Question 1: What actually happens at lodge meetings?
“We have heard about Freemasons and their charity work but what else do they do and what actually happens at lodge meetings?”
In order to answer this question it is first necessary to understand the antiquity of our organisation together with some general background information that has contributed to the popular conceptions (or misconceptions) of the fraternity. However, before proceeding it should also be understood that in truth there is no simple or short answer to this seemingly simple question. To do it full justice it is necessary to address a number of issues. As with all questions of significance, oversimplified answers taken out of context can result in a degree of misunderstanding and ultimately lead to confusion. With this in mind the following information is intended to be as complete an answer as it is possible to give.
[more information]
Question 2: Do Freemasons only look after themselves?
“What has Freemasonry to do with charity and is it true that Freemasons only look after themselves?”
This is an interesting question because although Freemasonry is not in itself a charity, charity and Freemasonry are inseparable. Every Freemason at the beginning of their association with the fraternity is instructed in their responsibilities to those less fortunate than ourselves and to the general well being of the community in which we live. There are no demands made on individual members, it is left entirely too each member to decide if and what he is able to contribute to the charity fund. The actual words are “what ever your circumstances in life may reasonably warrant”.
[more information]
Question 3: Why are women not allowed to become Freemasons?
“Why are women not allowed to become Freemasons and how are they supposed to support their men in Freemasonry if they are not involved?”
This question represents another of the many facets relating to Freemasonry, which is often misunderstood or at least misinterpreted. As with the old saying, “behind every good man stands a good woman” it is equally true to say “behind every good Freemason stands a good woman”. Our ladies are a vital and integral part of Freemasonry and without them and their cherished support the fraternity would not function in today’s society. Indeed, it is reasonable to say that without them there would be little or no point in Freemasonry at all. Freemasonry is a system of morality, which teaches good men to be better men, better citizens, better employers or employees, better husbands and better fathers and to uphold all the virtues of family life. To exclude our ladies from this mix would render the teachings of Freemasonry meaningless.
[more information]
Question 4: What about the higher degrees in Freemasonry?
“What about the higher degrees in Freemasonry, does the average Freemason really know what’s going on?”
This interesting question, like many others relating to Freemasonry arises from a common misconception about the “other orders” of Freemasonry, as they are most often referred to. The other orders of Freemasonry are just that. They are not in reality higher because they are all subordinate to the principle governing body of Freemasonry, which is the Grand Lodge. The other orders in Freemasonry such as the Royal Arch Chapter are capitulary in nature and have evolved to concentrate on particular aspects of Masonic philosophy. A Freemason’s membership to any other order depends upon his membership to the main body of Freemasonry known as Craft Masonry.
[more information]
Question 5: What has Freemasonry to offer me?
What has Freemasonry to offer me?
Firstly, it is important to make it clear that there are a number of qualifications required of any man contemplating joining Freemasonry, which are not negotiable. To become a Freemason a man must have a firm belief in a supreme being of love and goodness, one God. A mans religion is not relevant and Freemasons lodges embrace Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs etc into its membership. Part of the Masonic teaching is directed to encouraging Masons to follow the practice of their chosen faith to the utmost of their ability, so without a belief in God it is not possible to follow the teachings of Freemasonry.
[more information]
|