Masons & Freemasons

Secret Societies

Fremasonry - Religion or Fraternity

No one is sure exactly how the fraternity of Fremasonry began, but the prevailing theory goes something like this. Shortly after the Crusades the Pope of Rome chose to outlaw the Knights Templar. They had become a renegade Order, and the Pope had lost control over their activities. He issued a death sentence for all Knights that did not renounce their Order. Most of the Knights were more loyal to their Brethren than to the Pope, and they took their Order "underground" to continue their activities. Their Order gradually evolved into a "secret society" called Speculative Fremasonry.

These Freemasons established rituals, similar to the ones used by their former Order, to use as a format to impart their teachings to initiates. Their new rituals were based on the methods and teachings of the Essenes. The setting for the lessons was the building of King Solomon's Temple. Little detailed information survived the (so called) "Dark Ages" of Western Europe concerning the Freemasons of that time. We do know that in 1717, in the back room of a tavern in London the members of three Lodges formed the first Grand Lodge of Fremasonry. Thus, the fraternity "went public" with its existence and its activities. The death sentence was now irrelevant, so the need for secrecy no longer existed. The only thing secret about this group was (and is) its "modes of recognition," or passwords and handshakes.

From that time forward, some religious organizations and religious zealots have levied major and pronounced criticisms of (if not outright attacks on) Fremasonry. Although some of these charges have substantial merit, most have little foundation. Many are based on misunderstandings or statements taken out of context. This paper will attempt to examine the major points of contention, objectively and fairly. The charges against Fremasonry begin each section.

Fremasonry, being a religion, is fair game for examination and criticism by churches. This statement is at the root of all critics' claims, and is patently false. In the Papal Bull of 1738, the Pope of Rome condemned Fremasonry as "heretical." The Mormon, Lutheran, and Quaker churches have, in the past, all issued similar decrees (Enemies,2). The truth is that Fremasonry has no common creed except a belief in a supreme being. Each individual Mason selects the details of that belief for himself. Lodges permit no discussions of religion or politics.

While it is true that the fraternity is built upon the foundation of religion, each Freemason must bring that religion with him into the Lodge. The fraternity does not supply it! No atheist may become a Freemason, because he will have no foundation upon which to build a Masonic edifice. The Fraternity does, however, welcome men of all religious backgrounds, practicing as well as teaching tolerance of the beliefs of others.

Fremasonry does not teach any path to salvation (Tresner,2). In fact, it does not discuss the subject of salvation at all. Lodges do no weddings, baptisms, or any other religious functions. The California Masonic Code is the official set of "rules and regulations" for the Grand Lodge California. The C.M.C. provides that the only functions a Lodge may sponsor are social, ritual (degree ceremonies, installations, business meetings, and cornerstone laying) and educational.

They call the head of a Lodge Worshipful Master. Masons worship a man and not God. Let me explain how Fremasonry uses the term Worshipful. This is a term of honor, still used in England and Canada for public officials such as City Mayors and Judges (Tresner,2). Worshipful means "tending to worship" just as helpful means "tending to help." Having served my own Lodge as Master, I can state that anyone who presides over a large group of people, and is responsible for maintaining "peace, good order and harmony," tends to pray. In fact, most Masters pray quite a bit. Regarding the term "Master," we use it the same as we use in Scout Master, Zen Master, Concert Master, Master Craftsman, or Master of Science (Tresner,2). This term simply suggests that the individual achieved "mastery" of his craft, here a "Mastery" of the principles and methods of Fremasonry. Fremasonry is as much of a religion as Boy Scouts!

Fremasonry is a pagan system. This charge is valid, accurate and true. As pagan means pre-Christian or non-Christian, the fraternity definitely fits within this category. Speculative Fremasonry traces its foundation and principles to the Essenes and the builders of King Solomon's Temple. This heritage predates Christianity by several hundred years. Democracy dates its foundation back to ancient Greece, also pre-Christian, also Pagan. Masons (who believe in the principles of Fremasonry) are no more pagan that Americans (who believe in the principles of Democracy). Neither system of beliefs is Christian. Neither system lacks morals, ethics, or values.

Modern Fremasonry is every bit as pagan as Democracy itself.

Lodges use the Holy Bible as furniture. This is partially true. The precise Masonic term is furnishing, or essential equipment. No Masonic Lodge may convene any meeting without a Volume of Sacred Law (a Bible in most American Lodges) open in its place of honor, in the center of the Lodge, for all to see. The Book is there, and open, not as a reference but as a symbol or reminder of whatever set of teachings, be they contained within a Book or not, the individual Mason holds most true, valid and dear in his own life. The Volume of Sacred Law is the center of each Mason's life.

Fremasonry denies Jesus. It never mentions him (Misconceptions,4). This one is exactly half right. Fremasonry never mentions Jesus. Nor does it mention Isaiah, Ben Franklin, Confucius, Abraham Lincoln, Jonas Salk, George Washington or Mohammed. Does that connote denial? Does that mean that the fraternity denies the contribution these people have made to the world? When the Chaplain gives an invocation or benediction in Lodge, he addresses The Grand Architect or The Great Artificer of The Universe. Under these titles a member of any religion may find his own deity. Failure to mention any particular deity by name is not denial, it simply permits each member to participate in all prayers, without offense to any. This practice permits Jew, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim and others to meet "on the level" and offer their personal prayers together. Freemasons practice the teachings of Jesus, (brotherly love, relief, truth, temperance, fortitude, courage and justice) whether or not they accept him as their savior!

Some charges against the Fraternity are valid. Their validity, in and of themselves, do not prove the basic point of their authors. Grouped together, valid and invalid in one "mixed bag" the many criticisms paint a deceiving picture. Separating them and addressing them singularly, as I have done, clears the issue up. Deception aside, Fremasonry is clearly not a religion. It is a fraternity, a club. Members of all faiths may meet and work together without discord. The work of Freemasonry is the improvement of the self, not the salvation of the soul. Salvation is the providence of religion, and Fremasonry steers clear of it by both law and custom.

Those that would not wish to associate with those of other beliefs closely would probably not be comfortable in a Masonic Lodge. Those few zealots that practice intolerance of others' beliefs definitely would not feel comfortable, or even welcome. For those who are comfortable with people of diverse religious, political, social and economic backgrounds, Fremasonry presents no conflict or discomfort. Fremasonry is not a religion. It is a fraternity.About the Author

Eugene Goldman is a member of Blackmer Lodge #442, F&AM, and served as Master in 1993. He is also a charter member of Black Mountian Masonic Club (u.d.), a member of the Southern California Research Lodge and the Valley of San Diego (Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite). He lives with his wife and children in San Diego, Ca.

Works Cited:

Tresner, Jim "A Response to Critics of Fremasonry" The Short Talk Bulletin.

Ed. John Boettjer. Nov94. Silver Spring, Md.:The Masonic InformationCenter, 1994.1-5.

"Some Misconceptions About Masonry" The Short Talk Bulletin. STB-AU58.

Silver Spring, Md.:The Masonic Information Center, 1958.1-8.

"Why Fremasonry Has Enemies" The Short Talk Bulletin. STB-MA49. Silver Spring, Md.:The Masonic Information Center, 1949.1-5.