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Supreme Being |
| Part of a series on |
| God |
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General Conceptions Specific conceptions Experience and practices Related topics |
The term Supreme Being is often defined simply as "God",1 and it is used with this meaning by theologians of many religious faiths, including, but not limited to, Christianity,2 Islam,3 Hinduism,4 and Deism.5 However, the term can also refer to more complex or philosophical interpretations of the divine. Many fraternal organisations, 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.67
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In Christian Theology, the term Supreme Being can refer to God, the Father almighty.8 It can also be used to refer to the Christian Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.9
Para Brahman is referred to as the Supreme Being, as the main force, power or energy, and all forms of divinity are considered to be merely His diverse divine descents, expansions, aspects, or manifestations.
Islamic scholars have used the term to refer to 'Allah', the Islamic name for God.10
Definition of Supreme Being is loose and left for a follower to suit one's own conception.
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.1112
Candidates for regular freemasonry are required to declare a belief in a Supreme Being.6 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, in part so a candidate or Mason will not be placed in the situation of having to justify his personal interpretation.13 Thus, reference to the Supreme Being will mean the Christian Trinity to a Christian Mason, Allah to a Muslem Mason, Para Brahman to a Hindu Mason, etc. And while most Freemasons would take the view that the term Supreme Being equates to God, others may hold a more complex or philosophical interpretation of the term.
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