Brother Bob has been a good Mason for a lot of years. Active and well liked in his Lodge, and active with the youth group sponsored by the Lodge.
But one day Brother Bob sits down with his Lodge Brothers, and tells them that while he did believe in a supreme being when he petitioned the Lodge, his views have changed over time, and he is now a committed atheist. Taking it a step further, he doesn’t feel he can remain quiet about his atheism, rather it is his intention is to be vocal about it, and take an activist approach telling everyone who will listen about the importance of his system of non-belief.
Clearly, in such a scenario, Bob no longer meets the requirements to be a Freemason. That is easily said, but what does the Lodge do?
If we take a legal approach, the word in the oath is "become" not "be". It spells out where a man must be at the beginning of his masonic journey, not the end of it.
Where I think the distinction would be is that we are not allowed to discuss religion or politics amongst the brothers. You can’t be vocal about your beliefs, or lack thereof, without breaking that rule. What a brother believes can change over time, but we shouldn’t know or care about it.
If he was a true mason, he would still abide by the rules. If he can’t or refuses to, then the lodge should do what’s necessary to maintain peace and harmony.
In my mind, this is an easy one, while observing our own oaths we must invite this previous brother to exit our craft and as an Advisor in the youth organizations that person would be asked to leave any advisory board or council they may serve on. If they are a parent they can be supportive but they would also be asked to leave their verbal comments at the door.
Similar to Lodge, All three of our youth organization have a requirement to be a member that the youth believe in the existence of a supreme being or higher power. We all open and close our lodges, chapters, assemblies, bethels with prayer. If the individuals do not believe in a higher power then Masonry and all the appendant and concordant bodies are simply not for them and they should be invited to “Move Along”
The Worshipful Master's most important duty is to maintain peace and harmony among the Brethren. Without that nothing gets done. It's hard to imagine how peace and harmony could exist in a lodge with a vocal advocate for atheism in the room. If I was sitting in the East I feel I'd have no choice but to tell him to leave.
We all have a duty to remind a Brother of his fault in the most friendly manner, endeavor to aid his reformation, and defend his character. I would do that with the atheist Brother outside of Lodge. If nothing else I'd probably learn something about atheism.
I think the big issue is the "intends to be vocal" part. Being a member of an organization that has its foundation in a belief in God, and not believing in God would call into question this person's intent. I feel that such a person needs to required to not 'evangalise their atheism" and if thier behavior is otherwise acceptable, i would be slow to remove them,.I am not even sure that thhe code allows their removal. The reason I would not try to remove this person is that many people go thru periods of time when they looose their faith. Somethimes its tragedy, sometimes its a step on the spiritual path. In many cases its temporary. I guess i would be slow to act...
That is a tough one. Just because his views have changed, his obligation has not. We are not to be vocal about our particular religious views one way or the other. I would sit down with this brother, and explain he may not be vocal in his religious beliefs, no matter what they are. I would then have a deeper personal conversation about what led to this "conversion", and see if we could address them. Casting him aside is not an option until we have "whispered good and timely counsel in the ear of an erring brother and aid in his reformation"
From Benjamin Franklin 1734 Constitution of Free-Masons, and obviously Anderson's UGLE 1723 Constitutions, state that "A Mason is obliged by his Tenure, to obey the moral Law, and if he rightly understands the Art, he will never be a stupid Atheist, nor an irreligious Libertine."
This goes law goes all the way back to the 1390 Constitutions of the Art of Geometry According to Euclid (Regius Poem) states that a Mason "must love well God and the holy church always.”
The Grand Orient of France, however, does accept atheist, stating that all men are given, without distinction of class, denomination, the means to be themselves, to have the freedom of choice, and to be responsible for their own maturity and master of their own destiny. This rule divided them from the United Grand Lodge of England, where the GOdF were called irregular libertines (masons) and withdrew its recognition from them.
So in short its not okay to be an atheist under the United Grand Lodge of England bodies, but he can seek out a GOdF Lodge, if he chooses.
If a Brother came to me, doubting his faith, I'd listen. As best as able I'd point out the evidence all around us of devine presence. If that Brother then said that he still doubted, or even cast aside his faith, I would then advise that he had two paths; One that he could stay within the Craft and see if his doubts passed, as perhaps they are caused by grief. The second option would be to advise him to take some time in quiet reflection and not be part of the Lodge for a time.
If a Brother came to me with the postion that he no longer belived in a higher power, then I would adivse he leave. My hope is that he would find, in time, a way back to his faith. If on the other hand, if he was as described above , both a commited and a vociferious athiest I would have no choice but to demand he leave or face Masonic Charges.
If he intends to "be vocal" about his non-belief, advise him to constrain his beliefs to the *outside* of lodge or youth group meetings. If he does not, invite him to leave the Fraternity. If he does not, expel him. Yes, he has a Constitutional Right to express his opinions, just not in our venue. Just my thoughts...
Is there anyone out there that at some point has questioned his faith? In a case like this I think its important to understand if this is a short term step in ones life or through some crisis of faith and newly emerged DISbelief has set in.
I would also like to know if he’s truly changed and know doesn’t believe in anything higher power, or perhaps he’s questioning the Christian belief in Jesus as the Son of God, the trinity, etc. Is God some old looking guys with a long grey beard or is he more of a Theist or even Deist view.
With regard to being vocal, we dont get into dogmatic discussion in lodge and I would caution any Mason against that line of discussion in lodge.
