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Where can I get more information about the Freemasons?
Where did Freemasonry come from?
Is there a difference between Masons and Freemasons?
Why is there so much interest in Masonry today?
Can Freemasonry actually make me a better person?
No. It is sometimes said that Freemasonry is a "society with secrets, not a secret society." In point of fact, however, any purported Masonic "secrets" were made public several centuries ago in London newspapers, and today can be found in the Library of Congress, on the Internet, and in many books on the subject. As Benjamin Franklin once said, "The great secret of Freemasonry is that there is no secret at all."
Many masons will not answer questions about the fraternity as they believe it is supposed to be a "secret". In the end that is a loss for the fraternity as any time someone asks a question about Masonry it's a great opportunity to talk openly about it. There are aspects to Freemasonry that are kept and taught to only those who go through the initiations and ceremonies so as to keep them in a proper perspective and context of meaning. These aspects are not “secrets” but instead knowledge that is best communicated in a specific and concise manner.
What about secret handshakes, ritual, and passwords?
Freemasonry, often called the "Craft" by its members, is founded on metaphors of architecture. Following the practice of the ancient stonemason guilds, Freemasons use special handshakes, words, and symbols to not only identify each other, but to help, as Masonic author William Preston said in 1772, "imprint upon the memory wise and serious truths."
Although every new Freemason takes an oath - and vows to keep secret the metaphors of Masonry - the metaphors are only used to help Masons become better men. And there's certainly no secrecy surrounding the character traits required to be good and true.
“To Be One, Ask One!” Because Masons have not traditionally recruited members and do not hold public meetings, there has long been confusion about how to join the Fraternity. Should I wait to be asked? Does someone ask me, or do I need to ask them?
Today, because of widespread interest in the Fraternity - along with the breadth of both information and misinformation found on the Internet - the content on this site was assembled to help men understand the membership process.
Most men still begin the process of becoming a Mason by simply asking-just as Washington, Franklin, Hancock, Revere and most every Mason from the past to the present day has done. The process can also begin by first getting to know the lodge you wish to join. Starts with introducing yourself to a lodge at a dinner and getting to know the membership before the lodge opens.
Membership is open to men of every race, religion, culture, and income level. The basic requirements for membership are listed here.
Men usually seek out a Lodge near their home or workplace or ask a Mason they know to recommend a Lodge to them. Masonry is not for everyone, however. It does not purport to reform bad men, only to provide a lifelong opportunity for good men to improve themselves and the world around them.
The Masonic Fraternity seeks only men of good character as members. In fact, Masonic Lodges are required to review every applicant's moral and social character, and members must be unanimously balloted upon in a Lodge by all members present (and yes, the centuries-old "blackball" voting system is still in use).
Or you may proactively seek out membership on your own by asking a Mason for a petition or requesting a petition through this website. In either case, the choice is still yours.
Grand Lodges were formed - first in England and Ireland, and later in America - to help standardize ritual, traditions, and customs among various Lodges. The first Grand Lodge in America was formed in Massachusetts in 1733. Today there is a Grand Lodge in every state - and virtually every country in the world. There is no "central" Grand Lodge, though Grand Lodges also meet to help facilitate unity and uphold tradition within the Craft.
The nature of Masonic ritual is both complex and beautiful. "Ritual" is actually a recitation of certain tenets and truths that have been passed down for generations - mostly from mouth to ear. This "ritual" takes the form of lectures and theatrical performances in the Lodge, and is used to teach new Masons the value of truth and the necessity of helping those in need.
Not everyone will want to learn the ancient ritual as it takes a great deal of time and study effort, but those Masons who chose to learn it are rewarded with the satisfaction of upholding a powerful tradition and helping their fellow Brothers further their Masonic understanding.
Yes, all Shriners are Masons. Before a man can join the Shrine, he must first receive three "degrees" in his "Blue Lodge," or Home Lodge. After that any Mason can move on to one or more of the appendant bodies, including the Scottish Rite, York Rite, and Shrine. Masons may also affiliate with other Lodges. It should be noted that although these other Masonic bodies allow members to pursue advanced degrees and get more Masonic education, there is no "higher" degree than the 3rd, which is received in the Blue Lodge.
