Overview
Freemasonry is a philosophy and practice of morality and ethics imparted to its members through the symbolic use of the tools of ancient stonemasons and by initiation ceremonies based upon rituals that are centuries old. Freemasons uniquely use 18th century language and rituals to teach 21st century values.
The heritage of modern Freemasonry is derived from the organized guilds or unions of stonemasons who constructed the beautiful cathedrals and other stately structures throughout Europe during the middle ages. Over time, the demand for operative stonemasons declined until they were eventually replaced with members who emphasized the teaching of moral philosophy rather than the technical and working skills of earlier centuries.
Tools of the stonemasons are still used in Freemasonry today but only to symbolize moral virtue, not to build cathedrals.
Masonry Does Not Seek, It Must Be Sought
One of the ancient landmarks of the fraternity is that it does not solicit new members. Many good men over the years have had their feelings hurt because close friends whom they knew to be Masons never invited them to join Freemasonry. They did not know, of course, that these close friends were prohibited by Masonic law from issuing such invitations. A man must seek Masonic membership of his own free will and accord.
This circumstance has, as noted, caused some hurt feelings and, in some instances, even hard feelings. It can cause difficulty for Mason and non-Mason alike. It is naturally hard for a man to understand why his father, or his brother, or his very best friend, has never asked him to become a Freemason. On the other hand, a Mason can ache to urge Masonic membership upon someone particularly close to him, someone he knows would be a credit to the fraternity, but he is hemmed in by the Masonic law. So it could be reasonably asked why Freemasonry imposes this prohibition, why it will not permit its members to invite others to join them in Masonic membership.
The fraternity has always taken the stand that it would be impossible to draw the line if invitations to membership were permitted. Admittedly, with invitations it would gain some good members. Most members would invite only those men who would be good Masons. But, some members would be ruled by their hearts and not their heads, often inviting men out of affectionate regard without properly considering their moral worth from a Masonic standpoint. Besides, the resourceful Mason can always find an opening in casual conversation to let certain individuals know that Masonry does not seek, it must be sought. Further bolstering the fraternity’s position is the indisputable fact that the man who becomes a Mason of his own free will and desire is much more likely to become a strong and useful member than is one who comes by invitation.
Things to consider before you join
Once a man begins thinking of applying for Masonic membership, there are a number of factors he should seriously consider.
He should make certain he has a general idea of what Masonry is all about. A man should be able to determine if the fraternity is really what he thought it was, if it is really something he wishes to become a part of. Freemasonry is not for everyone, if a man is not going to be an interested member he will do himself and the fraternity a service if he never applies.
A man interested in applying for Masonic membership should inquire into the financial obligations membership in his particular area would entail. The initiation fees and annual dues can and do vary from state to state, and within states. With rare exception, though, the cost of Masonic membership is well within the means of the average man.
He should understand that Masonry is a fraternal order and NOT a financial institution or insurance society and that no financial benefits are to be anticipated by becoming a member of this fraternity.
He should ascertain when and where the local lodge meets. While there are no attendance requirements of a Mason, he will not obtain the full benefits of membership if he has not time to attend and participate in a reasonable number of meetings and other activities without neglecting his family and other duties.
He should examine his own life style and determine if it will suit him to be a Mason.
Just regular guys
From much that has already been said here, it could be assumed that Freemasons are prudes and will accept none but prudes into their ranks, but this is not the case. The fraternity recognizes the inevitability of human frailty and harbors no illusions about finding or creating perfect men. It only hopes to make good men better men.
A man is seldom rejected for Masonic membership simply because he is known to take an occasional drink, but he is virtually certain of rejection if it is known he is addicted to the bottle or that his occasional drink is cause for unseemly behavior.
The fact that a man is divorced is, in itself, not cause for rejection, but if he has abused his wife or their children he can forget about any likelihood of being accepted into Masonry.
If a man has at some time, despite his best efforts, gotten behind in his financial or other obligations, that fact likely will not be held against him; if he has failed to meet his obligations when capable of doing so he will probably be rejected by Masonry.
In summary, Freemasons will not knowingly elect bad apples into their order, they wish new members to be better men than themselves—at least as good. Masons do not claim to be or wish to be reformers, but they do believe a good man coming into the fraternity will become a better man as a result of his membership.
