Your reply was nicer than a few of the others I received. It’s nice to have a reasoned discussion, and of course, great minds can differ.
You wrote:
“From the Mason side, I would also wonder since I believe the fellowship emphasizes honesty and following one’s religion seriously and faithfully. I believe this should be a serious matter to his fellows and his standing in Freemasonry.”
This would matter if Freemasonry was a religion (and I’m certain that it matters in the Knights of Columbus). But since we don’t question a man’s faith - only his belief in God, we feel that this is a matter for an individual and his own conscience (and his own interpretation of his religion).
Going back to my statement regarding the possible roots of Freemasonry in the Knights Templar - this is one of the factors in the legend of how the Masons rose from that order. After being betrayed by the pope of that day, it is thought that the surviving Templars/early Freemasons eschewed the solemn word of the pope as the funnel from which they receive their faith. To them, the pope no longer represented them (and in fact, was now hostile to them), and that it wasn’t necessary for them to acquire the word of God only through him. As a result, it was determined that a man could worship God in his own way. If a man decides to receive God’s word through the pope, it was his own right. If not, that was okay as well. After all, the Protestant faiths came to that conclusion themselves.
Regardless, it is up to a Catholic to come to terms with his religion - not the position of his brothers to force it upon him.
thanks for your reply.
A person who recognizes the authority of the Diocese Bishop and the teaching authority of the Church is not a Protestant. One who does not is not a Catholic.
My point was not about judging a man’s religion, but his character and honesty and honoring commitments - to his Church obligations, the same as it would be toward a brother who was unfaithful to his wife, or told major lies to his fellows, for example. This would reflect on whether he lived the values that masonry teaches and promotes.
Also, I believe that prospective Masons are told that joining will not affect their church relationship - at least I’ve read that as part of some freemasons.
Is this correct in your experience?