Freemason is not a secret society
SIR: Your publication captioned "Okogie cautions Christians against secret societies, others: (The Guardian, August 12) refers. I would like to disabuse the mind of your readers of the notion that our very revered Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie does not know the difference between
- Religion (e.g. Christianity) and fraternal society (e.g Freemasonry or St. Joseph Societies in Catholic Churches)
- Secrecy and privacy.The funeral obsequies that follow the translation of a Pope and the selection of a new Pope, we believe, are private to the Roman Catholic Church, and the Church cannot be stigmatised "Secret Society" by any fanatical critic. Similarly, Masonic ceremonies are private to our members. There is no law in any civilised country which obliges any lawful association to hold its meetings in the open. Hence the stigma of "Secret Society" is extravagant nonsense.
St. George's Hall on Broad St. Lagos which is our headquarters has been used by masons for over 100 years. It is only a walking distance from the Holy Cross (Catholic) Cathedral. Literary curiosities have recently been satisfied by the "internet" exposing hidden truths.
History tells us of the anti-masonry Papal Bull of Pope Clement XII promulgated in 1738 and that of his successor Pope Benedict IV (1740-1758). But the reconciliation efforts of W. Bro. Harry Car, the author of the "Freemasons at work", Cardinal Heenan, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster and others will forever be appreciated. His Holiness, Pope John Paul II will be remembered for
- his reparation moves Ð he visited the Muslims, Jews and Buddhists, even worshipping with Muslims in their Mosque in Damascus, Syria in 2001.
- His efforts towards Ecumenism or Syncretism (unity of religions) especially among the monotheists.
Freemasonry being a democratic organisation can have no place in a society where freedom of thought or speech is forbidden. With the end of the dictatorial regimes of Mussolini, Hitler and Franco, Freemasonry began once more in the countries concerned. Similarly, theocratic governments are also prejudiced against masonry. Anti-masonry stems from Ignorance and Fear Religious leaders who oppose Freemasonry and persecute Freemasons do so out of the fear that Freemasonry is a Religion which if left alone might overthrow their own religion. We, as Freemasons, know that Freemasonry is not a Religion. However, it embraces and accommodates all religions.
No matter what religion one belongs to one would find in Freemasonry some tenets that conform to the fundamental doctrines of the religion in which one was brought up. In this respect Freemasonry is all-embracing. It is all accommodating in that no member of any religion is refused initiation into Freemasonry simply because of the religion he practises. On the contrary no self-confessed atheist can be initiated into any Freemason's Lodge.
Freemasonry is not associated with 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 salvation by works, by secrets knowledge or by any other means. The secrets of Freemasonry are concerned with modes of recognition and not with salvation.
There is an old saying that there are none as blind as those who won't see. Those who decry Freemasonry may fall into this category, but we Masons shall continue to educate the public to dispel rumours and eradicate deliberate ignorance.
I.B. Ogun,
President of the Board of General Purposes,
For: District Grand Lodge of Nigeria
http://www.nigeriafreemasons.com/2010/04/freemason-is-not-a-secret-society/
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