WHAT IS FREEMASONRY?
Tell Me Something About Freemasonry
Freemasonry is the UK's largest, fraternal and charitable organisation. It teaches moral lessons and self-knowledge through participation in allegorical plays, which are performed within each lodge. Freemasonry is non denominational for men of all religions, a belief in God is essential but topics of political or religious discussions are not allowed at lodge meetings. The Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England is H.R.H the Duke of Kent. Worldwide there are over 5,000,000 Freemasons.
Freemasonry offers its members an approach to life and teaches us to follow the three grand principles :
Brotherly Love: Tolerance and respect for the opinions of others and to behave with kindness and understanding to their fellows.
Relief: To practice charity and to care for others in the community both by charitable giving and by voluntary efforts and works as individuals.
Truth: To strive for truth, requiring high moral standards and aiming to achieve them in their lives.
Freemasonry provides members with a code of conduct - an important ideal in today’s changing world - which is based on moral and ethical standards. Above all else becoming a Freemason provides men with the opportunity to meet and develop friendships with like minded men and share ideals and objectives
Who can become a Freemason?
If you are interested in becoming a Freemason, we advise that you first talk to a family member, friend or colleague whom you already know to be a member. They will be able to explain to you what they can about the craft.
One of the most common misconceptions about Freemasonry is that you have to be invited to join. In fact, the exact opposite is true - you have to ask to join.
The problem is - who to ask ? Often, members keep their membership private.
However, there are avenues open to prospective members.
If you don't know anyone at all who is a member, then get in touch with us, you can contact us via the contact us page, tell us a little bit about yourself and your reasons for wishing to join.
Arrangements will be made to meet you socially to find out more about you, and to give you a chance to find out more about us. You would then in due course be invited to meet a committee of members from the Lodge, prior to being balloted for membership of the Lodge.
Men considering Freemasonry will find a warm welcome awaiting them.
Charity & Freemasonry
From its earliest days Freemasonry has been involved in charitable activities, and since its inception it has provided support for many widows and dependants of Freemasons, as well as members of the Craft who need support.
Funds have also always been made available for other charitable purposes, especially when assistance is urgently required.
Between 1981 and 2007 £40 million was given to charity, £7 million to hospice services, £400,000 to Air Ambulances and £1.5 million for emergency relief work world wide.
These charitable works are carried out under the banner of the Grand Charity and certain other specific Masonic charitable organisations.
Apart from the National Lottery, the Freemasons' Grand Charity is the UK's biggest charity donor, and is funded solely by donations and contributions from Freemasons themselves.
The Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham supports a large number of local charities
Question: What is Freemasonry?
Answer: Freemasonry is the U.K.'s largest secular, fraternal and charitable organisation. It teaches moral lessons and self-knowledge through participation in a progression of allegorical two-part plays.
Question: How many Freemasons are there?
Answer: Under the United Grand Lodge of England, there are 330,000 Freemasons, meeting in 8,644 lodges. There are separate Grand Lodges for Ireland (which covers north and south) and Scotland, with a combined membership of 150,000. Worldwide, there are probably 5 million members.
Question: How and when did Freemasonry start?
Answer: It is not known. The earliest recorded 'making' of a Freemason in England is that of Elias Ashmole in 1646. Organised Freemasonry began with the founding of the Grand Lodge of England on 24 June 1717, the first Grand Lodge in the world. Ireland followed in 1725 and Scotland in 1736.
All the regular Grand Lodges in the world trace themselves back to one or more of the Grand Lodges in the British Isles. There are two main theories of origin. According to one, the operative stonemasons who built the great cathedrals and castles had lodges in which they discussed trade affairs. They had simple initiation ceremonies and, as there were no City and Guilds certificates, dues cards or trade union membership cards, they adopted secret signs and words to demonstrate that they were trained masons when they moved from site to site. In the 1600s, these operative lodges began to accept non-operatives as "gentlemen masons". Gradually these non-operative took over the lodges and turned them from operative to 'free and accepted' or 'speculative' lodges.
The other theory is that in the late 1500s and early 1600s, there was a group which was interested in the promotion of religious and political tolerance in an age of great tolerance when differences of opinion on matters of religion and politics were to lead to bloody civil war. In forming Freemasonry, they were trying to make better men and build a better world. As the means of teaching in those days was by allegory and symbolism, they took the idea of building as the central allegory on which to form their system. The main source of allegory was the Bible, the contents of which were known to everyone even if they could not read, and the only building described in detail in the Bible was King Solomon's Temple, which became the basis of the ritual. The old trade guilds provided them with their basis administration of a Master, Wardens, Treasurer and Secretary, and the operative mason's tools provided them with a wealth of symbols with which to illustrate the moral teachings of Freemasonry.
