Changes

For most jurisdictions of Freemasonry there is a rule that the members must believe in a [[god]] or supreme being and in the immortality of the soul. In Masonry, the supreme being is sometime called "The Great [[Architect]] of the [[Universe]]," or abbreviated by the acronym G.A.O.T.U.; a term that is said to be traceable back to the Christian theologian, [[John Calvin]].  However, as founder of the system of Christian theology now known as [[Calvinism]], Calvin's definition of the G.A.O.T.U. is the biblical definition of the triune [[God]] (God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit.

For most jurisdictions of Freemasonry there is a rule that the members must believe in a [[god]] or supreme being and in the immortality of the soul. In Masonry, the supreme being is sometime called "The Great [[Architect]] of the [[Universe]]," or abbreviated by the acronym G.A.O.T.U.; a term that is said to be traceable back to the Christian theologian, [[John Calvin]].  However, as founder of the system of Christian theology now known as [[Calvinism]], Calvin's definition of the G.A.O.T.U. is the biblical definition of the triune [[God]] (God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit.

Given the fact that Freemasonry accepts men from all religions, the Masonic definition of the G.A.O.T.U. is more in line with Christopher Haffner's explanation in his work, ''Workman Unashamed'' (Lewis Masonic, 1989, p.39):

Given the fact that Freemasonry accepts men from all religions, the Masonic definition of the G.A.O.T.U. is more in line with Freemason Christopher Haffner's explanation in his work, ''Workman Unashamed'' (Lewis Masonic, 1989, p.39):

<blockquote>Now imagine me standing in lodge with my head bowed in prayer between Brother Mohammed Bokhary and Brother Arjun Melwani. To neither of them is the Great Architect of the Universe perceived as the Holy Trinity. To Brother Bokhary He has been revealed as Allah; to Brother Melwani He is probably perceived as Vishnu. Since I believe that there is only one God, I am confronted with three possibilities:  

<blockquote>Now imagine me standing in lodge with my head bowed in prayer between Brother Mohammed Bokhary and Brother Arjun Melwani. To neither of them is the Great Architect of the Universe perceived as the Holy Trinity. To Brother Bokhary He has been revealed as Allah; to Brother Melwani He is probably perceived as Vishnu. Since I believe that there is only one God, I am confronted with three possibilities:  

It is without hesitation that I accept the third possibility.</blockquote>

It is without hesitation that I accept the third possibility.</blockquote>

This Masonic view of God is considered heretical from a [http://www.christiananswers.net/q-aiia/religionssame.html Christian perspective].  Contrary to popular belief, Freemasons are not taught to 'prefer' other Masons or to do them special favors. They are pledged, however, to come to the assistance of other Masons if they are in need, so long as this does not involve any violation of one's ethical standards or imperil the well-being of the assisting Mason's family.

This 'third' option is the Masonic view of God, and is considered heretical from a [http://www.christiananswers.net/q-aiia/religionssame.html Christian perspective].  Contrary to popular belief, Freemasons are not taught to 'prefer' other Masons or to do them special favors. They are pledged, however, to come to the assistance of other Masons if they are in need, so long as this does not involve any violation of one's ethical standards or imperil the well-being of the assisting Mason's family.

== Degrees ==

== Degrees ==