Letter of the month: June 2001

From: "Boedeker, Russell R" <russell.r.boedeker@intel.com>
To: <masonry-ask@mit.edu>
Subject: For your Letters Section
Date: Tue, 1 May 2001 12:51:11 -0700 

I have noted that many of the recent letters posted to your Masonry web site have included questions and comments regarding religion, and whether Masonry interferes with one's religious beliefs.

I should state that I am a very proud Mason as well as a very proud Christian. I am a member of what many people may call a fundamentally conservative Bible based church. I have found nothing in Masonry that supercedes any of my Christian duties or beliefs, nor anything that dishonors Jesus in any manner. If there were I would not be a member.

What Masonry is is a fine fraternity of men, helping to make good men better. Folks can and should do the research, but nothing should preclude anyone from joining on fear of not being able to be a good Christian.

______________________________________
Russell R. Boedeker
russell.r.boedeker@intel.com

Dear Bro. Boedeker,

Thank you kindly for writing. This web-site gets so many questions concerning the relationship (and supposed incompatibility) of Masonry and conservative Bible-based belief. It is a pleasure to hear from a someone who can speak directly to those concerns on the authority of his own life experience and Christian spiritual understanding.

Since this is an area where I cannot speak with authority or personal experience, I am especially grateful to hear from you, my brother. Your forthright answer speaks clearly. I hope it will help to reassure many who have concerns or even fears about Masonry.

sincerely and fraternally,

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