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| Who Are The Freemasons? |
| For more information, please visit the Grand Lodge site by clicking on the above link: |
What is Freemasonry, what does it offer & where can I get more information
about it?
about it?
The Formal Answer
Whenever we are asked “What is Freemasonry?”, the formal answer
includes much of the following:-
Freemasonry is one of the world's oldest secular fraternal societies. The
essential qualification for admission is a belief in a Supreme Being and to be
of good repute.
Freemasonry is open to men of many religions and it expects them to
continue to follow their own faith. Freemasonry is a system of morality, not
a system of faith or salvation and is complimentary to the belief of the
individual. Indeed, lodge meetings, in order to ensure harmony, expressly
forbid the discussion of either religion or politics.
Whenever we are asked “What is Freemasonry?”, the formal answer
includes much of the following:-
Freemasonry is one of the world's oldest secular fraternal societies. The
essential qualification for admission is a belief in a Supreme Being and to be
of good repute.
Freemasonry is open to men of many religions and it expects them to
continue to follow their own faith. Freemasonry is a system of morality, not
a system of faith or salvation and is complimentary to the belief of the
individual. Indeed, lodge meetings, in order to ensure harmony, expressly
forbid the discussion of either religion or politics.
Freemasonry asks that each of its members shows tolerance and respect for
the opinions of others and behave with kindness and understanding to his
fellow man. Its members, in varying degrees, are involved with numerous
local, national and international charitable works, both by charitable giving
in which a man works and lives. Freemasonry does not override the
individuals duty to one’s self, one’s family, ones God or country.
the opinions of others and behave with kindness and understanding to his
fellow man. Its members, in varying degrees, are involved with numerous
local, national and international charitable works, both by charitable giving
in which a man works and lives. Freemasonry does not override the
individuals duty to one’s self, one’s family, ones God or country.
Masonic meetings have a set structure and consistent content and although
their organisation and ceremonies have been shrouded in secrecy in the
past, are now largely open to public scrutiny one way or another.
their organisation and ceremonies have been shrouded in secrecy in the
past, are now largely open to public scrutiny one way or another.
A Freemason is encouraged to do his duty first to God (by whatever name He
is known) and then, without detriment to his work or family, to his neighbour
(in the broadest sense) through charity and service. None of these ideas are
exclusively Masonic, but the setting in which they are practiced, the spirit of
friendship which is prevalent among its members and the opportunity for a
convivial dinner after such meetings surely is.
is known) and then, without detriment to his work or family, to his neighbour
(in the broadest sense) through charity and service. None of these ideas are
exclusively Masonic, but the setting in which they are practiced, the spirit of
friendship which is prevalent among its members and the opportunity for a
convivial dinner after such meetings surely is.
The More Casual Answer
The more casual answer would add that Freemasonry is a body of
like-minded, responsible men, who in their own way, wish to progress as
individuals and share a journey of personal development towards self
enlightenment i.e. to make good men better.
Each and every Freemason is a builder. But instead of using the tools of
architecture to erect a physical structure out of stone and mortar, he uses
these same tools symbolically for intellectual, moral, and spiritual
development. "Thereby fitting our minds, as living stones, for that spiritual
building, that house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens."
Freemasons will also enjoy the customs and theatrics and within the lodge
room which, in an appropriate context, are used to explain symbolic meaning.
There is also good humour, spirit of friendship and refreshments afterwards
(which is known as the Festive Board) and the potential to visit other Lodges
in the United States as well as abroad which all adds to the enjoyment.
The more casual answer would add that Freemasonry is a body of
like-minded, responsible men, who in their own way, wish to progress as
individuals and share a journey of personal development towards self
enlightenment i.e. to make good men better.
Each and every Freemason is a builder. But instead of using the tools of
architecture to erect a physical structure out of stone and mortar, he uses
these same tools symbolically for intellectual, moral, and spiritual
development. "Thereby fitting our minds, as living stones, for that spiritual
building, that house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens."
