Masonry, Religion, and Faith

As has already been stated on this blog, I am an avid motorcyclist. That is actually one of the reasons that I have not posted on this blog for a couple of weeks, I tend to write the post during my spare time throughout the week and then post on Sunday. Lately, however, I have been on a numerous amount of motorcycle trips and have not had the time to dedicate to the blog lately. Also, and the point of this post, due to the fact that it is not much fun to ride a motorcycle during Utah winters, I store my bike in my father's mechanic shop during the winter. This last winter my father had a family friend at the shop working on his motorcycle and he noticed the brake light decal of the square and compasses that I had on my brake light. In disbelief he asked, "Jason left the Church?" to which my father responded and dispelled that culturally engrained myth.

But, the idea that Masonry is a religion is a myth that is probably believed more today than it has in any other generation in the past. A great primer for this discussion is The Masonic Service Association of North America's Statement on Religion which can be found here.

Now, I would like to define a few terms for this discussion, Religion is the means of practicing one's Faith; the ceremonies, linguistic profile, culture, routine, etc. A person's Faith is the core set of beliefs pertaining to their ideas of salvation, the purpose of life, the hereafter, morality, virtue, etc. (Notice, I defined Faith, not faith) Most of the time, a person's Faith is concurrent with their Religion. In fact, I believe, if they are not that person has sold-out their Faith. I personally believe in the Faith that was restored to the Prophet Joseph Smith during the early to mid 1800's and I practice the Latter Day Saint Religion that embraces and expands on that revealed Faith.


But, there are definately religious-esce motifs and philosophy within the Masonic Rituals. In the Utah Jurisdiction, before a candidate is prepared to be initiated a few words of counsel are given to him. Throughout this lecture is the sentence,

"It [Freemasonry] is builded upon the abiding foundation of an unfeigned belief
in the Fatherhood of God, the Brotherhood of Man, and the Immortality of the
Soul."

This might sound very dogmatic, but look at many of the Faith groups throughout the world, and the different Religions throughout those Faith groups. Most of them share this common element, in fact most people throughout time have shared these three common beliefs. Freemasonry is builded upon a foundation known as The Perennial Philosophy. In short, The Perennial Philosophy, is the notion that eternal truths are innately known to man and that these truths have become present in most Faith groups throughout time.


These three specific truths are evident in all Faiths. Hence, the rituals, emblems, and symbols of Freemasonry are overtly Faith-based. This, though, does not make Freemasonry a Faith, let alone a Religion. But, Masonry is supportive of Faith and Religion. A man who does not have Faith will find no happiness in the mysteries of Freemasonry! Its very nature is to be subservient to the Faith of its members, no matter what Faith that might be, and hence, subservient to his Religion. For myself, Masonry has supported me in my Faith and my Religious practices, but it in no way dictates my Faith or my Religion.
Sincerely, Fraternally, and Faithfully,