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Is Masonry a religion? |
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No. "Masonry is not a religion
by the definitions most people use. Religion, as the term is commonly
used, implies several things: a plan for salvation or path by which
one reaches the after-life; a theology which attempts to describe the
nature of God; and the description of ways or practices by which a man
or woman may seek to communicate with God. Masonry does none of those
things. We offer no plan of salvation. With the exception of saying
that He is a loving Father who desires only good for His children, we
make no effort to describe the nature of God. And while we open and
close our meetings with prayer, and we teach that no man should ever
begin any important undertaking without first seeking the guidance of
God, we never tell a man how he should pray or for what he should
pray. Instead, we tell him that he must find the answers to these
great questions in his own faith, in his church or synagogue or other
house of worship. We urge men not to neglect their spiritual
development and to be faithful in the practice of their religion. As
the Grand Lodge of England wrote in Freemasonry and 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 above all other duties his duty to God by whatever name
He is known.' Masonry itself makes only a simple religious demand on a
man - he must believe that he has an immortal soul and he must believe
in God. No atheist can be a Mason." - Dr. Jim Tresner, 33rd degree
"Freemasonry has no dogma or theology. It teaches that it is important
for every man to have a religion of his choice and to be faithful to
it. A good Mason is made even more faithful to the tenets of his faith
by membership." Rev. Norman Vincent Peale, who was also a Mason.
If you are interested in joining our
fraternity,
please send your request
here. |
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Why do we use "So mote it be" instead
of Amen? |
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read more |
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What do Freemasons aim for? |
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read more |