Posted on 10/30/2009 9:01:19 AM PDT by Alex Murphy
I get that religion, or politics, is verboten in the lodge.
However, the distribution of “Morals and Dogma” or “A Bridge to Light” to all members does constitute a religious aspect of the lodge. I am very aware that neither of these are required or were part of all masonry, and that they do not purport to teach a specific religion.
I would contend that they are part of masonry (where they occur), and do include topics and discussions that are religious in nature.
Where they occur, I think it would be a safe conclusion that religious instruction, or comparative religion if you will, *is* an acceptable activity as part of freemasonry.
Again, not that it’s required, not that it’s discussed in the lodge or that the distribution is or ever has been universal.
"Since 1988, a copy of A Bridge to Light has been given to candidates for the Degrees of the Southern Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite."
I would contend that they are part of masonry (where they occur), and do include topics and discussions that are religious in nature. Where they occur, I think it would be a safe conclusion that religious instruction, or comparative religion if you will, *is* an acceptable activity as part of freemasonry. Again, not that it’s required, not that it’s discussed in the lodge or that the distribution is or ever has been universal.
I think you have a fundamental misunderstanding with the structure of the lodges and appendant bodies of freemasonry.
As an illustration, if the Church gave me a book when I applied for confirmation, I wouldn’t expect them to give it to me in Church. However, I would logically assume it was part of my instruction, or at the very least helpful to my membership in the Church.
I am no doubt ignorant of the great deal of it. I'm trying to be quite transparent about my ignorance.
But the Scottish Rite in the article is part of Freemasonry, right? They share some structure, some organization, part of one something, yes? The something that was capable of distributing material to "candidates for the Degrees of the Southern Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite."
Here’s where I’m confused on the specific point of the book distribution.
I understand that craft lodges are distinct from the appendant bodies. But both are part of Freemasonry, I believe.
Again, not that they are required for all or that all participate in both. I know that’s not the case.
The extreme that I’m arguing against at this point is: Religion or religious study is forbidden in Freemasonry for everyone at all times and all places.
For this to be true, in the example discussed, we’d have to establish that the York Rite and Scottish rite are not Freemasonry.
Is my error that there are two separate types of Freemasonry, unconnected, and you are describing one and I am describing the other? If so then “appendant” is not used in the normal use.
Do you see what I’m getting at here at least?
It’s hard for me to really comment on those appendant bodies because I’m not a member of them. I do know members of the Scottish Rite and and they’ve never indicated to me that there was any in sort of religious instruction. I think the York Rite would be much more likely to have that kind of content than the Scottish Rite.
Thanks. I am confident in taking you at your word and believe that for you religion plays absolutely no part in it. It also seems clear that religious discussion is verboten in the lodge.
I’m having trouble with a broader statement that it is prohibited throughout Freemasonry for all at all times. There seems to me to be evidence that at least some religious study is or has been part of Freemasonry for some people at some times.
I also see religious parallels and symbology in many places. Again, this doesn’t mean the candidate has to see them or pay attention to them or pursue their significance, if any, from a religious perspective. Neither does it mean they can’t or won’t. There are those who have and written about it.
So the extreme of “none, never, no one” seems to be not correct. However, I believe the other extreme statement that: “Freemasonry is a definite and unique religion that is taught to, and acceptance required by, all members at all times in all places.” is also not true.
It’s a matter of degree between two extremes that, I believe at this point, the truth lies.
I recently read a couple of articles on the York Rite and was soon lost in all the variations. To me, even as ignorant as I am, it seems obvious that generalizing about Freemasonry is a tricky path.
“What about altar?”
Well, it’s not for worshipping, sacriments, or sacrificing or anything like a religious altar.
More like a place of “honor,” as in, where the Holy Bible is placed, as it is to be the center of all decisions a mason makes and in unobstructed view at all times.
I suppose one could call it a table, if one was inclined.
“On altar, is it from (Solomons ?) Temple also?”
Not really. That was a place of sacrifice.
It’s not agnostic in the sense that it is indifferent to religion.
The fraternity expects the mason to be faithful and true to his particular religion (really, denomination of Christianity most of the Grand Lodges in the USA), and thus a fit companion in the fraternity.
“Religion or religious study is forbidden in Freemasonry for everyone at all times and all places.”
That’s not true, but it is true that the religion or religious study would not be a fraternal practice.
For example, a clerk at Wal-Mart probably should be busy being a clerk at Wal-Mart while at work. What said clerk does on his free time is his business.
There is only one York Rite.
It is expressly Christian, albeit non-denominational.
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