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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. Whill Masonic
aspect of Freemasonry, except their modes of recognition.
their organisation and ceremonies have been shrouded in secrecy in the past,
are now largely open to public scrutiny one way or another. Whill Masonic
aspect of Freemasonry, except their modes of recognition.
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
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.
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.
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. |
