Does freemasonry have a religious agenda?

I have noticed that many right wing christian groups have publicly spoken out against freemasonry, claining it to have a secret religious agenda. How true are these claims?

They are correct. The Masons religious agenda is that you can be a member of whatever religion you want as long as you have a Supreme Being.

This contrasts with the right wing Christian groups religious agenda of you can have any religion you want as long as it's ours.

[edit on 1/19/2007 by Cug]

Freemasonry is full of religions undertones, such as prayers to "The Great Architect of the Universe", an altar in the middle of the lodge, a bible, Koran, or other as a furnishing in the middle of the altar. They will claim not to be a religion, but there is a lot of "religiousity" in Freemasonry.

Originally posted by Cug
They are correct. The Masons religious agenda is that you can be a member of whatever religion you want as long as you have a Supreme Being.

This contrasts with the right wing Christian groups religious agenda of you can have any religion you want as long as it's ours.

[edit on 1/19/2007 by Cug]

Well put Cug. The only group that has a problem with masonry seems to be Christians becuase we except someone who may believe in someone otger than Jesus as their supream being.

There are some Muslims that don't take kindly to Masonry, either.

What it boils down to is this: religious institutions can gain great power over their congregations through fear. It's harder to keep people afraid if they are able to think for themselves, or take place in activities outside of the church's sphere of influence. So, such things that cannot be controlled are viewed with suspicion and contempt.

It's not fear mongering it's ignorance. Rather than the churches explaining "Masonry is a philosophie...our church is the path to salvation" they just say "leave masonry and be saved!" ignorance...nothing more.

Of tolerance and inclusiveness... And we just can't have that...

Reform is necessary, a good old fashioned purge of these ill conceived tenets... Only then will Freemasonry be more like the world that surrounds it, and with that, become more accepted...

Yeah, that's the ticket... :shk:

Sarcasm Monkeys, not just for skewering the closed minded with the obvious anymore...

No Mirthful Me I agree...perhaps an inquisition? :-P