Some questions answered

Why do you call yourselves a fraternity?

One of the greatest things about Freemasonry is that men from all walks of life regardless of their face, creed, colour and social status can come together as equals and share a common bond of friendship and fraternity.

The members are banned from any political or religious discussion whilst at Lodge, to ensure peace and harmony is constant.

It must be noted that as a Freemason, a member's family is to be valued above all else and should at all times take precedence over his Masonic membership. However, it is important that a member's family understands his Masonic association and supports him in his development.

What does Freemasonry offer me personally?

Freemasonry offers men an opportunity to develop insights into philosophical ideals, which espouse the core values of prudence, temperance, fortitude and justice.

Prudence is to help us make the right decisions; temperance keep us on the straight and narrow; fortitude promotes self-confidence and strong self-esteem; and justice provides us with guidance in life.

Members are also provided with training in self-development, which includes public speaking, monitoring, tolerance, communication skills and self-confidence.

What is the History of Freemasonry?

The precise origins of Freemasonry have been lost in time; however, it's traditions date back to the Middle Ages and to the stone masons who built the cathedrals and castles of Europe. To construct them, it was necessary for men to have considerable knowledge of geometry, arithmetic and engineering. These highly skilled masons formed themselves into Lodges to protect the skills and secrets of their trade and to pass on their knowledge to worthy apprentices.

Why and how is ritual and symbolism used?

Ask any member about Masonic ritual and he is likely to explain it as a unique and inspiring experience. Ritual is core in Freemasonry. This ritual is unique in that is uses a range of objects, symbols and scenarios to disseminate the values, traditions and philosophical precepts of Freemasonry. These rituals are centuries old and have been used in Freemasonry for hundreds of years. An example of such symbolism is the use of medieval stonemason working tools as a vehicle of instruction.

Symbols in the Lodge room are used to define the rank of a Freemason. The most widely recognized symbol of Freemasonry is the Square and Compasses. The Square teaches us to conduct ourselves properly – as in ’square conduct’, and the compasses teach us to keep our passions and prejudices within due bounds.

Members wear the symbol to remind themselves of their obligation to the lesson learned in their lodges and to identify their membership to other Freemasons and all people. Masonic symbols have wide meanings – some directly relate to the tools used by operative Masons and some represent the need for order and direction in life.

Is Freemasonry a secret society?

Freemasonry is certainly not a secret society but in common with most organizations it does regard some aspects of its activities as confidential. The policy until recently was for members to be self-effacing and avoid. Today members are encouraged to speak openly about Freemasonry.

What are the secrets of Freemasonry?

The secrets is Freemasonry are the traditional modes of recognition which are not used indiscriminately, but solely as a test of membership, e.g. when visiting a Lodge were you are not known.

Are Freemasons expected to prefer fellow Masons at the expense of others in giving job, promotions, contracts and the like?

Absolutely not. That would be a misuse of membership and subject to Masonic discipline. On his entry into Freemasonry each candidate states unequivocally that he expects no material gain from his membership. At various stages during the ceremonies of his admission and when he is presented with a certificate from Grand Lodge that the admission ceremonies have been completed, he is forcefully reminded that the attempts to gain preferment or material gain for himself or others is a misuse of membership which will not be tolerated. The Book of Constitution, which every candidate receives, contains strict rules governing abuse of membership which can result in penalties varying from temporary suspension to expulsion.

Is Freemasonry a religion?

No. This is a misconception. Freemasonry does not have any theological doctrines, offers no sacraments and does not claim to lead to salvation. It is not a substitute for religion, nor is it a forum for religious discussion. To be a Freemason you must, however, have a belief in a ‘Supreme Being’.

Freemasonry is made up of men who come from many different religious. There is nothing whatsoever in being a Freemason those conflicts with a member’s religious benefits or practices.

Freemasonry promotes unity and tolerance amongst all men and does not discriminate against any religion. The principles and practices of Freemasonry are compatible with all compassionate religions that teach respect for the deity and tolerance towards one’s fellow man.

Why can’t women become Freemasons?

Freemasonry is a fraternal organization with practices deeply entrenched in tradition and history. The Book of Constitution , compiled by Anderson and published in 1723 unites Freemasons all over the world. All the regular Grand Lodges (there are approximately 180 in the world) adhere to the principles therein. To change these constitutions to allow women to become members would require all the Grand Lodges to agree to the change.

As cultures are so diverse and vary so dramatically in terms of social structure and gender relations, making this fundamental change to the constitution would be extremely difficult.

Are there similar organizations for women?

Yes, there are. Some are exclusively opened to women e.g. the Grande Loge Féminine de France and the Order of the Eastern Star. There are also mixed lodges that accept both men and women e.g. the Order of the Amaranth and Le Droit Humain.

Members of The Order of the Eastern Star are dedicated to working together for the good and benefit of mankind. The moral and social purpose of this Order is to elevate character, promote friendship and practice charity.

The Order of Amaranth is a fraternal institution inspired by the Gala Annual Amaranth Ball held in Sweden during the reign of Queen Christina. Its objectives are to unite Freemasons, their wives and females relatives so that all may enjoy sincere affection and mutual confidence, and have the opportunity to work for the common good of the community.

How much does it costs to be a Freemason?

It varies from lodge to lodge but anyone wishing to join can find a lodge to suit his pocket. On entry, there is an initiation fee and an apron to buy. A member pays an annual subscription to his lodge which covers his membership and the administrative cost of running the lodge. It is usual to have a meal after the meeting; the cost of this can be included either in the annual subscription or paid for at the time.

It is entirely up to the individual member what he gives to Charity, but it should always be without detriment to his other responsibilities. Similarly, he may join as many lodges as his time and pocket can allow as long as it does not adversely affect his family life and responsibilities.


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