1.) Where can I get more information about the Freemasons?
The best way to get information is to
talk
to a Mason – in person. You may have some of the same questions as those
below – so take a look at the FAQs. If you want more historical information,
Mark Tabbert’s book, American Freemasons, is a good place to start. More
lighthearted, yet accurate and thorough, is Freemasons for Dummies by
Christopher Hodapp. Both books published in 2005 and are available in your local
bookstore, or you may find them at online stores like Amazon and Borders. You
can also Request Information online through this web site.
2.) What is Freemasonry?
Freemasonry aims to promote Friendship, Morality, and Brotherly Love among its
members. It is, by definition, a fraternity; comprised of men from every
religion, opinion, and background who are brought together as Brothers to
develop and strengthen the bonds of friendship. With more than 3 million
members, Freemasons belong to the largest and oldest fraternal organization in
the world. Freemasonry proposes to “make good men better” by teaching –
with metaphors from geometry and architecture – about building values based on
great universal truths.
3.) Where did Freemasonry come from?
Part of the mystique of Freemasonry can be attributed to speculation about its
roots. Over the years, researchers have never been able to conclusively
determine exactly when, where, how, and why Freemasonry was born. The order is
thought to have arisen from the English and Scottish guilds of practicing
stonemasons and cathedral builders in the Middle Ages, but certain Masonic
documents actually trace the sciences of geometry and Masonry to the time of
ancient Egypt, and some historians say that Masonry has its real roots in
antiquity. The formation of the first Grand Lodge in London in 1717 could mark
the beginning of the Modern (or “Speculative”) era of Freemasonry, when
members were no longer limited to actual working stonemasons. These “Accepted”
Masons eventually adopted more enlightened philosophies, and turned what was a
tradesmen’s organization into a fraternity for moral edification, intellectual
recitation, benevolent service, and gentlemanly socialization.
4.) Is there a difference between Masons and Freemasons?
The names are interchangeable. The term Freemason is often used today in public
to differentiate the fraternity from actual operative stonemasons, and is said
to more accurately describe the enlightened “freethinking” of the
membership.
5.) Why is there so much interest in Masonry today?
Over the last four centuries, Freemasonry seems to have flourished during times
of great enlightenment and change. It is no coincidence that Freemasonry rose to
prominence during the Age of Enlightenment in both Europe and America – where
a new generation believed it could discover ways to gain personal improvement,
bring order to society, and understand the whole universe. This statement is
perhaps even stronger today than it was in the 18th century. Today, men seek out
Masonry for the same reasons – to better themselves and improve society in the
company of like-minded Brothers. As we learn more about how our physical world
works, there’s also new interest in those things we don’t understand –
especially things bound around tradition or that have a more mystical nature.
Also, books like The Da Vinci Code and movies like “National Treasure"
have brought up both new interest and renewed speculation about the nature of
the Fraternity. Though these books and movies are a product more of a vivid
imagination than fact, the real history of Masonry is perhaps the best story of
all – one learned only by Asking – and becoming a Freemason.
6.) Can Freemasonry actually prepare me for greatness?
No organization can guarantee to make anyone great, but the powerful values and
important truths that are taught as part of the Masonic tradition has proven to
inspire, challenge, and develop leadership in men. Benjamin Franklin may have
said it best, describing the Fraternity as a place to “prepare himself.”
Perhaps one of the things that has kept Masonry a strong and vital organization
for so long is the fact that the fraternity proposed only to “make good men
better,” not to make bad men good. This distinction is critical in that from
its early days the Fraternity took itself out of the “rehabilitation” game
-- which became the purvey of both religion and the criminal justice system.
Today, men are preparing themselves for greatness in Lodges all through-out the
world.
7.) Is Masonry a secret society?
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.”
8.) 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 to
identify each other, but to help, as 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
secret surrounding what it takes to be good and true.
9.) How do I become a Freemason? Ask!
Because Masons have not traditionally recruited members, and do not hold public
meetings, there has long been confusion about how to join the Fraternity. No one
will ask you to become a member. You must request to become a member. Today,
because of widespread interest in the Fraternity – along with the plethora of
both information and misinformation found on the Internet – the following
information was put together on how men can join: Most men can become a Mason by
simply asking – like Washington, Franklin, and most every Mason from the past
to the present day. Membership is open to men of every religion, culture, and
level of income. The requirements for membership are that you be over the age of
18, believe in a Supreme Being, and can be found to be of good character. The
belief in a Supreme Being is said to be a requirement that is needed to take
certain oaths, otherwise “no obligation would be binding upon you.”
Generally, men seek out a Lodge near their home or workplace, or ask someone
they know who is a Mason to recommend a Lodge to them. Not all men can become
Masons, however. Masonry does not purport to make “bad men good,” only “good
men better.” Only men of good character are accepted into the Fraternity.
Masonic lodges review every applicant’s moral character – and the
centuries-old “blackball” system is still in place; members must be voted in
by a 100% vote of Lodge members present.
10.) What is a Grand Lodge?
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.
What is Masonic "Ritual"?
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 theater 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 great time and study – 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.
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, 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.
I heard Catholics cannot become Masons, is that true?
Freemasonry has always welcomed members of any faith, including Catholics.
Today, there are many Catholics – as well as Jews, Muslims, and members of
every faith who are Masons.
Is Masonry a Religion?
Masonry is not a religion. But it is one of the few platforms where men of every
religion can come together. And although Lodges open and close with a prayer and
Masonry teaches morality, it is not a church or a religion. Masonry is open to
all men who believe in a Supreme Being, but because of the necessity to take
oaths, no atheist can become a Mason.
Why aren’t there any famous women who are Masons?
Freemasonry is, by definition, a fraternity that aims to promote Brotherly Love
and Friendship among its members. It is a worldwide organization that draws
together men from every country, religion, opinion, and
background, and helps cultivate and promote better relationships and bonds of
friendships among them. Freemasonry doesn’t focus on Friendship and Brotherly
Love because it believes that only relations between men are important, or that
relations between men and women are unimportant, but because hope for peace and
harmony in the world is improved when men can put aside their differences and
come together as friends. Masons also appreciate and value relations with women.
We sponsor and participate in Masonic related organizations such as the
Order of Eastern Star
and the
Order of Rainbow for Girls, whose members
include women and girls respectively.
Is Freemasonry a Charity?
No. Masonic principles teach the value of relief - or charity - and Freemasons
give more than $2 million A DAY, of which more than 70% of these donations
support the general public. Among their works are the
Shriners
Hospitals for Children with 22 sites throughout North America, including
The
World's FIRST Shriners Hospital
in Shreveport, LA, a
burn center in Boston,
MA and an
orthopedic facility in Springfield, MA; almost 225 Learning Centers
helping children with dyslexia, speech, and hearing disorders; providing
modest assistance to children and adults in local communities who do not fit the
criteria for usual social-services. Most recently, the Masonic Service
Association of North America entered into an agreement with the USO to
participate in Operation Phone Home: a campaign to provide United States
Military Service Personnel serving overseas with prepaid international phone
calling cards. There are numerous other worthy causes and groups that local
Lodges contribute to and help in their communities.
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.
