Black Mountain Lodge No.845 F&AM
Freemasonry (or simply, Masonry) is a fraternal order whose basic
tenets are brotherly love, relief (philanthropy), and truth. We strive
to enjoy the company of our brother Masons, assist them in times of
personal trouble, and reinforce essential moral values. There is an
old adage that Masonry "takes good men and makes them better, which is
our goal.
It has often been observed that men are the products of everything
with which they come into contact during their lifetime. Masonry
offers a man an opportunity to come into regular, enjoyable contact
with men of good character, thus reinforcing his own personal moral
development. Of course, Masonry is also meant to be enjoyed by its
membership, so the order should not be viewed simply as a
philosophical club but rather a vibrant fellowship of men who seek to
enjoy each other's company; a fraternity.
To maintain this fraternity, discussion of secular religion and
partisan politics within the Lodge is not permitted as these subjects
are those that have often divided men in the past. Masons cover the
spectrum of both religious and political beliefs. Masonry encourages a
man to be religious without advocating a particular religion, and to
be active in his community without advocating a particular medium of
political expression.
While there are probably some actual stone-workers who are Masons,
the operative art is not taught to Masons. Rather, Masonry takes the
"operative" work of medieval stonemasons and uses it as an allegory
for moral development. Thus the symbols of Masonry are the common
tools that used by medieval stonemasons, including the gavel, the
rule, the compasses, the square and the level. Each of these has a
symbolic meaning in Masonry. For example, Masons are said to meet "on
the level, meaning that all Masons are brothers, regardless of social
status, personal wealth or office within the Lodge or in the world at
large. Similar symbolism exists for other tools.
Masonry is distinguished from other fraternal orders by its emphasis
on moral character, its ornate rituals, and its long tradition and
history, which dates back to at least the 17th century in modern form,
the 14th century (c. 1350-1390) in the written evidence of its
precursors, and back to the mists of antiquity: Since 1598 in Scotland
upon the introduction of the Schaw Statutes, which required lodges
there to keep records of proceedings; Since 1723 in England, which is
the earliest the records go back -- written records of the Grand Lodge
of England formed in 1717 did not commence straight away. (Thanks to
Richard White for these dates.)
There are also a great many things that Masonry is NOT: a religion, a
cult, a political power, etc. We'll address these and many more in
this FAQ.
There are three degrees in Masonry: Entered Apprentice (first
degree), Fellow Craft (second degree), and Master Mason (third
degree). Advancement generally requires the mastery of a small body of
memorized material, the contents of which varies from jurisdiction to
jurisdiction. In some jurisdictions, only the signs, tokens, and grips
of each degree must be learned; more material in others. Other
appendant bodies confer additional degrees, up to the 32nd (or the
honorary 33rd) of the Scottish Rite, but in symbolic Masonry (or Blue
Lodge Masonry) proper, there are only three.
Of course, no Mason would ever look down upon a Brother simply
because he was of a lower degree - the degrees do not exist to create
a pecking order or to confer rank. Rather, they are a system of
initiation that allows men to become familiar with the august and
ancient history and principles of Masonry at a comfortable pace.
Proceeding from Entered Apprentice to Master Mason in the US can take
as little as three months, while in England the degrees are usually
spaced farther apart. Additionally, some US Grand Lodges now hold
one-day classes wherein all three degrees are conferred during a
single day.
Most Lodges have regular "stated" communications (meetings) once or
twice a month that may also be referred to as "business meetings." In
many Lodges in the US, these are open only to Master Masons, but a
growing number of jurisdictions allow lodges to open on whatever
degree necessary to accommodate a Fellow Craft or Entered Apprentice
Mason. In England, these meetings are always opened in the first
degree, and Entered Apprentices may attend with the exception of grand
lodge and provincial/district grand lodge. Conferring of degrees is
usually done at other "special" meetings (a.k.a degree nights) because
of the time involved, although degree conferral can take place at a
stated communication.
While conferral of degrees and mundane business do take up a lot of a
Lodge's time, there are a host of other activities within the
fraternity. Charitable work is often done in the form of fund-raisers,
community volunteer work and so on. And there are also a great many
things done for the simple pleasure of company: monthly breakfasts or
dinners, picnics, card/chess matches, lectures on Masonic history; you
name it. Masonry is a fraternity, and its membership seeks to have
fun.
Local Masonic Lodges are organized under Grand Lodges. In the United
States, each state has its own Grand Lodge, which is a peer with every
other Grand Lodge. There is no "Grandest Lodge" in the United States
-- each Grand Lodge is supreme in its jurisdiction, usually a single
U.S. State, and has no authority elsewhere*. Of course, this does not
mean that Masonry in New York is radically different than Masonry in
Scotland or New Mexico. Masons are very traditional and the
differences between Grand Lodges are usually minor.
