Basic Statement

Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a subsitute for religion. It demands of its members belief in a Supreme Being, but provides no system of faith of its own. It's rituals include prayers, but these relate only to the matter instantly in hand and do not amount to the practice of religion. Freemasonry is open to men of any faith, but religion may not be discussed at meetings.

The Supreme Being

The names used for the Supreme Being enable men of different faiths to join in prayer (to God as they see him) without the terms of the prayer causing dissension among them. There is no Masonic God. A Freemason remains committed to the God of the religion he professes. Freemasons meet in common respect for the Supreme Being, but He remains Supreme in their individual religions, and it is no part of Freemasonry to attempt to join religions together. There is therefore no Masonic God.

Volume of the Sacred Law

An open Volume of the Sacred Law is an essential part of every Masonic meeting. The Volume of the Sacred Law to a Christian is the Bible; to Freemasons of other faiths it is the book held holy by them.

The Oaths of Freemasonry

The obligations taken by Freemasons are sworn on or involve the Volume of the Sacred Law. They are undertakings to keep secret a Freemason's means of reconginition and to follow the principles of Freemasonry. The physical penalities are simply symbolic. The commitment to follow the principles of Freemasonry is deep, and entirely appropriate to this form of obligation.

Freemasonry Compared with Religion

(a) It has no dogma or theology (and by forbidding religous discussion at its meetings will not allow a Masonic dogma to develop).

(b) It offers no sacraments

(c) It does not claim to lead to salvation, by works, secret knowledge or any other means (the secrets of Freemasonry are concerned with modes of recognition, not with salvation).

Freemasonry Supports Religion

Freemasonry is far from indifferent to religion. Without interfering in religious practice, it expects each to follow his own faith, and to place his duty to God (by whatever name He is known) above all other things. Its moral teachings are acceptable to all religions.

Why is a Master Addressed as "Worshipful"


Few Masonic matters are less understood by the non-Masonic public than this. The word "worchyppe" or "worchyp" is Old English, and means "greatly respected." In the Wycliffe Bible " Honor thy father and mother" appears as "Worchyp thy fadir and thy modir." English and Canadians mayors are still addressed, "Your Worship." In some of the Old Constitutions of Masonry is the phrase, "Every Mason shall prefer his elder and put him to worship."

"Worshipful," therefore, in modern Masonry continues an ancient word meaning "greatly respected." A Grand Master is "Most Worshipful," that is, "Most greatly respected."