FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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What is Freemasonry?
Who can be a Freemason?
Is religion relevant to Freemasonry?
Is Freemasonry a secret society?
Do Freemasons swear oaths to keep secrets?
Is it true that Freemasons only help themselves?
When did Freemasonry start?
So what happens at a Lodge meeting?
What do Freemasons aim for?
Isn't Masonic ritual out of place in modern society?
Why is it the Volume of the Sacred Law not the Bible?
Why do you call God the Great Architect?
Is Freemasonry an international Order?
Why do you wear regalia?
If I want to join, what is the process?
What are degrees?
How will I know what to do?
What do I have to bring?
What does it cost?

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What is Freemasonry?
As well as being one of the world's oldest secular fraternal societies, Freemasonry is an enjoyable association of like - minded men who work towards a common goal of being happy themselves and communicating happiness to others. This is achieved by work in the Lodge, largely based on a series of ritual ceremonies, with much in common with the old passion plays, which follow ancient forms and use stonemasons' customs and tools as allegorical guides.

These seek to instill morality in all men: by teaching and practicing high standards of conduct in society. These aims are furthered at the dinners held after lodge meetings and at other social occasions.

Who can be a Freemason?
Any man who is at least 21, is law-abiding, of good character and believes in God, can become a Freemason. The order is not restricted to Protestants: it is open to all men of all faiths, such as Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs.

Is religion relevant to Freemasonry?
Freemasonry is not a Religion, nor a substitute for religion, but it encourages all its members, who are required to believe in God, to follow their own faith and to be active in their own Churches or other places of worship. Lodge meetings are opened and closed with prayers, but discussion of religion, and indeed politics, is prohibited at Lodge meetings.

Is Freemasonry a secret society?
Definitely not! If it were, this web site and other similar ones would not exist and be available for public view world-wide. Most people know where the meeting places are, the ritual of the ceremonies and the many books written about Freemasonry can be read in public libraries. Members are encouraged to speak openly about their membership. Like many other organizations, though, meetings of Lodges are held in private.

Do Freemasons swear oaths to keep secrets?
Freemasons make solemn promises concerning their conduct in the Lodge and in society. They also promise to keep confidential the traditional methods of recognition, which are only used within a Lodge or when visiting a Lodge where the Mason is not known. They should not be used outside a Lodge. Freemasons should not disclose these "secrets" to the public.

Is it true that Freemasons only help themselves?
No. Members must never use their Freemasonry as a means of gaining preferment for themselves or any other person. Any attempt to do so could, and does, result in expulsion from membership. Freemasons take an active role in the community, such as voluntary work, and donate substantial sums of money each year from their own pockets to many charitable causes not connected with Freemasonry.

When did Freemasonry start?
No one knows. Some say that we evolved from the operative stonemasons who built the cathedrals and castles, and held their own Lodges to discuss trade affairs. In the 1600s non-operatives were invited to join, and formed the basis of Masonic Lodges.

Others say that groups of right thinking men got together at about the same time and taught morality by allegory and symbolism, using the story of King Solomon and the building of the first Temple at Jerusalem to illustrate and explain the lessons of morality. These lessons were taught by means of morality plays, and they continue more or less in this form today in our Lodges.

So what happens at a Lodge meeting?
Like other organizations there is a certain amount of administration to attend to such as minutes of the last meeting, which have to be approved, balloting for new members, financial matters (subscriptions and expenditures for example) electing new officers, and dealing with correspondence.

The ceremonies for making and progressing new Masons take up a fair proportion of the time, although these do not happen at every meeting. Quite often the members will be given a lecture on an issue of Masonic interest, to increase their knowledge of the fascinating history and meaning of Freemasonry.

An important ceremony that does take place every year in every Lodge is the Installation of the new Master, who then appoints the Officers of the Lodge who will assist him with the ceremonial and administrative work for the year that he is in office.

Most Lodges meet formally six or seven times a year, in addition to which are management meetings and rehearsals, together with a variety of social activities, many of which include members' partners and families.

What do Freemasons aim for?
They strive to be good citizens, to practice the highest moral and social standards, and to be men of friendship, charitable disposition, and integrity. It is often said that Freemasonry makes good men better.

Isn't Masonic ritual out of place in modern society?
No. The ritual is a shared experience , which binds the members together. Its use of drama, allegory and symbolism impresses the principles and teachings more firmly in the mind of each candidate than if they were simply passed on to him in matter-of-fact modern language.

Why is it the Volume of the Sacred Law not the Bible?
To the majority of Freemasons the volume of the Sacred Law is the Bible. There are many in Freemasonry, however, who are not Christian and to them the Bible is not their sacred book and they will make their promises on the book which is regarded as sacred to their religion.

The Bible is always present in American Lodges but as the organization welcomes men of many different faiths, it is called the Volume of the Sacred Law. Thus, when the Volume of the Sacred Law is referred to in ceremonies, to a non-Christian it will be the holy book of his religion and to a Christian it will be the Bible. The VSL must always be open when the Lodge is open.

Why do you call God the Great Architect?
Freemasonry embraces all men who believe in God. Its membership includes Christians, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, Parsees and others. The use of descriptions such as the Great Architect prevents disharmony. The Great Architect is not a Masonic god nor an attempt to combine all gods into one. Thus, men of differing religions pray together without offence being given to any of them.

Is Freemasonry an international Order?
Only in the sense that Freemasonry exists throughout the free world. Each Grand Lodge is sovereign and independent, and whilst following the same basic principles, may have differing ways of passing them on. There is no international governing body of Freemasonry.

Why do you wear regalia?
We have borrowed it from our ancient forebears the operative stonemasons as we have some of their working tools. Wearing regalia is historical and symbolic and, like a uniform, serves to indicate to members where they rank in the organization.

If I want to join, what is the process?
You may either download the generic petition or request one of a Mason you know. If you do not have a Masonic connection, use the Lodge Locator to find a Lodge near you and an email address to express your interest to a local member.

Once you have submitted your petition Lodge members will visit you, vote on your application and inform you of the result. If accepted, you will receive further instructions. View the Instructions for Candidates. Get more information on Becoming a Mason.

What are degrees?
Degrees are similar to a multi-act play, in which you play a key part by your attendance and your heartfelt desire to become a Mason. Degrees teach very beautiful lessons using a system of symbols and allegories. There is never any hazing or poor taste in the degrees. They are majestic and the Masons who work hard to exemplify the degrees never demean them.

How will I know what to do?
Your Lodge will consult with you in selecting a mentor who will assist you through the degrees and for your introductory period into the Lodge and Freemasonry. The mentor can be any Mason. Your mentor will be proficient in his duties, and will be your guide throughout the process.

What do I have to bring?
Your Lodge will communicate to you any special requirements that they may have prior to your taking the degrees. Every Lodge has an Initiation fee and your Lodge will notify you the amount that you must bring to your First Degree. By now you have already met Brothers from your Lodge, been balloted upon and elected to membership. You now need to witness and participate in the degrees themselves.

What does it cost?
Every Lodge has a different fee structure. You must enquire about the fees and dues costs at the Lodge you wish to join. They will be only too happy to inform you!