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FREEMASONRY AND RELIGION
ARE COMPATIBLE
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
FREEMASONRY AND RELIGION
ARE COMPATIBLE
By: Forrest D. Haggard
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 minis-try 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" commitment.
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 predominant 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 facilities. 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 hierarchal structures cannot, in fact do not
dare, tolerate differences of opinion. They cannot
afford any dissension or freedom of thought. Under
their rule, Free-masonry 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.
============================================
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 Free-masonry
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 re-mains
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 for-bidding
religious discussion at its meetings will not
allow a Masonic dogma to develop).
(b) It offers no sacraments.
© 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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