The best description of Freemasonry that I have ever heard:  "Freemasonry is a system of morals, veiled in allegory."  And:  "While religion seeks to take a bad man and make him better, Freemasonry seeks to take a good man and make him better."

We use symbolism to teach men how to be better men.  Not from a religious aspect, but to be more honest and charitable in their daily lives.  It does have many similarities to things you would find in a religion.  We focus on charity, community service, taking care of our families, maintaining honesty and integrity in all of our doings.

Masonry does not offer a path to salvation.  If that is what you are seeking, I would encourage you to find the religion of your choice to worship in.  We do require a belief in a Supreme Being, but what you choose to call him/her/it and how you choose to worship are your business.  We accept all faiths on equal ground, because we are not a religious institution.  We use the term Supreme Being to not exclude anyones particular beliefs. As suggested by some, it is not a term for the "Masonic God".  Masonry should never conflict with any duties you owe to God.  I know Masons who are Christian (many denominations), Jewish and Muslim.

For those well versed in either LDS or Masonic history you understand the rocky background they have.  Being raised LDS, I have found nothing that would conflict with any of the teachings of my religion.

Our business meetings are really not that interesting.  They are just that, business.  We talk about paying our bills, we vote on by-law changes, and we vote on the petitions of new members.  We do plan for upcoming charity events, scheduling for the actual initiation and advancement degrees, and address any issues a brother may be having (death in the family, illness, out of work) so that we may assist in any way possible.

If you have any further questions feel free to IM or e-mail me.  I can also put you in contact with the secretary of a lodge near you who would also be happy to answer any questions you may have.

I hesitate to leave this in this forum as it really isn't a "religion" discussion.  Hopefully Hardshell will check in soon to give his opinion.  Being a Mason I am a bit biased here.  I've seen how these discussion generally head downhill quick, but for the time please remember which forum it is currently being discussed in and conduct yourselves accordingly.

I was given a copy of the Bible when I received my Master Mason degree because it was the book used in my degree.  Depending on location, it could be a Torah or Koran.    To be honest I don't remember which version it is.  I was given no such instructions to read it and study it.  Freemasonry does share many ideals with Christianity, but they aren't anything earth shattering.  As I mentioned, we focus on charity, integrity, honesty, etc.  Those are hardly ideals reserved for religion only.  It's just about being a good person.  

The roots of Masonry are indeed very Christian, but the same can be said of many other non-religious organizations.  I remember praying at Boy Scouts and it was not a religious organization where I was at.

To try and answer T1NMAN's question, I believe that Freemasonry complements my religion.  When I go to church it reminds me of the things I should be doing right in my life.  Freemasonry does the same.  Freemasonry presents me with opportunities to interact with people of similar moral character.    It provides opportunities to do charitable works.  I know many people who go to church weekly and study the scriptures regularly but have never done ten minutes of charity work.  

Quoted: someone (not a mason) told me that part of the initiation process is taking a "blood oath". Is this true? also, they said that Masons operate on degrees. 1st degree, 2nd degree etc. and that the lower degree never knows anything about the higher ones. True/false?

No blood oath.

The degrees are Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master Mason.  The purpose of the degrees is to teach moral lessons through various pieces of symbolism.  Anything you ever wanted to know about the degrees can be found with Google.  We don't generally discuss the degrees with candidates because the lessons lose value if they know what to expect.  You could easily progress through the degrees in 4-6 weeks if you were inclined.  This varies by jurisdiction.  I've heard of some that do all three degrees in one day.  We hold all of our business meetings on the Entered Apprentice degree so our new guys feel welcome and a part of the lodge.  

Quoted: Snip

I remember that article.  I don't know what they were doing, but they weren't performing any Masonic ceremony that I am aware of.  I'm not well traveled but have seen degree work in several states, none of which included a firearm or any other kind of weapon.  A sword is sometimes carried by the Tyler (sometimes it is 3" and worn around his neck) to signify his office.  He symbolically guards the doors to the lodge room from cowans and eavesdroppers.  The one I have wouldn't cut warm butter though.

Quoted: ... I hesitate to leave this in this forum as it really isn't a "religion" discussion.  Hopefully Hardshell will check in soon to give his opinion.  Being a Mason I am a bit biased here.  I've seen how these discussion generally head downhill quick, but for the time please remember which forum it is currently being discussed in and conduct yourselves accordingly.

Sorry, I was "out sick" for a few days.  Better now.  

Better late than never, I guess, but I think the conversation subsequent to your comment above has displayed that there are some valid religious issues to be discussed with this topic -- (1) some folks believe that secret societies are religions or religion-like; (2) some of the rites do bear resemblances to religious rituals [or so I am told]; and (3) some religious doctrines/denominations do not approve of [or even forbid altogether, in some cases] membership in secret societies.

I personally see no reason not to continue the discussion here as long as it done in a respectful manner, and my sincere hope is that it shall be.

Quoted: Quoted: For those well versed in either LDS or Masonic history you understand the rocky background they have.  Being raised LDS, I have found nothing that would conflict with any of the teachings of my religion. medicmandan, how do you reconcile, or explain, the incredible similarities between Masonry and the Mormon temple ceremony?

