Freemasons and anyone interested?

Question

Is it true that a California judge has ruled the Freemasons are a religion? I would be interested to know what you believe and teach that led him to that decision.

I have read that over the years powerful ,wealthy men have belonged to your religion/organization. George Bush, David Rockefeller, Reagan,Kissinger,the mafia founder Guiseppi Mazzini, the Morman founder Joseph Smith, some present Senators and many others.

What is it about your religion/organization that can draw this caliber of men?
Thank You-

Answer 1

Actually, it was an appeals court on October 3, 2007 that ruled that Fremasonry was indeed a relgion. It was due to a controversy between a Scottish Rite temple and Los Angeles. The Masons had erected a temple in a residential area, and over a period of years, charges over zoning violations, etc. the group finally claimed that they should be exempt from the laws because they were a religious organization. The court finally agreed that the masons are religious, but denied the appeal because of the way the organization was set up. You can read the verdict here:
http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/opinions/nonpub/B194230.PDF

Answer 2

No, the CA courts have not ruled Freemasonry is a religion.

In any case, freemasonry is NOT a religion and has never claimed, nor wanted, to be one.

You have also been misinformed about the Masonic membership of Bush, Rockefeller, Reagan, Kissinger, and Mazzini.

Freemasonry over the centuries has been a safe haven and stronghold for people to freely pursue knowledge (something for which people were killed by the Church for doing during the Dark Ages and at other times through history); it has also been a school of instruction with regard to morality - hence good men (many of which throughout history have risen to positions of power and/or prestige) have often sought out its membership.

to some other responses:

* as noted, Mazzini was not a freemason; on the other hand Churchill, Franklin, Washington, Mozart, Sam Clemens (Mark Twain), Shakespeare, etc... that is quite some company

Answer 3

The Freemason organization isn't a religion. People of any faith can belong to the Order so long as they profess a belief in some sort of God or higher power. Freemasons are a very solid community which lends considerable support to its members. They build a foundation of community. By having this sort of community, and help when in need--and offering help when its needed, you create a circumstance wherein greatness can thrive. The order doesn't just attract great men, it creates them.

Answer 4

Freemasonry is a fraternal group that teaches good men to be better. It is not a religion nor does it concern it self with religion except to encourage a mason to be a good member in their religion.

Edit:
I rather doubt that CA would have ruled that masonry is a religion, do you have a reference for that?

Answer 5

First of all they are not a religion but a brother hood
second of all Joseph Smith was Band from the lodge for his immoral ways (he was a treasure forger).
Third you can not believe anything you hear about them as there are to many faults things said about them by people who have conspiracy delusions

Answer 6

Yes and no.

Here's the story:

http://pewforum.org/news/display.php?NewsID=14306

It doesn't say that Freemasonry itself is a religion--only that participating in Masonic practices is a "religious exercise" and therefore entitled to some of the legal protections given to religions.

Answer 7

Freemasons are an organization that has many men from many different religions & beliefs. It is not a religion in itself.

Answer 8

discover out somewhat approximately it in case you like, yet i might definately no longer propose getting in touch. My Grandad exchange into very intense up interior the freemasons - he exchange right into a "worshipful grasp". the better up the ladder you get, the greater evil it is, and the greater oaths you may make, which relate to no longer in straightforward terms your self, yet family contributors... At a low point, the social ingredient ought to sound attractive, yet i does no longer propose doing even that by way of fact that is a cult, and you would be "commencing up your self up" to a super variety of evil issues - do email me in case you like me to communicate approximately it greater.

Answer 9

Free Masonry is not a religion although it is very metaphysical. There are initiations and symbolism that shift the neophyte's conciousness. Free Masons "must" believe in God the creator.

Answer 10

http://burningtaper.blogspot.com/2007/10
/freemasonry-is-religion.html