Question: How many degrees are there in Freemasonry?
Answer: Basic Freemasonry consists of the three 'Craft' degrees (Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason) completed by the Royal Arch degree (Chapter). There are many other Masonic degrees and Orders which are called 'additional' because they add to the basis of the Craft and Royal Arch. They are not basic to Freemasonry but add to it by further expounding and illustrating the principles stated in the Craft and Royal Arch. Some of these additional degrees are numerically superior to the third degree but this does not affect the fact that they are additional to and not in anyway superior to or higher than the Craft. The ranks that these additional degrees carry have no standing with the Craft or Royal Arch.
Question: What happens at a lodge meeting?
A The meeting is in two parts. As in any association there is a certain amount of administrative procedure - minutes of last meeting, proposing and balloting for new members, discussing and voting on financial matters, election of officers, news and correspondence. Then there are the ceremonies for admitting new Masons and the annual installation of the Master and appointment of officers. The three ceremonies for admitting a new Mason are in two parts - a slight dramatic instruction in the principles and lessons taught in the Craft followed by a lecture in which the candidate's various duties are spelled out.
Question: Isn't ritual out of place in modern society?
Answer: 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 candidates than if they were simply passed on to him in matter-of-fact modern language.
Question: Why do you wear regalia?
Answer: Wearing regalia is historical and symbolic and, like a uniform, serves to indicate to members where they rank in the organisation.
Question: How much does it cost to be a Freemason?
Answer: It varies from lodge to lodge but anyone wishing to join can find a lodge to suit his pocket. On entry, there is an initiation fee and an apron to buy. A member pays an annual subscription to his lodge which covers his membership and the administrative cost of running the lodge. It is usual to have a meal after the meeting; the cost of this can be included either in the annual subscription or paid for at the time. It is entirely up to the individual member what he gives to Charity, but it should always be without detriment to his other responsibilities. Similarly, he may join as many lodges as his time and pocket can allow as long as it does not adversely affect his family life and responsibilities.
Question: Why are you a secret society?
Answer: We are not, but lodge meetings, like those of many other groups, are private and open only to members. The rules and aims of Freemasonry are available to the public. Meeting places are known and in many areas are used by the local community for activities other than Freemasonry. Members are encouraged to speak openly about Freemasonry.
Question: What are the secrets of Freemasonry?
Answer: The secrets in Freemasonry are the traditional modes of recognition which are not used indiscriminately, but solely as a test of membership, e.g. when visiting a Lodge where you are not known.
Question: What happens at a lodge meeting?
Answer: The meeting is in two parts. As in any association there is a certain amount of administrative procedure - minutes of last meeting, proposing and balloting for new members, discussing and voting on financial matters, election of officers, news and correspondence. Then there are the ceremonies for admitting new Masons and the annual installation of the Master and appointment of officers. The three ceremonies for admitting a new Mason are in two parts - a slight dramatic instruction in the principles and lessons taught in the Craft followed by a lecture in which the candidate's various duties are spelled out.
Question: Why do Freemasons take oaths?
Answer: 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 visiting a lodge where he is not known. Freemasons do not swear allegiances to each other or to Freemasonry. Freemasons promise to support others 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.
Question: Why do your 'obligations' contain hideous penalties?
Answer: 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, however, the physical penalties were always symbolic and were never carried out. After long discussion, they were removed from the promises in 1986.
Question: What is the relationship between Freemasonry and groups like the Orange Order, Odd Fellows and Buffaloes?
Answer: None. There are numerous fraternal orders and Friendly Societies whose rituals, regalia and organisation are similar in some respects to Freemasonry's. They have no formal or informal connections with Freemasonry.
Question: Aren't you a religion or a rival to a religion?
Answer: 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 practice 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.
Question: Is Freemasonry an international Order?
Answer: 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.
Question: Who can become a Freemason?
Answer: Our fraternity has a wonderful history, which dates back more than three centuries. It is one of the world's oldest secular fraternities, a society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values. Founded on the three great principles of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth, it aims to bring together men of goodwill, regardless of background and differences.
Question: People might think that to become a Freemason is quite difficult. It's actually straightforward?
Answer: The essential qualifications for admission is that you have a belief in a Supreme Being.
It is usual for candidates to be mature men of 18 years and over.
Question: How do I do to become a Freemason?
Answer: If you are interested in becoming a Freemason, we advise that you first talk to a family member, friend or colleague whom you already know to be a member. They will be able to explain to you what they can about the fraternity.
One of the most common misconceptions about Freemasonry is that you have to be invited to join. In fact, the exact opposite is true - you have to ask to join. The problem is - who to ask? Often, members keep their membership private. However, there are other avenues open to prospective members.
Interested?