Well this seems simple to me.... In order to become a mason a man is required to believe in a supreme being... If he no longer does well that is obviously a issue because the hole point is accountability within oneself... There for he would need to in my opinion leave the lodge. More aspecually because he is going to make a spectacle about religion (or the lack there of)
I would like to give sincere Thanks to everyone who commented on this thread. It wasn't a hypothetical question, and your answers have been helpful to me. I imagine they will be helpful to others as well.
If we take a legal approach, the word in the oath is "become" not "be". It spells out where a man must be at the beginning of his masonic journey, not the end of it.
Where I think the distinction would be is that we are not allowed to discuss religion or politics amongst the brothers. You can’t be vocal about your beliefs, or lack thereof, without breaking that rule. What a brother believes can change over time, but we shouldn’t know or care about it.
If he was a true mason, he would still abide by the rules. If he can’t or refuses to, then the lodge should do what’s necessary to maintain peace and harmony.
In my mind, this is an easy one, while observing our own oaths we must invite this previous brother to exit our craft and as an Advisor in the youth organizations that person would be asked to leave any advisory board or council they may serve on. If they are a parent they can be supportive but they would also be asked to leave their verbal comments at the door.
Similar to Lodge, All three of our youth organization have a requirement to be a member that the youth believe in the existence of a supreme being or higher power. We all open and close our lodges, chapters, assemblies, bethels with prayer. If the individuals do not believe in a higher power then Masonry and all the appendant and concordant bodies are simply not for them and they should be invited to “Move Along”
The Worshipful Master's most important duty is to maintain peace and harmony among the Brethren. Without that nothing gets done. It's hard to imagine how peace and harmony could exist in a lodge with a vocal advocate for atheism in the room. If I was sitting in the East I feel I'd have no choice but to tell him to leave.
We all have a duty to remind a Brother of his fault in the most friendly manner, endeavor to aid his reformation, and defend his character. I would do that with the atheist Brother outside of Lodge. If nothing else I'd probably learn something about atheism.
I think the big issue is the "intends to be vocal" part. Being a member of an organization that has its foundation in a belief in God, and not believing in God would call into question this person's intent. I feel that such a person needs to required to not 'evangalise their atheism" and if thier behavior is otherwise acceptable, i would be slow to remove them,.I am not even sure that thhe code allows their removal. The reason I would not try to remove this person is that many people go thru periods of time when they looose their faith. Somethimes its tragedy, sometimes its a step on the spiritual path. In many cases its temporary. I guess i would be slow to act...
That is a tough one. Just because his views have changed, his obligation has not. We are not to be vocal about our particular religious views one way or the other. I would sit down with this brother, and explain he may not be vocal in his religious beliefs, no matter what they are. I would then have a deeper personal conversation about what led to this "conversion", and see if we could address them. Casting him aside is not an option until we have "whispered good and timely counsel in the ear of an erring brother and aid in his reformation"
A Navy SEAL, a Vegan and an Atheist walk into a bar - how do you know? They will tell you in less than 2 minutes.
From Benjamin Franklin 1734 Constitution of Free-Masons, and obviously Anderson's UGLE 1723 Constitutions, state that "A Mason is obliged by his Tenure, to obey the moral Law, and if he rightly understands the Art, he will never be a stupid Atheist, nor an irreligious Libertine."
This goes law goes all the way back to the 1390 Constitutions of the Art of Geometry According to Euclid (Regius Poem) states that a Mason "must love well God and the holy church always.”
The Grand Orient of France, however, does accept atheist, stating that all men are given, without distinction of class, denomination, the means to be themselves, to have the freedom of choice, and to be responsible for their own maturity and master of their own destiny. This rule divided them from the United Grand Lodge of England, where the GOdF were called irregular libertines (masons) and withdrew its recognition from them.
So in short its not okay to be an atheist under the United Grand Lodge of England bodies, but he can seek out a GOdF Lodge, if he chooses.
I agree with Bro. Baxter.
If a Brother came to me, doubting his faith, I'd listen. As best as able I'd point out the evidence all around us of devine presence. If that Brother then said that he still doubted, or even cast aside his faith, I would then advise that he had two paths; One that he could stay within the Craft and see if his doubts passed, as perhaps they are caused by grief. The second option would be to advise him to take some time in quiet reflection and not be part of the Lodge for a time.
If a Brother came to me with the postion that he no longer belived in a higher power, then I would adivse he leave. My hope is that he would find, in time, a way back to his faith. If on the other hand, if he was as described above , both a commited and a vociferious athiest I would have no choice but to demand he leave or face Masonic Charges.
If he intends to "be vocal" about his non-belief, advise him to constrain his beliefs to the *outside* of lodge or youth group meetings. If he does not, invite him to leave the Fraternity. If he does not, expel him. Yes, he has a Constitutional Right to express his opinions, just not in our venue. Just my thoughts...
Is there anyone out there that at some point has questioned his faith? In a case like this I think its important to understand if this is a short term step in ones life or through some crisis of faith and newly emerged DISbelief has set in.
I would also like to know if he’s truly changed and know doesn’t believe in anything higher power, or perhaps he’s questioning the Christian belief in Jesus as the Son of God, the trinity, etc. Is God some old looking guys with a long grey beard or is he more of a Theist or even Deist view.
With regard to being vocal, we dont get into dogmatic discussion in lodge and I would caution any Mason against that line of discussion in lodge.
Well this seems simple to me.... In order to become a mason a man is required to believe in a supreme being... If he no longer does well that is obviously a issue because the hole point is accountability within oneself... There for he would need to in my opinion leave the lodge. More aspecually because he is going to make a spectacle about religion (or the lack there of)
I would like to give sincere Thanks to everyone who commented on this thread. It wasn't a hypothetical question, and your answers have been helpful to me. I imagine they will be helpful to others as well.