Ask A Freemason

Following are some of the most common questions that Freemasons are asked.

What is Freemasonry?

Freemasonry is the word’s oldest and largest Fraternity. It aims to promote Friendship, Morality, and Brotherly Love among its members; men from every country, religion, race, age, income, education, and opinion who are brought together as Brothers to develop and strengthen the bonds of friendship. There are more than 3 million members meeting in nearly every free country in the world. Freemasonry proposes to “make good men better” by teaching – with metaphors from geometry and architecture – about building values based on great universal truths. Finally, charity and community service is fundamental to Freemasonry and something we actively take part in.

How can I get more information about the Freemasons?

The best way to learn more is to talk to a Mason – either in person or electronically. The Find a Lodge locator feature has the name and contact information of a Brother for every lodge in the state of Texas. He will answer your questions and provide you with additional information; and, if you would like, find a convenient time to meet, introduce you to some other members, and tour their building. You may have some of the same questions as those below – so take a look at the FAQ’s. You can also ask us a question by email.

What are the requirements to become a Mason?

Anyone meeting the following primary requirements may petition a lodge for membership:

1. You are an adult male (18 or older) of good character and recommended by a Brother Mason.
2. You believe in a Supreme Being – no atheist or agnostic can become a Mason – but we are not concerned with theological distinctions or your particular religious beliefs.
3. You are interested in becoming a Mason because you hold a favorable opinion of our institution; and, your decision to apply is based on your “own free will and accord” – no one compelled you to join.

Not all men can become Masons, however. Masonry does not purport to make “bad men good,” only “good men better.” This distinction is critical in that from its early days the Fraternity took itself out of the “rehabilitation” game – which is the purview of religion and the criminal justice system. Only men of good character are accepted into the Fraternity. Masonic lodges review every applicant’s character – and the centuries-old “blackball” system is still in place; candidates for the degrees must be voted by a 100% vote of the lodge members present.

How do I become a Freemason? Ask!

Because Masons have not traditionally recruited members, and do not hold public meetings, there has long been confusion about how to join the Fraternity. Does someone invite you? Do you ask? For a man who meets the requirements listed above, it is really quite simple.

Most men can become a Mason by simply asking – like Washington, Franklin, and most every Mason from the past to the present day. Each lodge manages the membership process for its candidates. In general, men seek out a Lodge near their home or work (the Find a Lodge feature will help you locate the closest lodge), or they will ask a Mason to recommend a lodge to them. Once you’ve found a lodge you would like to join, let them know of your interest and they will provide you with a petition.

If you are unanimously elected by the members of a lodge, joining the Fraternity involves going through three “degrees”: Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason. Every man accepted into the Fraternity goes through the three degrees, thereby making each an equal to the others in the lodge. Typically they are conferred during a lodge’s monthly meeting over the course of three months.

What if I don’t know a Mason who can recommend me?

It is quite possible you know a Mason but you just don’t realize it. If your father, uncles, or grandfathers aren’t Masons, they probably know someone who is. You might also want to ask around your workplace or school, church, or gym – anywhere that you find a group of men, you might find a Mason. Although Masons tend to be very proud of their association with the Fraternity, they are often uncomfortable talking about it. It is particularly difficult for them to speak with their friends or family members because they don’t want to push Masonry on them. They might very well be looking forward to the opportunity to speak with you; more importantly, they would be honored to sponsor you for membership.
If you don’t know anyone who is a Mason and you are a complete stranger to all of the members of the lodge, you are going to want to take some time getting to know them. But they are going to want to take some time getting to know you too. Once you are ready to Ask, a member of the lodge will sign your petition. Lodges have a dinner before their monthly stated meeting. You should contact the lodge you’re interested in and check about attending that meal and get to know some members of the lodge After you get to know some of the members you can ask them for recommendations.

What are the time and/or financial commitments of being a Mason?

Becoming a Mason takes several months from the time you complete your petition until you have finished your degrees. Until you begin taking your degrees though, very little is asked of you. Once the degree work begins you will need to attend your lodge’s monthly meeting. There is also several additional meetings per month called the “Lodge of Instruction,” where you will receive further explanation about the degree you just experienced. There is also some side work that you will need to complete that amounts to a little bit of homework. Every member of the Fraternity has gone through this process and your lodge will assign a Brother to help you.

Once you have completed your three degrees, we expect our members to attend their lodge’s “Stated Communication,” or monthly meeting. Sometimes there will be a special meeting on a second night in a month. Beyond that, there are other activities going on: community service, family and social outings, etc. that take place throughout the year. We hope our members will participate in the events that their time and interest allows. Like many things, you get out of Freemasonry what you choose to put into it. We also recognize and understand the need for a balance between your family, work or school, and other interests and commitments.

There are initiation fees for each degree as you advance through the degree process – A portion of each of the degree fee is sent to the Grand Lodge of Texas to help provided needed resources to the many Masonic charities and institutions that are assisted throughout the state. There is an annual dues fee which also differs from lodge-to-lodge, and is used to help off set the cost of operating the lodge. The Annual dues fees also provide resources to the Grand Lodge of Texas to help finance the many programs and charities currently sponsored.

The “Find a Lodge” feature only lists lodges in Texas. How do I find a lodge if I live somewhere else?

If you do not live in Texas, the best resource for the information you need is the Grand Lodge that presides over your jurisdiction (your state of province in North America, your country most everywhere else in the world). Enter the term Grand Lodge of (Your Jurisdiction) in any search engine and the first entry will likely be your Grand Lodge. Do not hesitate to contact them. They will welcome your inquiry.

Why is there so much interest in Masonry today?

