Elks are the same in many(most?) chapters—a higher power whatever that means to you. Still, it’s a shame. A friend wanted me to join but I can’t be bothered with requirements that are silly/force me to express beliefs I don’t believe.
While yes, the unfortunate thing is that it’s pretty christian dominant and my experience has been that don’t appreciate agnostics and pagans in there midsts.
Every lodge is different. Visitors from one lodge to another were once appalled by the more relaxed atmosphere of another. Even in a society of very well documented and studied ‘rules’ and practices can have widely different cultures depending on the town and people. Not all lodges are created equal.
If I recall, Masons don’t require you to worship any specific God, just believe in a higher power or something like that.
Elks are the same in many(most?) chapters—a higher power whatever that means to you. Still, it’s a shame. A friend wanted me to join but I can’t be bothered with requirements that are silly/force me to express beliefs I don’t believe.
While yes, the unfortunate thing is that it’s pretty christian dominant and my experience has been that don’t appreciate agnostics and pagans in there midsts.
my experience is contrary to this. Few people really believe in religion in 2024, it’s not like the pious times in which the rites originated.
In practice, you don’t have to believe in god to be a mason. Although that rule is still around.
Every lodge is different. Visitors from one lodge to another were once appalled by the more relaxed atmosphere of another. Even in a society of very well documented and studied ‘rules’ and practices can have widely different cultures depending on the town and people. Not all lodges are created equal.
Pretty sure that’s AA, not the Masons.
/s