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Question regarding sacred law on alter.

WMGarro

Registered User
In my home state, according to our Constitution, the only book that may be displayed on the Alter is the Holy Bible. Recent attempts have been made to change this, but have failed. My question is for those in other jurisdictions, what are your rules and bylaws regarding this situation? If it is the same in your state as in mine, what attempts have your members made to change this?
 

Bloke

Premium Member
Here in Victoria we have the same view as Bro James - Freemasonry is Universal, and hence we have the VSLs of our members present. We celebrate that, our Fraternity (UGLV) has no religious qualifications, just one of Faith.

The KJ Bible remains the most common, but in my own mother Lodge we have the Gita, Koran, & Tri-pitaka... but somewhere I have a photo of one of my Craft Lodges with 6 or 7 VSLs. I have opened my Mother Lodges on one of the versions of the Bible I own, it's not a KJ, but one I used to study from when I was a kid.. it was handy because it was small and we were not in our home Masonic Building...

Our Constitution (UGLV) is silent on the VSL. (interesting, I know it pretty well, but only just realised that via a search of a soft copy).

Our "Book of Lodge Workings" which is very detailed generally, does speak about handling and moving VSLs. It notes the Koran should not be opened but just displayed.. It talks about when to open and close them etc etc. It goes into more details about how candidates of different faiths interact with them and if they kneel etc.

However there is also precedent and practice. I can tell you, I only ever open one VSL unless the pedestal (alter) is large.. they might fall off if opened- such an event would not be respectful to the Holy Writings of one of my Brothers. They are not placed one on top of the other, but arranged around the Lodge's VSL.

I am certainly aware of at least two lodges here whose VSL is the The Pentateuch. I am actually not sure how that decided, if by majority of the members or prerogative of the Master... I would assume in the first instance, it would be the Master because he has the power to regulate his lodge, but a By-Law (resolution) could be passed by the Majority of the Brethren of a specific Lodge to nominate a specific VSL.

I have seen Christian members of Lodges get quite adamant that the VSL of another Faith is not displayed when a Brother from that faith is a member and in attendance. Generally we are extremely respectful about such things..

Here, Lodges brag about how many VSLs they have at their meetings as it is seen as a sign of acceptance and our diversity. And a sign of the Brotherhood of Man.

If there was an attempt to restrict to one VSL, I am sure it would be resisted here. I would certainly do so.
 

Rinesh Hegde

Registered User
As per the Grand Lodge of India, we have to keep 5 Volumes of Sacred Law (Bhagavad Gita, The Holy Bible, The Holy Quran, Zend Avesta, and Guru Granth Sahib). The S&C is always kept on the book of the Master's faith, in case of a ritual working, we will move the S&C on the book of the candidate's faith only for the Obligation and move it back on the book of the WM's faith after the ritual work is over.

Each of the books has to be kept on a plain surface and not on top of each other, to showcase that all the books are on the level.
 

Keith C

Registered User
For stated meetings the VSL is the KJV Bible. For Degrees this may be substituted with the VSL of the candidate's faith.
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
For stated meetings the VSL is the KJV Bible. For Degrees this may be substituted with the VSL of the candidate's faith.
Same under GLoTX, except that during degree conferral, both the KJV and the candidate's preferred VSL shall be upon the altar, with the VSL placed immediately in front of the candidate.
 

Tylerl90

Registered User
Are there any US grand lodges that dictate who can NOT be Masons?

The reason I ask is that the MWGL of Florida once dictated that pagans, gnostics, and anything considered “occult” basically was anti-Masonic and those found practicing it would be placed on trial in lodge.

I wanna say that declaration was reversed, but I’m curious about other GL’s


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Brother JC

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
Are there any US grand lodges that dictate who can NOT be Masons?

The reason I ask is that the MWGL of Florida once dictated that pagans, gnostics, and anything considered “occult” basically was anti-Masonic and those found practicing it would be placed on trial in lodge.

I wanna say that declaration was reversed, but I’m curious about other GL’s


Sent from my iPhone using My Freemasonry mobile app

That grand lodge found itself on rocky footing after that declaration, several others threatened withdrawal of recognition. Some (being more reasonable) simply sent letters “whispering wise council,” often spurred by motions made in lodges around the country.
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
The GMs edict was reversed by the GL It is my understanding that he was attempting to address the Florida requirement of monotheism. I know him. He is a committed mason and works very hard for the fraternity. He is again serving as Master of his Lodge.

For a period of some 60 years (1925-1984) the fraternity in Utah forbade members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Some Grand Lodges practicing the Swedish Rite limit membership to baptized Christians.
There are a variety of other political and religious limitations, Particularly monotheism and a belief in resurrection:

Texas requires on it's petition for the degrees a belief in the US Constitution, the immortality of the soul, and the divine authenticity of the volume of sacred law. http://grandlodgeoftexas.org/assets/uploads/2015/10/26.pdf

Kentucky forbids those who believe in the overthrow of the government.http://www.mastermason.com/mckee/newpetition.pdf

Mississippi ask 3 questions

1. Do you believe in God
2. Do you believe in the resurrection of the body?
3. Do you believe in the immortality of the soul.

