Can you be a Catholic and Freemason?
I want to talk about Catholicism and Freemason today because I have received many questions about it on the Masonic Group, the Fanpage, and this blog. Many people say that you cannot be a Catholic and Freemason.
Is it right? Let me tell you my story. I believe you will have the answer for you. I have several friends who are freemasons Christian, including me. The important thing is how you can organize the aspects of your life.
Can you be a Catholic and Freemason?
I have a friend; he is eight years older than me. He worked with me in the church for a long time before realizing that he was at the 32nd degree for over 20 years. As a Catholic, I have seen none Bible values that go against Freemasonry.
Those values and Freemasonry helped me a lot in my life and made me become a better person.
There are many reasons some denominations and churches prohibit their members from joining the Fraternity. The most common sense I know is that our Fraternity is open to all major religions. Freemasonry is for men who believe in God’s existence.
Our prayers don’t relate to a specific religious sect, so we cannot apply to any significant monotheistic religion.
Freemasonry welcomes all men from any religion. Some Christian denominations and churches say that our prayers do not end with “in Jesus’ name we pray,” it’s unacceptable. That is their opinion and their right. I respect their judgment.
I want to mention a topic called “religious tolerance and religious freedom” in the United States Constitution. As you all know, Freemasonry has played an essential role in having religious freedom in America.
Why do I mention this? The concept of religious freedom came from Freemasonry. Constitutionalists borrowed a few ideas beyond Freemasonry’s religious freedom.
Our Fraternity always respects all religions, and people may worship as they wish. That is the tradition of Freemasonry. If that contradicts some churches’ religious beliefs, they have the right to prevent their members from becoming Freemasons.
All such prohibitions are true or false. There is nothing to discuss and debate. Denominations and churches have the right to set rules according to their religious beliefs; we should respect that.
At Masonic Lodge, we should not discuss religious beliefs or judge their beliefs and policies. With Freemasonry’s religious freedom tradition, we should take it seriously and let all other religions sit together in the Fraternity.
As I mentioned above, I attended a church where there were many brothers like me. So not all churches prohibit Freemason members. There are so many good things that Freemasons did; these churches respect that.
In fact, there is no conflict between Christianity and Freemasonry (or a Catholic and Freemason), and they even complement each other with morality, charity, tolerance, brotherhood, and truth. It helps me improve myself every day by applying them in my daily life. That is, “Freemasonry makes good men better.”
In short, I cannot answer the question, “Can you be both a Catholic and Freemason?” for you. I told you about my story. Find your own story. Ask yourself, God, and your church. Because Freemasonry never puts Masonic Lodge forth your relationship with God. Respect the religious beliefs you are pursuing.