Interested in joining?
Would you like to join Freemasonry?
Freemasonry is not a religion. Masons who treat it as such are mistaken. Freemasonry strongly encourages its members to belong to an established religion, although that is not a requirement for membership (only that a candidate profess a belief in a Supreme Being). Masonry is a fraternal organization that encourages morality and charity and studies philosophy. It has no clergy, no sacraments, and does not promise salvation to its members.
There is nothing in Freemasonry that conflicts with most religions. However, Freemasonry does insist on religious tolerance. To the extent that certain religious groups would wish to suppress other religions or persecute their followers, Freemasons would be in opposition to such activities, and adherents of such groups would be both uncomfortable and unwelcome in Masonry.
It is also the case that certain religious groups are misinformed about Freemasonry and believe things about the Fraternity that are not true; basing their opinions on this false information, they then formulate opinions that create conflict.
Masonry does not recruit members, does not compel attendance at any of its meetings, charges modest dues and fees (some little changed from sixty years ago, when the dollar was worth a lot more), encourages community service and participation in civic and religious organizations, and allows any member to quit (demit) at any time (providing he has no outstanding financial obligations; otherwise, he is liable to be suspended, but in either case, he would no longer be a member).
It is easier to get out of Masonry than it is to get into it!
There are fewer mysteries to Masonry than most non-members imagine; even many Masons are not entirely clear on what is and is not confidential in Freemasonry.
The moral principles of Masonry are the same as those taught you in Sunday school or at your mother's knee (sometimes over it!); it is only the exact procedures and words by which those principles are taught in Masonry that are confidential, for it is the knowledge of those that distinguishes a Mason from those who are not members
To be entitled to the fellowship peculiar to the Lodge, a Mason must be able to identify himself, and these surreptitious methods provide the means for doing so.
Masonry is not a public organization like a school board or a city council. It is an association of private citizens, just like a country club or a church.
No one who is not a member has a right to know about the internal workings of any of these things. They are private or confidential to the group.
Masons must take solemn obligations to be faithful to the principles of Masonry, and their very nature and seriousness implies that there should be penalties.
However, the language of these obligations makes it clear that the penalties are not actually inflicted by the Lodge or any body of Masonry but are expressions of how disgraced and also how contemptible one should feel for violating such an obligation.
In some jurisdictions, the candidate is told that the penalties are of "ancient origin and symbolic only." Later degrees make this even more apparent, even if the actual information is not specifically addressed to the candidate.
But the true penalties for violation of the laws of Masonry are three only:
Admonition (reprimand), suspension, or expulsion.
Stories about Masons being maimed or murdered for violation of their oaths are just that: fiction. Not one single instance can be documented, despite the many attempts by the enemies of Masonry to promote this slander.
Freemasonry is a society dedicated to free thinking and freedom of all kinds. No Mason has the right to dictate to another what he shall or shall not believe regarding his religion, his politics, or even his interpretation of the Masonic symbols.
There are a number of conventional interpretations of the symbols of Freemasonry, some of which are given in the lectures of the degrees, but no Mason is required to accept any or all of them; he is free to explore the world of thought and make up his own mind.
Freemasonry demands from its members a respect for the law of the country in which a man works and lives. Its principles do not in any way conflict with its members' duties as citizens, but should strengthen them in fulfilling their private and public responsibilities.
The use by a Freemason of their membership to promote his own or anyone else's business, professional or personal interests is condemned, and is contrary to the conditions on which he sought admission to Freemasonry.
His duty as a citizen must always prevail over any obligation to other Freemasons, and any attempt to shield a Freemason who has acted dishonorably or unlawfully is contrary to this prime duty.
Your Questions
Answered
Q.What is Freemasonry ?
Freemasonry is the U.K.'s largest secular, fraternal
and charitable organisation. It teaches moral lessons
and self-knowledge through participation in a progression
of allegorical two-part plays.
Q. Why do some churches not like Freemasonry?
There are elements within churches who misunderstand Freemasonry and its objectives. They confuse secular rituals with religious liturgy. There are many Masons in churches where their leaders have been openly critical of the organisation. Masonry has always actively encouraged its members to be active in their own religion.
Q. Who do the Masonic charities donate to?
Whilst there are Masonic charities that cater specifically, but not exclusively, for Masons or their dependants, others make significant grants to non-Masonic organisations.
