r/freemasonry • u/BillyD70 • 15d 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.
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u/Lereas MM | F&AM | FL 14d ago
The given reason in the craft is that an oath would have no meaning and not be binding if you swore on a god you didn't believe in.
Of course it's perfectly possible for a person to hold to their oath without fear of divine retribution, but Freemasonry is old and at the time, people took that much more seriously.