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Godspeed
Unregistered
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 Posted October 20th, 2010 12:11 AM IP   
Before I get started I am not a freemason. I am inquiring about the fraternity that I may want to join I do not intend to disrespect or offend anyone
Me and a few friends frequently have debates on religion. I have one friend who is muslim, another who is baptist, and one catholic. They argue different points for hours. My position in thea rguement is different I dont believe that a person should down grade another because of their religious denomination. Me personally I dont categorize myself into a denomination because I feel its a strong form of segregation.i am a believer in God and christ and I feel whatever you name him we're still talking about one god the same god I also feel that there are things missing from the bible,karan, and other books but they all install the basic moral principles on how to live righteously by example..........as a freemason what are the views on this topic and religion
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Peter Taylor
Master Mason
Posts: 1946
Registered: Aug 2005 |
Posted October 20th, 2010 05:01 AM IP
The essential qualification for admission into and continuing membership is a belief in a Supreme Being. Membership is open to men of any race or religion who can fulfil this essential qualification and who are of good repute.
Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. The one essential qualification means that Freemasonry is open to men of many religions and it expects and encourages them to continue to follow their own faith. It is not permitted for Freemasons to discuss these subjects at Masonic meetings.
For many years Freemasons have followed three great principles:
Brotherly Love - Every true Freemason will show tolerance and respect for the opinions of others and behave with kindness and understanding to his fellow creatures.
Relief - Freemasons are taught to practise charity and to care, not only for their own, but also for the community as a whole, both by charitable giving, and by voluntary efforts and works as individuals.
Truth - Freemasons strive for truth, requiring high moral standards and aiming to achieve them in their own lives.
Freemasons believe that these principles represent a way of achieving higher standards in all walks of life.
From its earliest days, Freemasonry has been concerned with the care of orphans, the sick and the aged. Today charitable work has expanded to include the whole community and in addition large sums are given to national and local charities.
Freemasonry demands from its members a respect for the law of the country in which a man works and lives. Its principles do not in any way conflict with its members' duties as citizens, but should strengthen them in fulfilling their public and private responsibilities. The use by a Freemason of his membership to promote his own or anyone else's business, professional or personal interests is condemned, and is contrary to the conditions on which he sought admission to Freemasonry. His duty as a citizen must always prevail over any obligation to other Freemasons, and any attempt to shield a Freemason who has acted dishonourably or unlawfully is contrary to this prime duty and the teachings of Freemasonry itself.
Freemasonry is practised under many other Grand Lodges which set the same standards and promote the same principles as the Grand Lodge of Scotland. However, there are some Grand Lodges and other bodies which claim to be Masonic that do not meet these standards. For example some, do not require a belief in a Supreme Being, others permit their members as such to participate in political matters. For these reasons such bodies cannot be considered to be Masonically regular and Scottish Freemasons can have no Masonic contact with them.
A Freemason is encouraged to do his duty first to his God (by whatever name he is known) through his faith and religious practise; and then, without detriment to his family and those dependent on him, to his neighbour through charity and service. None of these ideas is exclusively Masonic, but all should be universally acceptable. Freemasons are expected to follow them.
Regards, Peter
PM Lodge Albert 448, PM Lodge Discovery 1789, Provincial Grand Secretary of Forfarshire, Hon. 54, 164, 299, 327, 486; PZ RA Chapter Albert 503, Installed Mark Master, AASR (30th), PMWS Rose Croix, ROoS, KT, KTP, OSM, RCC, RAM, CC, SRIS, Squaremen
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Godspeed
Unregistered
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Posted October 20th, 2010 09:46 AM IP
Is it possible to not be apart of a religious denomination but be a believer in God and jesus christ and qualify for membership?
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Jay
Master Mason
Posts: 304
Registered: Feb 2010 |
Posted October 20th, 2010 09:49 AM IP
Quote:
Godspeed wrote:
Is it possible to not be apart of a religious denomination but be a believer in God and jesus christ and qualify for membership?
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Of course.
Belonging to a church congregation or claiming a denomination is not a requirement for a belief in God. Never has been, contrary to what some church leaders might tell you.
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Godspeed
Unregistered
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Posted October 20th, 2010 10:17 AM IP
Thanks jay,
I am a firm believer in God and jesus christ but I dont subject myself to a denomination. Needless to say I get an earful by a lot of people. In my opinion a large percent of people are apart of these denominations are not by choice. Many people are raised from birth into it so its kind of forced on them as baptist was on me. I also attended catholic school my entire life, some of the things that stayed me away were the small racial things (and slot others) for example; I was in the 9th grade and in art class had to draw and paint a portrait of a significant person who has or had a major impact on history...i chose christ, and being raised in an african american baptist church every picture I saw and was taught to believe was a black jesus...my teacher saw the picture asked me who it was and I said jesus....she broke out laughing and said "dont you know jesus was a pure white man, he had to because white is the color of purity and innocence and black is the color of guilt and evil" ......i was pretty offended and highly upset. I took it upon my self to research and form my own opinion. I just couldn't understand why race would play a huge part in something that all human beings should unite in.......guess she thought I was sub-human lol
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S. T. Lehane
Master Mason
Posts: 1568
Registered: Oct 2006 |
Posted October 20th, 2010 10:24 AM IP
We actually aren't allowed to discuss religion in Lodge, beyond the question "Do you believe in the existence of a Supreme Being?"
(Edited by S. T. Lehane)
Fraternally!
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canuck
Mastermason
Posts: 293
Registered: Dec 2009 |
Posted October 20th, 2010 02:04 PM IP
And also - Freemasonry demands from its members respect for other people's religious beliefs and views. A Freemason should not revile other's religion in any way.
www.victorialodge.ca
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more light
Member
Posts: 7
Registered: Oct 2012 |
Posted October 2nd, 2012 08:59 PM IP
peter you said it so well for who we are ! I jut wished that the rest of the world would pratice what we are taught as Masons , the world would be a better place to live in !
SJD
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Freemason Discussion Group :: Freemasonry :: Religions And The Craft :: Religious denomination and freemason |
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