From a lost thread...
Hippie said:
I figure if a man doesn't want to abide by the ancient teachings of Freemasonry that have been passed down through the generations, that is fine... Join the Lions or Rotary clubs.... They don't require or teach any of this. But, they don't have anything like the Shriners, York or Scottish Rite either. I believe in God, practice the Christian faith, and am REAL happy with it. Now, if someone else wants to practice something else, go ahead, but DON"T infringe upon my Right, the one I and MANY others fought and or died for.
I don’t think anyone here has even suggested infringing upon your rights.
Masonry believes that each individual should apply his religious convictions as they should be applied and only for the purpose to govern discipline and sanctify his inner-self in life, and not to be projected into social life, because religion has no place at social gatherings or any other place where it makes other people uncomfortable.
Masonry believes that all religious road's eventually lead to the same destination, to one God, just as all rivers eventually flow towards the sea.
If one reviews Andersons Constitutions there is (and was) no requirement for a man to practice the Christian faith as a prerequisite for masonry.
Andersons Constitutions:
I. Concerning GOD and RELIGION.
A Mason is oblig'd 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. But though in ancient Times Masons were charg'd in every Country to be of the Religion of that Country or Nation, whatever it was, yet 'tis now thought more expedient only to oblige them to that Religion in which all Men agree, leaving their particular Opinions to themselves; that is, to be good Men and true, or Men of Honour and Honesty, by whatever Denominations or Persuasions they may be distinguish'd; whereby Masonry becomes the Center of Union, and the Means of conciliating true Friendship among Persons that must have remain'd at a perpetual Distance.
But the original aim of a "Center of Union, and the means of conciliating true friendship among persons that must have remain'd at a perpetual Distance" has fallen in a crack in the floor, forever, if we don't retrieve it. More than ever before 'tis now thought more expedient only to oblige them to that Religion in which all Men agree, leaving their particular Opinions to themselves; that is, to be good Men and true, or Men of Honour and Honesty.