Massachusetts: Sec. 102. This Grand Lodge recognizes the following Landmarks:
a. Monotheism, the sole dogma of Freemasonry;

Florida asks on its petition “Do you believe in the existence of one ever-living and true God?” Thus, there is a monotheistic requirement in your jurisdiction as well (whether or not such is imposed in practice). See https://grandlodgefl.com/docs/GLF_Forms/GL 601 Petition for the Degrees.pdf

PHA WA:
Title 113, Section 113.01
"Every Candidate applying for the degrees in Masonry must have the senses of a man; especially those of hearing, seeing, and feeling; be a believer in God and a future existence..."
....
Section 113.04
"A candidate who is unable or unwilling to express a belief in the existence of God and a resurrection to a future life lacks the essential qualification for the degrees to Masonry..."

Oklahoma requires a belief in the one true and living God , prohibits support the overthrow of the government and requires that one support the Constitution and agree to defend it. http://www.gloklahoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/petition2011.pdf

Florida asks if you believe in the one ever living and true God. It also prohibits a belief in the overthrow of the government. http://grandlodgefl.com/docs/GLF_Forms/GL 601 Petition for the Degrees.pdf

Ohio asks if you believe in the “existence and perfection of God”. http://www.glohio.com/grand-lodge-forms?download=110:form-21-petition-for-degrees
 
Last edited:

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
from the Laws of The Grand Lodge of Texas:

Art. 393. Qualifications.

A candidate for the degrees of Masonry must be free-born, sound in mind, of good moral character, a full eighteen years of age on or before the day his petition is received by the Lodge, and disclose any known physical limitations or disabilities which will render him incapable of earning his own living or receiving and imparting, Masonically, all that is required by the ritual of the several degrees. However, an individual who has been found guilty of, or has pleaded no contest to charges of pedophilia (such as Indecency with a Child by sexual contact or any other means, Aggravated Sexual Assault with a child by any means, Sexual Assault with a Child by any means) shall be disqualified to submit a petition for the degrees of Masonry. (italics mine)

After the foregoing requirements have been strictly met, the question of the candidate’s mental, moral, and such physical qualifications is one to be decided within the sound discretion of the members of the Lodge petitioned. (Revised 2019)
 

Elexir

Registered User
The GMs edict was reversed by the GL It is my understanding that he was attempting to address the Florida requirement of monotheism. I know him. He is a committed mason and works very hard for the fraternity. He is again serving as Master of his Lodge.

For a period of some 60 years (1925-1984) the fraternity in Utah forbade members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Grand Lodges practicing the Swedish Rite limit membership to baptized Christians.
There are a variety of other political and religious limitations, Particularly monotheism and a belief in resurrection:

Texas requires on it's petition for the degrees a belief in the US Constitution, the immortality of the soul, and the divine authenticity of the volume of sacred law. http://grandlodgeoftexas.org/assets/uploads/2015/10/26.pdf

Kentucky forbids those who believe in the overthrow of the government.http://www.mastermason.com/mckee/newpetition.pdf

Mississippi ask 3 questions

1. Do you believe in God
2. Do you believe in the resurrection of the body?
3. Do you believe in the immortality of the soul.

Massachusetts: Sec. 102. This Grand Lodge recognizes the following Landmarks:
a. Monotheism, the sole dogma of Freemasonry;

Florida asks on its petition “Do you believe in the existence of one ever-living and true God?” Thus, there is a monotheistic requirement in your jurisdiction as well (whether or not such is imposed in practice). See https://grandlodgefl.com/docs/GLF_Forms/GL 601 Petition for the Degrees.pdf

PHA WA:
Title 113, Section 113.01
"Every Candidate applying for the degrees in Masonry must have the senses of a man; especially those of hearing, seeing, and feeling; be a believer in God and a future existence..."
....
Section 113.04
"A candidate who is unable or unwilling to express a belief in the existence of God and a resurrection to a future life lacks the essential qualification for the degrees to Masonry..."

Oklahoma requires a belief in the one true and living God , prohibits support the overthrow of the government and requires that one support the Constitution and agree to defend it. http://www.gloklahoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/petition2011.pdf

Florida asks if you believe in the one ever living and true God. It also prohibits a belief in the overthrow of the government. http://grandlodgefl.com/docs/GLF_Forms/GL 601 Petition for the Degrees.pdf

Ohio asks if you believe in the “existence and perfection of God”. http://www.glohio.com/grand-lodge-forms?download=110:form-21-petition-for-degrees

Sweden dont require baptism. Denmark do though. Most likley due to their more conservative nature.
 
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