Freemasonry and Religion - Essay Example

The organization had remarkably tried to erase that misconception affirming that Masonry is not a religion nor exists to tolerate beliefs and values of members of any religious affiliations. In his book Patriots, Masonry and the Filipino Religious Psyche, de Los Santos summarized the stance of the Masonic Association of the United States (1975) relating to the question of Freemasonry and Religion, stating:Masonry is not a religion or a religious movement . . . [but] Masonic belief is comprised by a positive, wholehearted and unequivocal faith in God who is Almighty, Author, Creator, and Rulerof the universe . . .

If there is a dogma in Masonry, it is that one dogma which teaches the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man. (13-15)He furthered that tolerance is “sacred” among Masons such one may freely be Christian, Jew, Moslem, etc. which makes it appealing to prospective members. It literally embraces all religions because the organization itself believes that all persons are the children of one God and are related to each other.Furthermore, it has no theological doctrine and forbid religious discussion during meetings, offers no sacraments, and “does not claim to lead salvation by works” rather, it gives importance to modes of recognition and asserted that there is no “composite Masonic God” (“Freemasonry and Religion”, n.p.).