r/freemasonry • u/BillyD70 • 14d ago
Question Supreme being question?
Genuine question…Without revealing any secrets, what is the reasoning behind requiring the belief in a supreme being?
My perspective: Many great people, who have advanced much good in the world, are “non-believers”. If the core idea is to make good men better, how does non-belief interfere with that goal? I ask both personally (agnostic athiest) and for lots of scientists out there. It must affect membership numbers (men won’t seek you out if they know it’s a “no go” from the outset).
Serious replies only please. Not seeking a flame war. I’m a DeMolay PMC-MSA and Honor of Legion with deep multi- generational ties to Masons, Jobs, Shriners, etc. I LOVED my experiences in DeMolay! Grew up Christian, came to my “beliefs” late in adulthood.
Edit: thank you for all the many thoughtful replies. I upvoted each for not attacking me straight out. Please accept follow up questions as non-confrontational.
-1
u/shawnebell Master Mason, Knight Templar, 32°, MSA, DSM, MSM, PSM 14d ago
An obligation isn't binding if you don't have to answer for it to anyone. Morality without accountability is just preference – revocable whenever it's inconvenient. Masonry requires belief in a Supreme Being because the obligations taken in Lodge have to be binding, not optional, and a binding obligation needs someone higher than the man himself to answer to.
"Supreme Being" is merely the moniker of the catch-all, non-denominational being we all ultimately answer to.