Q. What happens at a lodge meeting?
The meeting is in two parts. As in any association
there is a certain amount of administrative procedure
- minutes of last meeting, proposing and balloting
for new members, discussing and voting on financial
matters, election of officers, news and correspondence.
Then there are the ceremonies for admitting new
Masons and the annual installation of the Master
and appointment of officers. The three ceremonies
for admitting a new Mason are in two parts - a slight
dramatic instruction in the principles and lessons
taught in the Craft followed by a lecture in which
the candidate's various duties are spelled out.
Q. Isn't ritual out of place in modern
society?
No. The ritual is a shared experience which binds
the members together. Its use of drama, allegory
and symbolism impresses the principles and teachings
more firmly in the mind of each candidate than if
they were simply passed on to him in matter-of-fact
modern language.
Q. Why do grown men run around with
their trousers rolled up?
It is true that candidates have to roll up their
trouser legs during the three ceremonies when they
are being admitted to membership. Taken out of context,
this can seem amusing, but like many other aspects
of Freemasonry, it has a symbolic meaning.
Q. Why do Freemasons take oaths?
New members make solemn promises concerning their
conduct in Lodge and in society. Each member also
promises to keep confidential the traditional methods
of proving that he is a Freemason which he would
use when visiting a lodge where he is not known.
Freemasons do not swear allegiances to each other
or to Freemasonry. Freemasons promise to support
others in times of need, but only if that support
does not conflict with their duties to God, the
law, their family or with their responsibilities
as a Citizen.
Q. Why do your 'obligations' contain
hideous penalties?
They no longer do. When Masonic ritual was developing
in the late 1600s and 1700s it was quite common
for legal and civil oaths to include physical penalties
and Freemasonry simply followed the practice of
the times. In Freemasonry, however, the physical
penalties were always symbolic and were never carried
out. After long discussion, they were removed from
the promises in 1986.
Q. Are Freemasons expected to prefer
fellow Masons at the expense of others in giving jobs, promotions, contracts
and the like?
Absolutely not. That would be a misuse of membership
and subject to Masonic discipline. On his entry
into Freemasonry each candidate states unequivocally
that he expects no material gain from his membership.
At various stages during the three ceremonies of
his admission and when he is presented with a certificate
from Grand Lodge that the admission ceremonies have
been completed, he is forcefully reminded that attempts
to gain preferment or material gain for himself
or others is a misuse of membership which will not
be tolerated. The Book of Constitutions, which every
candidate receives, contains strict rules governing
abuse of membership which can result in penalties
varying from temporary suspension to expulsion.
Q. Isn't it true that Freemasons only
look after each other?
No. From its earliest days, Freemasonry has been involved in charitable activities.
Since its inception, Freemasonry has provided support not only for widows and
orphans of Freemasons but also for many others within the community. Whilst
some Masonic charities cater specifically but not exclusively for Masons or
their dependents, others make significant grants to non-Masonic organisations.
On a local level, lodges give substantial support to local causes.
Q. Aren't
you a religion or a rival to religion?
Emphatically not. Freemasonry requires a belief
in God and its principles are common to many of
the world's great religions. Freemasonry does not
try to replace religion or substitute for it. Every
candidate is exhorted to practise his religion and
to regard its holy book as the unerring standard
of truth. Freemasonry does not instruct its members
in what their religious beliefs should be, nor does
it offer sacraments. Freemasonry deals in relations
between men; religion deals in a man's relationship
with his God.
Q. Why do
you call it the VSL and not the Bible?
To the majority of Freemasons the Volume of the
Sacred Law is the Bible. There are many in Freemasonry,
however, who are not Christian and to them the Bible
is not their sacred book and they will make their
promises on the book which is regarded as sacred
to their religion. The Bible will always be present
in an English lodge but as the organisation welcomes
men of many different faiths, it is called the Volume
of the Sacred Law. Thus, when the Volume of the
Sacred Law is referred to in ceremonies, to a non-Christian
it will be the holy book of his religion and to
a Christian it will be the Bible.
Q. Why do
you call God the Great Architect?
Freemasonry embraces all men who believe in God.
Its membership includes Christians, Jews, Hindus,
Sikhs, Muslims, Parsees and others. The use of descriptions
such as the Great Architect prevents disharmony.
The Great Architect is not a specific Masonic god
or an attempt to combine all gods into one. Thus,
men of differing religions pray together without
offence being given to any of them.
Q. Why don't
some churches like Freemasonry?
