How Do I Become A Mason
Freemasonry is a voluntary, fraternal organization, composed of men of good will, good character and good reputation who believe in Almighty God and practice the spirit of universal brotherhood to man.
Masonic Lodges do not openly recruit members, but their members may in
casual conversation with a friend, whom they think may be interested & worthy,
mention "have you ever thought of becoming a Mason"? Or something similar,
& plant the seed so you yourself will later seek them out when you decide this
may be for you. Masonry is not for everyone. Many Masonic members
are active in their community, while they do not try to hide their membership in
the fraternity, but are more passive & try to not be a pest or force themselves
on anyone.
If you become a Mason, you will join both the oldest and the largest fraternity
in the world. Join a brotherhood of 6,000,000 men from all races,
religions and countries from all walks of life. They are loyal to
their country and devote their time to the principles of friendship and
fellowship. Their focus is to be of service to all mankind.
If I become a Mason, what is their Mission?
Masons help to build a better world through a unique and worthy process of
building better men to live in it. The Mason Motto is: "Better men make a better
world." You will learn to practice brotherly love for all, charitable
relief for those who may be in need, morality and good citizenship in every
community.
Freemasonry acts as a charitable, fraternal, educational, social and
character-building society.
Character Building:
All Masonic activities stress the values of personal integrity and personal
responsibility. Each member is encouraged to
make efforts to improve the community in the interest of human welfare, inspire
the members with feelings of charity
and good will for all mankind as well as move them to translate these learned
principles and convictions into individual action.
You will learn biblical history from the days of Solomon's Temple, throughout
the Middle Ages In Europe, Masonic Speculative Lodges and Grand Orient Lodges
were being formed in each country. Many of the exact dates of which are
sometimes difficult to discern, exactly, however it is generally believed that
these lodges were formed in: England in 1717, Ireland in 1725, France in 1728,
the United States in 1730 and Scotland in 1736 If you wish to study and learn,
the Bible will finally begin to come alive to you with its real people and their
successes and failures. You will learn biblical truths with the Supreme
Architect of the Universe, as your Master.
No one is ever invited to become a Free Mason. The Fraternity does not conduct
membership drives. Each and every man comes to Freemasonry of his own free will
and accord. Every man who wishes to become a Mason has to ask to be admitted to
the Fraternity and has to be accepted by the ballot of his prospective Lodge's
Brethren. Any Mason in good standing may withdraw from membership at any time.
Free Masonry's "secret" inheritance from the past is largely ceremonial. The
Masonic FreeMason fraternity meets in Masonic halls and temples, whose addresses
are in the telephone book. (However, it is difficult to call a specific lodge
because most only meet a couple times a month, therefore, if you stop by, there
probably won't be anyone there.) Most FreeMasons proudly wear their Masonic
rings and Masonic lapel pins. Many of their vehicles sport Masonic emblems such
as the Square and Compass. or the famous 2B1Ask1, ... To-Be-One-Ask-One bumper
sticker.
Newspapers and magazines record many of their activities and list their
officers....and their charity work and events are not only very public, but very
well attended. Notwithstanding the National Treasure documentaries, which even
Masons are amazed to watch, the everyday Mason's only secrets are in specific
grips and passwords used within his lodge. These are carryovers from ancient
ceremonies, which, if omitted, would remove some of Masonry's proud history.
I read and hear a lot about the belief in Masonic pentagrams in the streets of
Washington, D.C., secret Masonic conspiracies, Anti-Christian and anti-Bible
beliefs, etc. If I become a Free Mason, will I learn more about these?
Is Freemasonry a religion? No. The foundation of Freemasonry is the
brotherhood of man under the Fatherhood of God. Only those who are truly
religious can fully understand the meaning of "universal brotherhood".
Only those who believe in a Supreme Being can be members of the Masonic
Fraternity. There are no specific religions mentioned in Masonic ceremonies nor
Masonic prayers. Freemasonry is not a church, a tabernacle, a mosque nor a
synagogue, nor is it a substitute for any of them or for any religious
observance.
Freemasonry is non-sectarian, which means it is not affiliated with nor
restricted to any particular religious denomination. The form of a man's belief
is his own business. In fact, many active Masons are active religious laymen.
Also, while in the United States most lodges use the Holy Bible, if you are of
another religion, you may request that your sacred book be placed beside the
Bible during lodge meetings. Some lodges have several sacred books to
accommodate the different religions of its members.
Lodges whose members are wholly of a different religion may choose to use their
sacred books only.
1. You must be a man of good repute.
2. In most U.S. states, you must be over the age of 21.
Some states vary, so you will need to ask.
3. You must believe in a Supreme Being.
4. You must be able to support yourself and your family.
5. You must live a moral and ethical life.
6. You must have a strong desire to want to make a
difference in the world. By your actions, you want
to make yourself a better man, and make your
community and the world a better place to live.
7. You must ask to join Freemasons.
Are Lodge dues expensive if I become a Mason?
Typically, lodge dues are a nominal sum in the United States,
however each Lodge varies, somewhat. Lodge dues in other
countries vary. Some are Nominal sums and some can be more
expensive.
What will I gain if I become a Free Mason?
1. You will never again be truly alone, because you are a
part of a brotherhood of men who want to see you
prosper in all ways possible and if it is
within their
ability, they will help you to do so.
2. You will learn to focus your energies upon an upright
and truthful life, and remove the more negative excesses
which all of mankind must
continually resist.
3. You will become a better man, if you truly wish to study
and learn.
How do I begin the process to become a Free Mason?
1. You may look in the telephone book for the phone number
of a lodge near you, however, it is highly probable no one
will be there to answer your
call because lodges usually
only meet twice a month, during a week day, in the evening.
2. If you find a man who has a bumper sticker that says:
2B1Ask1, you may ask him to provide you a petition. He
probably won't have a petition for
Masonic admission with
him, but if you give him your name and phone number, he
will contact a member of his lodge, who will contact you.
3. However, the easiest way to begin the process is to contact
your state's Grand Lodge. You may call them or fill out their
website form and request
that they have someone contact you.
Then what happens?
1. Arrangements will be made to meet you, personally, to
discuss Freemasonry.
2. A committee of members from the Lodge called the
Investigative Committee, will contact you to arrange a
meeting. They will answer any
questions you may have.
If the meeting is mutually satisfactory, you will be asked
if you wish to fill out a petition form.
3. Your request for membership will be balloted upon by the
lodge's members.
4. You will be advised of the date of your admission.
Originated 11-15-2010 Last Updated 11-15-2010
WB LeeRoy Wisner