Muddled Meanderings of a Master Mason

Religion

I was recently asked as to how Freemasonry relates to Christianity and if it conflicts with it. While Prayer is used in the opening and closing of the Lodge, it does not require one to believe in God in a specific way. It only requires a belief in a supreme being. In other words and Atheist would not be allowed to have membership, at least in the United States and most other jurisdictions. 

France, in its inevitable wisdom has decided that to make that imposition on a potential member or actual member is not what Masonry is about. It is about making a good man better. There are many good men who are atheists who would make good members who would be precluded. This is a sticking point when you use that latter concept. 

It is up to the Grand Lodges of each jurisdiction to decide which religious paths are to be accepted. California has about ten separate ones that are accepted. Remember that it is necessary for the obligations to be taken that the  book that is used is one that you consider valid in your beliefs. To take an obligation on the Christian bible would not be considered valid if you were Buddhist. So that the question of what the Atheist would use is the stumbling block. 

Pagan religions also can cause a minor difficulty as Wiccan's use the Book of Shadows. While part of it is a set of  actual practices, another part is self written and very personal in nature as to what it contains. Hence it has no consistency and is hard to define and regulate as far as to what constitutes an obligation. Some jurisdictions have no problems and others do in this instance. 

Another question that gets asked is if Freemasonry has a conflict with Religion particular beliefs. In actuality, Masonry has no problem with religion as far as people joining it, other then the above, it is the various religious groups that dislike Masonry. 

Part of it comes from secrecy. The idea that one should be able to keep a secret that is entrusted to them. The only real problem is that they forget that every person has private information. Every business also has private information. Governments hold a lot of information that would do damage if it were released too soon. 

The family is the best example of not only being a Society with Secrets but also that of privacy. There are things that are just not talked about. It could be bad or good items but they are not public. As outsiders to a family we see things and try and guess what is going on. Unless a family member wants to talk then it is a secret that will not be heard. 

Another part of why various religions have problems is that they do not like the idea of tithe money going to another group. This was told to me by a couple of ministers as they felt the church they were in charge of should receive it all. One of the local church leaders decided to make it known that Masonry  was not good for members in the congregation nor for his church as it took away from his projects. He failed to take into effect how many Masons there were in his congregation when he made the accusations of it being harmful to them. The concept of know your audience rings true.

You also get into the concept of superstition. Many ministers have a certain amount of qualms about things that they don't understand. Many Catholic priests who have come from areas of the world where superstition is more prevalent than here are afraid of it. The Knights of Columbus was founded by a Catholic priest to keep his parishioners close and to add solidarity among his immigrant based parish. It followed many of the same principles of Freemasonry as well as format. The one thing it did in its obligation is make it known that telling a secret of the Order to the parish priest was okay. Remember that while the K of C is Catholic it is not a part of the church. It is one of several groups that are independent of church control but they do have to listen to the parish priest if they desire to operate at that parish.

Various religions who have issues with the  Lodge will impose penalties upon any congregation member who is also a member of the Lodge. An example is the Catholic church where you are considered self-ex-communicated  when you join the Lodge. Others will deny membership benefits until one leaves the Lodge, some suspend membership in the congregation while it is determined how much it may effect them. 

In Africa, not only is the lodge considered evil by some religious groups but also the Lions, Rotary, Kiwanis, and many other groups. Again we get back to the idea of them fearing something that is not understood nor are they willing to check into it to allay their fears. There are bigger problems then what group someone belongs to.

Religion comes from the word Religre, to bind back to the beginning. So a true religion binds you back to the solid foundation of deity. Religion as it is being practiced is made by man and is nothing compared to a true belief in being the best you can be. 

The two great commandments of Love your God and Love your neighbor really apply to this discussion. If you are doing what is right and doing as best you can, you shouldn't have a problem with what you believe or what you join. If you are uncomfortable where you are at then you are in the wrong place and need to find out what it is that bothers you. That includes all parts off life not just this discussion.