There are elements within certain churches who misunderstand
Freemasonry and confuse secular rituals with religious
liturgy. Although the Methodist Conference and the
General Synod of the Anglican Church have occasionally
criticised Freemasonry, in both Churches there are
many Masons and indeed others who are dismayed that
the Churches should attack Freemasonry, an organisation
which has always encouraged its members to be active
in their own religion.
Q. Why will
Freemasonry not accept Roman Catholics as members?
It does. The prime qualification for admission into
Freemasonry has always been a belief in God. How
that belief is expressed is entirely up to the individual.
Four Grand Masters of English Freemasonry have been
Roman Catholics. There are many Roman Catholic Freemasons.
Q. Isn't Freemasonry
just another political pressure group?
Emphatically not. Whilst individual Freemasons will
have their own views on politics and state policy,
Freemasonry as a body will never express a view
on either. The discussion of politics at Masonic
meetings has always been prohibited.
Q. Are there
not Masonic groups who are involved in politics?
There are groups in other countries who call themselves
Freemasons and who involve themselves in political
matters. They are not recognised or countenanced
by the United Grand Lodge of England and other regular
Grand Lodges who follow the basic principles of
Freemasonry and ban the discussion of politics and
religion at their meetings.
Q. Is Freemasonry
an international Order?
Only in the sense that Freemasonry exists throughout
the free world. Each Grand Lodge is sovereign and
independent, and whilst following the same basic
principles, may have differing ways of passing them
on. There is no international governing body for
Freemasonry.
Q. What is
the relationship between Freemasonry and groups
like the Orange Order, Odd Fellows and Buffaloes?
None. There are numerous fraternal orders and Friendly
Societies whose rituals, regalia and organisation
are similar in some respects to Freemasonry's. They
have no formal or informal connections with Freemasonry.
Q. Why don't
you have women members?
Traditionally, Freemasonry under the United Grand
Lodge of England has been restricted to men. The
early stonemasons were all male, and when Freemasonry
was organising, the position of women in society
was different from today. If women wish to join
Freemasonry, there are two separate Grand Lodges
in England restricted to women only.
Q. Why do
you wear regalia?
Wearing regalia is historical and symbolic and,
like a uniform, serves to indicate to members where
they rank in the organisation.
Q. How many
Freemasons are there?
Under the United Grand Lodge of England, there are
330,000 Freemasons, meeting in 8,644 lodges. There
are separate Grand Lodges for Ireland (which covers
north and south) and Scotland, with a combined membership
of 150,000. Worldwide, there are probably 5 million
members.
Q. How and
when did Freemasonry start?
It is not known. The earliest recorded 'making'
of a Freemason in England is that of Elias Ashmole
in 1646. Organised Freemasonry began with the founding
of the Grand Lodge of England on 24 June 1717, the
first Grand Lodge in the world. Ireland followed
in 1725 and Scotland in 1736. All the regular Grand
Lodges in the world trace themselves back to one
or more of the Grand Lodges in the British Isles.
There are two main theories of origin. According
to one, the operative stonemasons who built the
great cathedrals and castles had lodges in which
they discussed trade affairs. They had simple initiation
ceremonies and, as there were no City and Guilds
certificates, dues cards or trade union membership
cards, they adopted confidential signs and words to demonstrate
that they were trained masons when they moved from
site to site. In the 1600s, these operative lodges
began to accept non-operatives as "gentlemen masons".
Gradually these non-operatives took over the lodges
and turned them from operative to 'free and accepted'
or 'speculative' lodges. The other theory is that
in the late 1500s and early 1600s, there was a group
which was interested in the promotion of religious
and political tolerance in an age of great intolerance
when differences of opinion on matters of religion
and politics were to lead to bloody civil war. In
forming Freemasonry, they were trying to make better
men and build a better world. As the means of teaching
in those days was by allegory and symbolism, they
took the idea of building as the central allegory
on which to form their system. The main source of
allegory was the Bible, the contents of which were
known to everyone even if they could not read, and
the only building described in detail in the Bible
was King Solomon's Temple, which became the basis
of the ritual. The old trade guilds provided them
with their basis administration of a Master, Wardens,
Treasurer and Secretary, and the operative mason's
tools provided them with a wealth of symbols with
which to illustrate the moral teachings of Freemasonry.
Q. How many
degrees are there in Freemasonry?
Basic Freemasonry consists of the three 'Craft'
degrees (Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master
Mason) completed by the Royal Arch degree (Chapter).
