by Manda Carr

Created on: August 27, 2008

Quoting a history rich in religious tradition has always been a good way of adding weight to arguments and increasing credibility. Freemasonry has close ties with many modern and ancient religions, but they are arguably based on more symbolic and political foundations than religious and historical fact.

Both Masonic and non-Masonic historians have difficulty in providing definitive dates and source materials that can be attributed to Masonic heritage. Freemasons are taught that their origins are from Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, where lodges were created and ruled over by Solomon, King Hiram of Tyre and Hiram Abif. The truth is there is no evidence to these, nor links with Templar escapes from the persecution of Philip IV of France in 1307.

The more realistic religious link comes from the great cathedral and church builders of the medieval period in Europe. Little evidence of operative Masonic Lodges exists here, but Stone Mason's Guilds did form in the British Isles during the 14th century. Stone Masons would be rarely out of work during this period of Roman Catholic expansion. As one great church was built, Masons moved to different areas to secure work on other structures. The time a Mason would spend working alongside colleagues would teach him valuable knowledge in the development of his trade. Often Masons would 'Lodge' together and it is supposed that they created signs and initiation ceremonies for apprentices. This meant a Mason could enter another site and those employing him would be secure in the knowledge that he was a craftsman, master of his trade and worthy of good pay.

It is assumed, but again evidence is sketchy, that the 1600's saw the creation of non-operative Masonic Lodges created in the British Isles. The mid-1600s were a time of huge political and religious unrest in Europe and the British Isles. The establishment of Freemasonry during the Reformation period meant that rifts between men in religious matters could be put aside in more secular meetings. The 'history' of Solomon's temple made a good core of belief that would avoid the current tide of intolerance. Some sources also note that the absence of a welfare state, meant that alms and charitable donations were more common in serving the ideals of biblical living. Men of influence and common association could come together to develop business partnerships and facilitate community led initiatives. Whole towns in England can be said to have developed through the collective efforts of affluent business men and philanthropists in pre-industrial revolution Britain.

Lodges grew and became prolific, but there were differences between their rules and rituals. In 1717 four Lodges came together in London in the first noted 'Grand Lodge'. India, America, and Europe saw massive expansion in Freemasonry in the 1800s, and by the 1900s religion, spiritualism, paganism and world religions began to compete with the more traditional aspects of the Bible. As Freemasonry continued to develop, some Lodges introduced ciphers, rituals, and more secret ceremonies. As a result of 'hidden' practices Freemasonry became synonymous with the occult.

The United Grand Lodge of England has a web page dedicated to adding clarity on its stance with religion. It quotes the Bible as its volume of sacred laws and its basic statement reads:
Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. It demands of its members a belief in a Supreme Being but provides no system of faith of its own. Freemasons meet in common respect for the Supreme Being, but He remains Supreme in their individual religions, and it is no part of Freemasonry to attempt to join religions together. There is therefore no composite Masonic God.

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