Is Freemasonry a religion?
● No, As a fraternal association dedicated to making good men better, Freemasonry respects the religious beliefs of all its members. Freemasonry has no theology and does not teach any method of salvation. In particular it does not claim that good works gain or guarantee salvation.
Do Freemasons only help themselves?
● No, While Freemasonry supports homes for members and their spouses, most Masonic services, including Shrine medical and burn centers, are available to all citizens.
Is Freemasonry all secretive?
● Masonic meetings are announced publicly, Masonic buildings are marked clearly and are listed in phone directories, and Masons proudly wear jewelry identifying their membership. Freemasonry inherited a tradition of trade secrets from the cathedral-building guilds of medieval Europe. The only "secrets" still belonging to modern Masonry are traditional passwords, signs of recognition, and dramatic presentations of moral lessons.
Is Freemasonry open to all men?
● Freemasonry does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, or social class.
I hear Freemasonry only admits men.
● Freemasonry admits only men, but many Masonic-related organizations, such as the Eastern Star, Amaranth, Job's Daughters, Rainbow for Girls, and DeMolay for Boys, offer ample opportunities for women and youth.
Are there oaths in Freemasonry?
● The solemn promises taken in Freemasonry are no different than the oaths taken in court or on entering the armed services. The much-discussed "penalties," judicial remnants from an earlier age, are symbolic, not literal. They refer only to the pain any honest man should feel at the thought of violating his word.
Why are there degrees?
● Masons learn through a series of lessons. These "degrees" of insight move from basic to more complex concepts. This no more hides the nature of Freemasonry from novice members than does having a student understand fractions before calculus.
Is Masonry practiced worldwide?
● Yes, There are approximately 2.5 million Masons in the United States and nearly 6 million throughout the world.
Does Freemasonry have one single spokesman?
● No, Freemasonry is made up of many individuals in numerous organizations, all subordinate to the Grand Lodge within their jurisdiction (i.e. state). None of these members or organizations can speak for Freemasonry; that is the responsibility of each Grand Lodge within its jurisdiction. No Masonic body nor author, however respected, can usurp the authority if a Grand Lodge.
Is Freemasonry made up of many organizations?
● Yes, Masonry has many groups, each with a special social, educational, or philanthropic focus. A man becomes a Mason in his local Lodge. Then he joins any of the following "Appendant Bodies": the Scottish Rite, York Rite (which includes the Royal Arch and Knights Templar), Shriners, Grottoes, Tall Cedars, etc.
Several Masonic Principles are:
● Faith must be the center of our lives.
● All men and women are the children of God.
● No one has the right to tell another person what he or she must
think or believe.
● Each person has a responsibility to be a good citizen, obeying the
law.
● It is important to work to make the world a better place for all.
● Honor and integrity are keys to a meaningful life.
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This information is provide by:
● Grand Lodge of New Jersey
● Enterprise Lodge #31 F&AM
This information is published by:
Masonic Information Center
Silver Spring MD
Website: http://www.msana.com