What Does It Mean To Be A Mason?
It means being part of an unbroken tradition that stretches back over 500 years to a time when guilds of Freemasons traveled throughout Europe laying the stones of the great Gothic cathedrals.
It means sharing the values of our nation’s founding fathers – among them George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, and Paul Revere – all Masons who lived their lives by the principles of loyalty, patriotism, liberty, courage, and faith, which are also deeply embedded in Freemasonry.
It means becoming a better person while helping to improve the quality of life for others. It means forming deep and lasting friendships through Masonic Brotherhood that transcend the boundaries of race, religion, and culture, as well as those of geography.
But most of all, being a Mason means the kind of deep satisfaction that comes only from selfless giving; from doing for others without asking or expecting anything in return.
Is Freemasonry a Religion?
Freemasonry is not a religion. In fact, discussing religion is forbidden in Masonic meetings. Every man desiring to become a Mason must believe in a Supreme Being; how each man views that deity is their own personal belief. Masonic meetings open and close with a prayer but not as a place of worship or a church.
Who Becomes a Mason?
Men who become Masons come from all walks of life and levels of income. They represent every race, creed, and culture.
In Masonry, it doesn’t matter whether a man is a bricklayer or a physician, a waiter or the mayor of the city. All are “on the same level” in the Lodge room.
The ceremonies and practices of the Masons have remained unchanged for hundreds of years. No matter where a Masonic Lodge is located, its members share the common bond of having passed through the same degree work, rites, and rituals.
Because of this, members can find brother Masons wherever they go. Across the country and around the world, there are Lodges in nearly every city and in many smaller communities.
It’s a good feeling to know that, wherever a man’s travels may take him, he has friends he can depend upon and trust.
The Masonic Tenets
Freemasonry is built upon three basic tenets – Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. Brotherly Love is the practice of the Golden Rule. Relief embodies charity for all mankind. Truth is honesty, fair play, and adherence to the cardinal virtues of Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence, and Justice.
These moral lessons are taught during three ceremonies, or “degrees” through allegory and symbolism using the traditional stonemasons tools.
Masonic Secrecy
Freemasonry is a secret organization. The “secrets” which Masons may not divulge involve the modes of recognition which Masons may use to identify themselves, as well as parts of the degree rituals. However, Lodge buildings are clearly marked and listed in the phone book. Members frequently wear rings and pins identifying them as Masons. Masonry values confidentiality and so, as with many other organizations, many of its meetings are not open to the public.
Giving Freely of Yourself and Asking Nothing in Return
Selfless giving is a trademark of Freemasonry. Locally, Masonic Lodges may offer scholarships to students pursuing higher education; they may conduct Child Identification programs in coordination with local police departments; they may donate bicycles to schools in their community to promote public education, in addition to volunteering their time in a host of other ways for the betterment of their towns and cities.
Nationally, Masons contribute nearly $2 million every day to relieve suffering and for the enrichment of mankind. Masons are the founding sponsors and supporters of the Shriners Burns Institutes and the Shriners Hospitals for Children, both of which offer their services free of charge; the Scottish Rite Childhood Language Program helps children with speech and language disorders throughout the United States, while numerous other Masonic affiliated organizations support worthy and needed causes.
What Are The Qualifications?
Any man may apply for membership who:
- Has been an Oregon resident for at least six months.
- Is at least 18 years of age.
- Has a belief in a Supreme Being.
- Lives a good and moral life.
What Is The Process?
A man interested in joining a Masonic Lodge must:
- Ask for an application form called a Petition For The Degrees Of Masonry. One of the traditions in Freemasonry is that membership is not openly solicited by current members—if you want to join, you must ask for a Petition.
- Two Lodge members must agree to sign your Petition recommending you as a candidate for membership.
- The Lodge will vote to accept your Petition, and if approved, will assign a committee of three members to meet with you and your family to discuss your application and to make a determination of your qualifications.
- If the committee reports back to the Lodge with a favorable recommendation, the Lodge will then vote on your qualifications by secret ballot. The ballot must be unanimous for approval. If approved, you will be scheduled to receive the Degrees of Masonry.
- You will then be initiated with the three degrees of Masonry—the Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason—as have all members who have joined before you.