Email the Lodge - [email protected]
Tell Me Something About Freemasonry
Freemasonry is the UK's largest, fraternal and charitable organisation. It teaches moral lessons and self-knowledge through participation in allegorical plays, which are performed within each lodge. Freemasonry is non denominational for men of all religions, a belief in God is essential but topics of political or religious discussions are not allowed at lodge meetings. The Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England is H.R.H the Duke of Kent. Worldwide there are over 5,000,000 Freemasons.
Freemasonry offers its members an approach to life and teaches us to follow the three grand principles :
Brotherly Love: Tolerance and respect for the opinions of others and to behave with kindness and understanding to their fellows.
Relief: To practice charity and to care for others in the community both by charitable giving and by voluntary efforts and works as individuals.
Truth: To strive for truth, requiring high moral standards and aiming to achieve them in their lives.
Freemasonry provides members with a code of conduct - an important ideal in today’s changing world - which is based on moral and ethical standards. Above all else becoming a Freemason provides men with the opportunity to meet and develop friendships with like minded men and share ideals and objectives
Who can become a Freemason?
If you are interested in becoming a Freemason, we advise that you first talk to a family member, friend or colleague whom you already know to be a member. They will be able to explain to you what they can about the craft.
One of the most common misconceptions about Freemasonry is that you have to be invited to join. In fact, the exact opposite is true - you have to ask to join.
The problem is - who to ask ? Often, members keep their membership private.
However, there are avenues open to prospective members.
If you don't know anyone at all who is a member, then get in touch with us, you can contact us via the contact us page, tell us a little bit about yourself and your reasons for wishing to join.
Arrangements will be made to meet you socially to find out more about you, and to give you a chance to find out more about us. You would then in due course be invited to meet a committee of members from the Lodge, prior to being balloted for membership of the Lodge.
Men considering Freemasonry will find a warm welcome awaiting them.
Charity & Freemasonry
From its earliest days Freemasonry has been involved in charitable activities, and since its inception it has provided support for many widows and dependants of Freemasons, as well as members of the Craft who need support.
Funds have also always been made available for other charitable purposes, especially when assistance is urgently required.
Between 1981 and 2007 £40 million was given to charity, £7 million to hospice services, £400,000 to Air Ambulances and £1.5 million for emergency relief work world wide.
These charitable works are carried out under the banner of the Grand Charity and certain other specific Masonic charitable organisations.
Apart from the National Lottery, the Freemasons' Grand Charity is the UK's biggest charity donor, and is funded solely by donations and contributions from Freemasons themselves.
The Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham supports a large number of local charities
Question: What is Freemasonry?
Answer: Freemasonry is the U.K.'s largest secular, fraternal and charitable organisation. It teaches moral lessons and self-knowledge through participation in a progression of allegorical two-part plays.
Question: How many Freemasons are there?
Answer: Under the United Grand Lodge of England, there are 330,000 Freemasons, meeting in 8,644 lodges. There are separate Grand Lodges for Ireland (which covers north and south) and Scotland, with a combined membership of 150,000. Worldwide, there are probably 5 million members.
Question: How and when did Freemasonry start?
Answer: It is not known. The earliest recorded 'making' of a Freemason in England is that of Elias Ashmole in 1646. Organised Freemasonry began with the founding of the Grand Lodge of England on 24 June 1717, the first Grand Lodge in the world. Ireland followed in 1725 and Scotland in 1736.
All the regular Grand Lodges in the world trace themselves back to one or more of the Grand Lodges in the British Isles. There are two main theories of origin. According to one, the operative stonemasons who built the great cathedrals and castles had lodges in which they discussed trade affairs. They had simple initiation ceremonies and, as there were no City and Guilds certificates, dues cards or trade union membership cards, they adopted secret signs and words to demonstrate that they were trained masons when they moved from site to site. In the 1600s, these operative lodges began to accept non-operatives as "gentlemen masons". Gradually these non-operative took over the lodges and turned them from operative to 'free and accepted' or 'speculative' lodges.
The other theory is that in the late 1500s and early 1600s, there was a group which was interested in the promotion of religious and political tolerance in an age of great tolerance when differences of opinion on matters of religion and politics were to lead to bloody civil war. In forming Freemasonry, they were trying to make better men and build a better world. As the means of teaching in those days was by allegory and symbolism, they took the idea of building as the central allegory on which to form their system. The main source of allegory was the Bible, the contents of which were known to everyone even if they could not read, and the only building described in detail in the Bible was King Solomon's Temple, which became the basis of the ritual. The old trade guilds provided them with their basis administration of a Master, Wardens, Treasurer and Secretary, and the operative mason's tools provided them with a wealth of symbols with which to illustrate the moral teachings of Freemasonry.
