Who are the Masons?
Masons are men of good character who strive to improve themselves and make the
world a better place. They belong to the oldest and most honorable fraternity
known to man. If you think you may be interested in becoming a member, you can
begin by contacting a Lodge in your area or speaking to a Mason. Masons (also
known as Freemasons) belong to the oldest and largest fraternal organization in
the world. Today, there are more than two million Freemasons in North America.
Masons represent virtually every occupation and profession, yet within the
fraternity, all meet as equals. Masons come from diverse political ideologies,
yet meet as friends. Masons come from varied religious beliefs and creeds, yet
all believe in one God. Many of North America's early patriots were Freemasons.
Thirteen signers of the Constitution and fourteen Presidents of the United
States, including George Washington, were Masons. In Canada, the Father of the
Confederation, Sir John A. MacDonald, was a Mason, as were other Canadian and
American leaders. One of the most fascinating aspects of Freemasonry is how so
many men, from so many walks of life, can meet together in peace, always
conducting their affairs in harmony and friendship and calling each other
"Brother."
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What is Freemasonry
Freemasonry (or Masonry) is dedicated to the Brotherhood of Man under the
Fatherhood of God. It uses the tools and implements of ancient architectural
craftsmen symbolically in a system of instruction designed to build character
and moral values in its members. Its singular purpose is to make good men
better. Its bonds of friendship, compassion, and brotherly love have survived
even the most divisive political, military, and religious conflicts through the
centuries. Freemasonry is a fraternity which encourages its members to practice
the faith of their personal acceptance. Masonry teaches that each person,
through self-improvement and helping others, had an obligation to make a
difference for good in the world.
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Where Did Freemasonry Begin?
No one knows just how old Freemasonry is because the actual origins have been
lost in time. Some believe Masonry arose from the guilds of stonemasons who
built the majestic castles and cathedrals of the middle ages. In 1717, Masonry
created a formal organization when four Lodges in London joined in forming
England's first Grand Lodge. By 1731, when Benjamin Franklin joined the
Fraternity, there were already several Lodges in the Colonies, and in Canada the
first Lodge was established in 1738. Today, Masonic Lodges are found in almost
every community throughout North America, and in large cities there are usually
several Lodges. A Mason can travel to almost any country in the world and find a
Masonic Lodge where he will be welcomed as a "Brother."
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What Do Freemasons Do?
The Masonic experience encourages members to become better men. and better
citizens. The fraternal bonds formed in the Lodge help build lifelong
friendships among men with similar goals and values. Beyond its focus on
individual development and growth, Masonry is deeply involved in helping people.
The Freemasons of North America contribute over two million dollars per day to
charitable causes. This philanthropy represents an unparalleled example of
humanitarian commitment of this great and honorable Fraternity. Much of that
assistance goes to people who are not Masons. Some of these charities are vast
projects. The Shrine Masons (Shriners) operate the largest network of hospitals
for burned and orthopedically impaired children in the country, and there is
never a fee for treatment. The Scottish Rite Masons maintain a nationwide
network of over 150 Childhood Language Disorder Clinics, Centers, and Programs.
Many other Masonic organizations sponsor a variety of philanthropies, including
scholarship programs for children, and perform public service activities in
their communities. Masons also enjoy the fellowship of each other and their
families in social and recreational activities.
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What is The Masonic Lodge?
The word "Lodge" means both a group of Masons meeting together as well as the
room or building in which they meet. Masonic buildings are sometimes called
"temples" because the original meaning of the term was "place of knowledge" and
Masonry encourages the advancement of knowledge. Masonic Lodges usually meet
once or twice a month to conduct regular business, vote upon petitions for
membership, and bring new Masons into the Fraternity through three ceremonies
called degrees. In the Lodge room Masons share in a variety of programs. Here
the bonds of friendship and fellowship are formed and strengthened.
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Who Can Qualify To Join?
Petitioners must be men of good character who believe in a Supreme Being. To
become a Mason one must petition a particular Blue Lodge (such as John A.
Lejeune Lodge #350, Quantico, Virginia). The Master of the Lodge appoints a
committee to visit the applicant prior to the Lodge balloting upon his petition.
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Men of Character and Integrity Join the Masons
Most are men who go about their jobs and professions with no hint they are
Freemasons except for the way they lead their lives. Many are readily
recognizable by name, face, or accomplishment. George Washington and thirteen
other Presidents, eight Vice Presidents and forty-two Justices of the Supreme
Court have been Masons.
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Freemasonry and Religion
Basic Principles.
Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. It requires
of its members a belief in God as part of the obligation of every responsible
adult, but advocates no sectarian faith or practice. Masonic ceremonies include
prayers, both traditional and extempore, to reaffirm each individual's
dependence on God and to seek divine guidance. Freemasonry is open to men of any
faith, but religion may not be discussed at Masonic meetings.
The Supreme Being.
Masons believe that there is one God and that people employ many different ways
to seek, and to express what they know of God. Masonry primarily uses the
appellation, "Grand Architect of the Universe," and other non-sectarian titles,
to address the Deity. In this way, persons of different faiths may join together
in prayer, concentrating on God, rather than differences among themselves.
