STB-NO89
FOREWORD

  Freemasonry is not, in and of itself, a Chris-
tian organization. Rather, it is one that numbers
among its members many who are Christian. One
of our great strengths is the ability to accept those
of differing faiths into our fellowship.
  However, Freemasonry has come under attack
from some segments of Christianity, particular-
ly those considered to be "fundamentalists".
  It is to those members of the Masonic Frater-
nity who are Christian that this Short Talk is
primarily addressed. Many Masons have had to
agonize over choosing between their Christian
faith and their Masonic membership, believing
the two to be in conflict.
  It is hoped that this Short Talk will be a source
of comfort and understanding to those who are
in such turmoil as well as informative and a guide
to those who have questions about the role of the
Mason with respect to his religious beliefs.
  This Short Talk is directly addressing the Chris-
tian, but the truth it contains applies to all who
believe and serve one God!
                      --Editor

          FREEMASONRY AND RELIGION
               ARE COMPATIBLE

           By: Forrest D. Haggard

 Forrest D. Haggard was ordained by the Kansas Church of Christ
and is Founding Pastor of the Overland Park Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) where he has served since 1953. He has been
in the ministry for 44 years and a Master Mason for 43 years. He
has served the Church by being President of the World Convention
of Churches of Christ (1975-1980) and Freemasonry by being (Grand
Master of Kansas 1974-75. He is both York Rite (Red Cross) and
Scottish Rite (33rd).

  The recent revival, by fundamental Christianity, of
anti-Masonry has created a small storm within both religious and
fraternal circles. Over the past two years, I have listened to,
watched on T.V. or read every program, article and item con-
cerning the modern day anti-Masonic movement that has been called
to my attention. It has been good for me. I have re-examined my
own membership in all of my "other than the Church" committments.
I have reached a considered decision that Freemasonry is not
now and never has been detrimental to my Christian faith and
doctrine. In fact my fraternal relationships have strengthened
and assisted me in my ministry as well as in my personal faith
and life.

  I have found three predominent reasons for the existence of the
critics:

  One. Personal and personality conflicts are present.
Freemasonry is a human organization with no claim to Divine
origin. In any human organization you have human frailities.
Where you have a structure you have "assumed power or prestige"
and with that you have conflicts. Some critics have had a "bad
experience" in their Masonic connections. (Just like local
congregations have people who came from some other church where
things were "bad".)

  Two: Political, social or religious dictatorships or
hierarchial structures cannot, in fact do not dare, tolerate
differences of opinion. They cannot afford any dissension or
freedom of thought. Under their rule, Freemasonry and all like
groups, must be attacked or destroyed. Such systems may claim to
be open minded but they depend on their constituents or followers
to have minds closed to all but their own particular "way" or
doctrine. Freemasonry promotes freedom of thought and discussion.

  Three. Money: I always listen and watch for the "bottom line"
whenever I am watching the "Christian" T.V. station or listening
to a "religious" broadcast. The bottom line is an appeal for
membership in their group and for support funds. In spite of
all of the revelations of graft, greed, corruption and immorality
on the part of the hawkers of fundamental Christianity, their
kind continues. They are an embarrassment to the Church. I have
to assume that Satan rubs his hands in glee as their message of
hate, exclusiveness and divisiveness goes out to the public.

  I call your attention to some other factors:

  The same voice that speaks out against Freemasonry often also
speaks out against any other type, kind, style, or form of
religious faith other than their very own. The same families that
have left my congregation because I am a Freemason came to our
Church because where they were was not of the "true" faith. And
they have already left where they went from my congregation
because that place was not the "true faith" either.

  Remember that Freemasonry is not a single minded organization.
It is a multitude of structures, groups, and units that are
tied together by a common historical tradition. We have no "one
voice", nor one leader, nor one ritual. Our critics pick and
choose their quotes or dramatizations from any era, source or
supply that meets their particular needs.

  I have never argued with single minded fundamentalists. They
are always, ALWAYS, in their own mind, absolutely right. They
must destroy all other systems to prove their own right to ex-
ist. They can always justify their stance on the basis of their
own interpretation of their Source (such as the Word). And they
need money to exist. If they cannot survive on their own, then
they must invade or utilize some already proven source (such as
the type and quality of people who make up most fraternal groups
and most especially Freemasonry).

