Introduction

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This following explains the United Grand Lodge of England’s view of the relationship between Freemasonry and Religion.

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Basic statement

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Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. It demands of its members a belief in a Supreme Being but provides no system of faith of its own.

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Freemasonry is open to men of all religious faiths. The discussion of religion at its meetings is forbidden.

 

Is Freemasonry a religion or rival to religion?

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Emphatically not. Freemasonry requires a belief in God and its principles are common to many of the world's great religions. Freemasonry does not try to replace religion or substitute for it. Every candidate is exhorted to practice his religion and to regard its holy book as the unerring standard of truth. Freemasonry does not instruct its members in what their religious beliefs should be, nor does it offer sacraments. Freemasonry deals in relations between men, religion deals in a man's relationship with his God.

 

The Supreme Being

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The names used for the Supreme Being enable men of different faiths to join in prayer (to God as each sees Him) without the terms of the prayer causing dimension among them.

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There are no separate Masonic God; a Freemason's God remains the God of the religion he professes.

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Freemasons meet in common respect for the Supreme Being as 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.

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Volume of the Sacred Law or VSL

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To the majority of Freemasons the Volume of the Sacred Law is the Bible. There are many Freemasons, however, who are not Christian and to them the Bible is not their sacred book, and they will make the promises on the book which is regarded to their religion. The Bible will always be present in a lodge but as the organisation welcomes men of many different faiths, it is called Volume of the Sacred Law. Thus, when the Volume of the Sacred Law is referred to in ceremonies, to a non-Christian it will be the holy book of his religion and to a Christian it will be the Bible.

 

The Great Architect

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Freemasonry embraces all men who believe in God, it membership includes Christians, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, Parsees and others. The use of descriptions such as the Great Architect, Grand Cliometrician or Most High prevents disharmony. The Great Architect is not a specific masonic god or an attempt to combine all gods into one. Thus, men of differing religions pray together without offense being given to any of them.

 

The Obligation of Freemasonry

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The obligations taken by Freemasons are sworn or involve the Volume of the Sacred Law, on the book held sacred by those concerned. They are undertaking to keep secret a Freemason's means of recognition, and to follow the principles of Freemasonry.

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The physical penalties which are purely symbolic do not form part of an Obligation. The commitment to follow the principles of Freemasonry is, however, deep.

 

Freemasonry compared with Religion

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Freemasonry lacks the basic elements of religion:

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a. It has no theological doctrine, and by forbidding religious discussion at its meetings will not allow a Masonic theological doctrine to develop.

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b. It offers no sacraments.

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d. It does not claim to lead to salvation by works, by secret knowledge or by any other means. The secrets of Freemasonry are concerned with modes of recognition and not with salvation.

Freemasonry supports Religion

Freemasonry is far from indifferent to religion. Without interfering in religious practise, it expects each member to follow his own faith, and to place above all other duties his duty to God by whatever name He is known. Its moral teachings are acceptable to all religions.

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Freemasonry is thus a supporter of religion.

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