Question: How many degrees are there in Freemasonry?
Answer: Basic Freemasonry consists of the three 'Craft' degrees (Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason) completed by the Royal Arch degree (Chapter). There are many other Masonic degrees and Orders which are called 'additional' because they add to the basis of the Craft and Royal Arch. They are not basic to Freemasonry but add to it by further expounding and illustrating the principles stated in the Craft and Royal Arch. Some of these additional degrees are numerically superior to the third degree but this does not affect the fact that they are additional to and not in anyway superior to or higher than the Craft. The ranks that these additional degrees carry have no standing with the Craft or Royal Arch.
Question: What happens at a lodge meeting?
A The meeting is in two parts. As in any association there is a certain amount of administrative procedure - minutes of last meeting, proposing and balloting for new members, discussing and voting on financial matters, election of officers, news and correspondence. Then there are the ceremonies for admitting new Masons and the annual installation of the Master and appointment of officers. The three ceremonies for admitting a new Mason are in two parts - a slight dramatic instruction in the principles and lessons taught in the Craft followed by a lecture in which the candidate's various duties are spelled out.
Question: Isn't ritual out of place in modern society?
Answer: 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 candidates than if they were simply passed on to him in matter-of-fact modern language.
Question: Why do you wear regalia?
Answer: Wearing regalia is historical and symbolic and, like a uniform, serves to indicate to members where they rank in the organisation.
Question: How much does it cost to be a Freemason?
Answer: It varies from lodge to lodge but anyone wishing to join can find a lodge to suit his pocket. On entry, there is an initiation fee and an apron to buy. A member pays an annual subscription to his lodge which covers his membership and the administrative cost of running the lodge. It is usual to have a meal after the meeting; the cost of this can be included either in the annual subscription or paid for at the time. It is entirely up to the individual member what he gives to Charity, but it should always be without detriment to his other responsibilities. Similarly, he may join as many lodges as his time and pocket can allow as long as it does not adversely affect his family life and responsibilities.
Question: Why are you a secret society?
Answer: We are not, but lodge meetings, like those of many other groups, are private and open only to members. The rules and aims of Freemasonry are available to the public. Meeting places are known and in many areas are used by the local community for activities other than Freemasonry. Members are encouraged to speak openly about Freemasonry.
Question: What are the secrets of Freemasonry?
Answer: The secrets in Freemasonry are the traditional modes of recognition which are not used indiscriminately, but solely as a test of membership, e.g. when visiting a Lodge where you are not known.
Question: What happens at a lodge meeting?
Answer: The meeting is in two parts. As in any association there is a certain amount of administrative procedure - minutes of last meeting, proposing and balloting for new members, discussing and voting on financial matters, election of officers, news and correspondence. Then there are the ceremonies for admitting new Masons and the annual installation of the Master and appointment of officers. The three ceremonies for admitting a new Mason are in two parts - a slight dramatic instruction in the principles and lessons taught in the Craft followed by a lecture in which the candidate's various duties are spelled out.
Question: Why do Freemasons take oaths?
Answer: 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 visiting a lodge where he is not known. Freemasons do not swear allegiances to each other or to Freemasonry. Freemasons promise to support others 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.
Question: Why do your 'obligations' contain hideous penalties?
Answer: 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, however, the physical penalties were always symbolic and were never carried out. After long discussion, they were removed from the promises in 1986.
Question: What is the relationship between Freemasonry and groups like the Orange Order, Odd Fellows and Buffaloes?
Answer: None. There are numerous fraternal orders and Friendly Societies whose rituals, regalia and organisation are similar in some respects to Freemasonry's. They have no formal or informal connections with Freemasonry.
Question: Aren't you a religion or a rival to a religion?
Answer: 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 practice 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.
Question: Is Freemasonry an international Order?
Answer: 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.
Question: Who can become a Freemason?
Answer: Our fraternity has a wonderful history, which dates back more than three centuries. It is one of the world's oldest secular fraternities, a society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values. Founded on the three great principles of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth, it aims to bring together men of goodwill, regardless of background and differences.
Question: People might think that to become a Freemason is quite difficult. It's actually straightforward?
Answer: The essential qualifications for admission is that you have a belief in a Supreme Being.
It is usual for candidates to be mature men of 18 years and over.
Question: How do I do to become a Freemason?
Answer: If you are interested in becoming a Freemason, we advise that you first talk to a family member, friend or colleague whom you already know to be a member. They will be able to explain to you what they can about the fraternity.
One of the most common misconceptions about Freemasonry is that you have to be invited to join. In fact, the exact opposite is true - you have to ask to join. The problem is - who to ask? Often, members keep their membership private. However, there are other avenues open to prospective members.
Interested?
Email the Lodge - [email protected]