Over the last four centuries, Freemasonry seems to have flourished during times of great enlightenment and change. It is no coincidence that Freemasonry rose to prominence during the Age of Enlightenment in both Europe and America – where a new generation believed it could discover ways to gain personal improvement, bring order to society, and understand the whole universe. This statement is perhaps even stronger today than it was in the 18th century.

Today, men seek out Masonry for the same reasons – to better themselves and improve society in the company of like-minded Brothers. As we learn more about how our physical world works, there’s also new interest in those things we don’t understand – especially things bound around tradition or that have a more mystical nature. Also, books like The Da Vinci Code and movies like “National Treasure” have brought up both new interest and renewed speculation about the nature of the Fraternity. Though these books and movies are a product more of a vivid imagination than fact, the real history of Masonry is perhaps the best story of all – one learned only by Asking – and becoming a Freemason.

Can Freemasonry actually prepare me for greatness?

No organization can guarantee to make anyone great – the capacity and motivation must come from the individual – but the powerful values and important truths that are taught as part of the Masonic tradition has proven to inspire, challenge, and develop leadership in men. Benjamin Franklin may have said it best, describing the Fraternity as a place to “prepare himself.”

Today, men are preparing themselves for greatness in Lodges the world over. If you think there’s greatness in you, we invite your interest.
What are the benefits of becoming a Mason?

There are numerous benefits to becoming a Mason, but they tend to be personal and they are also quite varied. And they can only be truly discovered by becoming a member. But to try and give you an idea: without question the opportunity to experience camaraderie and fellowship with a group of men across the boundaries of age, race, religion, culture, and opinion is a fundamental aspect of the Fraternity; many find great value and knowledge in our ritual ceremony that uses symbolism and metaphors to encourage and remind us to appreciate principles, ethics, and morality, and to live our lives accordingly; others find great satisfaction in our charitable efforts, community service, and the support we provide our members and their families; finally, for those who take on leadership positions within their lodge, they develop or further very practical management skills.

Ritual & Secrets

What about secret handshakes and passwords?

Freemasonry, often called the “Craft” by its members, is founded on metaphors of architecture. Following the practice of the ancient stonemason guilds, Freemasons use special handshakes, words, and symbols to not only to identify each other, but to help, as William Preston said in 1772, “imprint upon the memory wise and serious truths.”

Although every new Freemason takes an oath – and vows to keep secret the metaphors of Masonry – the metaphors are only used to help Masons become better men; and there’s certainly no secret surrounding what it takes to be good and true.

What is Masonic “ritual”?

The nature of Masonic ritual is both complex and beautiful. “Ritual” is a formal ceremony of initiation which recites certain tenets and truths that have been passed down for generations – mostly from mouth to ear. This “Ritual” takes the form of lectures and theater in the Lodge, and is used to teach new Masons the value of true friendship, the benefits of knowledge, and the necessity of helping those in need.

It speaks to the power and impact our ritual has on men’s hearts and minds because it has stood the test of time for more than 300 years. Although our world has changed dramatically during that time, our ritual is virtually the same.

Not everyone will want to learn the ancient ritual – as it takes great time and study – but those Masons who chose to learn it are rewarded with the satisfaction of upholding a powerful tradition and helping their fellow brothers further their Masonic understanding.

Masonry & Religion

Is Masonry a Religion?

Masonry is not a religion. But it is one of the few platforms where men of all faiths – Christians (including Catholics), Jews, Muslims, and every other religion – can come together because it is open to all men who believe in a Supreme Being; but religion is not discussed at Masonic meetings. Although Lodges open and close with a prayer and Masonry teaches morality, it is not a church or a religion. Masonry does not have a theology or dogma, it does not offer sacraments, and it does not offer the promise of salvation.

Women in Freemasonry

Why aren’t there any famous women who are Masons?

Freemasonry is, by definition, a fraternity that aims to promote Brotherly Love and Friendship among its members. It is a worldwide organization that draws together men from every country, race, religion, ethnicity, opinion, and background, and helps cultivate and promote better relationships and bonds of friendships among them. Freemasonry doesn’t focus on Friendship and Brotherly Love because it believes that only relations between men are important, or that relations between men and women are unimportant, but because hope for peace and harmony in the world is improved when men can put aside their differences and come together as friends. Masons also appreciate and value relations with women. We sponsor and participate in Masonic related organizations such as the Order of Eastern Star and the Order of Rainbow for Girls, whose members include women and girls respectively.

Charity

Is Freemasonry a Charity?

No. Masonic principles teach the value of relief – or charity – and Freemasons give more than $2 million A DAY, of which more than 70% of these donations support the general public. Among their works are the Shriners Hospitals for Children with 22 sites throughout North America, including a burn center in Boston and an orthopedic facility in Springfield; almost 225 Learning Centers helping children with dyslexia and speech and hearing disorders; the Masonic Youth Child Identification Program (MYCHIP), and the Masonic Angel Foundation, providing modest assistance to children and adults in local communities who do not fit the criteria for usual social-services. There are numerous other worthy causes and groups that local Lodges contribute to and help in their communities.

History

Where did Freemasonry come from?

Part of the mystique of Freemasonry can be attributed to speculation about its roots. Over the years, researchers have never been able to conclusively determine exactly when, where, how, and why Freemasonry was born. The order is thought to have arisen from the English and Scottish guilds of practicing stonemasons and cathedral builders in the Middle Ages, but certain Masonic documents actually trace the sciences of geometry and Masonry to the time of ancient Egypt, and some historians say that Masonry has its real roots in antiquity.

The formation of the first Grand Lodge in London in 1717 could mark the beginning of the Modern (or “Speculative”) era of Freemasonry, when members were no longer limited to actual working stonemasons. These “Accepted” Masons eventually adopted more enlightened Philosophies, and turned what was a tradesmen’s organization into a fraternity for moral edification, intellectual recitation, benevolent service, and gentlemanly socialization.