NOT FOR DEBATE INTER SANCTUARY: Upon the altar of a Masonic Lodge the "Book of Law" is placed. "You will now place your hand upon the Holy Book of your personal faith." To this end, The Holy Books of the various religious faiths exist at many Masonic Lodges through-out the world, especially so in the Far East where I was active for many years. However, the discussion of Religion is absolutely forbidden. During my 48 years as a Mason, I have never observed a violation. ANTEROOM: Without the Lodge, when my Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Catholic, and Protestant Brothers gather in fellowship and goodwill, I must confess that on occasion some lively political discussions take place -- Discussion of Religion -- NEVER! We are the "Brotherhood of man under the Fatherhood of God". We believe in God and life hereafter. NOT FOR DEBATE! FROM THE QUARRIES: Many times, I have been asked: "Why are the Masons so strict in their belief of never discussing any religion?" To this, I have always replied that Masonry recognizes the rights, differences and the freedom of individual thinking on matters when no fundamental principles of the order are involved. Friction, partyism, schisms and dissension’s that can arise out of the ashes of a religious discussion must be avoided, and are thus forbidden. Masonry derives it strength from unity, solidarity, conformity in ritual and fraternalism. NOT FOR DEBATE! Masonic teaching does not establish with clarity the roots of our dogmatic view point on why religious discussions are prohibited. I will endeavor to do so from my personal point of view.
OUT OF THE ASHES: Ezra, completed the text of the Torah (circa 440 B.C.). The Jewish people still to this day follow the Pentateuch and the Torah. The Old Testament follows closely the early Jewish text, especially the five books of Moses - The Masonic "Book of Law". The Old Testament is the history of the Jewish race and Gods teachings to them -- and to any others who wish to accept. The teachings of God is not unique to the Torah or Old Testament. The Gospels do not contain any religious or moral ideas that was not already known or taught by earlier religious groups in one form or another. The teachings of Jesus of Nazareth which evolved into the New Testament and became the established religious doctrine for the Christians has many unproven propositions. His teachings were nearly identical to that of the Essenes. First reported by Philo of Alexandria (25 B.C. - 50 A.D.), and later confirmed by Flaxius Josephus in 77 A.D., and reconfirmed in the Essenes "Dead Sea Scrolls" (Manual of Discipline) when they were discovered in 1947. Further, compare the teachings of the Bible with Buddhism, Joaism, Zoroastrianism and even the Mystery Religions (Hellenistic mystery cults -- Egyptian and Oriental) and you will find a fascinating similarity. History tells us, that recorded events of Jesus and his followers did not happen until Mark wrote his account some forty years after the crucifixion. Most of the transcripts of the New Testament appeared about two hundred years after the crucifixion, and were usually just read in congregations. Unfortunately, then as now, there was wide variations in theological interpretations. Copy mistakes, and well meaning corrections of transcripts, made life extremely difficult for the early evangelists; and perhaps, some place along the line they could have missed a point or two! Play any kind of theological gymnastics you desire -- the facts exists! Discussion of religion invokes controversy and is NOT FOR DEBATE. THE EMPERORS DECREE: Emperor Constantine convened the FIRST Ecumenical (whole Catholic Church) Council at NICEA (325 A.D.). Some historians claim his motives were more of a political power play than ecclesiastical. However, the Council proclaimed that God the Father and Jesus were of the same essence. This became the "Nicene Creed," the first Christian dogma -- created nearly three hundred years after the death of Jesus!?!. In the year of 326 A.D., Constantine by "Divine Inspiration" (??? He believed in the Solar Cult of Sol Invictus at the time) discovered the grave of Jesus and in 330 A.D. built the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Many historians considered Constantine a real rogue. He was canonized! The SECOND Ecumenical Council was convened by Emperor Theodosius 1 (347 - 395 A.D.), in Constantinople (381 A.D.). Theodosius 1, proclaimed Christianity as the State Religion. During the councils meeting the concept of "The Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost" was developed by the Rump Council - a group of senior members. The "Trinity" was identified as the "Niceno - Constantinopolitan Creed," which the Christian Religion follows to this day. If you ever have the opportunity too read about Emperor Theodosius 1, you will soon discover that he was one of the "Bloodiest" Emperors in the recorded history of mankind. He was canonized. The East Roman Emperor Theodosius 11 (408 - 450 A.D.) and the West Roman Emperor Valentianus 111 (425 - 455 A.D.) convened the THIRD Ecumenical Council at Ephesus (431 A.D.). The Council decided that Mary was the Mother of Jesus and should be worshipped as such. This became a law and introduced in the "Theodosian Codex". The Byzantine Emperor Marcianus (396 - 457 A.D.) convened the FORTH Ecumenical Council later at Chalcedon (451 A.D.). Pope Leo 1, initiated the idea that Jesus had two natures. the Council proclaimed the doctrine that divine and human nature are unalloyed and inseparable in the person of Jesus. The Council proclaimed that the Pope had total and absolute control over the preservation of unity of the Christian Doctrine - THE VATICAN WAS BORN! East Roman Emperor Justinian (438 - 565 A.D.) convened the FIFTH Ecumenical Council in Constantinople (553 A.D.). The Council of Acclamation merely confirmed Justinian Imperial Decrees and Laws. They condemned the Greek ecclesiastical writer Origen (Circa 185 - 254 A.D.) who helped make some early scriptures intelligible and spiritualized some interpretations. The Council declared his view as unorthodox and thus sets the stage, whereby, the Pope and Senior Leaders of the church shall determine what is orthodox and what is not. NO OTHERS! Bryzantine historian, Procupius (circa 490 - 555 A.D.) described Justinian as malicious, cruel and bloodthirsty. Justinian was canonized! THE TEACHINGS: Not withstanding the undesirable historical events, the lapse of time, discrepancies and controversy, the stage was set for Christian development. Some semblance of order out of chaos. The teachings of God were organized, and the "inspired" Bible was created over a period of 1600 years into what it is today. The labors of the dedicated scholars produced:
Conversely, and by contrast, the scholars of yesteryear produced:
THE BOTTOM LINE: Masons are from every profession, from every creed, and from every race. Every Mason has the WORD OF GOD in his own SOUL, and the manner in which he worships God is a personal choice! NOT FOR DEBATE. AFTERTHOUGHT: "The value of man does not consist in the truth
which he possesses, or means to possess, but in the sincere pain which he hath taken to
find it out. For his power do not augment by possessing truth, but by investigating it,
wherein consist his own perfectibility. Possession lulls the energy of man, makes him idle
and proud. If God held enclosed in his right hand absolute truth, and in his left hand
only the inward lively impulse toward truth, and if He said to me: Choose!
Even at the
risk of exposing mankind to continued erring, I would most humbly seize His left hand and
say: Father, give! Absolute truth belongs to thee alone".
".........................and part my Brethren upon the square".
L. P. "Woody" Wood, P.M., P.D.D.G.M.,33o |
| Disclaimer: "Not for debate" is not approved for publication by the Grand Lodge of Nevada nor any other Masonic Lodge. It is an effort by the author to provide some information about a controversial subject, based on his personal research. The author firmly believes that the discussion of religion must never exist in a Masonic Lodge, nor should it ever exist between Masonic Brothers. He further firmly believes in the total and complete separation of Church and State. |