The best explanation I can give is that they both claim the origins of their ceremonies to be from the time of King Solomon's Temple.  I've read the stories that Joseph Smith stole the ceremonies and adapted them to the LDS temple ordinances.  According to the time line I've seen, the temple ceremonies were adopted four years before Joseph Smith was initiated as  a Mason.

i have been a mason for just over a year. i recently went through my second degree and and working toward my master. <many people do this in a matter of a few months>

i have taken my time and disected the degrees and lessons as far as i could before moving on. I have learned some great things in the process.

1st masonry is NOT a religion. it does use some references to religious events to covey lessons in morality and self improvement. Many believe these to be judeo christian in nature but in general they could have come from any religous text.

Masonry requires a belief in a supreme diety. that is all. who/what that is is up to the individual. They ,in my experience, do not attempt to shape your religious beliefs in any way shape or form. we do have prayer and in our lodge it is christian in nature.

IMHO masonry is 100% compatible with christianity. yes i have found a few things through personal research which may challenge the teachings of some churchs, they do not however change my faith. these are not "mysterious" in nature and are generally the same things you can find anywhere researching biblical history. Morality/faith is not in the details of the history.

Keeping an open mind and continuing to learn is the key here. i found some things that on the surface would disturb some devout people. until i kept going and the full story was found. Then it was clear and not "heretical" at all. i feel this is the problem some have with masonry. they get challenged and turn away without looking into what is really being said/shown.  NONE of this was taught in lodge, these were things i learned and found by deeply studying the ritual and work on my own. there really are some wonderful lessons there to be learned IF you have the persistance and open mind to do it.

it has be said to me many times... masonry is what you put into it. that is exactly right. it can be a deep philosphocal journey, or just a night out with the guys, the path is up to the individual.

one of the great things i have found is this. when you encounter another mason outside in the real world. not even knowing their name you know you have a brother that you can generally trust. you know what they have been through and atleast a basic cursory check has been done to insure they are decent people.

masonry is one of the few organizastions i have found where people actually not only try to uphold their obligations to each other, they actively police it.

part of me joined for the esoteric spooky stuff/curiosity part of me, for some personal development. I have found both although not what i expected. it's been a wonderful journey so far.

mike

Quoted: so the diffrent chapters or lodges dont share the same doctrine?

they share similar base philosphies but it's really up to the grand lodge in general for such  things. i have travelled to a few local lodges here and while similar they each their own personalities.

for record we have a baptists and a methodist minister in our lodge. they are both very devout men and have no issues.

what can masonry do for you the church can't? well they both present moral doctrine and teachings. the best i can explain is to say the church teaches spiratual lessons to save your soul. Freemasonry teaches you to be a better person in this life to serve your community and fellow man and by leading a good life, and combined with your faith and religion get you to heaven.  Similar yet different. freemasonry from my experience does NOT influence or teach religion in any way shape or form. that is left to you and your church.

What they do teach, if you study it, is how to think and stand for yourself as a freeman. How to recieve information which may challenge your beliefs and not turn away in fear. Education is the name of the game. You can't learn and grow without it. Information itself is neither good nor evil, you can't make informed descision or see the true picture of things if you ignore 1/2 the story becuase it makes you uncomfortable. Religion in my experience teaches you to turn away from such things to prevent any challenge that may change your perception of what their doctorin teaches. this cheats the people out of "the whole story".

if the lessons here disurb you or shake your faith, you didn't have faith to begin with.

it's simply a fraternity thats been around a long time. the rituals are a bit archaic as they have existed since before the 1300's <depending on who you believe here>

these guys donate 100's of millions of dollars a year to children's healthcare and welfare nation/worldwide. I had the honor of getting one of our own arfcom members in touch with the shrine when his nephew was severely burned. they charged them nothing for his care.

if i am going to hell for associating with such people, so be it. freemasons DO make the world a better place for those in need.

Quoted: Of Mr. Hall - "He was a promulgator of mystic and theosophical philosophies and despite the claims of anti-Masons, his writings have not received official sanction by any Masonic body. The fact that he held the Thirty-third Degree and was respected by many Thirty-Third Degree Masons and even by the Supreme Councils 33º is no more significant than the fact that various Baptist, Anglican, or Methodist authors also hold or held that honor." "Is It True What They Say About Freemasonry" by Art DeHoyos & S. Brent Morris The closest I've ever seen to an officially sanctioned book (besides the Bible) is one written by Albert Pike, "Morals and Dogma", which is usually the one people refer to when making claims of "Luciferism" (or whatever it's called). Pike was Scottish Rite and Morals and Dogma was, I hear, once given through them and not the Blue Lodge. (note: "Blue Lodge" refers to the first three degrees, or those that make a Master Mason. There is no higher degree that a Mason can obtain, the appendent bodies such as the Scottish or York rite are not "above" a Master Mason, regardless of their numbering system. I speak as a 32nd degree Scottish Rite (SJ), although I cannot presume to speak for all Freemasonry) In any event, there is no one individual who speaks for Freemasonry. In the US each state has its own Grand Lodge, none of which are subservient to any other. Not even to the Grand Lodge of England. If the Colorado Grand Lodge decided to worship Satan, that would have no reflection on the other US Grand Lodges, much less those around the world.

i have found some "issues" with pike and his work but thats another discussion