Intellectual Defenestration

Fun with Freemasonry

I never thought I'd do this, but for various reasons I've been reading up on Freemasonry. Many aspects of Freemasonry are commendable, such as the fundraising efforts for sick children and other charity events. Other aspects, though, are quite entertaining.

First off, there have been so many famous people in freemasonry that there are enough conspiracy theories surrounding them to make Michael Moore salivate. (Although, sadly, Bush doesn't appear to be a Mason. But given that he was a member of Skull & Bones, he probably has some connections) For example, while searching for info on Freemasonry, I ran across the site ConspiracyArchive.com, where one can read for hours on Freemasonry's links to the Illuminati, alien landings, the UN, and all the other vicious movements conspiring together to take over the world.

Another noteworthy item is the allegation that Billy Graham is or was a Mason. Seems he's part of the conspiracy of the Illuminati to make One World Religion. It must be true; I read it on the Internet.

The second amusing thing I've found is Freemasonry's claim that it is "[n]ot a religion but religious in character." This is a fantastic example of a distinction without a difference. For starters, one of the possible definitions of religious is "Of, concerned with, or teaching religion." To be "religious" is to be, at some point, involved in a religion.

Besides that, the beliefs of Freemasonry clearly fit the definition of a religion. Religion can be defined as:

1. a. Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
   b. A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.
2. The life or condition of a person in a religious order.
3. A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.
4. A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.

Freemasonry easily meets every aspect of that criteria. Browsing through some of the literature shows that Freemasonry [1a] believes in a deity (p. 9), [1b] develops a system based on that (e.g., Freemasonry itself), [2] is composed of people who live their lives according to an openly "religious" order, [3] follows the teachings of a spiritual leader (p. 4), and [4] inspires devotion and zeal in its adherents (p.3). There's more one could go into in terms of the theology implicit in its divine inclusivism and emphasis upon the need for virtue, but the above should suffice.

Elsewhere, Masons have argued that the distinction is valid because there is no official doctrine, sacraments, or means of salvation. While I have trouble finding that strict distinction compelling, other Masons appear to contradict at least the first and third aspects of this.

What Freemasonry really seems to be saying is that, "we're not as theologically formal or dogmatic as, say, Christianity, Judaism, or Islam." But an informal, un-dogmatic religion can be just as much a religion as a formal, dogmatic one (i.e., mysticism). And to argue that one is not a religion when the contrary is true is, at best, rather odd and, at worst, disingenuous.

July 7, 2004 12:15 PM