Freemasonry and Religion

Our purpose as Freemasons is not that of a religion.

Freemasonry lacks the basic elements of religion.

Freemasonry is not a religion nor is it a substitute for religion.

Freemasonry advocates no sectarian faith or practise.

We seek no converts.

We solicit no new members.

We raise no money for religious purposes.

We have no dogma or theology. Religious discussion is forbidden in a
Masonic lodge thereby eliminating the chance for any Masonic dogma to
form.

It offers no sacraments and does not claim to lead to salvation by
works, by secret knowledge, or by any other means. The secrets of
Freemasonry are concerned with the modes of recognition only and not with
the means of salvation.

By any definition of religion accepted by our critics, we cannot qualify
as a religion.

Freemasonry supports religion. Freemasonry is far from indifferent to
religion. Without interfering in religious practice, it expects each
member to follow his own faith.

A man does not subscribe to a new religion, much less to an
anti-Christian religion when he becomes a Freemason, any more than when he
joins any political party or the YMCA. There is nothing in Freemasonry
that is opposed to the religion he brings with him into the Masonic lodge.
Freemasonry does not assert nor does it teach that one religion is as good
as another. Freemasonry admits men of all religions.

Freemasons believe in religious freedom and that the relationship
between the individual and his God is personal, private and sacred.

We do not apply a theological test to a candidate. We do ask a man if
he believes in God and that is the only religious test. Belief in God is
faith; belief about God is theology. As Freemasons we are interested in
faith only and not in theology. Religion is not permitted to be discussed
at Masonic meetings.

Freemasonry is a completely tolerant organization. When Freemasonry
accepts a Christian, or a Jew, or a Buddhist, or a Mohammedan, it does not
accept him as such, but accepts him as a man, worthy to be received into
the Masonic fraternity.

Freemasonry stands for the values that are supreme in the life of the
church and expects each member to follow his own faith and to place his
duty to God above all other duties. We are sure that a member who is true
to the principles he learns in Freemasonry will be a better church member
because of it.