philosophically speaking is Freemasonry closer to atheism or Mormonism or Judaism or Protestantism?

Question

and should i be affraid of that secret club coming after me now?

Thought of the Moment:

Anyone can look for fashion in a boutique or history in a museum. The creative explorer looks for history in a hardware store and fashion in an airport. -Robert S. Wieder, journalist


http://wordsmith.org/anagram/anagram.cgi?anagram=Hiram+Abiff&t=1000&a=n

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiram_Abiff

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_mason

Answer 1

Philosophically speaking, you cannot compare Freemasonry to ANY religious belief.

What separates one religious faith from another (in pragmatic terms) first and foremost is dogmatic rules, principles, or standards. Specific beliefs as to who or what God is, how to worship God, etc. Masonry exists without actually having any dogmatic opinion, standard, principle or rule. You cannot compare one to the other.

Answer 2

Aside from all the rites and other trappings is the fundamental belief in the existence of God and in future life, but Freemasonry isn't based on any particular religion. To quote from the 1723 edition of "Constitutions":



"I. Concerning God and Religion. A Mason is obliged by his Tenure, to obey the moral law: and if he rightly understands the Art, he will never be a stupid Atheist nor an irreligious Libertine. But though in ancient times Masons were charged in every country to be of the religion of that country or nation, whatever it was, yet 'tis now thought more expedient only to oblige them to that religion in which all men agree, leaving their particular Opinions to themselves: that is, to be good men and true or Men of Honour and Honesty, by whatever Denominations or Persuasions they may be distinguished; whereby Masonry becomes the Centre of Union and the Means of conciliating true Friendship among Persons that must have remained at a perpetual Distance."



There is absolutely nothing to fear in that unless you are a patently dishonourable and dishonest person.

Answer 3

THEY will never come after you !!



You will be very lucky if they ever accept YOU?