What is Grand (Great) Architect of the Universe GAOTU

[MASON]

Those who oppose Freemasonry will claim that Masons worship a 'false God' whom they claim is GATOU - the "Grand Architect of the Universe" (in some jurisdictions referred to as the "Great Architect of the Universe".

Nothing could be further from the truth!

Let us be quite clear: Freemasonry does NOT have a "god" of any kind. Freemasons however do profess a belief in a Supreme Being.

Perhaps we should repeat:

The organization - FREEMASONRY - has no "god", no religion, no theology, no dogma, no creed....

Freemasonry's members - FREEMASONS - upon petitioning for membership are required to profess a belief in a Supreme Being. They are not required or requested to elaborate any further on their beliefs except to make a positive affirmation that they have such a belief.

The term "Great Architect of the Universe" (or "Grand Architect of the Universe") is used to permit a more generic worship to the Supreme Being of all present. All Masons understand this concept and when prayers are offered in their lodge, they understand that regardless of the person speaking the words or the manner of prayer of others present, the prayer is addressed to their Supreme Being.

To argue that Masons have a 'god' with the name GATOU would be similar to arguing that a church where a prayer is addressed to "Most Holy and Glorious Lord God" had a false God with the name MHAGLG.... It's bizarre in the extreme.

The question is often raised: to whom do Masons pray?

The answer is, quite simply, "To God".

Argumentatively, some will then respond, "Which God?" at which point we must wonder how many Gods THEY believe there are. From the perspective of Masons, there is one Supreme Being and that is to whom we pray.

It really is SO simple....

The term first appeared in Masonic usage in 1723 in a book called Anderson's Constitutions which was, ostensibly, a listing of the rules by which the Grand Lodge of England were governed. It seems that the phrase was probably taken from John Calvin whose teachings formed the basis for Presbyterian and Reformed theology as Anderson was a Presbyterian Minister.

[AthenS]

Mr Mason;

It is important to me what a single sentence.
Freemasonry does not accept any religious or sectarian,Only God has.

I think this correct?
a person of any religion do not mason?

[MASON]

Please excuse my understanding. However I am having hard time understanding your english. Therefore I won't be able to answer question.

[Makbenah]

I think AthenS was asking if any person who has a religion can not be a mason because of believe a religion? This questions answer is in forum.Answer is people who have different religions in the world can be freemason, you must believe a supreme being.There isnt matter what religion  do you believe.You can be Muslim,Christ or Jew.You must read entities in this forum which are involved this issue.

[ADAM]

There are two issues in this regard:

1- If one states that the GAOTU = Supreme Being, then this means a somehow significant definition which actually need to me made without prejudice, and then this shall be followed with the queston: Then what is the Supreme Being? Upon the reply to tha lattar, further logical questions shall eventually and inevitably follow.

2- In theistic religions there's a sort of defined divinity, but this doesn't apply to others such as Hinduism, Taoism, Shintoism as well as not in conformance with deistic beleifs. Hence, those insisting on such criteria that a freemason should hold such a faith may do so in their own jurisdiction, however it should be beared in mind that there're others who consider Freemasonry as impartial to all religions and beliefs, thus adhere to the first article of the original constitutions, and and as regards their consideration it is by this means that all humans can unite. This approach in Universal Freemasonry cannot be ignored or disregarded, even if some allege that ones thinking so are simply irregular. Then the subject matter turns out to be the definition of regularity.