| There are many that believe that Masonry is | | | | ritual. Such as starting a school program everyday |
| some secretive type of religion where as the | | | | with the same opening, or ongoing business |
| Freemasons vigorously refute this. They will tell | | | | meetings. The purpose of their rituals is simply a |
| you that yes they have a alter which supports | | | | teaching aid, a way of getting their point across. |
| the volume of the Sacred Law. Just what this is is | | | | When it comes to reference of their use of |
| not quite clear. They stipulate they open their | | | | symbols they simply indicate that any type of |
| meeting in prayer, but it is unclear as to whom | | | | communication is a form of symbol and will quite |
| they are praying to. Some temples will tell you | | | | often used the ordinary stop sign as being a |
| that you just have to believe in a supreme being, | | | | symbol to indicate a purpose or meaning. The |
| while others say it is God. Then there is the | | | | most common symbols used by the masons are... |
| concept because they use the name of temple | | | | - The square and compass is the trademark of |
| for their meeting places then it must be religious. | | | | the Freemasons |
| They state that they simply encourage their | | | | - The square is meant to depict the earth and its |
| members to be active in a religion and church of | | | | responsibility to honor and truthfulness as well as |
| their own choice. | | | | integrity. |
| It would seem that a new member would often | | | | - The compass is a symbol of the spirit and |
| receive a Masonic Bible as a gift. The claim is | | | | self-control |
| made that this is most often the Holy Bible being | | | | - The G stands both for geometry in accordance |
| the King James Version. It has an added front | | | | with the beliefs of historical science in its |
| page to name the recipient of the gift and the | | | | relationship with God, and it stands for God as |
| purpose for receiving it. Some of them may have | | | | well. |
| a special index to show what the rituals are | | | | The gavel is to depict self-control and |
| referring to in regards to scripture verses. | | | | self-discipline as being key components of man. |
| This can become quite confusing based on other | | | | The hourglass is a reminder that time stands still |
| information they have supplied. They say they | | | | for no man and there is no room for |
| don't force a member into believing in God, yet | | | | procrastination. |
| they hand out King James Bibles. They say they | | | | The meanings of most of the other Masonic |
| don't preach religion yet they depict scripture in | | | | symbols are obvious. The gavel teaches the |
| their rituals. | | | | importance of self-control and self-discipline. The |
| In reference to rituals, they offer the fact that | | | | hourglass teaches us that time is running up and |
| anything that is done repeatedly is a form of | | | | procrastination is not an option. |