Freemasons will also enjoy the customs and theatrics and within the lodge
room which, in an appropriate context, are used to explain symbolic meaning.
There is also good humour, spirit of friendship and refreshments afterwards
(which is known as the Festive Board) and the potential to visit other Lodges
in the United States as well as abroad which all adds to the enjoyment.
In between Lodge meetings, many Freemasons will try to find opportunities
to put something back into the community at large. They will also appreciate
that humility and the conduct by which they run their lives outside the Lodge
room is important. Finally, they do not regard Freemasonry as a secret
society, merely one that is private that would lose some of its special
significance and meaning to newcomers should every aspect of Lodge
business become widely known or be taken out of context.
These days, any quick search on the internet will reveal all sorts of signs,
signals or so called secrets and secret practices with rolled pant legs
ascribed to Freemasonry. Whill some might reveal a germ of truth, none of
them warrant the wild rantings from the conspiracy theorist or cult lobby in
our society. However, if you happen to hold those views, or got carried away
with Dan Brown’s fascinating book “The Da Vinci Code” or "The Lost
Symbol", then email us and we will be happy to separate masonic fact from
media fiction. On the other hand, if you still have a question mark about
Freemasonry’s compatibility with religion (whether Christian or otherwise)
and fitness within society generally, click on the link to the Michigan Grand
Lodge website for a thorough and considered responses.
to put something back into the community at large. They will also appreciate
that humility and the conduct by which they run their lives outside the Lodge
room is important. Finally, they do not regard Freemasonry as a secret
society, merely one that is private that would lose some of its special
significance and meaning to newcomers should every aspect of Lodge
business become widely known or be taken out of context.
These days, any quick search on the internet will reveal all sorts of signs,
signals or so called secrets and secret practices with rolled pant legs
ascribed to Freemasonry. Whill some might reveal a germ of truth, none of
them warrant the wild rantings from the conspiracy theorist or cult lobby in
our society. However, if you happen to hold those views, or got carried away
with Dan Brown’s fascinating book “The Da Vinci Code” or "The Lost
Symbol", then email us and we will be happy to separate masonic fact from
media fiction. On the other hand, if you still have a question mark about
Freemasonry’s compatibility with religion (whether Christian or otherwise)
and fitness within society generally, click on the link to the Michigan Grand
Lodge website for a thorough and considered responses.
| By Brother Dan Weatherington, from the Masonic e-mail journal CINOSAM |
Not one person ever joined Freemasonry because George Washington, Walt
Disney, Winston Churchill, or Peter Sellers were Masons. Nobody ever
joined Freemasonry because of our great Masonic heroes: Joining
Freemasonry doesn't make you any of those people.
Disney, Winston Churchill, or Peter Sellers were Masons. Nobody ever
joined Freemasonry because of our great Masonic heroes: Joining
Freemasonry doesn't make you any of those people.
Not one person ever joined so that they could give money to charity: You
don't have to be a Freemason to give money to worthy causes.
Not one person ever joined because of our attention to Lodge rules,
regulations, or ritual. The uninitiated don't know about all of our procedures.
They joined because someone they knew and admired was a Mason. It
could miles away. Who it was didn't matter. They admired him and wanted
to do the things he did and they did it by the millions.
If you want to help promote Freemasonry, try to be the kind of man that
other people admire. Someone will notice.
don't have to be a Freemason to give money to worthy causes.
Not one person ever joined because of our attention to Lodge rules,
regulations, or ritual. The uninitiated don't know about all of our procedures.
They joined because someone they knew and admired was a Mason. It
could miles away. Who it was didn't matter. They admired him and wanted
to do the things he did and they did it by the millions.
If you want to help promote Freemasonry, try to be the kind of man that
other people admire. Someone will notice.
| Learn more about Freemasonry as seen on CNN. |
