FREEMASONRY AND RELIGION ARE COMPATIBLE
FOREWORD
Freemasonry is not, in and of itself, a Christian organization. Rather, it
is one that numbers among its members many who are Christian. One of our great
strengths is the ability to accept those of differing faiths into our
fellowship. However, Freemasonry has come under attack from some segments of
Christianity, particularly those considered to be "fundamentalists". It is to
those members of the Masonic Fraternity who are Christian that this Short Talk
is primarily addressed. Many Masons have had to agonize over choosing between
their Christian faith and their Masonic membership, believing the two to be in
conflict. It is hoped that this Short Talk will be a source of comfort and
understanding to those who are in such turmoil as well as informative and a
guide to those who have questions about the role of the Mason with respect to
his religious beliefs. This Short Talk is directly addressing the Christian, but
the truth it contains applies to all who believe and serve one God! --Editor
Forrest D. Haggard was ordained by the Kansas Church of Christ and is
Founding Pastor of the Overland Park Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
where he has served since 1953. He has been in the ministry for 44 years and a
Master Mason for 43 years. He has served the Church by being President of the
World Convention of Churches of Christ (1975-1980) and Freemasonry by being
(Grand Master of Kansas 1974-75. He is both York Rite (Red Cross) and Scottish
Rite (33rd).
The recent revival, by fundamental Christianity, of anti-Masonry has created
a small storm within both religious and fraternal circles. Over the past two
years, I have listened to, watched on T.V. or read every program, article and
item concerning the modern day anti-Masonic movement that has been called to my
attention. It has been good for me. I have re-examined my own membership in all
of my "other than the Church" commitments. I have reached a considered decision
that Freemasonry is not now and never has been detrimental to my Christian faith
and doctrine. In fact my fraternal relationships have strengthened and assisted
me in my ministry as well as in my personal faith and life.
I have found three predominent reasons for the existence of the critics:
One. Personal and personality conflicts are present. Freemasonry is a human
organization with no claim to Divine origin. In any human organization you have
human fragilities. Where you have a structure you have "assumed power or
prestige" and with that you have conflicts. Some critics have had a "bad
experience" in their Masonic connections. (Just like local congregations have
people who came from some other church where things were "bad".)
Two: Political, social or religious dictatorships or hierarchical structures
cannot, in fact do not dare, tolerate differences of opinion. They cannot afford
any dissension or freedom of thought. Under their rule, Freemasonry and all like
groups, must be attacked or destroyed. Such systems may claim to be open minded
but they depend on their constituents or followers to have minds closed to all
but their own particular "way" or doctrine. Freemasonry promotes freedom of
thought and discussion.
Three. Money: I always listen and watch for the "bottom line" whenever I am
watching the "Christian" T.V. station or listening to a "religious" broadcast.
The bottom line is an appeal for membership in their group and for support
funds. In spite of all of the revelations of graft, greed, corruption and
immorality on the part of the hawkers of fundamental Christianity, their kind
continues. They are an embarrassment to the Church. I have to assume that Satan
rubs his hands in glee as their message of hate, exclusiveness and divisiveness
goes out to the public.
I call your attention to some other factors:
The same voice that speaks out against Freemasonry often also speaks out
against any other type, kind, style, or form of religious faith other than their
very own. The same families that have left my congregation because I am a
Freemason came to our Church because where they were was not of the "true"
faith. And they have already left where they went from my congregation because
that place was not the "true faith" either.
Remember that Freemasonry is not a single minded organization. It is a
multitude of structures, groups, and units that are tied together by a common
historical tradition. We have no "one voice", nor one leader, nor one ritual.
Our critics pick and choose their quotes or dramatizations from any era, source
or supply that meets their particular needs.
I have never argued with single minded fundamentalists. They are always,
ALWAYS, in their own mind, absolutely right. They must destroy all other systems
to prove their own right to exist. They can always justify their stance on the
basis of their own interpretation of their Source (such as the Word). And they
need money to exist. If they cannot survive on their own, then they must invade
or utilize some already proven source (such as the type and quality of people
who make up most fraternal groups and most especially Freemasonry).
