That wasn’t clear from what I read on WIkipedia etc. Freemasonry is in general quite open to different religions. But indeed belief in a ‘supreme being’ is required.
This issue is analysed in some depth here:
http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/atheism-freemasonry.html
Interestingly the first point discussed is the suggested incapability of the convited atheist to morality.
Women aren’t allowed to be Freemasons, except for a few rare and extenuating circumstances.
I think atheists are also banned.
It’s complicated. English Freemasonry does not accept atheists. Continental Freemasonry does. Swedish Freemasonry accepts only Christians.
That wasn’t clear from what I read on WIkipedia etc. Freemasonry is in general quite open to different religions. But indeed belief in a ‘supreme being’ is required. This issue is analysed in some depth here: http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/atheism-freemasonry.html Interestingly the first point discussed is the suggested incapability of the convited atheist to morality.
There are quite a few comparable ‘lodges’ for women.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemasonry_and_women
The main disadvantage is really that there are few that admit both genders.