1) What is
Freemasonry?
Freemasonry is the
oldest and largest fraternal order in the world. It is
a universal brotherhood of men dedicated to serving
God, family, fellowman, and country. It is often
described as a beautiful system of morality, veiled in
allegory and illustrated with symbols.
Though its exact origins are uncertain,
it is generally believed that the organization
descended from the guilds of stone or "operative"
masons who were "free" to travel from city to city to
employ their skills in the building of Gothic churches
and cathedrals in Medieval Europe. These craftsmen
were known for the architectural skills and commitment
to high standards and ethical values, and their guilds
or operating lodges served as learning centers and
protectors of competitive trade secrets, to be
revealed only to trusted, capable companions.
Gradually, as the cathedrals and churches were
completed and the need for building skills declined,
the lodges began to accept men of prominence who were
not stonemasons, but who nevertheless desired to
associate with the operative craftsmen. This new class
of members, known as "speculative" masons, were given
the status of "accepted"; that is, accepted into the
lodges as members having something to offer, but to be
distinguished from the operative masons. As time went
on, these speculative masons outnumbered the operative
masons, and the lodges accordingly shifted their focus
from the discussion of technical and operative
building arts to the teaching and practice of moral
philosophy. It was from these groups of accepted
masons that Freemasonry as we know it today had
emerged.
2) How is Freemasonry
organized?
The fraternity is
organized into what are known as Symbolic or "Blue"
Lodges. Each Blue Lodge is comprised of a group of
Masons who meet on a regular basis. Blue Lodges are
organized under a Grand Lodge, which serves as the
authority for and dictates the practices of all lodges
within its jurisdiction. No regularly constituted
lodge can come into being without the consent of a
Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge is the highest Masonic
authority within the jurisdiction in which it resides;
its word on any Masonic subject is Masonic law within
its own borders. In the United States
, Masonic
jurisdictions are coincident with state lines.
The first Grand Lodge was established in
England in
1717. The fraternity grew rapidly soon after. Today,
there are an estimated 5 million Masons throughout the
world, with the United
States claiming about
3.5 million of the total
membership.
3) What are the Masonic
"degrees"?
A man who
enters Masonry does so by progressing through three
ritualistic ceremonies or degrees, each of which is
designed to inculcate important principles and
practices of the fraternity. The three degrees are
Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason. The
significance of the lessons presented within each
degree ceremony become more apparent to the candidate
as he proceeds through them. The ceremonies are of a
serious and solemn nature, and the candidate should
have no apprehensions whatsoever in participating in
the ceremonies or of the manner of his reception into each
degree.
4) Is Freemasonry
a
religion?
No. While the moral philosophy of Freemasonry is based
upon religious principles, it is not in itself a
religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. To
state it another way, the Fraternity does not regard
itself as an instrument of God for the purpose of
reconciling men to Him, but it does teach that men do
need such reconciliation and should seek it through
the religious faith of their preference. Candidates
for Masonry are thus required to profess a belief in
God and be of good moral character, though they are
not required to be of any particular religious
affiliation. Consequently, the fraternity is comprised
of and welcomes men of all religious beliefs and
persuasions. How and where a Mason chooses to practice
his faith is entirely his own business.
More information on this topic
can be obtained at the following link: Freemasonry and
Religion.
5) Is Freemasonry
a political
organization?
No. Masonic organizations and
Freemasonry in general are non-political. Lodge
memberships consist of men of diverse political and
social views. As Masons, they recognize one another as
friends and brothers without regard to political party
or allegiance. Indeed, partisan (as well as religious)
discussions are forbidden within lodge meetings, as
such topics can often result in divisiveness and
disharmony.
It is also important to remember that Masonry
never requires its members to do or say anything that
might conflict with their duty to God, their country,
their neighbors, or themselves. A man's obligations as
a Mason in no way conflict with his obligations as a
member of society. On the contrary, the Masonic
Fraternity reiterates, reinforces, and reemphasizes
them.
6) Is Freemasonry a
charity?
Freemasonry is not a charity organization per se,
although charity is a basic teaching and important
element of the fraternity. Masons assist distressed
brother Masons and their needy families through
charity funds, maintained by most lodges.
But
Masonic charity also reaches well beyond the
Fraternity. Indeed, Masonry spends over $2,000,000 per
day to support charitable causes. The best-known
examples of such charities are the Shriners'
Hospitals for Children. Known as the "World's
Greatest Philanthropy", this renowned pediatric
healthcare system provides outstanding treatment for
children with orthopedic problems and serious burn
injuries. A remarkable aspect of these hospitals is
that they do not have a patient billing department -
all services are provided totally without
charge to the patient and family, and without
regard to the family's Masonic
affiliation.
Other examples of Masonic charity include
treatment, rehabilitation, and research services for
learning and speech disorders, cancer, mental illness,
vision problems, and those in need of special dental
restoration.
7) Is Freemasonry a "secret"
society?
No.
Freemasonry is a well-known organization that has been
in existence for centuries. Its members freely
identify themselves and are proud to be known as
Masons. Masonic Lodges are familiar sights in
communities all over the world. Their constitutions,
rules, and regulations are open for inspection by
anyone who cares to view them, and there are literally
thousands of written works available in public
libraries and bookstores on the subject of
Freemasonry.
Freemasonry does
have certain modes of recognition, rites, and
ceremonies that are kept secret. These "secrets" are
viewed by the Fraternity as private affairs, similar
to the secrets kept by private businesses and other
organizations who choose not to publicize certain
information. Strictly speaking, therefore, Freemasonry
is not a secret society, but rather a society with a
few secrets.
The secrecy
of Freemasonry is an honorable secrecy. Any man may
ask for her secrets, and those who are worthy will
receive them. To give any such secrets to those who do
not seek or who are not worthy of them would
trivialize their importance and impoverish their
meaning. For more information on this topic,
see the
following paper: What Can I Tell My Non-Masonic
Friends? .
8) How can I become a
Mason?
An
important characteristic of the Masonic Fraternity is
that it never solicits members. Our code of conduct
prevents it. Thus, no faithful Mason will ever invite
you to join the Fraternity. Instead, a man must ask to be
admitted by contacting a lodge and requesting a
petition for membership. Applicants for admission must be
at least 21 years of age, be mentally competent, be of
good moral character, and must believe in the
existence of a Supreme Being. Upon submission of a
petition, a candidate must provide three character
references, and will be investigated by a committee of
inquiry. The Lodge must approve his candidacy by a
unanimous ballot. The candidate is then eligible to
receive the three Degrees of Symbolic
Freemasonry. For more information on filing a
petition, click on the following link: How Can
I Become a Mason?/Download a Petition
Form. |
