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Famous Masons

Dr. T. J. Barnardo (1845-1905). Philanthropist, and founder and director of homes for destitute children. His work is continued today by the charity Barnardo's.

Robert Burns (1759-1796). Scottish poet and lyricist. He was regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic movement and after his death became an important source of inspiration to the founders of liberalism and socialism.

Sir Winston L. S. Churchill (1874-1965). British politician known chiefly for his leadership during World War II. He served as Prime Minister from 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951 to 1955.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930). Author noted for his stories about the detective Sherlock Holmes, which are generally regarded as a major innovation in the field of crime fiction.

Sir Alexander Fleming (1881-1955). Biologist and pharmacologist who published many articles on bacteriology, immunology and chemotherapy. His best-known achievements include the discovery of the enzyme lysozyme and the antibiotic substance penicillin.

Rudyard J. Kipling (1865-1936). English author and poet, best known for his works The Jungle Book, Just So Stories and Kim. He was the first author writing in the English language to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature and remains its youngest ever recipient.

Sir Leonard Hutton (1916-1990). English cricketer who dominated the national and international cricket scene for the decade following the Second World War. He was honoured with the England team captaincy, breaking an age-old tradition that the position could be held only by an amateur.

Latest News

July 25th: The Freemasons' Grand Charity announces £1 million in major grants. More...

July 12th: Appeal 2011, held in support of the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys, has so far raised the magnificent sum of £891,330. More...

Mar 7th: The Freemasons' Grand Charity approves £20,000 in relief for the Chile earthquake. More ...

Jan 15th: The Freemasons' Grand Charity approves £30,000 in relief for the Haiti earthquake. More...

Nov 25th: The Freemasons' Grand Charity awards £10,000 for Cumbrian flood relief efforts. More...

Oct 15th: The Freemasons' Grand Charity awards £400,000 to non-Masonic charities. More...

Oct 15th: The Freemasons' Grand Charity donates £50,000 to the Red Cross Asia Pacific Disasters Appeal. More...

Sept 4th: Are you thinking of becoming a Freemason? More...

Sept 4th: The United Grand Lodge of England's new website is revealed. More...

Aug 10th: Malvern's Freemasons donate £1,000 to Community Action! More...

June 16th: The Freemasons' Grand Charity gives £2 million to national charities. More...

June 10th: The Malvern Hills Lodge website goes live! More...

June 10th: The Freemasons' Grand Charity donates £5,000 in emergency aid to flood stricken Namibia. More...

June 5th: The Freemasons' Grand Charity presented grants totalling £550,000 to ten charities at a special event commemorating the anniversary of the installation of His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, KG, as Grand Master. More...

[News Archive]

Freemasonry and Religion

Introduction

The following information is intended to deal with a topic mentioned in the leaflet 'What is Freemasonry'.

It explains the United Grand Lodge of England's view of the relationship between Freemasonry and religion.

Basic Statement

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.

Freemasonry is open to men of all religious faiths. The discussion of religion at its meetings is forbidden.

The Supreme Being

The names used for the Supreme Being enable men of different faiths to join in prayer (to God as each sees Him) without the terms of the prayer causing dissension among them.

There is no separate Masonic God; a Freemason's God remains the God of the religion he professes.

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.

Volume of the Sacred Law

The Bible, referred to by Freemasons as the Volume of the Sacred Law, is always open at every Masonic meeting.

The Obligation of Freemasonry

The Obligations taken by Freemasons are sworn on or involve the Volume of the Sacred Law, or the book held sacred by those concerned. They are undertakings to help keep secret a Freemason's means of recognition, and to follow the principles of Freemasonry.

The physical penalties, which are purely symbolic, do not form part of an Obligation. The commitment to follow the principles of Freemasonry is, however, deep.

Freemasonry Compared with Religion

Freemasonry lacks the basic elements of religion.

It has no theological doctrine, and by forbidding religious discussion at its meetings will not allow a Masonic theological doctrine to develop.

It offers no sacraments.

It does not claim to lead to salvation by works, by secret knowledge or by any other means. The secrets of Freemasonry are concerned with modes of recognition and not with salvation.

Freemasonry Supports Religion

Freemasonry is far from indifferent to religion. Without interfering in religious practise it expects each member to follow his own faith, and to place above all other duties his duty to God, by whatever name He is known. Its moral teachings are acceptable to all religions.

Freemasonry is thus a supporter of religion.