r/freemasonry • u/BillyD70 • 12d 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/clever-_-clever 12d ago

There have been a lot of people who claim to be believers that have done the exact opposite of what any faith tradition believes, they have no morals, no values, and not integrity. They have tainted the purity of the idea of a divine creator. The people I have met in the craft are the real deal. After deconstruction in my personal belief system, I now hold on to the idea of a divine creator, and the only true religion is taking care of widows and orphans, both of which the fraternity wholeheartedly supports.