I've seen secret Masonic "codebooks" -- what do they mean?
The nature of Masonic teachings and initiation is deeply rooted in the oral tradition. In most Lodges around the world, these rituals are never written out - but are passed on "mouth to ear," from one Masonic generation to the next. What may be thought to be codebooks are actually Masonic "ciphers." These ciphers are not in "code" at all, but provide merely hints of the spoken word to refresh one's memory. A Masonic cipher cannot be "broken" as there is no code to break.
Why is “Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth” so important in Freemasonry?
These three virtues are the foundations upon which Freemasonry is built. Brotherly love, as directed towards all mankind, especially to other Masons. Relief, in that every Mason is obligated to relieve the suffering of any Master Mason they encounter who is in dire need and if in their power to do so, to the best of their ability, also to act charitably towards society, giving of ourselves economically, physically, and mentally. And truth, which is represented by the divine, in its multiplicity and diversity as understood by all men. These three ideas represent the core of what Freemasonry represents in its ultimate distillation.
Were all our early presidents Masons?
No, although many presidents have been Masons throughout history - from George Washington to Gerald Ford. Many of the early leaders of the Revolution were Masons, including Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, and Paul Revere. The list of prominent men who became Masons before going on to greatness is extensive and underscores the strong civic commitment that many members of the Fraternity exemplify even today. You can find a list of some of these prominent names in the Famous Masons section of this website.
Masonry is definitely not a religion, and is one of the few forums where men of every religion can come together. And although Lodges open and close with a prayer, and Masonry teaches morality, it is neither a church nor a religious body, and a member's religious beliefs are his own affair. Masonry is open to all men who believe in a Supreme Being; because of the necessity to take oaths, no atheist can become a Mason.
Not in the traditional sense. Masonic principles do however teach the value of relief or charity, and Freemasons donate thousands of hours of volunteer time and more than $2 million PER DAY, of which more than 70 percent goes to assist the general public.
Among the Masons' good works are the Shriners Hospitals for Children with two dozen sites throughout North America; well over 200 Scottish Rite Learning Centers helping children with dyslexia, speech and hearing disorders; the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, which funds treatment and surgery for children and adults with vision disorders; and the Grottoes of North American Humanitarian Foundation, which provides dental care for special needs children. There are numerous other worthy causes and groups that local Lodges contribute to and support in their communities, either independently or in conjunction with the Grand Lodge.
How long does it take to become a Freemason?
It can take 6 months to 18, depending on your interest, ability, and time. It could theoretically be faster or longer, depending on how one applies themselves.
Does Freemasonry offer family activities?
Yes, frequently, there are dinners or other functions that invite family and friends to attend and share in the festivities of the lodge and fraternity. Specific lodge meetings are open only to Master Masons, as are only key events in the year. Most lodges encourage and welcome spouses to the pre-monthly meeting dinner offering some entertainment for the group, as this enhances the overall experience.
What is the lodge experience like?
The month to month experience varies from mason to mason. Depending on how active they choose to be will vary the degree to which they are engaged. As the old adage goes, you get out of it what you put into it. So the more active you are, the broader the experience. Activities vary, as there is a wide range of things to do. It is not like a church service or board of directors meeting, in that those in attendance actively participate. A typical month can have as few as 1 meeting a month or more than 5 or 6.
No. None of the meetings are "mandatory". Once a candidate has been raised to the 3rd degree, participation is completely voluntary and at the individuals will and pleasure. Further, a Mason is not obligated to go only to his lodge once all 3 degrees have been obtained and a certain degree of proficiency has been achieved. Once full membership is achieved, the Mason can go to any lodge or Masonic function. There are certain protocols when visiting distant lodges.
What is expected/hoped for new members?
Ideally, once you go through the degrees it is hoped that the new member will desire to attend the regular meetings and contribute to the organization as their time permits.
Finally...
Just because the "secrets" have been made public doesn't mean everyone knows the mystery of Masonry! In fact, much of the appeal of the Craft is that the great truths revealed in Masonic ritual can take years to understand. Like the building of any great structure, the powerful metaphors and symbols of Masonry are used to build character - one principle at a time.
