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From time to time members of the Craft are faced with the accusation that Freemasonry is a religion. Often such claims are supported by extracts from Masonic ceremonies supposedly in conflict with various scriptural passages and Church doctrines. Freemasons who find themselves in such a situation should avoid argument and disputation with those pressing the accusations, for nothing will be gained from such confrontations.
Those genuinely troubled by the relationship between our Masonic Practice and Religion should study two clear statements on the matter.
First, from our Ritual. "Freemasonry is a peculiar system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols".
Second, the initial charge in our Book of Constitutions - a charge unchanged over the centuries, which says in part:
"Let a man's religion or mode of worship be what it may, he is not excluded from the Order, provided he believe in the Glorious Architect of heaven and earth, and practise the sacred duties of morality. Masons unite with the virtuous of every persuasion in the firm and pleasing bond of fraternal love; they are taught to view the errors of mankind with compassion, and to strive, by the purity of their own conduct, to demonstrate the superior excellence of the faith they may profess."
"Thus masonry is the centre of union between good men and true, and the happy means of conciliating friendship amongst those who must otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance."
No Freemason who ponders the words of our Book of Constitution should fear that his religious faith is compromised in any way.
Rather we can gain satisfaction that Freemasonry embraces men of every faith.
CHARLES SLIGO, PAST GRAND CHAPLAIN.
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