Scottish Masons Required!
Mark Millar
I have for some time been very interested in becoming a mason. My late
father and grandfather, I believe, were members of the brotherhood here
in Scotland and I have recently been corresponding with an English mason
via the Internet asking what steps I should take to submit myself to my
local lodge for membership. The chap was very helpful, but unfortunately
had no experience of Scottish lodges and couldn't answer a rather
important question I had regarding sectarianism.
One of the greatest attractions to Freemasonry for me is the
non-demonational nature of the organisation. However, here in Scotland,
the historical strains between the Vatican and the lodge have given
masons a reputation among non-members for being anti-catholic. I
understand that this contradicts the very fundamentals of freemasonry
and I hope it's untrue, but some persist Scottish freemasonry is a
distant relative of the sectarian Orange Orders.
I was raised a Catholic and wonder if this would cause me any problems
joining my local Glasgow area lodge. Would this cause some embarrasment
at a later date and should I mention it to the secretary when I write to
him and apply for memebership? Any advice would be much appreciated.
Regards,
Mark
tldean
Hi Mark,
I can't answer for the general practices in the UK but here in the US of
A, there are many good brothers who are Catholic. Freemasonry in the
States puts no restrictions on religion, however, the Pope is not happy
about Catholics joining. Fortunately he has little pull with regards to
Masonry among the brothers here. The Pope's influence may be stronger in
the UK.
Here in the States we have an organization called the "Knights of
Columbus" which was started as a counter to Freemasonry and as far as I
know only accepts Catholics. As I understand it they have an open bar
(serve spirits) and try to sell everyone who joins life insurance. This
is very different from Freemasonry as practiced here.
Follow your heart even if it means bucking the church.
Be well,
T. Lewis Dean, PM
--
General good is the plea of the scoundrel, hypocrite and flatterer.
-- william blake