I'm the first non-Mason (for very Christian reasons) in my family since the Revolutionary War.
It depends on the individual lodge. Usually in the Blue Lodges, the Chaplain is not allowed to pray in any way or fashion to any Deity except the GAOTU. Adding "Jesus" to the prayer is expressly forbidden by some Grand Lodges (differs from state to state).
Of course, in the York Rite, you have the Royal Arch and the Knights Templar. To be a KT, you MUST be a Christian, and all of the KT prayers include Jesus.
2007-01-01 10:42:33
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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not a Mason but I know a lot of Masons and was able to witness their rituals because they needed some help with the music. First of all Free Masonry is not a church or religion. They welcom anyone from any religious background. It's not true that they are not allowed to mention anyone's name. They gather together to speak of any learning they've gained from their daily lives but are not allowed (at least in the lodge I know) to speak on politics and religion. Most of the Masons I know no longer get a kick on the whole secrecy thing, they think it's overrated and unnecessary in this day and age, and it scares away people who might otherwise benefit from the exchanges and discussions they do. They even do open house days where the public is given a guided tour through their building, given literature, and a really long (too long!) power point presentation--without music! I can see why they asked for my help, a non-mason. Which is ironic because Mozart was a Free Mason himself. Well, maybe it was just this lodge. I'm sure if you google it you'll get all the information you need. I was quite disappointed to find out what all the fuss was about, they've suddenly paled in comparison to other "secret" societies like the Opus Dei. My mason friends apologise for this...but asked me to keep it secret...then winked.
2007-01-01 10:48:27
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answer #2
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answered by charlie c 2
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Specific religious discussion of any religion is forbidden in lodge. We dont discuss Christ, or Buddha, or Mohammed, or anyone else who was a prophet of any specific religion, beyond the Jewish teachings of the Old Testament. Regarding your Pike quote: Pike never actually said that. The quote you are referring to was authored by a hoax artist named Leo Taxil. He eventually mad a public confession that his "quotes" about Freemansory were hoaxes designed to sell stories. (If you dont believe me, look it up) Unfortunately, people who are determined to hate Masonry still use it as though it were authentic. Pike had a lot of unique ideas about Masonry, and many individuals agree with him on a great many issues, and many others disagree. There are plenty of things to object to in Pike's work, but the most important thing to remember in Masonic research is that NO MAN has the authority to speak for the fraternity. Pike revised the rituals of the Scottish Rite (which is a body attached to the Masonic fraternity, conferring degrees 4-32, but is not actually a part of the Fraternity itself.), and wrote many works explaining his views. But at the end of the day, they were nothing more than his views. I have my own, and I have written papers on them as well, but I am no more right or wrong than Pike was. Every Mason must decide for himself what the symbolism means. And NO WORSHIP of any kind takes place in the lodge. The closest thing to that occurs during non-sectarian prayers, where we ask God to bless our undertakings, much like the non-sectarian prayer you might hear before a sporting event, or before a banquet. Baphomet is associated with the Knights Templar of olden times, and, at the time they were suppressed the baphomet was said to be a statue of a bearded head. It did not take on its "demonic" semblance until it was drawn by Elphias Levi hundreds of years after the Templar Suppression. Levi, (while, unfortunately, being a Mason) was a noted occultist, and was deeply involved in dark magic, and he is single-handedly responsible for the creation of the baphomet as it is known today. The only reason that there is any association made bwtween Masonry and the baphomet is because the last order of the York Rite (another attached, but independent body) is called the Knights Templar, but they are quick to acknowledge that there is no connection between them and the actual Templars of old. The strongest connection between the two is made by Jack Chick in his tract "The Curse of the Baphomet" where he uses the Leo Taxi quote. He was informed that it was a hoax, and instead of having it removed, he merely removed the potion of the original tract which credited its source, and left the quote ni the tract, knowing it to be a lie. (Pretty questionable behavior for someone who claims to be a Christian) The baphomet has absolutely no place in the Masonic lodge whatsoever, and never has. I dont know if you were actually seeking knowledge, of if you thought you were "calling us out" and exposing something. But next time do your research first. If you're going to hate us, then hate us for something that is real, not something that is made up.
2007-01-03 02:40:44
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answer #3
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answered by pilgrim 3
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Tiger, I am a Co-Mason, which as every other "masculine rite" Freemason will tell you is pretty esoteric. For one, we admit women to all rites and rituals. For another, we stem not from the United Grand Lodges of England but from the Grande Loges Symbolique of France. However, we too insist all candidates affirm they believe in a Supreme Being.
Jesus is certainly mentioned in readings from the Bible. And we do have our Orator read from Sacred texts. I read from the Book of Titus in the last Blue Lodge I attended (I was Orator for that ceremony).
