Introduction to Freemasonry

Introduction to Freemasonry What is Freemasonry?

Freemasonry is an association of friends which provides a discipline for life with social activities for men and their families, and it has a long history of charitable support for the less fortunate members of our society. All this is combined with a fascinating history going back almost three hundred to five hundred years.

To be more specific: Freemasonry is a brotherhood of men which is open to all upstanding men, irrespective of race or creed, provided they believe in a Supreme Being. This belief is an essential qualification for admission and continued membership. Freemasonry teaches moral lessons and self-knowledge, through participation in a progression of allegorical two-part plays which use stonemasons’ custom and tools as symbolic guides that are learnt and performed within each Lodge.

Freemasonry offers its members an approach to life which seeks to reinforce thoughtfulness for others, kindness in the community, honesty in business, courtesy in society, and fairness in all things. Members are urged to regard the interests of the family as paramount, and importantly, it also teaches and practises concern for people, care for the less fortunate and help for those in need.

Principles Three simple principles, Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth unite Freemasons of every colour and creed.

Non-Freemasons often unfairly criticise not knowing that members of the Craft are guided by such honourable objectives. A good Freemason builds these principles into his daily life as a law-abiding man and citizen of the world.

Brotherly Love is the concern which each Freemason has for his Brother, which is readily shown by tolerance and respect for the beliefs, opinions and practices of his fellows Brothers and his willingness to care for his Brother and that Brother’s dependents.

Relief, a Freemason is by nature and teaching a charitable man. He will cheerfully and kindly assist those less fortunate (whether Freemasons or not!). He will care for and support his community – local, national and international.

Truth, a Freemason believes in truth in all things, in honesty and integrity in his personal, professional, business and public life, in fair dealings and in firm standards of decency and morality.

An Education As every Man progresses in life by education so every Freemason is taught how he can be a better Man. This is done by a series of degrees – each degree educates him and answers some questions but leaves a

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door beyond. When the candidate has grasped the teaching of one degree, that door is opened by his progress to the next degree.

Freemasonry is believed to have begun its evolution 500 or more years ago in Scotland among the bands of working, skilled, builders known as “masons” (stonemasons). The traditional framework into which most Masonic degrees are woven is the story and symbolism of Kings Solomon’s Temple. Masonic teaching is a system of education related to the building of the Temple in your heart where God can reside.

Secrecy It is often wrongly stated that Freemasonry is a secret society. Members are perfectly free to acknowledge their membership and will do so in answer to any reasonable enquiry. There is no secret about the aims and principles of the Order. The Constitutions and rules are freely available; the local Public Library and bookstores hold many descriptive Masonic books; the Internet has hundreds of web pages of information from all over the world.

Lodge meetings, like meetings of any other social and professional associations, are private occasions open only to members. Freemasons are encouraged to speak openly about their membership while remembering that they undertake not to use their membership for their own or anyone else’s advancement.

Religion Freemasonry requires a belief in God and its principles are common to many of the world’s religions.

Freemasonry does not try to replace religion or substitute for it. A man’s religion is precious and personal to him. Every candidate is exhorted to practise his religion and to regard its holy book as the unerring standard of truth. Freemasonry does not instruct its members in what their religious beliefs should be, nor does it offer sacraments. Thus, Freemasonry brings men of different faiths together in a unique way, to share a happy and rewarding fellowship with one another.

Discussion on matters of religion often causes arguments and many wars have been fought ostensibly to impose or defend one religion against another. As he loves all his fellows, understandably religion is a topic which the Freemason, in that capacity, is just not allowed to discuss – nor would he want to.

Freemasonry is most certainly NOT a religion. It has no ‘Masonic’ God. When Freemasons pray together, as they do in their Lodges, each is addressing his personal Supreme Being. So, Freemasons of many creeds can in love and fellowship meet and pray together, irrespective of their individual religions. The Holy Book (known to Freemasons as the Volume of the Sacred Law) of each religion represented in the Lodge is open during meetings. It is common for 5 or 6 different V.S.L.s to lie open during Lodge meetings.

Politics Freemasonry is wholly unconcerned with political matters. A man’s political affiliations are his own concern and the Craft, being completely non-political, will never interfere in the world of politics nor will

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the Grand Lodge express any views on political ideology or theories. Discussion of politics, like religion, is expressly forbidden at Lodge meetings.

Conduct On his entry into Freemasonry, each candidate states unequivocally that he expects no material gain from his membership. At various stages during the three degrees of his admission, he is forcefully reminded that attempts to gain preferment or material gain for himself or others, is a misuse of membership which will not be tolerated. Abuse of membership can result in penalties varying from temporary suspension to expulsion. Nor may Freemasonry ever be used to protect a fellow Freemason, or anyone else, who has behaved dishonestly or unlawfully.

Society Freemasonry demands from its members a respect for the law of the country in which a man works and lives. Its principles do not in any way conflict with its members' duties as citizens but should strengthen them in fulfilling their public and private responsibilities. The use by a Freemason of his membership to promote his own or anyone else's business, professional or personal interests is condemned, and is contrary to the conditions on which he sought admission to Freemasonry. His duty as a citizen must always prevail over any obligation to other Freemasons, and any attempt to shield a Freemason who as acted dishonourably or unlawfully is contrary to this prime duty.

Charity From its earliest days, Freemasonry has been involved in charitable activities, and since its inception, it has provided support for many widows and orphans of Freemasons, as well as others within its community.

All monies raised for charity are drawn from among Freemasons, their families and friends, while grants and donations are made to Masonic and non-Masonic charities alike. Freemasonry has raised monies for a wide range of charitable purposes, including those involved in medical research, community care, education and work with young people.

Socially Freemasonry is fun as well as having its more serious side. It provides a happy social life for its members and their families, with a wide variety of events run by local Lodges, as well as larger events bringing many people together. Very many enduring friendships are made. Thus, being a Freemason becomes a happy and satisfying experience with great opportunities to become involved, allowing its members to use their talents and broaden their interests.

Lodges meet once a month throughout the year. These meetings are usually followed by a supper, and a banquet. There is an annual meeting of Regional Grand Lodge or Grand Lodge held across the country.

Membership allows a Mason to visit Lodges in all parts of the country and abroad, provided the Lodge is recognised by our own Grand Lodge, thus providing great opportunities for international contact.

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If you have a friend who is a Freemason, ask him to tell you more about it. Alternatively, you can obtain more information from the Regional Office.

Masonic Aims While Freemasonry is to be enjoyed, its objectives are serious, and its members are ordinary individuals who share the following aims: • • • •

To practise universal charity To foster high moral standards To serve the community To develop values such as Integrity, Respect, Self-discipline, Discretion, Virtue & Responsibility.

Membership Freemasonry is open to men of all walks of life and of any race or religion who believe in a God (by whatever name He is known to them). Generally, men wishing to become Freemasons must be 21 or older and need a proposer and seconder before an application may be submitted to a lodge. You do not need to ‘wait to be asked’ to join. Candidates for membership are expected to come of their own free will and accord.

The proposal form requires that a candidate for Freemasonry does not expect, anticipate or seek any preferment or financial benefit as a consequence of becoming a member. There should be no conflict between a candidate’s family, business or professional interests and membership, nor can the candidate have a criminal record. There is a process for expulsion for members who commit a criminal act.

Every member has the opportunity to take office in his lodge and become its Master.

Summary Freemasonry is an ancient and honourable society. Its principles are just steady standards of life and conduct in a changing world. The practice by the Freemason of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth and the other principles of the Craft will go a long way to making a good man better.

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