FAQ

What's a Mason?
The answer can be simple.  A Freemason (or Mason) is a member of a fraternity known as freemasonry (Masonry).  The opposite of a sorority, a fraternity is a group of men who join together  because there are things they want to do in the world, things they want to do in their own minds, and they enjoy being together with men they like and respect.

What is Masonry?
It is the oldest fraternity in the world. It probably arose from the guilds of stonemasons who built the castles and cathedrals of the Middle Ages (possibly were influenced by the legendary Knights Templar, a group of warrior monks formed to protect pilgrims making trips in the Holy Land).  Nobody knows just how old it is because the real origins have been lost in time.
Masonry created a formal organization in England in 1717 and the first Grand lodge was created.

What is a lodge?
It means both a group of Masons meeting in a place and the room or building in which they meet.   Sometimes the buildings are called "temples" because a lot of the symbolism comes from the building of King Solomon's Temple.  The term "lodge" comes from the structures stonemasons built on the sides of cathedrals during construction.  They lived in these lodges and worked at carving stone in the winter when building had to stop.

Why is Masonry Secretive?
Though it has that reputation, it really isn't "secretive".  Masons don't make a secret of the fact that they are members.  Many wear rings, tie clasps and watches with emblems like the Square and Compasses. 
Lodges are listed in phone book.  Lodge activities are advertised in news papers. 
But there are some  Masonic secrets in a couple categories. 
There are grips and passwords that we keep private.  It is not unknown for people to try to pass themselves off as masons in order to get assistance under false pretenses.
The real "Masonic Secrets" are secrets that literally can't be talked about and can't be put into words.  Its a wonderful feeling that simply can't be explained to another person.  That's why we sometime say that Masonic secrets cannot be told

Is Masonry a Religion?
No. We do use ritual in meetings, and there is a Volume of the Sacred Law that causes people to be confused with Masonry being a religion, but it is not.  Although religion does play an important part in Masonry.  A person who wants to become a Mason must have a belief in God.  No atheist can ever become a Mason.  Meetings open with a prayer that also sometimes confuses people with a religion.  Masons believe in the importance of religion and it encourages Masons to be active in the religion and church of his choice.  Masonry teaches that without religion a man is alone and lost, and without it he can never reach his full potential.  Masonry, however, does not tell a person which religion he should practice and how he should practice it.  That is between the individuals relationship with God.  It is said that Masonry is very religious, but it is not a religion.

What are the Requirements for Membership?
A person who wants to join must be a man (it is a fraternity), sound in body and mind, believes in God and is at least the minimum age required by Masonry in the state and has a good reputation. Those are the formal requirements. there are some not so formal ones as well.  He should believe in helping others, believe there is more to life than pleasure and money, respect others and want to develop as a human being.

How does a man become a Mason?

Some men are surprised no one has asked them to become a Mason.  They may even feel that Masons don't think they are "good enough" to join.  It doesn't work that way. 
Masons have been forbidden to ask others to join the fraternity for hundreds of years. We can talk to friends and family about Masonry, what it does and how much we like it.  But we can not ask or pressure anyone to join. 
There is a good reason.  We are not trying to be exclusive. But becoming a Mason is a very serious thing, it's making a permanent life commitment to live in certain ways to live with honor and integrity, to be willing to share with care about others, to trust each other and ultimately trust in God.  No one should be "talked into" such a decision.
So when a man desires to become a Mason, he asks a Mason for a petition (application), fills it out and gives it to the Mason.  The Mason will bring the petition to lodge and the Master of the lodge with appoint a committee to visit the man and his family to find out a little about him and why he wants to join and answer questions.  The committee reports to the lodge and they have a vote. If the vote is affirmative (usually is) the lodge will contact the man to set the date for the Entered Apprentice Degree.  When the man completes all three degrees, he is a Master Mason and a full member of the fraternity.



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