Freemasonry Is Not A Religion

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Freemasonry is not a religion

A religion is a set of beliefs, dogmas and liturgical practices that those who profess it share. In addition, in the doctrinal body of religions there is the promise of a life after death (with the characteristics), or of resurrection among the dead. The human being has always tried to give himself an answer to existential doubts “Who am I?", "Where do I come from?"And" Where are I going?”, And religious doctrines have helped a lot to have hope, believing in something that is considered true.

When we observe from outside the Freemasonry, many people understand that, that it is a religion or a sect: its members use the same symbols, they meet discreetly and all dress the same, practicing ceremonies that do not show those whoThey have not been initiated. But no: Freemasonry is not a religion.

One of the basic requirements to consider an organization "religion" or "sect" is the search for new members: religions, unless except for exceptions, seek converts. They want new faithful to those who teach their doctrines. And in no case is it a derogatory comment: each person is free to make their decisions within the limits established by law, and that includes the scope of the spiritual. Therefore, we already observed that the first requirement is not met: Freemasonry does not seek new followers. Lodges are strictly forbidden to proselytize the Masonic order before anyone and with any intention. It is no excuse to consider someone a first quality potential candidate: the decision to know and start in Freemasonry must be taken free and without pressures. And that, after having suffered the traditional initial rejection of his candidacy before formalizing it.

Another defining element of religion is the doctrinal and dogmatic body of beliefs. Religions are endowed with an entire literary body where they support the authority of their structures. Catechisms and dogmas are born, in theory, the reading that religious authorities make of their sacred texts, interpreting them and schematizing from there what should be the behavior of the faithful. Another aspect that is not fulfilled: Freemasonry does not have that doctrinal body. Although in the rituals what we call the volume of the sacred law is used (in the regular Masonry any sacred text that creates consensus among the members of the Lodge and in the irregular Freemasonry the Constitution, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights or a book in a book inWhite), that text is not read literally or is there for the religion to which it represents in particular, but because it is considered that it is a revealed text.

In addition to the above, Freemasonry has associated symbols and legends that are developed throughout the different rituals. So far we can say that it does not differ so much, but there is a substantial division: those symbols and those legends, each Mason told something different. It is part of the Freedom of the Mason. There are no heresy or doctrinal deviation: each Mason owns what to listen to the legends and study the symbols say, without being even above or below the interpretation of others. Religions, on the other hand, only admit those who believe and practice those beliefs among their members. Although it seems obvious, it is not so much due to what we want to explain below.

While religions and sects force a closed and homogeneous faith, in FreemasonBelievers and non -believers are admitted). If Freemasonry was a religion, this would not be so much because no concrete belief would be sustained as there would not be possible fraternal coexistence between the members of a lodge. In Masonic lodges they don’t matter what your beliefs are: the important thing is that you are a good citizen. You are someone with good customs, after all.

Every religious organization believes in a life after death. We are not going to stop in the different peculiarities of each one: the important thing is that every faith entails having the hope of a life in other planes after physical death or in a resurrection from among the dead on dates to come. Freemasonry does not touch these aspects: the beliefs of each mason are their own and no other brother has the right to criticize them or try to impose his own. In addition, Freemasonry as an organization does not promise its members after dying. Masonic lodges are responsible for life that their members live now, and try to improve the world in which we live through its members.

Religions need to avoid among their members discussions around doctrine that would end up atomizing and destroying them. Thus, dogma arises: religious authorities establish the limits around beliefs and those that must be accepted due to blind faith. All religions have them to a greater or lesser extent associated with the origin of their divinities, to the creation of their churches or the behaviors that their members must carry.

Freemasonry, as we have said before, has no dogmas. There is nothing in Freemasonry that cannot be discussed fraternally. Moreover: the Mason must question and question. It is in that search for meaning and reality of the concepts of freedom, equality and fraternity (basic and foundational principles of Freemasonry) where the Mason must find the meaning. It is not about learning and repeating, but about apprehending and leading. Without a healthy internal and external debate, with the rest of the brothers, we would not accept what we see by our own criteria, but for fanaticism. And fanaticism is the main enemy of Freemasonry. Every religion requires a central and upper figure that directs the structure with greater or lesser power, either with a role that combines the executive with the spiritual or simply that has achieved that role on its co -religionists by age or merit.

In Freemasonry, great teachers are not chosen by divine designation or among a few authorized members to make that decision. The great teachers must be submitted to an electoral period controlled by a commission on the dates that the large conclaves establish. In addition, all those who have been venerable teachers can be released to the figure of the great mastery. With greater or lesser participation of the brothers (everything depends on the Masonic Constitution in each country and in each organization), we proceed to individual and secret vote that finally throws, by majority, to whom this Masonic organization will direct for the years that lastlegislature. In addition to the above, the great teacher in the exercise of his functions is controlled and supervised by his brothers.

In addition to the above we will say that there is no worldwide Masonic authority. We regret a lot to annoy those who seek in these pages arguments to continue conspiracies, but it is that resounding: there is no "Pope of Freemasonry". The great teacher of the United Grand Lodge of England, the Duke of Kent, exercises within regularity an honorary role since he directs the world’s first speculative lodge, and maintains relations with hundreds of great lodges throughout the planet. This does not mean that the activity of the great lodges in the different countries is subject to the decisions of the Duke of Kent: the lodges enjoy sovereignty.

We affirm then that Freemasonry is neither a religion, nor a sect. It is a brotherhood of people looking for in the lodges to respond to many of their concerns, sharing space with those who also have them. And all that without abandoning the essences of each of the initiates.          

Free Freemasonry Is Not A Religion Essay Sample

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