  I represent a whole host of competent hardworking ministers
who labor in a parish and who really carry the load of pastoral
care and concern. Many of us belong to fraternal, civic or
community groups. We do so with personal joy at the sense of
unity, openness and sense of morality that these groups promote.
These groups are not organized religion. They not only do not
compete with the Christian faith, but in reality are supportive
of it. It is disturbing that the opponents of Freemasonry are,
in effect, attacking that which is supportive of Christian faith.
The "Christian" anti-masonic leaders are not only inaccurate in
their attack on Freemasonry but they are, in my opinion, making a
far more serious attack on the basic Christian faith under whose
banner they claim to operate.

  How do I respond to these attacks? What do I say? I do not
respond directly to the attacker. The attacker is shrewd. He
attacks the weak spot of his enemy. In our case that weakest spot
is not, as the attacker would have you believe and thus defend,
in our rituals, customs and traditions. It is in the members
themselves who have had only a ritualistic education about
Freemasonry.

  Where Freemasonry has instructed its candidates in its
history, purpose and intent and where a local lodge is going
about its business with pride and dignity, there is very little
that anti-Masonic groups can do to destroy the Craft.

=================================================================

         FREEMASONRY AND RELIGION

Statement of the Board of General Purposes
      United Grand Lodge of England
              June 12, 1985

  In the light of recent comments on Free-
masonry and religion and inquiries to be held by
various churches into the compatibility of
Freemasonry and Christianity, the Board has
decided to issue the following statement in
amplification of that originally approved by
Grand Lodge in September 1962 and confirmed
by Grand Lodge in December 1981.

  BASIC STATEMENT--Freemasonry is not a
religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. It
demands of its members belief in a Supreme Be-
ing, but provides no system of faith of its own.
Its rituals include prayers, but these relate only
to the matter instantly in hand and do not
amount to the practice of religion.

  Freemasonry is open to men of any faith, but
religion may not be discussed at its meetings.
  THE SUPREME BEING--The names used
for the Supreme Being enable men of different
faiths to join in prayer (to God as they see Him)
without the terms of the prayer causing dissen-
sion among them.

  There is no Masonic God: a Freemason re-
mains committed to the God of the religion he
professes.

  Freemasons meet in common respect for the
Supreme Being, but 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.

  VOLUME OF THE SACRED LAW--An open
Volume of the Sacred Law is an essential part of
every Masonic meeting. The Volume of the
Sacred Law to a Christian is the Bible; to Free-
masons of other faiths it is the book held holy
by them.
  THE OATHS OF FREEMASONRY--The
obligations taken by Freemasons are sworn on or
involve the Volume of the Sacred Law. They are
undertakings to keep secret a Freemason's means
of recognition and to follow the principles of
Freemasonry. The physical penalties are simply
symbolic. The commitment to follow the prin-
ciples of Freemasonry is deep, and entirely ap-
propriate to this form of obligation.
  FREEMASONRY COMPARED WITH
RELIGION--Freemasonry lacks the basic
elements of religion:
  (a) It has no dogma or theology (and by for-
bidding religious discussion at its meetings will
not allow a Masonic dogma to develop).
  (b) It offers no sacraments.
  (c) It does not claim to lead to salvation, by
works, secret knowledge or any other means (the
secrets of Freemasonry are concerned with modes
of recognition, not with salvation).
  FREEMASONRY SUPPORTS RELIGION--
Freemasonry is far from indifferent to religion.
Without interfering in religious practice, it ex-
pects each member to follow his own faith, and
to place his duty to God (by whatever name He
is known) above all other duties. Its moral
teachings are acceptable to all religious.




Why is a Master addressed as "Worshipful"?
  Few Masonic matters are less understood by
the non-Masonic public than this. The word
"worchyppe" or "worchyp" is Old English, and
means "greatly respected." In the Wycliffe Bible
"Honor thy father and thy mother" appears as
"Worchyp thy fadir and thy modir." English and
Canadian mayors are still addressed, "Your Wor-
ship." In some of the Old Constitutions of
Masonry is the phrase, "Every Mason shall prefer
his elder and put him to worship."
  "Worshipful," therefore, in modern Masonry
continues an ancient word meaning "greatly
respected." A Grand Master is "Most Worship-
ful," that is, "Most greatly respected" (except in
Pennsylvania, where the Grand Master is "Right
Worshipful," as are Pennsylvania's and Texas'
Past Grand Masters).


Source: ~SA Digest "101 Questions About Freem(lsonry''