I have never heard Baphomet used in any Masonic service. I think you are going back to Levi, Jack T. Chick, and Taxil. Baphomet is the name supposedly the Templars used. It is probably a corruption of Mohammed. It could also be any number of imagined connections with the word "Sophia" (Wisdom). Torturers make things up and make folks confess to them. I know, I was tortured when I was in the US Army.
We have had to find a non-sectarian name for the Supreme Being, you know, since we have Christians of all denominations, Jews (who would never pronounce the four-letter name), Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Taoists, etc. We leave those trappings of religion outside of the Lodge. We do not argue about the afterlife. Rather we speak about matters of how to live our lives in peace and harmony, on the Level with each other, walking upright on the Plumb, dealing with each other on the Square.
You know what else? We take those values out into the world, too. We do not just treat fellow Masons that way. We try our best to treat everyone that way. Jesus told a story about a very righteous Jew who was beaten and robbed. Everyone passed him by, but one fellow from Samaria. Samaritans were despised by the Jews. Absolutely! And yet, Jesus said that by that Samaritan's act we should all learn. Well, Freemasons are doing our best to. And when we find you beaten and robbed on the side of the road, or just stuck, or maybe your kid is sick, we do not ask what religion you are or even if you are a Freemason; we just help.
So there is my view,
A Master Mason
American Co-Masonry
Hiram Lodge (Santa Cruz, CA)
Amon Ra Lodge (Los Angeles, CA)
Sapientia Lodge of Research (Larkspur, CO)
Adamant Mark Lodge (Santa Cruz, CA)
2007-01-03 04:06:49
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answer #4
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answered by NeoArt 6
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I am a Master Mason and I am 31 years old.
Masonry is not a religion. Men from all faiths can join just like with the Moose, Eagles, etc. We are sensitive to the religious beliefs of all our members, so we do not discriminate. Interstingly, we do not allow discussions of religion or politics in Lodge because it could potentially be something that could cause an argument.
I know that I wouldn't feel right to step on the toes of a man from another religion by telling him that he had to pray to my God. Just the same as I wouldn't want another religion telling me to pray to their God. So when we are meeting in Lodge, we do not tell people what God they have to pray to. If we want to worship our God, then we go to church just like everyone else.
Please listen to the other Masons on here as well.
2007-01-04 08:12:11
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answer #5
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answered by tristan-adams 4
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I am a Mason (32nd degree). Since 1974.
Masonry is NOT a church and certainly not a religion.
However to answer your posted question, NO it is NOT TRUE that I can not pronounce Jesus' name in my church (which is non-denominational Christian).
In the Masonic Lodge, we RESPECT each other's choice of religion. We don't argue or discuss religion (or politics) in the lodge. We DO require that every petitioner for membership declare a belief in a supreme being.
2007-01-01 11:42:22
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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Freemasonry is not a religion and they don´t have churches.
Who Are The Masons?
Masons (also known as Freemasons) belong to the oldest and largest fraternal organization in the world. Today, there are more than two million Freemasons in North America. Masons represent virtually every occupation and profession, yet within the Fraternity, all meet as equals. Masons come from diverse political ideologies, yet meet as friends. Masons come from varied religious beliefs and creeds, yet all believe in one God.
Many of North America's early patriots were Freemasons. Thirteen signers of the Constitution and fourteen Presidents of the United States, including George Washington, were Masons. In Canada, the Father of the Confederation, Sir John A. MacDonald, was a Mason, as were other early Canadian and American leaders.
One of the most fascinating aspects of Freemasonry is how so many men, from so many different walks of life, can meet together in peace, always conducting their affairs in harmony and friendship and calling each other "Brother."
What Is Freemasonry?
Freemasonry (or Masonry) is dedicated to the Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God. It uses the tools and implements of ancient architectural craftsmen symbolically in a system of instruction designed to build character and moral values in its members. Its singular purpose is to make good men better. Its bonds of friendship, compassion, and brotherly love have survived even the most divisive political, military, and religious conflicts through the centuries. Freemasonry is a fraternity which encourages its members to practice the faith of their personal acceptance. Masonry teaches that each person, through self-improvement and helping others, has an obligation to make a difference for good in the world.
2007-01-01 10:57:06
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answer #7
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answered by Martha P 7
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The Masons are an organization (like the writer's guild or the Teamsters) not a religion. That being said, they can't say ANYTHING in their churches because they don't HAVE churches.
2007-01-01 10:43:17
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answer #8
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answered by Anonymous
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You christians believe some weird stuff, no wonder the bible is so popular with you.
Of course they can use LORD JESUS in the masons
2007-01-01 10:40:56
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answer #9
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answered by Nemesis 7
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You must be reading some strange stuff. Of course the name Jesus can be pronounced, or any other Christian figure or saint. Why wouldn't we be able to?
There are many secrets I cannot reveal, but that isn't one of them...
2007-01-01 10:38:23
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answer #10
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answered by Boston Bluefish 6
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