Freemasonry under the United Grand Lodge of England is the
UK's largest, secular fraternal and charitable
organisation. It has over 300,000 members working in nearly
8,000 lodges throughout England and Wales and 30,000 more
members overseas.
What is Freemasonry?
Freemasonry teaches moral lessons and self-knowledge
through participation in a progression of allegorical
two-part plays, which are learnt by heart and performed
within each lodge. Freemasonry offers its members an
approach to life which seeks to reinforce thoughtfulness
for others, kindness in the community, honesty in business,
courtesy in society and fairness in all things. Members are
urged to regard the interests of the family as paramount
but importantly Freemasonry also teaches and practices
concern for people, care for the less fortunate and help
for those in need.
Why do people join and remain members?
People became Freemasons for a variety of reasons, some as
the result of family tradition, others upon the
introduction of a friend or out of a curiosity to know what
it is all about. Those who become active members and who
grow in Freemasonry do so principally because they enjoy
it. They enjoy the challenges and fellowship that
Freemasonry offers. There is more to it, however, than just
enjoyment. Participation in the dramatic presentation of
moral lessons and in the working of a lodge provides a
member with a unique opportunity to learn more about
himself and encourages him to live in such a way that he
will always be in search of becoming a better man, not
better than someone else but better than he himself would
otherwise be and therefore an exemplary member of
society.
Each Freemason is required to learn and show humility
through initiation. Then, by progression through a series
of degrees he gains insight into increasingly complex moral
and philosophical concepts, and accepts a variety of
challenges and responsibilities which are both stimulating
and rewarding. The structure and working of the lodge and
the sequence of ceremonial events, which are usually
followed by social gatherings, offer members a framework
for companionship, teamwork, character development and
enjoyment of shared experiences.
What Promises do Freemasons take?
New members make solemn promises concerning their conduct
in the lodge and in society. These promises are similar to
those taken in court or upon entering the armed services or
many other organisations. Each member also promises to keep
confidential the traditional methods of proving he is a
Freemason which he would use when visiting a lodge where he
is not known. The much publicised 'traditional penalties'
for failure to observe these undertakings were removed from
the promises in 1986. They were always symbolic not literal
and refer only to the pain any decent man should feel at
the thought of violating his word. Members also undertake
not to make use of their membership for personal gain or
advancement; failure to observe this principle or otherwise
to fall below the standards expected of a Freemason can
lead to expulsion.
Who can join?
Membership is open to men of all faiths who are
law-abiding, of good character and who acknowledge a belief
in God. Freemasonry is a multi-racial and multi-cultural
organisation. It has attracted men of goodwill from all
sectors of the community into membership. There are similar
Masonic organisations for women.
Is Freemasonry a religion?
Freemasonry is not a religion. It has no theology and does
not teach any route to salvation. A belief in God, however,
is an essential requirement for membership and Freemasonry
encourages its members to be active in their own religions
as well as in society at large. Although every lodge
meeting is opened and closed with a prayer and its
ceremonies reflect the essential truths and moral teachings
common to many of the world's great religions, no
discussion of religion is permitted in lodge meetings.
Is Freemasonry a secret society?
Freemasonry is not a secret society, but lodge meetings,
like meetings of many other social and professional
associations, are private occasions open only to members.
Freemasons are encouraged to speak openly about their
membership, while remembering that they undertake not to
use it for their own or anyone else's advancement. As
members are sometimes the subject of discrimination which
may adversely affect their employment or other aspects of
their lives, some Freemasons are understandably reticent
about discussing their membership. In common with many
other national organisations, Grand Lodge neither maintains
nor publishes a list of members and will not disclose names
or member's details without their permission.
In circumstances where a conflict of interest might arise
or be perceived to exist or when Freemasonry becomes an
issue, a Freemason must declare an interest. The rules and
aims of Freemasonry are available to the public. The
Masonic Year Book, also available to the public, contains
the names of all national office-holders and lists of all
lodges with details of their meeting dates and places. The
meeting places and halls used by Freemasons are readily
identifiable, are listed in telephone directories and in
many areas are used by the local community for activities
other than Freemasonry. Freemasons' Hall in London is open
to the public and 'open days' are held in many provincial
centres.
The rituals and ceremonies used by Freemasons to pass on
the principles of Freemasonry to new members were first
revealed publicly in 1723. They include the traditional
forms of recognition used by Freemasons essentially to
prove their identity and qualifications when entering a
Masonic meeting. These include handshakes which have been
much written about and can scarcely be regarded as truly
secret today; for mediaeval Freemasons, they were the
equivalent of a 'pin number' restricting access only to
qualified members. Many thousands of books have been
written on the subject of Freemasonry and are readily
available to the general public. Freemasonry offers
spokesmen and briefings for the media and provides talks to
interested groups on request. Freemasons are proud of their
heritage and happy to share it.
Is Freemasonry involved in politics?
Freemasonry is definitely not a political organisation, it
has no political agenda, and discussion of politics is not
permitted at lodge meetings. Freemasonry naturally tends to
attract those with a concern for people and a sense of
social responsibility and purpose. There are members,
therefore, who are involved in politics at local, national
and international level. Equally there are members who take
an active interest in non Masonic charitable organisations
and other community groups.
Is Freemasonry involved in the
community?
From its earliest days, Freemasonry has been involved in
charitable activities, and since its inception it has
provided support for many widows and orphans of Freemasons
as well as others within the community. All monies raised
for charity are drawn from amongst Freemasons, their
families and friends, while grants and donations are made
to Masonic and non-Masonic charities alike. Over the past
five years alone Freemasonry has raised more than
£75m for a wide range of charitable purposes
including those involved in medical research, community
care, education and work with young people.
Freemasonry has an enviable record of providing regular and
consistent financial support to individual charities over
long periods while at the same time making thousands of
grants to local charities, appeals and projects throughout
England and Wales each year. For the future, opportunities
to obtain or provide matched funding are periodically
examined with a view to enhancing the impact of the support
Freemasonry can give to specific projects. The personal
generosity of Freemasons and the collective fund-raising
efforts of almost 8,000 lodges, however, will continue to
determine the contribution Freemasonry makes within the
community.
For further information and details of how to join,
telephone or write to:
The Grand Secretary,
The United Grand Lodge of England,
Freemasons' Hall,
60 Great Queen Street,
London WC2B 5AZ
Telephone: 020.7831.9811 Fax: 020.7831.6021