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This one of the most difficult questions to answer and even Freemasons
themselves give differing definitions. This is probably due to the fact
that Freemasonry does not impose any particular Dogma, has no Theology
but simply attempts to guide members to a more moral way of life.
'Attempting to make good men better' is one definition.
Hardly! You are reading this are you not? The perception that
Freemasonry is in some way secret has arisen relatively recently simply
because Freemasons value their privacy. This is no different from many
other organizations that keep their affairs private from people who are
not members. If you asked a golf club, of which you are not a member,
for details of the membership, committee minutes, etc. then you can
safely assume the reply - should the club concerned be courteous enough
even to answer. This basic right to privacy applies equally to Trades
Unions, Private Clubs, Political Parties, Churches, etc. as well as to
individuals.
Freemasonry is a very old society that pre-dates many present day
institutions. The earliest Masonic records are to be found in Scotland
and date from a time when members of Lodges were mainly illiterate. As
stone masons had to travel all over the country, and occasionally
overseas, some simple method of recognition had to be devised in order
to secure employment appropriate to the degree of skill of each
individual. Modern day Freemasonry continues that practice. Other
organizations use different methods to identify between those who are
members and those who are not. A membership card is the most common form
and instantly shows that one is a member of a particular society etc. A
membership card, or anything in writing, would have been useless to an
illiterate stone mason. Freemasonry is a very traditional institution,
proud of its history and what it stands for. It simply continues to use
practices established centuries ago.
Usually by asking another Freemason. It is a general rule, in Scotland,
that a Freemason will not solicit men for membership. There are
occasions when a member of the family, a close personal friend, will be
asked but this is a matter for the individual Freemason concerned.
If you would like to discuss Freemasonry further then please complete
the Feedback Form.
There are several. An applicant must believe in a Supreme Being but
Freemasonry will not provide any further definition and the nature of
that Being must be determined by the applicant himself. The applicant
must be an upright man of good moral character and be at least
twenty-one years old. He must not have a criminal record. He must be
able to meet his financial commitments to his family before those to
Freemasonry.
Freemasonry is a voluntary organization and once a member there is no
pressure to continue to participate. Indeed men join and subsequently
find it is not to their taste or is not what they had envisaged and so
cease to be active members. Whilst it is sad that Freemasonry is unable
to meet the applicant's aspirations, in such cases, it will not stand in
the way of anyone's decision to leave.
Quite simply that question should be directed elsewhere. Freemasonry
will not make any comment regarding any particular belief system,
religious, political or otherwise. It will certainly make no comment on
another organization's internal affairs as that is their business.
In many ways it is not. There are other organizations in existence that
also value their privacy. It may be because Freemasonry is so popular
that it attracts a greater degree of attention than these other
organizations. Historically Freemasonry was but one institution among
many. For instance there were the Free Gardeners, Free Shepherds, Free
Carpenters, Free Colliers, etc. which were organized along similar lines
to Freemasonry and taught morality by way of their own ritual plays and
symbolism. Most of these organizations no longer exist leaving
Freemasonry as the only example of this once common form of society or
association.
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