C
HAPTER
1
F
REEMASONRY
A
R
ELIGION?
“The fact that so many clergymen of
diflerent
denominations can be Masons and
find
no
conflict
in carrying on their duties is proof enough that Freemasonry is not a religion.
”
-Alphonse
Cerza,
“Let There Be Light”:A Study in Anti-MasonryIt is the proverbial sixty-four-thousand-dollar question: Is Freemasonry a
religion or isn’t it? Though a few Masons believe that Freemasonry is a reli-
gion, the overwhelming majority of Masons do not. This chapter demon-
strates that Freemasonry is indeed a religion. To do so we must define
religion,
note the essential characteristics of a religion, and then, using Blue Lodge
rituals from the United States, Canada, and Europe, show how Freemasonry
meets these criteria for being a religion. Blue Lodge (or Symbolic Lodge)
rituals will be cited because every Mason, whether he later proceeds to Scot-
tish Bite or York Rite’, must pass through Blue
Lodge.
2
The
first
section,however, will feature the opinions of various
Masons.
3
What Do Masons Say?
Most Masons say that their Craft is not a religion but simply a fraternal orderdedicated to performing good deeds of service and to making good men bet-ter. For example, the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts states,
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