I represent a whole host of competent hardworking ministers who labor in a
parish and who really carry the load of pastoral care and concern. Many of us
belong to fraternal, civic or community groups. We do so with personal joy at
the sense of unity, openness and sense of morality that these groups promote.
These groups are not organized religion. They not only do not compete with the
Christian faith, but in reality are supportive of it. It is disturbing that the
opponents of Freemasonry are, in effect, attacking that which is supportive of
Christian faith. The "Christian" anti-masonic leaders are not only inaccurate in
their attack on Freemasonry but they are, in my opinion, making a far more
serious attack on the basic Christian faith under whose banner they claim to
operate.
How do I respond to these attacks? What do I say? I do not respond directly
to the attacker. The attacker is shrewd. He attacks the weak spot of his enemy.
In our case that weakest spot is not, as the attacker would have you believe and
thus defend, in our rituals, customs and traditions. It is in the members
themselves who have had only a ritualistic education about Freemasonry.
Where Freemasonry has instructed its candidates in its history, purpose and
intent and where a local lodge is going about its business with pride and
dignity, there is very little that anti-Masonic groups can do to destroy the
Craft.
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FREEMASONRY AND RELIGION
Statement of the Board of General Purposes United Grand Lodge of England June
12, 1985
In the light of recent comments on Freemasonry and religion and inquiries to
be held by various churches into the compatibility of Freemasonry and
Christianity, the Board has decided to issue the following statement in
amplification of that originally approved by Grand Lodge in September 1962 and
confirmed by Grand Lodge in December 1981.
BASIC STATEMENT--Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for
religion. It demands of its members belief in a Supreme Being, but provides no
system of faith of its own. Its rituals include prayers, but these relate only
to the matter instantly in hand and do not amount to the practice of religion.
Freemasonry is open to men of any faith, but religion may not be discussed at
its meetings. THE SUPREME BEING--The names used for the Supreme Being enable men
of different faiths to join in prayer (to God as they see Him) without the terms
of the prayer causing dissension among them.
There is no Masonic God: a Freemason remains committed to the God of the
religion he professes.
Freemasons meet in common respect for the Supreme Being, but He remains
Supreme in their individual religions, and it is no part of Freemasonry to
attempt to join religions together. There is therefore no composite Masonic God.
VOLUME OF THE SACRED LAW--An open Volume of the Sacred Law is an essential
part of every Masonic meeting. The Volume of the Sacred Law to a Christian is
the Bible; to Freemasons of other faiths it is the book held holy by them. THE
OATHS OF FREEMASONRY--The obligations taken by Freemasons are sworn on or
involve the Volume of the Sacred Law. They are undertakings to keep secret a
Freemason's means of recognition and to follow the principles of Freemasonry.
The physical penalties are simply symbolic. The commitment to follow the
principles of Freemasonry is deep, and entirely appropriate to this form of
obligation. FREEMASONRY COMPARED WITH RELIGION--Freemasonry lacks the basic
elements of religion: (a) It has no dogma or theology (and by forbidding
religious discussion at its meetings will not allow a Masonic dogma to develop).
(b) It offers no sacraments. (c) It does not claim to lead to salvation, by
works, secret knowledge or any other means (the secrets of Freemasonry are
concerned with modes of recognition, not with salvation). FREEMASONRY SUPPORTS
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
his duty to God (by whatever name He is known) above all other duties. Its moral
teachings are acceptable to all religious.
Why is a Master addressed as "Worshipful"? Few Masonic matters are less
understood by the non-Masonic public than this. The word "worchyppe" or
"worchyp" is Old English, and means "greatly respected." In the Wycliffe Bible
"Honor thy father and thy mother" appears as "Worchyp thy fadir and thy modir."
English and Canadian mayors are still addressed, "Your Worship." In some of the
Old Constitutions of Masonry is the phrase, "Every Mason shall prefer his elder
and put him to worship." "Worshipful," therefore, in modern Masonry continues an
ancient word meaning "greatly respected." A Grand Master is "Most Worshipful,"
that is, "Most greatly respected" (except in Pennsylvania, where the Grand
Master is "Right Worshipful," as are Pennsylvania's and Texas' Past Grand
Masters).
Source: SA Digest "101 Questions About Freemasonry''
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