Originally posted by fordrew

Perhaps I should correct my statements : my brethren stated you do not have to believe in organized religion, or any other person's religion.

Yes I hold mainstream religions in contempt but I do not and can not hate the person for believing them. I am tolerant and curious.

Originally posted by fordrew
I hold them in contempt because they can't think for themselves - they are told what to do and how to do it, what stances to take on political issues, the power that is involved in these institutions. I can point out all the things wrong with these institutions and write a book with it.

Maybe I should clarify/correct myself again -- I should say that I do not hold religion so much in contempt, rather I hold the institutions that maintain and govern them in contempt. Usually when people speak about religion they include the institutions that are the church/mosque/temple/etc.

We have had prophets enough without philosophy, and philosophers without religion; the blind believers and the skeptics resemble each other, and are as far the one as the other from the eternal salvation.

Originally posted by Masonic Light
Every lodge is a temple of religion and its teachings are instruction in religion. - Albert Pike, Morals and Dogma, p. 213

The appointed action of life is the great training of Providence; and if man yields himself to it, he will need neither churches nor ordinances, except for the expression of his religious homage and gratitude.

For there is a religion of toil. It is not all drudgery, a mere stretching of the limbs and straining of the sinews to tasks. It has a meaning and an intent.
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The advocate who fairly and honestly presents his case, with a feeling of true self-respect, honor, and conscience, to help the tribunal on towards the right conclusion, with a conviction that God's justice reigns there, is acting a religious part, leading that day a religious life; or else right and justice are no part of religion.
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Books, to be of religious tendency in the Masonic sense, need not be books of sermons, of pious exercises, or of prayers. What-ever inculcates pure, noble, and patriotic sentiments, or touches the heart with the beauty of virtue, and the excellence of an up-right life, accords with the religion of Masonry, and is the Gospel of literature and art.
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There is also a religion of society. In business, there is much more than sale, exchange, price, payment; for there is the sacred faith of man in man.
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When friends meet, and hands are warmly pressed, and the eye kindles and the countenance is suffused with gladness, there is a religion between their hearts; and each loves and worships the True and Good that is in the other.
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Every Masonic Lodge is a temple of religion; and its teachings are instruction in religion. For here are inculcated disinterestedness, affection, toleration, devotedness, patriotism, truth, a generous sympathy with those who suffer and mourn, pity for the fallen, mercy for the erring, relief for those in want, Faith, Hope, and Charity. Here we meet as brethren, to learn to know and love each other. Here we greet each other gladly, are lenient to each other's faults, regardful of each other's feelings, ready to relieve each other's wants. This is the true religion revealed to the ancient patriarchs; which Masonry has taught for many centuries, and which it will continue to teach as long as time endures. If unworthy passions, or selfish, bitter, or revengeful feelings, contempt, dislike, hatred, enter here, they are intruders and not welcome, strangers uninvited, and not guests.