“For one person it may be their religion”
That’s one of my points. The Masons make is perfectly clear it is not a religion in any way. It is simply a means for religious men to cooperate in their lives with each other instead of waging wars and beating each other up over religion. Many religions might object, but the Masons can count nearly every religion in their membership.
They are community focused and do not pose a threat to any religion or religious beliefs. They go out of their way not to offend by not including or excluding anything offensive. They teach each other their religious views, practices and customs, and embrace each other’s respect. They can completely and totally disagree but in the name of cooperation, education, and productivity they set aside all differences and agree they are different but compatible as neighbors. I am not a Mason but I can completely and totally see their point of view. It is exactly as our founders knew this country needed to be; agnostic in our arguments but solid in our faiths. I can be a Baptist but be best friends with a Catholic or a Jew. Live and let live; hold each other accountable and be productive members of society.
For someone in my family, it was his religion. I should add this was an improvement in his case. :)
In my experience, it varies greatly.
I do appreciate your sentiments here, I think that is a very noble goal. And I’m not at all condemning of freemasons.
We are fortunate to have freedom of religion, each man can choose. I’m only advocating they know where their church stands - if they are serious about their church or any church.
If he were a member of my church, I would have a different conversation, but this is not the place for it.
thanks for your reply.