(* Masonic jurisdictions can extend outside state or national borders,
most often to support and govern lodges on overseas military bases,
such as those currently in Iraq.)
The head of a Lodge is given the title Worshipful Master. This does
not imply that Masons worship him; it is merely a stylish title
similar to Honorable or Sir.
Masonic Lodges can be found in many cities, of all sizes, around the
world. There are presently approximately 1.5 million Masons in the
U.S., approximately four million worldwide. Top of Page
The Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite (AASR) is an appendant body of
Masonry, meaning that it is not part of Craft Masonry but it is
closely associated.
It requires that a man be a Master Mason before joining and confers
the 4th through 32nd degrees (remember, a Master Mason has received
three degrees). The degree work may be, but is not necessarily,
completed at one time. The degrees of the Scottish Rite continue the
symbolism of the first three Masonic degrees. For a discussion of the
33rd degree, see question 11 in this section.
In England this order is known as "Rose Croix." While it is slightly
different, it still has a 33-degree system.
The Rectified Scottish Rite, which exists both in UGLE-recognized and
non-recognized Masonic bodies in Europe. Top of Page
The York Rite, like the Scottish Rite, is an appendant body of
Masonry, and confers nine degrees beyond the Master Mason degree. The
Temple degrees, which comprise the top degrees of the York Rite are
specifically Christian. Or at least it can be stated that the oath is:
in some Grand Lodges in the US and abroad, one need not be a
Christian, but rather only be willing to take a Christian OATH. The
difference here is that there are some who would willingly swear to
defend the Christian faith on the grounds that they would defend any
man's faith. The Chapter (or Royal Arch) and Council Of Royal And
Select Masters (Cryptic Rite), which comprise the first two sections
of the York Rite, are not specifically Christian.
The York Rite does not exist as a unified order in England. Each of
the orders contained in the US York Rite Bodies is separate and
independent in England, and there is no progression from one of the
orders to the next. Beyond the Craft, written by Keith Jackson, gives
concise descriptions of all the orders in England. Top of Page
The Shrine is not an appendant body of Masonry, though the
distinction would escape many. The Shrine confers no additional
degrees. It was founded in 1872 (the Mecca Temple in New York City)
and an Arabic theme was chosen. Hence, the distinctive red fez that
Shriners wear at official functions.
Members of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles the Mystic Shrine
for North America (AAONMS is an anagram for "A MASON") are required to
be Master Masons in good standing with their lodge. The Shrine is most
noted for its emphasis on philanthropy and its jolly outlook on life
-- it has been called "the playground of Masonry". This is expressed
as "pleasure without intemperance, hospitality without rudeness, and
jollity without coarseness."
The Royal Order of Jesters is a group drawn from Shrine membership, by
invitation only. Top of Page
The Order of the Eastern Star is an adoptive rite of Freemasonry with
teachings based on the Bible and objectives that are charitable and
benevolent. The founder of OES was Dr. Robert Morris, a lawyer and
educator from Boston, Massachusetts, who was a Master Mason and Past
Grand Master of Kentucky. Dr. Morris intended his creation to become a
female branch of Freemasonry, but he failed to overcome the great
opposition this idea engendered. After his first published ritual in
1849-50, he became associated with Robert Macoy who wrote and
published a ritual based on Morris's in 1867. The first Grand Chapter
was organized in Michigan in the same year. (There is evidence of an
organization of the same name founded variously in 1788 or 1793, but
this group was defunct by 1867.) Subordinate (local) chapters operate
under charter from state level grand chapters which are responsible to
the General Grand Chapter at the International Eastern Star Temple in
Washington, D.C.
Members must be eighteen years or older and either Master Masons in
good standing or properly related to a Master Mason in good standing:
wives; widows; sisters; daughters; mothers; granddaughters;
stepmothers; stepdaughters; stepsisters; and half-sisters. Recently
this was expanded to include nieces, daughters-in-law, and
grandmothers, and further expanded to include Rainbow Girls (see
question 6.b in this section) 18 and older and majority members.
Each chapter has eighteen officers, some elected and others appointed.
Two offices are specifically male (Patron and Associate Patron) while
nine offices are specifically female (including Matron and Associate
Matron). While the Worthy Matron is considered to be the presiding
officer of the chapter, the degrees cannot be conferred without a
presiding brother in good standing (hence the Patron and Associate
Patron).
