J. Howard Duncan, 32°, K.C.C.H.
PO Box 56, Lecompton, Kansas 66050

The long-accepted practices of Masonry prohibit the admission of an atheist. Simply put, an atheist is a person who denies the existence of God. An atheist, in effect, is a person who believes human existence and even the world as we know it are the result of random events without direction or purpose. This prohibition of atheists would seem to be quite strange if viewed solely from the Masonic position of being a great promoter of freedom of religion. Should not freedom of religion include freedom from religion? There are atheists who possess the admired qualities of good intellect, motivation for achievement, high standards of fairness and honesty, empathy for others, and a strong sense of social responsibility. They are good people by all of the yardsticks of judgement which come readily to mind. Why should they not be Masons? The answer lies in one word—trust.

In our dealings and interactions with other people, we do not get to know very many intimately. Our acceptance with most people must be based on trust. No doubt centuries ago our Masonic leaders concluded that an atheist was not worthy of the deep trust which one Mason gives to another. Why should this be so? Because a person lacking belief in God and the possibility of an afterlife and later retribution or reward for his worldly actions would lack incentive to do the right thing. He would be guided, for the most part, by doing what would benefit him here and now.

Even if he were not selfishly motivated, how could others recognize and accept his unique perfection in the face of his denial of God's existence? An atheist would have no God-inspired moral limitations on lying or deceiving you to any extent possible as necessary for his personal benefit. An oath given in the name of God when the pledger believes there is no God is meaningless. At best, an atheist would make a high-risk Brother! There is good and wise counsel in the Masonic prohibition against initiating atheists.

Akin to the atheist is the agnostic who is someone who believes there can be no proof of the existence of God, but does not deny the possibility that God exists. Like the atheists, agnostics probably constitute a small percentage of our American population. Far more common is the person who believes in God and has had a specific religious influence in his development of character and morals, but does not now attend organized religious services. It is of importance to recognize that such people are neither atheists nor agnostics simply due to lack of formal religion. Because we are largely a nation of Christians, many of these non-churchgoers still support the principles of Christianity as their personal guide. Perhaps many of them have been unable to resolve what they perceive as a conflict between science and Christianity. Or their denomination, by taking a fundamentalist approach demanding total acceptance of the Bible in its firmest literal interpretation, may have caused their turning from the formal church. While we can hope that these people will soon discover an organized religion to their liking, their present lack of such should not disqualify them as Masons.

Tolerance, where it can be given without compromise, remains an ideal of Freemasonry. As Scottish Rite Freemasons of whatever faith, we are encouraged to practice toleration. Good people of every religion throughout the world should be recognized as good people. We are all neighbors on a shrinking planet.

Acceptance of an atheist as a Mason is a different matter. Not different because the atheist is de facto a bad person, but because with an atheist there is no basis of trust. While we cannot welcome them into our ancient Fraternity, our dealings with atheists must be as honorable as with all others. We owe them no less because they cannot accept God. Honesty and fairness must be our guides both in and beyond the boundaries of our Brotherhood.

J. Howard Duncan is a licensed engineer and a diplomate of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers now retired from a 35-year career as an environmental engineer and administrator for the Kansas State Department of Health and Environment. His hobbies are writing, public speaking, theatre, and historical reenactment related to pre-Civil War "Bleeding Kansas." In 1992, he served as Venerable Master, Scottish Rite Bodies of Lawrence, Kansas. Brother Duncan is also active in the York Rite with honors as K.Y.C.H. and Knight of the Red Cross of Constantine.