There are many other Masonic degrees and Orders
which are called 'additional' because they add to
the basis of the Craft and Royal Arch. They are
not basic to Freemasonry but add to it by further
expounding and illustrating the principles stated
in the Craft and Royal Arch. Some of these additional
degrees are numerically superior to the third degree
but this does not affect the fact that they are
additional to and not in anyway superior to or higher
than the Craft. The ranks that these additional
degrees carry have no standing with the Craft or
Royal Arch.
Q. How much
does it cost to be a Freemason?
It varies from lodge to lodge but anyone wishing
to join can find a lodge to suit his pocket. On
entry, there is an initiation fee and an apron to
buy. A member pays an annual subscription to his
lodge which covers his membership and the administrative
cost of running the lodge. It is usual to have a
meal after the meeting; the cost of this can be
included either in the annual subscription or paid
for at the time. It is entirely up to the individual
member what he gives to Charity, but it should always
be without detriment to his other responsibilities.
Similarly, he may join as many lodges as his time
and pocket can allow as long as it does not adversely
affect his family life and responsibilities.
Interested in joining?
Why do people join and remain members?
People became Freemasons for a variety of reasons, some as the result of family tradition, others upon the introduction of a friend or out of a curiosity to know what it is all about.
Those who become active members and who grow in Freemasonry do so principally because they enjoy it.
They enjoy the challenges and fellowship that Freemasonry offers. There is more to it, however, than just enjoyment.
Participation in the dramatic presentation of moral lessons and in the working of a lodge provides a member with a unique opportunity to learn more about himself and encourages him to live in such a way that he will always be in search of becoming a better man, not better than someone else but better than he himself would otherwise be and therefore an exemplary member of society.
Each Freemason is required to learn and show humility through initiation. Then, by progression through a series of degrees he gains insight into increasingly complex moral and philosophical concepts, and accepts a variety of challenges and responsibilities which are both stimulating and rewarding.
The structure and working of the lodge and the sequence of ceremonial events, which are usually followed by social gatherings, offer members a framework for companionship, teamwork, character development and enjoyment of shared experiences.
New members make solemn promises concerning their conduct in the lodge and in society. These promises are similar to those taken in court or upon entering the armed services or many other organisations.
Each member also promises to keep confidential the traditional methods of proving he is a Freemason which he would use when visiting a lodge where he is not known.
Members also undertake not to make use of their membership for personal gain or advancement; failure to observe this principle or otherwise to fall below the standards expected of a Freemason canlead to expulsion.
Membership is open to men of all faiths who are law-abiding, of good character and who acknowledge a belief in God.
Freemasonry is a multi-racial and multi-cultural organisation. It has attracted men of goodwill from all sectors of the community into membership.
Freemasonry is not a religion. It has no theology and does not teach any route to salvation.
A belief in God, however, is an essential requirement for membership and Freemasonry actively encourages its members to be active in their own religions as well as in society at large.
Although every lodge meeting is opened and closed with a prayer and its ceremonies reflect the essential truths and moral teachings common to many of the world's great religions, no discussion of religion is permitted in lodge meetings.
Freemasonry is not a clandestine society, but lodge meetings, like meetings of many other social and professional associations, are private occasions open only to members.
Freemasons are encouraged to speak openly about their membership, while remembering that they undertake not to use it fortheir own or anyone else's advancement.
As members are sometimes the subject of discrimination which may adversely affect their employment or other aspects of their lives, some Freemasons are understandably reticent about discussing their membership.
In common with many other national organisations, Grand Lodge neither maintains nor publishes a list of members and will not disclose names or member's details without their permission.
In circumstances where a conflict of interest might arise or be perceived to exist or when Freemasonry becomes an issue, a Freemason must declare an interest.
The rules and aims of Freemasonry are available to the public.
The Masonic Year Book, also available to the public, contains the names of all national office-holders and lists of all lodges with details of their meeting dates and places.
The meeting places and halls used by Freemasons are readily identifiable, are listed in telephone directories and in many areas are used by the local community for activities other than Freemasonry.
Freemasons' Halls are open to the public and 'open days' are held in many provincial centres.
The rituals and ceremonies used by Freemasons to pass on the principles of Freemasonry to new members were first revealed publicly in 1723. They include the traditional forms of recognition used by Freemasons essentially to prove their identity and qualifications when entering a Masonic meeting.