Each chapter retains the right to decide who shall be a member of the
organization. Election to the degrees must be unanimous, without
debate, and secret. The successful candidate must profess a belief in
a Supreme Being and is initiated in five degrees, which are conferred
in one ceremony. (When Eastern Star was created, it was intended to be
the first of a three degree series. The second and third degrees were
Queen of the South and the Order of the Amaranth, respectively.)
Interestingly enough, OES requires only the belief in a Supreme Being
even though the degrees are based in both the Old and New Testaments.
While non-Christians are not specifically barred from membership, it
would seem to be difficult to be other than Christian and belong to
the Order. (Thanks to Joy Leavy for this section) Top of Page
Yes, there are, and they are thus described:
a. DeMolay: The International Order of DeMolay is the world's largest
fraternal organization for young men between the ages of 12 and 21.
The Order was founded in Kansas City, Missouri on March 24, 1919 by
Frank Sherman Land. DeMolay Chapters are sponsored by Masonic
Lodges, and some members of the sponsoring body also serve as
Advisors on the Chapter's Advisory Council. Structurally, it is
similar to Masonry. The Master Councilor is the presiding youth in
a chapter.
DeMolay Chapters hold monthly or bi-weekly meetings with Masonic-
like Ritual. Other activities include athletic tournaments and
events, social functions (joint activities with Rainbow are
encouraged), fund-raising activities, Masonic service activities,
and civic and philanthropic activities.
DeMolays are taught the seven cardinal virtues of the Order --
filial love, reverence for sacred things, courtesy, comradeship,
fidelity, cleanness, and patriotism -- and the importance of
practicing them in their daily lives.
The Order's namesake is Jacques DeMolay, who was the last Grand
Master of the Knights Templar and who was executed by Philip IV's
soldiers on March 18, 1314. Louis Lower, the first DeMolay, and his
group of friends, when asked by Dad Land to choose a name for their
group, believed that his heroic fidelity and loyalty to his fellow
Templars were qualities with which they wanted their group to be
identified. Mind you, Dad Land explained this to them before they
chose their name.
A fascinating book about the history of the Order and the life of
Frank S. Land (1890-1959), titled "Hi! Dad," is available from the
DeMolay and More Store or practically any member of the Order. The
phone number of the DeMolay and More Store is 1-800-DEMOLAY.
(Thanks to Tom Schnorrenberg)
b. Rainbow: The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls (called
IORG, or Rainbow) is a non-profit, fraternal youth service
organization for girls between the ages of 11-20. The Order was
founded in McAlester, Oklahoma on April 6, 1922 by Reverend W. Mark
Sexon, a 33rd degree Mason. Rainbow Assemblies are usually
sponsored by Eastern Star Chapters, or by Masonic Lodges or other
Masonic bodies, and some members also serve on the Assembly's
Advisory Board. The Worthy Advisor is the presiding youth in an
Assembly.
Rainbow Assemblies hold bi-weekly meetings with a Masonic-like
ritual.
Rainbow provides an environment where teenage girls gain self-
confidence and self-respect while practicing reverence, patriotism,
love and service. Rainbow teaches leadership skills, service to the
community, patriotism to our country and respect for all. There are
seven degrees, represented by colors of the rainbow: Red for Love,
Orange for Religion, Yellow for Nature, Green for Immortality, Blue
for Fidelity, Indigo for Patriotism and Violet for Service.
It is not a religion, cult or secret order. Nor is it connected
with any other group using "rainbow" in their name or logo. Rainbow
is a character-building service organization that is open to all
girls regardless of their religious belief.
More information about Rainbow can be found at the Supreme Assembly
web site: http://www.iorg.org/
c. Job's Daughters: The International Order of Job's Daughters is an
organization of young women between the ages of 11 and 20 who are
related to a Master Mason and share a common bond. They have
members in the United States, Canada, Australia, Brazil and the
Philippines. They enjoy activities such as swimming parties,
dances, family picnics, slumber parties, miniature golf, marching
in parades, travel and so on.
Throughout the year, they perform service projects to help their
community, the less fortunate, and other charities. They actively
support the Hearing Impaired Kids Endowment (HIKE) Fund, which
purchases hearing assistance devices for hearing impaired children.
By holding various offices in Job's Daughters, they gain valuable
leadership experience, team spirit and learn democratic principles.
Job's Daughters can qualify for various scholarships that are
offered in a state-wide and a national level.
All Job's Daughters are members of a local chapter called a Bethel.
