Are most Masons against organized religion?, page 1
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Topic started on 14-8-2009 @ 04:43 AM by Saurus
This thread was inspired by this post by network dude who got me thinking...

As far as I know, there are very few Masons on this board that are pro organized religion. Of course, I may be wrong, but this is what I'd like to find out by creating this thread.

I know that Freemasonry teaches tolerance of all religions, but is it possible that some Masons perceive this to mean that they should be against any religion that teaches exclusivity?

In my lodge, there are about 10 members who belong to 'formal' religions, and about 20 that call themselves 'spiritual' rather than belonging to a specific religion. Of the 20 'spiritual' Masons, most are anti organized religion, but are tolerant and respect the beliefs of the members of those religions.

It seems to me that many Masons respect the views of members of organized religions, but viciously slam the religions themselves. Pretty much like saying: "I think your religion is dreadful, but I respect your right to belong to it." Sometimes I find myself guilty of this too...

What do you, as a Mason feel about organized religion? Do you think the aim of Freemasonry is simply to respect people's right to belong to the religion of their choice (even though we may slam the religion itself), or do you think the aim is to actually respect all religions. If the latter were the case, it would explain why many anti-masons might have a "unified God" theory.

Alternatively, how, as a non-Mason, do you perceive Mason's attitudes towards organized religion?

[edit on 14/8/2009 by Saurus]


reply posted on 14-8-2009 @ 05:08 AM by jeasahtheseer
I'd say I dislike any religion that preaches that they are right and everyone else is wrong. That their god is the only god. Which is most organized religion. I however still don't really dislike the religion, just the fundamentalists that tell me I'm going to burn in hell, or that my god is a false god. I am a prince hall mason and just consider myself spiritual. And I do believe in one higher power. A very big amount of prince hall masons are christians probably 90 percent of my lodge is christian, but obviously it never gets brought up inside lodge. I've heard some prince hall lodges allow specific prayers to Jesus said outloud, inside the lodge! I completely disagree with that and consider that "unmason like behavior", thats completely innapropriate.. But these tend to be the lodges that don't even want recognition and stuff and most likely are full of black power dudes and racists, not the type I'd like to be around! I'd never sit in a lodge like that. There are no racists in my lodge, we even have a few white guys (I know its weird for white people to be prince hall masons).

Most my buddies who are masons consider themselves christian and they know my beliefs and when we hanging out with eachother outside of lodge even we avoid religious debates.

I wouldnt say I'm against organized religion, just dislike it. I too am guilty of talking bad about organized religion, but I'd never in a million years insult a religious person for their choice of religion! I try my best to censor myself when speaking about religion, because it insults a lot of people.

Anyways, I'm interested in everyone elses responses to Saurus' question.

Peace


[edit on by jeasahtheseer]


reply posted on 14-8-2009 @ 05:45 AM by network dude
reply to post by Saurus


I would consider myself a Christian, but I don't like church as I said in that post. Most of the regular members of my lodge go to the same church. What I noticed is that the brothers I meet here seem to have that trend. A free thinker as well as a Freemason. Not to say that someone involved with the church isn't able to think, but we as conspiracy nuts seem to think outside the box quite a bit more. maybe that's it.



reply posted on 14-8-2009 @ 07:03 AM by Saurus
reply to post by Skyfloating


Do you think the aim of Freemasonry is simply to respect people's right to belong to the religion of their choice (even though we may slam the religion itself), or do you think the aim is to actually respect all religions.

There is a phrase in the extended working tools of the second degree of UGLE emulation ritual which says that a Mason "should not be an enthusiast, persecutor, or slanderer of religion."

Persecutor and slanderer are easy to understand, but what does the ritual mean when it says not to be an enthusiast of religion?

Is Freemasonry as an institution against organized religion?

What is your take as a Mason?


reply posted on 14-8-2009 @ 07:34 AM by TheBorg
reply to post by Saurus


I don't mean to answer for Skyfloating, but instead for myself...

I believe that the aim of Freemasonry doesn't have anything to do with religion. Religion is only mentioned in-passing during the degree work. The aim of The Craft, in my humble opinion, is to create a better world by doing good works. It's through action that things are done.

The requirement of belief in a deity to join a lodge is important in that it establishes that you have a belief in a continuance of self after death. This particular concept is important to Freemasons because it means that there's something worth working towards. This then engenders a behavioral pattern more akin to that of a master builder building a monument to all that will survey it.

There are no constraints on WHOM one must worship. So long as they worship a deity of some kind, and meet the other requirements, then they are legitimate candidates for entry.

I don't believe that Freemasonry is against organized religion, so to speak. Personally, I don't see the use for the organized part, for reasons that have already been outlined in the previous posts. My distaste for it revolves around the whole concept of having to preach to people that have heard the same things over and over again. To me, that's counterproductive, and only pushes people away from the very God that they profess to be "serving".

I know that I've probably outed myself now, but that's okay. Consider it a formal announcement on my part. We're not a bad group. Truly, we strive for the betterment of humankind through good deeds, and we don't ask anything in return, other than to try to understand that no one is perfect. We all have something to offer our fellow man/woman, and it is our duty to make sure that we all contribute something constructive to this little rock that we call our home.

TheBorg
Forum Member and Moderator

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