Supreme_being

The term Supreme Being is often defined simply as "God",definition according to Miriam-Webster on line dictionary. and it is used with this meaning by theologians of many religious faiths, including, but not limited to, Christianity,http://www.actsweb.org/articles/article.php?i=1431&d=2&c=2 and http://www.orthodoxresearchinstitute.org/articles/dogmatics/baroudy_god_supreme_being.htm Islam,Revelation - Sacred Theology Hinduism,The Hindu Online edition of India\'s National Newspaper, Monday, Sep 22, 2003 and Deism.website showing usage by Deists during the French Revolution. However, the term can also refer to more complex or philosophical interpretations of the divine. Many fraternal organizations, especially those which admit members of diverse religious backgrounds (such as Freemasonry) use the term as a generic description, allowing the candidate to adhere to whichever deity or concept he holds to be appropriate.Is Freemasonry a religion?. United Grand Lodge of England. Retrieved on 2007-05-08.MQ MAGAZINE Issue 13 - God and the Craft

Usage in Christian Theology

In Christian Theology, the term Supreme Being can refer to God, the Father almighty.God - the Supreme Being It can also be used to refer to the Christian Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.The Sense of a Supreme Being

Usage in Islam

Islamic scholars use the term to refer to Allah.Allah, al-llah

Usage in Freemasonry

Candidates for regular freemasonry are required to declare a belief in a Supreme Being.Is Freemasonry a religion?. United Grand Lodge of England. Retrieved on 2007-05-08.

Most Freemasons would take the view that the Supreme Being equates to God; others hold a more complex or philosophical interpretation of the term. However, the candidate is not asked to expand on, or explain, his or her interpretation of Supreme Being. The discussion of politics and religion is forbidden within a Masonic Lodge so a candidate or Mason should not be placed in the situation of having to justify the interpretation.Becoming a Mason - To become one, ask one: What is Freemasonry? accessed 10 June 2007

In Masonic ritual the Supreme Being is referred to as Great Architect of the Universe, which alludes to the use of architectural symbolism within Freemasonry.William K. Bissey. "G.A.O.T.U.", The Indiana Freemason, Spring 1997. S. Brent Morris. The Complete Idiot\'s Guide to Freemasonry. Alpha/Penguin Books, 212. ISBN 1-59257-490-4. 

See also

• Demiurge
• God
• Names of God
• Conceptions of God
• Existence of God
• Cult of the Supreme Being
• God the Father
• Great Mother

References

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