Masonry believes in religious freedom and that the relationship between the
individual and God is personal, private, and sacred.
Volume of the Sacred Law.
An open volume of the Sacred Law, "the rule and guide of life," is an essential
part of every Masonic meeting. The Volume of the Sacred Law in the
Judeo/Christian tradition is the Bible; to Freemasons of other faiths, it is the
book held holy by them.
The Oath of Freemasonry.
The obligations taken by Freemasons are sworn on the Volume of the Sacred Law.
They are undertakings to follow the principles of Freemasonry and to keep
confidential a Freemason's means of recognition. The much discussed "penalties,"
judicial remnants from an earlier era, are symbolic, not literal. They refer
only to the pain any honest man should feel at the thought of violating his
word.
Freemasonry Compared with Religion.
Freemasonry lacks the basic elements of religion: (a) It has no dogma or
theology, no wish or means to enforce religious orthodoxy. (b) It offers no
sacraments. (c) It does not claim to lead to salvation by works, by secret
knowledge, or by any other means. The secrets of Freemasonry are concerned with
modes of recognition, not with the means of salvation.
Freemasonry Supports Religion.
Freemasonry is far from indifferent toward religion. Without interfering in
religious practice, it expects each member to follow his own faith and to place
his Duty to God above all other duties. Its moral teachings are acceptable to
all religions.
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Freemasonry and Secrecy
People sometimes refer to Freemasonry as being a "Secret Society." In one
sense the statement is true. Any social group or private business is "secret" in
the sense that its business meetings may be open only to its members. In
Freemasonry, the process of joining is also a private matter, and its members
are pledged not to discuss with non-members certain parts of the ceremonies
associated with the organization. Freemasonry does have certain handshakes and
passwords, customs incorporated into later fraternities, which are kept private.
They are means of recognizing each other--necessary in an organization which
spans the entire world and which encompasses many languages. The tradition of
using handshakes and passwords was very common in the Middle Ages, when the
ability to identify oneself as belonging to a building or trade guild often made
the difference in getting a job or in obtaining help for yourself and family.
Today, Freemasons make the same pledge to every member that he will be offered
assistance if he, or his family, ever requests it. Freemasonry can’t be called a
"secret society" in a literal sense. A truly secret society forbids its members
to disclose that they belong to the organization, or that it even exists. Much
of the Masonic ritual is in books called "Monitors" that are widely available,
even in public libraries. Most Freemasons wear rings and lapel pins which
clearly identify them as members of the fraternity. Masonic lodges are listed in
public phone books, Masonic buildings are clearly marked, and in many areas of
the country Masonic lodges place signs on the roads leading into town, along
with civic organizations, showing the time and place of meetings. In terms of
what it does, what it teaches, who belongs, where it meets, there are no secrets
in Freemasonry! It is a private fraternal association of men who contribute much
toward the public good, while enjoying the benefits of the brotherhood of a
fraternity.
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The Youth Orders
While there are several youth organizations sponsored or supported by the
various Masonic organizations, three are the largest and best known.
The Order of DeMolay is an organization for young men aged 12 to 21.
Young men do not need to have a Masonic relative to join the organization. DeMolay was founded in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1919, and is now international
in scope. Like the other Masonic Youth Orders, DeMolay Chapters (local groups)
usually meet in a room at a local Masonic Lodge. Adult leadership is provided by
men (usually Masons) known as Chapter Dads or advisors. The Order takes its name
from Jacques DeMolay, the last Grand Master of the Templars, who was martyred in
the Middle Ages for refusing to compromise his honor. The Order teaches the
virtues of reverence, love of parents, comradeship, patriotism, courtesy,
cleanness, and fidelity. The Order provides many social events and activities,
which help to teach social skills and leadership.
The International Order of Rainbow for Girls is an organization for
young women aged 11to 20. It was founded in McAlester, Oklahoma, in 1922. No
relationship to a member of the Masonic Order is required for membership. Local
groups or Assemblies are generally sponsored by either a Masonic Lodge or a
Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. Women known as Mother Advisors give
adult supervision and guidance. Each of the colors of the rainbow is associated
with a particular virtue or source of inspiration. Like the other Youth Orders,
Rainbow is deeply involved with local charity and support of education. It
teaches character development, planning, leadership, and social skills through
training programs and social events.
The International Order of Job’s Daughters takes its name from a story
in the Biblical Book of Job. It was organized in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1920.
Membership requires the young woman be related to a Mason. The local
organization is called a Bethel. The teachings of the Order are Biblically
based, and similar virtues are stressed as in the other Masonic Youth Orders.
Job’s Daughters places special emphasis on community service. Many Bethels work
with drug education programs and with the Hearing Impaired Kids Endowment (HIKE)
Program. Membership is for young women age 11 to 20. The youth organizations are
separate and independent organizations that stress the importance of character
development, community service and leadership.
While members of the youth groups are free to seek membership in Freemasonry
or the Eastern Star, it is a personal choice and not a requirement of membership
in a youth order.
Prepared by the Masonic Information Center
(12/93) Revised (9/98)
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