Freemasonry And Religion

Mention was made in the preceding chapter of the Masonic requirement respecting belief in a Supreme Being, and the requirement that the Holy Bible be present and open during lodge meetings. A discussion of Freemasonry and religion rather naturally follows.

Freemasonry, while religious in nature, is not, does not profess to be, and does not wish to be, a religion. Nor does it promote any particular religion. So long as they meet the qualifications for membership, Masonry accepts men from every religious faith - Protestant, Jewish, Roman Catholic, and others. It does not bar any man because of his religious leanings, so long as he believes in a Supreme Being and so long as his beliefs are not characterized by that which is generally deemed morally unacceptable.

Many ministers of many denominations are members of and ardent supporters of the Masonic Fraternity, and many ministers of the same denominations vehemently oppose Free masonry. This division of opinion also exists among lay members of the various religions. It has been found that religious opposition to Masonry almost always stems from a failure to properly inform oneself, such opposition usually arising from a mistaken belief that Masonry seeks to supplant religion. Members of the various religions who have become Masons almost never make religious objection to the fraternity, or to its teachings and practices. In fact, it is usually found that men become even stronger supporters of their churches after becoming Ma sons.

To become and remain a Freemason a man must believe in a Supreme Being. His method of worshipping his Deity is none of Masonry's business. He will not, in a Masonic lodge, be permitted to urge his religious beliefs upon any other member, nor will any other member be allowed to promote his particular faith while in lodge. Even the discussion of various religions, or of any other topic liable to excite arguments or animosities, is forbidden in a Masonic lodge.

Masonry openly urges each member to be faithful to and to participate in the religion of his choice. It studiously avoids any teaching or practice which could be remotely construed as supplanting any religion or which would conflict with the activities of any church. Members of a lodge frequently attend worship services as a group, as evidence of their support of religion, and these attendances are not restricted to any particular denomination/s.

Finally, Freemasonry makes no attempt to save men's souls, or even to reform them; these functions it properly leaves to churches and religions. Masonry does not even want men whose souls need saving, or who are in need of reformation. It wants as members only those men who are already good, hoping and believing their Masonic association will further enrich their lives. It expects its members to conduct themselves in accordance with a strict moral code, and it feels the requirements of that moral code are not repugnant to the teachings of any religion or to the beliefs of any good man.