They have alters and seem respectful to everything from ancient gods to modern with the stars thrown in too. They meet in lodges or temples. They have symbols ,mumbojumbo and articles to study and inspire as in any religion or cult. Prehaps this is the slow evolution of religion as it should be? (except for the exclusion of women)
2007-03-10 17:19:49 · 13 answers · asked by desertcricket113 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I am a Freemason. It is not a religion. It would take a conversation to explain to you why. It is hard to explain it in a statement. But we arent even allowed to discuss reilgon at a lodge. How a person worships is private and we dont ask private questions at a lodge
The point i wanna to address is the you saying you think we exclude women. We don't.
We have a group for women it is called the eastern star
Girls can't join the boy scouts they join the girl scouts. Ladies can't join the masons they join the Eastern star.
At my lodge men meet, eat dinner together and talk. I see these men as role models. The bond there is like father to son, brother to brother. I learn for their life experience how to be a better father, husband, and man. I don't think i would feel that way about an older women.
The famous line most masons quote is we make good men better. At a lodge you learn how to be a better man not just a better person. You learn how to be honest trustworthy and hard working.
THIS IDEA IS THE SAME REASONIG BEHIND THE BIG BROTHERS AND BIG SISTERS PROGRAMS. Yet noone complains that they arent placing girls and boys together there
I am 29 and having many friends that range in age from 20 to 85 really lets you understand what life is about. Talking with people that have been where you were and talking to people that are where you are going helps put your life in proper prospective.
Also if I tell my wife i am going to lodge she is okay with that because there are no ladies there.
The point of the group changes if it goes coed. Many other social groups are very close to what the masons are but they allow women.(elks, lions co-masonry) If that is the group you want to belong to join but please don't try and change my group.
I have nothing but great respect for all women. Most lodge do a lot of charity. We spend a lot of time helping around the houses of the widows of Masons who have died.
WE DO NOT INVITE PEOPLE TO JOIN. RECRIUTING IS AGAINST THE RULES. IF SOMEONE WANTS TO JOIN ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS ASK
These are the reasons why i am a freemason does it still sound like a reilgon? Does seem wrong that it is for men only? Feel free to email me with and comments or questions
2007-03-10 18:13:54 · answer #1 · answered by tatimsaspas 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Freemasons are a fraternity. They seem respectful of other religions because they ask only that you believe in a Supreme Being, but they pretty much forbid talk of religion and politics while in meetings to keep from turning into a political or religious machine.
They have symbols and handshakes and rituals....so does my brother's college fraternity. And the Freemasons are not the only social group that meets in lodges/temples - the Elks club in my hometown actually met in a "lodge".
As far as the exclusion of women is concerned, they still have the women's organization, the Eastern Star. And there ARE some Freemason organizations that allow women now, so it is slowly changing.
Personally, on this matter, I DO think they've got some things right - I think religion (or lack of, in those cases) is a matter best left to each person rather than judged by man. As my father always said, "You mind YOUR business and let THEM mind theirs, after all, you're not perfect, so quit judging others." I think he hit the nail on the head squarely with that one (and he was raised Catholic!).
2007-03-10 17:34:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
From the Freemason website
Freemasonry: An Approach to Life
Is Freemasonry a religion?
Freemasonry is not a religion. It has no theology and does not teach any route to salvation. A belief in God, however, is an essential requirement for membership and Freemasonry encourages its members to be active in their own religions as well as in society at large.
Although every lodge meeting is opened and closed with a prayer and its ceremonies reflect the essential truths and moral teachings common to many of the world's great religions, no discussion of religion is permitted in lodge meetings.
Freemasons have been around since the18th century, Some call it a secret socieyty but it is probably more esoteric.
The Skull and Bones Society isn't a religion but has rituals etc. Organizations like AA talk of a higher power is not a religion.
2007-03-10 17:33:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are, undoubtedly, a religious organization. I don't think any freemason will deny that that. However, there is a difference between being a "religious organization" and being a "religion". Are they their own religion. or are they simply allowing their religious membership to practice their religion within the group? The Ymca, for example, is a religious organization. It stands for Young men's *christian* association, after all, but would you consider the ymca to be a religion?
2007-03-10 17:27:40 · answer #4 · answered by The Resurrectionist 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Most Masons look at Masonry as sort of an extension of their religious faith. Masons to them is more of a social and philanthropic fraternity, rather than a church. They don't go to worship, they go to...well, fraternize.
Women have their own groups within Masonry, as do the youth. So, no one is left out.
2007-03-11 03:11:42 · answer #5 · answered by mormon_4_jesus 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dude, every fraternity and sorority in college had alters, that didn't make them religions. The Feemasons are a fraternity, they are nothing like that, they are just guys who like to hang out, have barbecues, and raise money for charities in town.
2007-03-10 17:23:54 · answer #6 · answered by Huggles-the-wise 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The main principles of a religion are worship, prayer and accepting all into it universally. If anyone of these aspects is missing, then we cannot call it a religion, in its full magnanimity.
2007-03-10 17:25:32 · answer #7 · answered by cabridog 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they are not a faith. in basic terms an fool might have faith that. they have not got something to do with devil or something demonic. in basic terms a juvenile might have faith that. And in basic terms a gullible troll might have faith an fool like Chris. he's no longer something greater effective than an unChristian, religious bigot with no longer something greater to do together with his time than to unfold his lies and hatred. edge notice: have you ever observed that on each occasion all people calls out idiots like Chris, he by no skill comes decrease back directly to safeguard himself or tutor his nonsense?
2016-10-01 22:25:12 · answer #8 · answered by berks 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with your opinion... I too think they're a religion of sort... I believe if they called themselves a religion people would be turned off by them so they call themselves a "brotherhood" instead... personally I think they're a cult!
2007-03-10 17:23:02 · answer #9 · answered by assezaime 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's a philosophy and group. You can be of any religion and join.
2007-03-10 17:21:46 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