Members of a Bethel elect their own officers, decide their own
activities, and plan their own events. In short, Job's Daughters
International offers the qualities that today's young women want
and need from organizations that earn their commitment: fun,
friendship, helping others, and the chance to learn organizational
and leadership skills.
For more information, visit http://www.iojd.org/
d. Triangles: The Organization of Triangles, Inc., is a Masonic Youth
Organization. It was established in 1925 as "Daughters of the
Eastern Star", and in 1961 was incorporated with its name being The
Organization of Triangles, Inc.. Triangle is only active in New
York State and does not have affiliations in any other state or
country.
Any girl between the ages of 10 and 21 years of age, and is related
by blood, marriage, or adoption to a Master Mason, a member of the
Order of the Eastern Star, or a member of the Order of the Amaranth
in good standing, is eligible for membership. In addition, a Master
Mason, Eastern Star, or Amaranth member may easily sponsor a girl
for membership in the Organization of Triangles, Inc
.For more information on how to join, visit
http://www.nytriangle.org/
What are some other Masonic organizations?
a. Acacia: A college fraternity for Master Masons, the sons of Masons,
and young men recommended by two Masons one of whom is an Acacian
himself. The national governing board is composed exclusively of
32nd and 33rd degree Masons. (http://www.acacia.org/)
b. Order of Amaranth: Open to Masons and their wives, mothers,
daughters, widows, and sisters. At least one Master Mason must be
present at every initiation. It confers only one degree.
(http://www.amaranth.org/)
c. Daughters of Mokanna: An auxiliary organization of the Grotto
comprised of the wives, mothers, daughters, widows, and sisters of
the Master Masons in the Grotto.
d. Daughters of the Nile: An auxiliary organization for the wives,
mothers, daughters, widows, and sisters of members of the Shrine.
e. Desoms: An organization for deaf Masons.
f. Grotto: A fun organization open to Master Masons. It imitates the
Shrine to a large degree, but requires only that a member be a
Master Mason rather than a 32nd degree Mason or Knight Templar.
Officially known as The Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the
Enchanted Realm (MOVPER).
g. High Twelve International: An organization of Master Masons that
usually meet for lunch, enjoy fellowship, and support Masonic
causes, with special emphasis on youth and patriotic endeavors.
h. L.O.S. of N.A.: The Ladies' Oriental Shrine of North America.
Another auxiliary for the wives, mothers, daughters, widows, and
sisters of Shrine members.
i. National Sojourners, Inc.: This organization, founded to meet the
needs of the military Mason in times of war and peace requires its
members to be citizens of the US who are Master Masons in good
standing in a duly constituted Lodge of Master Masons recognized by
and maintaining fraternal relations with a majority of the Regular
Grand Lodges in the United States and who are serving or who have
served honorably as a Commissioned, Warrant, or Senior Non-
Commissioned Officer of the uniformed services of the United States
or who have served in time of war as a Commissioned or Warrant
Officer or the equivalent in an armed service of a nation allied
with the United States or are regularly elected to Honorary
Membership.
j. Philalethes Society: The oldest and largest Masonic research
organization, for Masons interested in Masonic philosophy and
history.
k. Royal Order of Scotland: An organization for Christian Masons who
have been 32nd degree Masons or Knights Templar for five or more
years.
l. Tall Cedars of Lebanon: A fun organization for Master Masons
similar to the Grotto. It confers the two degrees of the Royal
Court and the Sidonian.
m. White Shrine of Jerusalem: For Master Masons and their wives,
mothers, daughters, widows, and sisters. Members must profess a
belief in the defense of the Christian religion. (thanks to Bill
Menees for providing this section and Ed King for updating it.) Top of Page
Co-Masonry, also known as Adoptive Masonry, refers to Masonic Lodges
that admit both men and women. Co-Masonry traces its heritage back to
the 19th century.
There are two Grand Lodges of Co-Masonry with jurisdiction in America:
Le Droit Humain, based in Paris, France and the original Co-Masonic
organization in the US; and the American Federation of Human Rights
(American Co-Masonry), based in Larkspur, Colorado.
The degree structure differs slightly from standard Blue Lodge
structure (i.e.: the Scottish Rite is worked as part of the regular
Lodge, not a separate organization), but in most things Co-Masonic
lodges function as regular Masonic lodges.
There are a few feminine grand lodges, which are considered by the
UGLE to be regular, with the exception of the initiation of women. Top of Page
NOTE: This section is excerpted from the Grand Lodge of New
Brunswick's annual communication. I wish there were some Prince Hall
Masons who could provide better information.
