MOTT
New Member
Forgive me, and please correct me, if I get any facts wrong, and please bear with me as I lead up to my question.
One of the things that great,y attracts me to Freemasonry, and which had led me to petition, is the acceptance of men of all faiths, meeting together in brotherhood and fellowship. The fact that I can take my obligations on a Tanach, while a Muslim can take his on the Koran, a Christian can take his on the KJB, and others can take theirs on host ever they believe to be the VSL is wonderful, especially as it seems to be part of the foundation of the fraternity. I initially struggled with the exclusion of atheists, and don't really agree that an atheist's obligation would be any less solid, but I do think I understand that the GAOTU is the foundation of Freemasonry, so I understand the requirement.
I have read that the Grand Orient of France does not have this requirement. They allow complete "freedom of conscience" and therefore they do not reject. Man for not believing in a higher power (or the higher power). Most mainstream grand lodges, therefore, do not recognize them, considering them "irregular". Makes sense.
I have also read on this forum and elsewhere, that the Swedish Rite only accepts Christians, including the first three Craft Lodge degrees. The Swedish Rite is recognized as regualr by mainsream Grand Lodges.
So here is my question.
By accepting only Christians, it seems like the Swedish Rite is rejecting a very basic tenet of Freemasonry, a universal fraternalism of men who believe God, leaving it to the individual to worship God in his own way. A certain doctrine is required. A way to salvation is set by the fraternity. This seems to me to be unmasonic, though since I am not a Mason (or at least not yet), that is a fairly presumptuous statement. Please indulge me since I think it helps clarify my thought process.
Why then is the Swedish Rite accepted as regular? It feels like the flip side of the GO of France. Both seem to violate the basic tenet of brotherhood under God. As a non-Christian myself, it sends me the message that while the Grand Lodge in my jurisdiction may accept me, if another were to ban me because od my faith, well, that's no big deal.
If the Grand Lodge of the State of Israel decided to accepts only Jews, I wonder if it would lost the recognition of most mainstream Grand Lodges. I am certainly just speculating, but I have a feeling that a ruling like that would be considered unacceptable worldwide.
Please do not take offense at the question, but understand that it might make one feel as if one's faith is considered lesser, even if as,an individual you are seen as an equal.
Thank you
Ari
One of the things that great,y attracts me to Freemasonry, and which had led me to petition, is the acceptance of men of all faiths, meeting together in brotherhood and fellowship. The fact that I can take my obligations on a Tanach, while a Muslim can take his on the Koran, a Christian can take his on the KJB, and others can take theirs on host ever they believe to be the VSL is wonderful, especially as it seems to be part of the foundation of the fraternity. I initially struggled with the exclusion of atheists, and don't really agree that an atheist's obligation would be any less solid, but I do think I understand that the GAOTU is the foundation of Freemasonry, so I understand the requirement.
I have read that the Grand Orient of France does not have this requirement. They allow complete "freedom of conscience" and therefore they do not reject. Man for not believing in a higher power (or the higher power). Most mainstream grand lodges, therefore, do not recognize them, considering them "irregular". Makes sense.
I have also read on this forum and elsewhere, that the Swedish Rite only accepts Christians, including the first three Craft Lodge degrees. The Swedish Rite is recognized as regualr by mainsream Grand Lodges.
So here is my question.
By accepting only Christians, it seems like the Swedish Rite is rejecting a very basic tenet of Freemasonry, a universal fraternalism of men who believe God, leaving it to the individual to worship God in his own way. A certain doctrine is required. A way to salvation is set by the fraternity. This seems to me to be unmasonic, though since I am not a Mason (or at least not yet), that is a fairly presumptuous statement. Please indulge me since I think it helps clarify my thought process.
Why then is the Swedish Rite accepted as regular? It feels like the flip side of the GO of France. Both seem to violate the basic tenet of brotherhood under God. As a non-Christian myself, it sends me the message that while the Grand Lodge in my jurisdiction may accept me, if another were to ban me because od my faith, well, that's no big deal.
If the Grand Lodge of the State of Israel decided to accepts only Jews, I wonder if it would lost the recognition of most mainstream Grand Lodges. I am certainly just speculating, but I have a feeling that a ruling like that would be considered unacceptable worldwide.
Please do not take offense at the question, but understand that it might make one feel as if one's faith is considered lesser, even if as,an individual you are seen as an equal.
Thank you
Ari