Freemasonry.

Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest fraternal societies. Ancient Freemasonry’s lessons of moral values (governing relations between people) and its acknowledgement, without crossing the boundaries of religion, that all depends on the province of God, apply today with as much force as they did when it took its modern form at the turn of the 17th century.

What is Freemasonry?

Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest secular fraternal societies. This page is intended to explain Freemasonry as it is practiced under the United Grand Lodge of England, which administers Lodges of Freemasons in England and Wales and in many places overseas. The explanation may correct some misconceptions.

Freemasonry is a society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values. Its members are taught its precepts by a series of ritual drama's, which follow ancient forms and use stonemasons’ customs and tools as allegorical guides.

The Essential Qualification For Membership.

The essential qualification for admission into and continuing membership is a belief in a superior being. Membership is open to all men of any race or religion who can fulfil this essential qualification and are of good repute.

Freemasonry and Religion.

Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. Its essential qualification opens it to men of many religions and it expects them to continue to follow their own faith. It does not allow religion to be discussed at its meetings.

The Three Great Principles.

For many years Freemasons have followed three great principles:

    Brotherly Love.

Every Freemason will show tolerance and respect for the opinions of others and behave with kindness and understanding to his fellow creatures.

Relief.

Freemasons are taught to practice charity, and to care, not only for their own, but also for the community as a whole, both by charitable giving, and by voluntary efforts and works as individuals.

Freemasons strive for truth, requiring high moral standards and aiming to achieve them in their own lives.

Freemasons believe that these principles represent a way of achieving higher standards of life.

Freemasonry and Society.

Freemasonry demands from its members a respect for the laws of the country in which a man works and lives. Its principles do not in any way conflict with its member’s duties as citizens, but should strengthen them in fulfilling their public and private responsibilities. The use by a Freemason of his membership to promote his own or anyone else’s business, professional or personal interest is condemned, and is contrary to the conditions on which he sought admission to Freemasonry.

His duty as a citizen must always prevail over any obligation to other Freemasons, and any attempt to shield a Freemason who has acted dishonourably or unlawfully is contrary to his prime duty.

Secrecy.

The secrets of Freemasonry are concerned with its traditional modes of recognition. It is not a secret society, since all members are free to acknowledge their membership and will do so in response to enquiries for respectable reasons. Its constitutions and rules are available to the public. There is no secrecy about any of its aims and principles. Like many other societies, it regards some of its internal affairs as private matters for its members.

Freemasonry and Politics.

Freemasonry is non-political, and the discussion of politics at Masonic meetings is forbidden.

Other Masonic Bodies.

Freemasonry is practiced under many independent Grand Lodges with standards similar to those set up by the United Grand Lodge of England.
There are some Grand Lodges and other apparently Masonic bodies, which do not meet these standards, e.g. which allow or encourage their members as such to participate in political matters. These Grand Lodges and bodies are not recognized by the United Grand Lodge of England as being Masonically regular, and Masonic contact with them is forbidden.

There are some Grand Lodges and other apparently Masonic bodies, which do not meet these standards, e.g. which allow or encourage their members as such to participate in political matters. These Grand Lodges and bodies are not recognized by the United Grand Lodge of England as being Masonically regular, and Masonic contact with them is forbidden.

The Supreme Being.

The names used for the Supreme Being enables men of different faiths to join in prayer (to God as each see Him) without the terms of prayer causing dissention among them.

There is no separate Masonic God; a Freemason’s God remains the God of the religion he professes.

Freemasons meet in common respect for the Supreme Being as He remains Supreme in their individual religions, and it is no part of Freemasonry to attempt to join religions together. There is therefore no composite Masonic God.

Volume of the Sacred Law.

The Bible, referred to by Freemasons as the Volume of the Sacred Law, is always open at every Masonic meeting.

The Obligations of Freemasonry.

The Obligations taken by Freemasons are sworn on or involve the Volume of the Sacred Law or the book held sacred by those concerned. They are undertakings to help keep secret a Freemasons means of recognition, and to follow the principles of Freemasonry. The physical penalties, which are purely symbolic, do not form part of an obligation. The commitment to follow the principles of Freemasonry is, however deep.

Grand Lodge’s Policy.

It must be clearly understood by every member of the Craft that his membership does not in any way exempt him from his duty to meet his responsibilities to the society in which he lives. The Charge to the new initiate calls on him to be exemplary in the discharge of his civil duties; this duty extends throughout his private, public, business or professional life.

Use of Membership.

A Freemason must not use his membership to promote his own or anyone else’s business, professional or personal interests. This is made clear directly or by inference several times during a Freemason’s early career so that no Freemason can pretend to be ignorant of it. A Freemason who transgresses this rule may be suspended from Masonic activities or even expelled.

Family.

Freemasonry should not be allowed to harm a man’s family or other connections by taking too much of his time or his money or causing him to act in any other way against their interests.

Duty as a Citizen.

A Freemason’s duty as a citizen must always prevail over any obligation to other Freemasons, and any attempt to shield a Freemason who has acted dishonourably or unlawfully or to confer an unfair advantage on another Freemason is contrary to this prime duty.

Conclusion.

A Freemason is encouraged to do his duty first to his God (by whatever name he is known) through his faith and religious practice; and then, without detriment to his family and those dependant on him, to his neighbour through charity and service.

None of these ideas is exclusively Masonic, but all should be Universally acceptable. Freemasons are expected to follow them.

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