This topic has come up over the years, lately it seems to come up quite often and with varying results. I can remember through the years that various Masons had to give up the craft to satisfy the wants and requirements of their religion.
A very good friend and former clown moved out of state and began to get very active in his church. One day they were discussing clown ministry, this brother told the group that he could help with makeup and teaching the participants about clowning. He was a retired Shrine clown and had plenty of experience. This prompted his priest to call him in for a private meeting. At this meeting the priest questioned how one became a Shriner and the brother told his priest that first one has to be a Mason then they can join the Shrine.
The priest told him that he had a decision to make, it's either the fraternity or the church. This brother chose the church because of his wife and grand-kids and the fact he was new to the state.
My mother lodge had Jewish brothers, Catholic brothers, and many other denominations. The one Catholic brother is still very active in lodge and church.
Another brother in a lodge came across the same thing....the priest found out that he was a Mason and made him choose between the lodge and the church, he chose the church. He was completely out of all Masonic groups but still attended events, fundraisers, etc. When the church received a new priest this brother asked the new priest about it.....this priest said no problem, now he is back in and happy again.
When I began dating my girlfriend her mother had apprehensions about me being a Mason because the Lutheran church does not approve of Masonry. Great, I was from Flint, a car salesman, and a Mason....the true trifecta. Fortunately my actions, intentions, and love for her daughter won her over. It's funny because my girlfriend asked her mom, "What about the Lutheran League for Men?"
Now very recently I learned that another great man, a Mason, and Past Master was asked to make the decision between the craft and the church. This message was delivered just before this brother read some scripture to the entire congregation, seriously. This brother has decided to look for a new church that is favorable to the craft.
In doing some reading there seems to be a hangup with some religions that Masonry teaches a belief in a Supreme Being of the individual brother's belief system, but does not necessarily teach the trinity or in other words....father, son, and holy ghost.
I believe the reasoning behind this is that Masonry allows...Jews, Hindus, Muslim, Christians, Protestants and any one who believes in a Supreme being and eternal life to become a Mason. My feeling is that this is done to not intrude on other peoples beliefs....sure the majority of members in our area are Christian and the brothers are free to practice that and in fact are encouraged to participate in their worship the way the see fit.
In the third degree we are reminded of the Jewish hierarchy and the Christian dispensation. The York Rite requires that only Christians belong and they send many pastors yearly to the Holy land.
One of the disturbing things that I found in my research is that they put a lot of weight into a television evangelist, John Ankerberg. When I was married a relative of my wife gave me a copy of his book describing the evils of Masonry....after a few pages I tossed it in the trash. That man has many things wrong and wrote the book to make money above all else.....in my opinion that is.
In one of the Scottish Rite degrees, the fourth, we learn that Masonry is not a religion but promotes the freedom of it's members to practice their religion in the way that they choose.
I've only been a Mason for 37 years but have yet to witness anything contrary to one's ability to worship as they see fit. Most of the lodges in small towns have 1 or 2 churches that most of their members attend. In Clio and Mt.Morris as well the local Methodist churches have many members of both the lodges and the churches.
It's truly a shame that the church headquarters deem Masonry as a religion and it's teachings contrary to the doctrine that they promulgate. It seems to me that many of these beliefs and doctrines were set forth many years ago before people became as mobile as they are today.
In addition I have never been asked to give up my own religious beliefs for the Masonic fraternity. It saddens me that so many good men are asked to make such a difficult decision. Of course no organization is without those who tarnish it's reputation but they are such a minute percentage that they really bear no weight on the whole. Perhaps through our doing the right thing this perception will one day change. God bless the brothers who find themselves in this difficult situation.
