The answer for me to your first question is NO...
'nuff said there, then! Thank you for clearing that up!
Why would you consider the known drug dealer immoral???...If he has not be arrested or convicted, arent you making an assumption?? Morality doe not have a right or wrong side....
Let me ask you this...if a Muslim was a member of your Lodge and he voted no on a candidate that he knows likes to have a beer or two...not a drunkard...but the Muslim Brother feels it is morally wrong to drink...is he wrong for following his beliefs?
A known drug-dealer preys on others weaknesses to garner income; that is immoral.
The law has nothing to do with what is right and wrong; it has to do with the law, a series of man-made rules. Just because one does not get caught, does not mean that person is not doing wrong. Morality absolutely has a right and wrong side. That is, by definition, what morality is.
I believe Masons practice tolerance as one of their virtues; this includes others' faiths. Part of being true to one's faith,
as I believe it, is to again remember to not pass judgment on another, lest we be judged. If that person habitually does harm to another whilst imbibing, THEN there is certain cause for a black ball. As it stands, we have a Muslim brother who has voted in the affirmative for candidates who imbibe. Again, drinking in and of itself is not the evil, it's the absence of temperance.
As far as free-agency, I think it is a choice...(IMHO)...science can be twisted to fit whatever you wish it to support. Just like laws....it is subjective to those making the interpretation....
It can be reasonably argued there's far more twisting in religion than in science. When was the last time a war was started in the name of Science? For all its preponderance of "love thy neighbor" remonstrances, religion does more to separate people than bring them together. Science? not so much...
If those who are not in agreement with a gay man joining are to put aside their moral issue with homosexuality, then please give me a reason why you feel a woman is not acceptable as a mason. I know the definition of farternity .... give me a another reason. For the record, I am 100% against women joining.....
That is, of course, if it is indeed a moral issue.
But that IS the reason. It IS a fraternity; otherwise it would be a club.