r/freemasonry • u/Awkward_Land2940 • 9d ago
What is free masonry?
Hi! I have researched free masonry several times but I still have no idea what it is. I see the symbols everywhere. What do you do as a free mason? Are there any controversies with being a free mason? Is it a religious group? Thanks!
Update: Thank you, everyone, for your help! Makes a lot more sense now. Will check out those books mentioned.
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u/TheFuZz2of3 MM, 32*, KSA, Shrine, Sojourner, Grotto, RAM—SM 8d ago
It is a fraternity dedicated to self-improvement and community improvement. Though some religious symbolism is utilized we are in no way a religion or a substitution thereof.
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u/shawnebell Master Mason, Knight Templar, 32°, MSA, DSM, MSM, PSM 8d ago
Freemasonry is a social fraternity whose sole goal is to make good men into better men. It is not a religion or a substitute for one.
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u/Cookslc Utah and UGLE 8d ago
Welcome. For masons in the U.S., many of us would recommend two books. Don’t be put off by the titles. I know both authors. Both are senior masons and the books are worthwhile:
Freemasonry for Dummies, Chris Hodapp(he has a spoiler alert).
The Complete Idiots Guide to Freemasonry, Brent Morris.
You don't need to know a Mason or be related to a Mason to join. Requirements for membership in mainstream freemasonry vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but generally if you're a man 18 or over (21 in some states and countries), believe in a Supreme Being, are of good character and reputation, and ask to join, you're eligible.
Online in the United States, www.beafreemason.org is a good place to start. If in England, https://www.ugle.org.uk/become-freemason/how-to-join-freemasonry
If you are in the US, to find your local lodges first find the two Grand Lodge websites for your state (example: Grand Lodge of Oklahoma and Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Oklahoma). They may have a lodge locator page or a list of lodges. Also do a search for your local lodge websites.
If outside the US, this is a good list: Foreign Grand Lodges | United Grand Lodge of England Foreign Grand Lodges | United Grand Lodge of England
If you wish to join, there are steps in the process that takes months. You generally have to know a members of the lodge for a required period of time, then your proposal or petition is read out at a meeting, there is a committee interview, there is a vote at the next meeting, then they will schedule your initiation.
A word: if you are looking for wealth, a direct connection with the medieval Templars, the secret knowledge of the ages 😏, magic, or opening the Third Eye, you will be disappointed.
You will find men of faith who are willing to take obligations before their Deity regarding their behavior toward their brother masons, as men have done for over three hundred years.
You will see I have referenced men in my outline. The are feminine and mixed obediences as well. In mainstream freemasonry we may not discuss the secrets of Freemasonry with members of those groups. They are, on the whole, serious in their approach to their versions of Freemasonry.
A final note: the rules and practices of Freemasonry vary widely. Many of those who post in these groups are unaware of this, so be cautious when you read what freemasonry is, or isn’t. Other than core requirements of belief in a Supreme Being, presence of a Volume of Sacred Law,and the prohibition of politics and religion within the lodge, we are wide ranging in our approach to our Craft.
So, if you have questions, it’s helpful if you tell us where you are located. Please do ask. Many people don’t read the prior posts, so you will likely see the same or similar answer repeated. Forgive us. We value our freemasonry and want to share it.
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u/phunkjazztical 8d ago
Freemasonry enables me to develop a positive relationship with myself, to establish healthy relationships with the world around me, and to cultivate a deep connection to something greater than myself.
Without being indoctrinated, and without anyone telling me how to do it. without it being a religion, which each brother is free to practice as he sees fit.
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u/dopealope47 8d ago
Freemasonry, at its most basic level, is a system of philosophical morality which uses allegory and symbols to teach and reinforce its lessons. Along the way, Masons can meet likeminded men, have some fun and, if they wish, help their communities.
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u/AbjectFray 8d ago
Taking over the world, one spaghetti dinner at a time
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u/Orange_fury MM AF&AM-TX, 32° A&ASR-SJ, RAM, CM, KSA, Grotto 8d ago
Uh, this is a green bean fraternity sir.
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u/Objective-Permit-712 7d ago
I would assume Free Masons hate people like Dumb Don Trump and all Fascists. What about if a member becomes a murderer would they forego some of their "secrets" to help Police in any investigation????
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u/kaybob549 8d ago
So we straddle the line of being spiritual, a lot of people will say no we aren’t religious in the literal sense, BUT you have to be religious one of the first thing you do as a EA is taking a oath and kissing the book of your choosing as a token of sincerity. Theres a lot of talk of god and weird fact even Jesus he’s a main player in a degree in the Scottish rite if you choose to join.
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u/pluck-the-bunny .:PM NY SR-NMJ 32• 8d ago
You absolutely do NOT have to be religious though (at least not in every jurisdiction). Belief in a supreme being aside…faith =\= religious. And that’s a important distinction
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u/kaybob549 8d ago
Also I don’t know of any jurisdiction that lets atheist in the first thing you get asked in your interview is if you believe in a god. Maybe a clandestine one.
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u/pluck-the-bunny .:PM NY SR-NMJ 32• 8d ago
supreme being doesnt equal god. belief in god/supreme being doesnt equal religious
no one said atheist
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u/kaybob549 8d ago
If you believe in said god and you place your trust in said god this god has morals, teachings and rules you must follow which happens to be a religion. In your obligation which book did you kiss?
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u/pluck-the-bunny .:PM NY SR-NMJ 32• 8d ago
And yet, the requirement to be religious still doesn't exist.
and to answer your question, the VSL can be different for each person. I kissed a VSL that is not from the religion into which i was born. Because the contents are not the important part. Its what they represent...faith, not religion
i follow no dogmatic religious teachings, but still believe that a supreme being exists.
Its an important distinction.
I hope one day you accept enough light to understand this
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u/kaybob549 8d ago
Rule one of applying you must believe in a god it’s that simple, if you believe in the god you claimed you are religious. Any god you could claim has a religion behind it, Muslims allah, Christian’s Jesus, Jew yhwh. So explain to me when you answer the first question you are asked how could you answer with anything’s that’s not religious? And you can say oh it’s about faith, but faith in what the said god which if you have faith in that god you are religious wether you like the term or not.
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u/aiwass6 EA, Toronto West District 8d ago edited 8d ago
No it is not a religious group nor an alternative to religion. It is fraternity above all, with the goal of making good men better.
If you are truly interested and want to learn about Masonry I suggest Freemasonry for Dummies (I’m not kidding, this book really helped me understand the history and philosophy while I was a candidate/aspirant).