Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!aplcen!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!brutus.cs.uiuc.edu!psuvax1!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: Peter Trei (ptrei@asgard.bbn.com) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Freemasonry and religion. Message-ID: Date: 21 Dec 89 19:51:13 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Lines: 149 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu [My logs show that this was posted last night. But it does not appear in the group here. I apologize if this is a duplicate. --clh] Hi! I've been lurking on this newsgroup for quite some time (it's rather difficult for me to post). I may be able to shed some light on the topic of Freemasonry, being a Master Mason myself. >> From: conan@wish-bone.berkeley.edu (David Cruz-Uribe) >> All Catholics are forbidden to belong to the Masons or any allied >> organization. The reasons for this ban have to do with the history of >> European Freemasonry. Masonic lodges in Europe had a sinister edge >> which often combined with anti-clerical politics. > From: jhpb@lancia.garage.att.com > The ban also has to do with what Freemasonic principles are all about. > They're inimical to Catholicism. According to the classic papal > encyclical on Freemasonry, Humanum Genus, Freemasonry is based on an > error called Naturalism. Basically, a denial that the supernatural > exists. Three errors here. 1. We are not anti-clerical. Far from it, we require a stated belief in a Supreme Being from every candidate before he can be made a Mason. We are somewhat ecumenical about it - There are Masons of all faiths. This notion that the Masons are anti-clerical arises from the existance of a schismatic group (the "Grand Orient"), based in France. This relatively small group dropped the requirement of faith, removed the Bible from their lodge rooms, and became politically active. For this (among other things) the other Grand Lodges withdrew recognition from Grand Orient in the 1870's, and it has been shunned by all regular Masonic groups ever since. 2. We are no longer (total) anathema to the Catholic Church. Since 1983 it has been permitted for Catholics to join the Masons, at least in North America. 3. The Pope erred when he accused us of Naturalism. As I have stated, a prior belief in Deity is an absolute requirement for membership. Good churchgoers make better Masons and Masons tend to become regular churchgoers. Without the existance of something beyond the grave, Masonry would be meaningless. > From: MATH1H3@uhvax1.uh.edu (David H. Wagner) > As I understand it, Freemasons, in theory, believe that all religions > teach an aproximation of the true faith, but that they of course have > true understanding. They accept the Bible, the Koran, and other holy > books as revelations of God, whom they call the Great Architect of the > Universe. In a sense Freemasonry is a precursor to the modern > ecumenical movement. This is also incorrect. The following pamphlet, from the Grand Lodge of England in 1985 (the oldest Grand Lodge in the world, and highly respected), puts the situation better than I could: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Freemasonry and Religion Introduction In the light of recent comments on Freemasonry and religion and inquiries to be held by various churches into the compatability of Freemasonry and Christianity, the Board has decided to issue the following statement in amplification of that originally approved by Grand Lodge in September 1962 and confirmed by Grand Lodge in December 1981. Basic Statement Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. It demands of its members belief in a Supreme Being, but provides no system of faith of its own. Its rituals include prayers, but these relate only to the matter instantly at hand and do not amount to the practice of religion. Freemasonry is open to men of any faith, but religion may not be discussed at its meetings. The Supreme Being The names used for the Supreme Being enable men of different faiths to join in prayer (to God as they see Him) without the terms of the prayer causing dissension among them. There is no Masonic God; a Freemason remains committed to the God of the religion he professes. Freemasons meet in common respect for the Supreme Being, but He remains Supreme in their individual religions, and it is no part of Freemasonry to attempt to join religions together. There is therefore no composite Masonic God. Volume of Sacred Law An open Volume of Sacred Law is an essential part of every Masonic meeting. The Volume of Sacred Law to a Christian is the Bible; to Freemasons of other faiths it is the book held holy by them. The Oaths of Freemasonry The obligations taken by Freemasons are sworn on or involve the Volume of Sacred Law. They are undertakings to keep secret a Freemason's means of recognition and to follow the principles of Freemasonry. The physical penalties are simply symbolic. The commitment to follow the principles of Freemasonry is deep, and entirely appropriate to this form of obligation. Freemasonry Compared with Religion Freemasonry lacks the basic elements of religion: a. It has no dogma or theology (and by forbidding religious discussion at its meetings will not allow a Masonic dogma to develop). b. It offers no sacrements. c. It does not claim to lead to salvation, by works, secret knowledge or any other means (the secrets of Freemasonry are concerned with modes of recognition, not with salvation). Freemasonry Supports Religion Freemasonry is far from indifferent to religion. Without interfering in religious practice it expects each member to follow his own faith, and to place his duty to God (by whatever name He is known) above all other duties. Its moral teachings are acceptable to all religions. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- I hope that clears some things up. If you'd like an analogy, the Boy Scouts is an organization which takes a somewhat similar stance but which is more familiar to most. Scouts must be reverent, obey the Scout oath, and work together with Scouts of all faiths in a worldwide brotherhood. Eagle Scouts in the Order of Arrow are expected to keep secrets. [And to answer another question that's come up in this newsgroup: I can find absolutely zero evidence that Scouting and Masonry are connected - Baden-Powell does not seem to have been a Mason, and we have our own group for boys: The Order of DeMolay.] go with God (and merry Christmas) Peter Trei Senior Steward Wilder Lodge F&AM Leominster, MA. ptrei@asgard.bbn.com PS: If anyone wants to discuss this further by email with me, please feel free. -- pt [disclaimer: The above are MY opinions, and do not neccesarily represent those of my employer or any Grand Lodge]