthropy work for people in the theatrical community. The “Jolly Corks” became known as The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of The United States of America after Charles Vivian teamed up with his friend George F. McDonald. McDonald, who was an actor, and Vivian did everything in their power to preserve the Elks Lodge from dissolving. Unfortunately, the friendship of Vivian and McDonald began to experience great tension after McDonald wanted to keep the club exclusive for actors and entertainers. Vivian rejected this stipulation, and a great controversy began regarding who Elks Lodge's original founder was.
The fruits of their labor can be observed today in the many different Elk Lodges around the world. Members of Elks Lodge communities have done much good charitable work around the world by making peoples' lives better through helping children in need, and charity events that help veterans and people that are at risk and in need of hope.
What Are the Core Beliefs and Practices of the Elks Lodge?
The Elks Lodge’s philosophy of seeking justice, cultivating community, practicing fidelity, keeping each brother accountable, and doing charity work in their surrounding communities and around the world has made a profound difference in my peoples' lives.
Elks National Foundation offers scholarships to students seeking higher education but who do not have the financial assistance needed for the programs they are interested in. The foundation also helps people that are seeking to retire, and veterans in need of financial assistance and housing.
The Elks Lodge's pledge of fidelity amongst their members is very admirable. With numerous unfortunate scandals and affairs happening, and divorce rates going up in the world, an organization such as the Elks Lodge that takes fidelity seriously is incredibly important. This emphasis on fidelity is an example to the world of why it is important to take a sacred vow seriously.
Is the Elks Lodge a Religious Organization?
Though the Elks Lodge is not exclusively a Christian organization, it does believe in a higher power. However, the organization is open to people from different spiritual worldviews, whether Pagan, Muslim, Jew, Unitarian, Sikh, or Hindu.
Before someone becomes a member, the individual goes through an initiation process that requires the member to take an oath upholding The United States Constitution. The chaplain conducting the ceremony repeats some prayers and psalms for the individual to become an official member.
Because Elks Lodge does not have any theological or political stance and is open to people from all walks of life, they are considered to be a secular origination. In this context, many people feel more comfortable with joining the Elks Lodge, but it would be quite difficult for a Christian to join since the Christian worldview is exclusive in its claim of Christ being the truth incarnate.
Are There Any Spiritual Concerns with the Elks Lodge?
If a Christian is considering joining an Elks Lodge community, they should do so prayerfully. Because of the animistic rituals, symbolism, and references to a deity in Elk ceremonies, something like this could become an idol. It could also lead a Christian to embrace a Unitarian worldview which denies the truth claims of Jesus, or esoteric mysticism also found in Masonic lodge theology. As admirable as it is for the Elks Lodge to be open to people of different faiths, this could certainly lead to a good deal of spiritual confusion.
In the Christian worldview, Jesus of Nazareth was inclusive in his message of hope and redemption being for everyone, but exclusive in his claims of being both divine and human. For one to come to know Christ is to know what it means to truly be human and embrace who they were created to be.
In its very early days, the Elks Lodge involved secret meetings and rituals where oaths were sworn. The organization's leaders eventually discontinued these practices towards the end of the 1800s and the beginning of the 1900s.
How Does the Elks Lodge Compare to Christian Organizations?
Though Elks Lodge helps veterans, children at risk, and people in need through their Elks Lodge National Foundation, its core beliefs contradict what we find in Scripture about Jesus being the one true Messiah and King.
Through Christian organizations, not only is someone doing something good, but they are also glorifying Christ through doing good deeds in His name. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Being able to help others in need in the name of Jesus is an incredibly humbling opportunity Christians have to love Him with all their heart, mind, and soul.
Are There Alternatives for Christians Who Want to Serve Their Communities?
If a Christian feels uncomfortable about joining an Elks Lodge for theological reasons, there are some great alternative Christian organizations around the world, such as Samaritan’s Purse, Neverthirst, Roi Ministry, Homes of Hope, MedSend, Serv International, Christian Family Solutions, and Families Ministries, that they can look into joining.
These Christian ministries exist to spread the good news of hope in Christ through helping the poor and needy, people with addictions, those who struggle with anxiety and depression, veterans, those who are homeless, and people in third world countries who do not have access to necessities like food, water, and shelter.
For those seeking alternatives to organizations like the Elks Lodge, know that there are many alternatives that more closely align with the Gospel mission. A good way to get involved in some of those ministries is through applying online, visiting a local center if there is one available, and speaking with leaders in your local church. By engaging in these ministries, Christians not only demonstrate Christ’s love but also build meaningful connections with others, reflecting the Gospel in action.
Photo credit: Unsplash/Jordan Whitt
Justin Wiggins is an author who works and lives in the primitive, majestic, beautiful mountains of North Carolina. He graduated with his Bachelor's in English Literature, with a focus on C.S. Lewis studies, from Montreat College in May 2018. His first book was Surprised by Agape, published by Grant Hudson of Clarendon House Publications. His second book, Surprised By Myth, was co-written with Grant Hudson and published in 2021. Many of his recent books (Marty & Irene, Tír na nÓg, Celtic Twilight, Celtic Song, Ragnarok, Celtic Dawn) are published by Steve Cawte of Impspired.
Wiggins has also had poems and other short pieces published by Clarendon House Publications, Sehnsucht: The C.S. Lewis Journal, and Sweetycat Press. Justin has a great zeal for life, work, community, writing, literature, art, pubs, bookstores, coffee shops, and for England, Scotland, and Ireland.
