I’ve noticed recently the degree of chatter on the rise in areas typically a no-go for Masonic lodges, namely religion and politics.
We've dabbled in the fora for a while in talking about the importance of them, but except in rare fits and spurts have we delved the depths of supporting a candidate or extolling the moral virtues of one divinity or another. But I've noticed that things have changed recently, and perhaps I'm sensing the reason for why these hot button areas are avoided, as I'm feeling a sense of us and them as lines of absolutist ideas start to get drawn.
It is important to say that I don't believe that the strong moral imperative behind these ideas derives directly from the fraternity but rather something that is fostered within us by our association with it. A passion for politics and faith should be explored and encouraged, new initiates are encouraged to both, but when it starts to bleed back into the foundation of the lodge it starts to make me uncomfortable.Freemasonry is politically non-partisan; there is no "right" candidate for a Freemason. Freemasonry is religiously non sectarian, here is no "right" religion" for a Freemason.
The respect that seems to be missing is that our Masonic passion "should" be directed to the idea that freedom of democracy exists and that we can vote for whom we want to govern us, and, that freedom of religion exits so that we can pray to whom we want to put our faith in. Freemasonry does not dictate who or what of these things, but rather the action of them.
To present a color of Masonic authority of either politics or religion starts to project a message of right and wrong, and besides testing squares, there is little in Masonry that alludes to an absolute. Even with the measure of what past Masons have said ignores the context of the age in which they were written.
The foundation of Freemasonry needs to remain intact. Politically partisan and religious sectarian ideas should be left at the door and not draped to display a message that the wielder is trying to associate with it. Is this not the beauty and glory of the fraternity that is free from both?
Thursday, November 06, 2008
To present a color of Masonic authority
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Freemasonry believes (or at least I think it is so) that religious belief is important for a man. Freemasonry does not care what religion a man believes in. Most every religion is represented within the framework of Freemasonry and although we have the Christian Bible open upon our altar and have our roots firmly placed within the Judeo-Christian faith, the Masonic oath can be taken upon any Religious and Holy Book such as the Torah or the Koran.
I recall reading of Rudyard Kipling (1865 - 1936) and of his telling of his experience of becoming a Freemason while in India. He speaks of his lodge being filled with Anglicans, Roman Catholics, Muslims, Hindu and Buddhists.
It must often be hammered home into the minds of those that practice their individualized faith that Freemasonry is not meant to take the place of any man's religion but perhaps only serves to enhance it. During any period in which a secular prayer is being offered within the Lodge of Freemasons the weight and loft of that prayer (as I see it as Chaplain) is left up to the individual who hears that prayer. Freemasonry offers no direction as to where or to whom that prayer is being directed other than that unknown realm often referred to as "Heaven".
At the time of the installation of officers, the position of the Lodge Chaplain is appointed by the Worshipful Master for that year. During the installation, the Chaplain is charged by the installing officer, "It is your special duty to conduct the devotions of the Lodge and bear before the throne of heavenly grace the spiritual needs of your brethren. In all your interaction with your lodge it is expected that you will, "allure to brighter worlds and lead the way".
Freemasonry has taken the non-denominational and secular route which, contrary to popular opinion, does appear to contain the true path of wisdom. "Ut vestri exsisto verus". (To yourself be true.) A man must find his own pathway of religious belief (seek and it shall be opened unto you) and his religious belief must be found at the end of his own seeking and not through the dictates of Church, Pope, King or Potentate. Freemasonry echos the sentiments of our founding fathers who wrote the first amendment that prohibits the government from interfering with a person’s practice of his or her religion. Religious freedom is an absolute right, and includes the right to practice any religion of one’s choice, or no religion at all, and to do this without government control.Studying the Holy Texts, Scriptures and Sutras, one will read, see and hear the thoughts of these texts being reflected back to the reader based upon a good degree of their ethnicity, their heritage and their intellect and what other countless variables would dictate. Freemasonry often calls for us to listen for that small, still voice and moral compass that exists within each of us and calls us to serve God through serving others
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