Masonry and religion

Title

Language

English

Source

The Cabletow Volume XXXIX (Issue No. 3) September 1963

Year

1963

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

Masonry And Religion Taken from a pamphlet entitled "What Is Freemasonry" Published by the Masonic Service Association of the United States RELIGION has been defined as “a certain kind of systematic effort to secure the conservation and en hancement of values.” Although this definition is not at all incompatible with the aims and purposes of the Order, as outlined earlier, Masonry does not profess to be a religion, even though it is religious in charac ter. Neither does it pretend to take the place of religion, nor serve as a substitute for the religious beliefs of its members. Freemasonry opens its doors to all men, regardless of religious, con viction, the essential requirements in this regard being an avowed beliel in God and in immortality. Since the doctrines of most religions in clude these tenets, the virtual impos sibility of conflict in this respect is obvious. It is therefore understand able why so many religious faiths, including the clergymen who re present them, are found among the members of the Fraternity. The relationship between Free masonry and religion was summar ized well by Ralph |. Pollard, Past Grand Master (Maine), in an address given before the Third Annual Northeast Conference on Masonic Libraraies and Education, Boston, June 13-14, 1958: “Every Mason should understand that Freemasonry, as practiced in the British Empire and the United Slates, is entirely non-sc< tarian; that all theological discussion is prohibited in its lodges; and that its membership includes men beloging io many different religious denominations. He must clearly understand that Freemasonry is not a church, nor a substitute for the Church, and that it makes no claim to save souls, to reform sin ners, or to discharge any of the proper functions of a Church. Yet every Mason should also be helped to realize that Freemason ry is essentially religious; that it requires of all of its members a positive, wholehearted and un equivocal belief in Almighty God, the Author, Creator and Rider of the Universe; that it demands a rigid observance of the moral law; that it stresses the value and im portance of prayer; that it teaches the immorality of the soul; and that the Holy Bible, or similar Volume of the Sacred I.aw, which lies open upon every Masonic al tar, is revered as the Great Light in Freemasonry, and is accepted as the rule and guide of every Mason’s faith." By way of explanation, Lodges exist and function in all parts of the world. In Christian Lodges, the Holy Bible reposes on the Altar; in non-Christian areas, however, the book held sacred to the faith repreThe Cabletow seniative of the membership be so placed. Another statement, comprehensive in its stope, clarifies the position of the (halt in this way: “Why is it that Freemasonry, which is not a religion and not a church, can bring to men the fun damental principles of religion which every man needs? What docs Freemasonry offer that at tracts the man who has no creed as well as the man who has one? It is because Freemasonry is reli gious in that it is a plan of life— a trestleboard — whereon are written the laws and edicts of the Grand Architect of the Universe in accordance with which men must live if they are to be happy. It is because in our lodges we teach the Brotherhood of Man based on the Fatherhood of God and advance no other dogma. Not only do we leave to every brother the choice- of his creed but we draw no sword to compel others to adopt our belief. Nay, we go further than this, for with in the tiled precincts of the lodge every Mason is taught to revere and respect and be tolerant of that which is sac i cd to his brother. be he Christian, Mohammedan, or Jew. 1‘his is the strength of Masonry’s appeal.’’ Although Masonry excludes no one because of religious belief, cer tain denominations, for reasons peculiar to tiieir doctrines, will not permit (heir parishioners to be affi liated with tlie Masonic Fraternity. Unfortunately, such prohibitions have been interpreted to mean that Freemasonry does not accept the members oi certain sects and deno minations, a statement which con flicts with Freemasonry’s insistence on the solidarity of humanity. Io summarize, the beliefs in a Supreme Being and immorality is common to most religions. Differ ences exist among them, however, with respect to dogma, interpreta tion and ritual, often creating a breach which separates them regard less of their similar goals. Masonry embraces ihe common factors, unit ing men by not advocating one par ticular theological approach above the others, thus permitting the in dividual io choose for himself that avenue which seems best to him for his approach to God, for the build ing ol his moral code, and for his preparation lor that which is to NOTICE The new edition of the Constitution (Masonic Law Book) is now available at the Grand Lodge. Please order your copies from the Of fice of the Grand Secretary. Prices 1 copy, paper bound ................................................. P 3.50 each 20 copies or more ...................................................... P 3.25 each 1 copy, de-luxe issue................................................. Pl 1.00 each Gold lettering for de-luxe issue.......................... P 1.00 per line September 1963 85

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