Freemasonry is a fraternal organization that promotes moral and ethical values through teaching, allegorical rituals, and community service.
Freemasonry is the UK’s Largest secular, fraternal and charitable organisation with a global membership of around 6 million.
Freemasonry is open to men of good character aged 21 and above, regardless of their background.
Masonic rituals are ceremonial practices that teach moral lessons and self-knowledge through allegorical experiences.
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.
Freemasonry is not a religion, but it does require its members to have faith in a higher power.
There is more information in a related FAQ below.
New members make solemn promises concerning their conduct in Lodge and in society. Each member also promises to keep confidential the traditional methods of proving that he is a Freemason which he would use when he is visiting a lodge where he is not known. Freemasons do not swear allegiances to each other or to Freemasonry. Freemasons promise to support each other in times of need, but only if that support does not conflict with their duties to God, the law, their family or with their responsibilities as a Citizen.
They no longer do. When Masonic ritual was developing in the late 1600s and 1700s it was quite common for legal and civil oaths to include physical penalties and Freemasonry simply followed the practice of the times. In Freemasonry, however, the physical penalties were always symbolic and were never carried out. After long discussion, they were removed from the promises in 1986.
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 three 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 attempts to gain preferment or material gain for himself or others is a misuse of membership which will not be tolerated. The Book of Constitutions, which every candidate receives, contains strict rules governing abuse of membership which can result in penalties varying from temporary suspension to expulsion.
No. From its earliest days, Freemasonry has been involved in charitable activities. Since its inception, Freemasonry has provided support not only to widows and orphans of Freemasons but also to many others within the community. Whilst some Masonic charities cater specifically but not exclusively for masons or their dependents, others make significant grants to non-Masonic organisations. On a local level, lodges give substantial support to local causes.
Emphatically not. Freemasonry requires a belief in God and its principles are common to many of the world’s great religions. Freemasonry does not try to replace religion or substitute for it. 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. Freemasonry deals in relations between men, religion deals in a man’s relationship with his God.
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 will always be present in an English lodge but as the organisation welcomes men of many 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.
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 specific Masonic god or an attempt to combine all gods into one. Thus, men of different religions pray together without offense being given to any of them.
There are elements within certain churches who misunderstand Freemasonry and confuse secular rituals with religious liturgy.
Although the Methodist Conference and the General Synod of the Anglican Church have occasionally criticised Freemasonry, in both churches there are many Masons and indeed many who are dismayed that the Churches should attack Freemasonry, an organisation which has always encouraged its members to be active in their own religion.
It does. The prime qualification for admission into Freemasonry has always been a belief in God. How that belief is expressed is entirely up to the individual.
Four Grand Masters of English Freemasonry have been Roman Catholics. There are many Roman Catholic Freemasons.
Emphatically not. Whilst individual Freemasons will have their own views on politics and state policy, Freemasonry as a body will never express a view on either. The discussion of politics at Masonic meetings has always been prohibited.
There are groups in other countries who call themselves Freemasons and who involve themselves in political matters. They are not recognised or countenanced by the United Grand Lodge of England and other regular Grand Lodges who follow the basic principles of Freemasonry and ban the discussion of politics and religion at their meetings.
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 for Freemasonry.
Freemasonry, following the example of medieval stonemasons, has always been restricted to men. Women who wish to become members have separate Grand Lodges restricted to women.
Wearing regalia is historic and symbolic. Like a uniform, the regalia indicates the rank of the wearer in the organisation.
Membership dues vary by Lodge and include initiation fees and annual dues.
Members are invited to give to charity but this should always be within their means and it is entirely up to the individual how much they wish to contribute.
In due course regalia will have to be bought, and, if a black formal suit isn't owned one will need to be sourced as Lodge meetings require formal attire.
The meeting is normally followed by a dinner, the cost depending on the venue.
Freemasonry emphasizes charitable work and members are encouraged to participate in community service and support those in need.