"There are some schools of thought that Prince Hall (his name not a
title) was born in Barbados to a free black woman and a Scottish
father. He emigrated to the Colony of Boston, Mass. and acquired real
estate, making him eligible to vote. It was also documented that he
was a devout Christian and a leather-worker by trade. On March 6,
1775, during the American War of Independence, Prince Hall along with
fourteen men of color were made Masons in Army Lodge #441 of the Irish
Constitution. When Army Lodge moved on, the aforesaid brethren were
issued a permit authorizing them to appear publicly as a Masonic body
for the purpose of celebrating the feast of St. John and to bury their
dead.
On March 2, 1784, these same brethren applied to the Grand Lodge of
England for a charter, which was subsequently issued to them on
September 29, 1784. They were warranted under the name of African
Lodge, No. 459 on the register of the Grand Lodge of England by
authority of then Grand Master, the Duke of Cumberland. Prince Hall
was the first Master. That charter, which is authenticated and in
safekeeping, is believed to be the only original charter issued from
the Grand Lodge of England still in the possession of any Lodge in the
United States.
African Lodge allowed itself to slip into arrears in the late 1790's
and was stricken from the rolls after the Union of 1813, although it
had attempted correspondence in 1802 and 1806. In 1827, after other
unreplied-to attempts at communication, it declared its independence
of any external authority and began to call itself African Grand Lodge
No. 1.
It is interesting to note that when the Massachusetts lodges which
were acting as a Provincial Grand Lodge declared themselves an
independent Grand Lodge, and even when the present Grand Lodge of
Massachusetts was formed by the amalgamation of two separate Grand
Lodges, African Lodge was not invited to take part, even though it
held a warrant every bit as valid as those others. This may be
explained in part by this 1795 quote from John Eliot, who later became
Grand Chaplain of the Gr. Lodge of Mass. He wrote, "White Masons, who
are not more skilled in geometry than their black brethren, will not
acknowledge them... the truth is they are ashamed of being on an
equality with blacks."
Today there are 45 Grand Lodges (the latest being the just formed
"Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the Caribbean") that trace
their origin back to African Lodge #459. There are more than 5000
Prince Hall Lodges and over 300,000 members. So far as it is known,
their ritual, their secrets, their procedures, their requirements,
their beliefs, their tenets or fundamental principles, are all either
identical with ours, or recognizably similar." (by.. W Bro. Roy
Cassidy)
To add to this:
The United Grand Lodge of England has now officially recognized Prince
Hall Lodges. Many US Grand Lodges have recognized PH GLs within their
jurisdictions, and it has been or is being discussed in other
jurisdictions. Since every Grand Lodge is autonomous and the supreme
authority in its jurisdiction, this issue must be approached on a
state-by-state basis.
Some have criticized Masonry as "segregated" due to the Prince Hall
Lodges, but this is a ridiculous claim, since there are many black
Masons in non-PH Lodges and white members in PH Lodges, and displays a
fundamental ignorance of Masonic history. Top of Page
The Scottish Rite awards a special honorary degree, the 33rd, to those
it feels has made an outstanding contribution to Masonry, the
community as a whole, and to mankind. There is no way to "achieve"
this degree or "take" it, in the sense that one takes the 4th through
32nd degrees in the Scottish Rite. It is a singular honor, rarely
bestowed, and greatly admired. Top of Page
Are there any Masonic functions that I can attend as a non-Mason?
Yes. Many Lodges open their installation of officers to the public.
Once a year, a new Worshipful Master takes office. The ceremony
performed during his inauguration is public. It is not the same
ceremony as would be performed in a regular Masonic ritual or degree,
but it does have the flavoring of Masonic symbolism and allows the
public to "get a feel for Masonry" without being Masons. NOTE: Not all
jurisdictions have public installations. Call or write your local
lodge for details.
In addition, many Lodges sponsor public functions throughout the year,
such as dinners or charity functions, designed to allow non-Masons who
are interested in Masonry the chance to talk with Masons and ask
questions. For information, call your local Lodge. Top of Page
Who is the head of the Masons?
No one. Each Grand Lodge has its own jurisdiction and is the supreme
authority within that jurisdiction. Obviously, many Grand Lodges have
regular communication with each other, but official policy in one has
no effect in another. Top of Page
In the 1700s, the Grand Lodge began making changes to the ritual. Some
Lodges didn't like these modernizations and so splintered off to form
a Grand Lodge of Ancient Masons. Three quarters of a century later,
the two Grand Lodges united to form the United Grand Lodge of England.
The UGLE and the moderns Grand Lodge are considered by many to be the
birthplace of the Freemasonry we know today, but they don't enjoy any
authority over any other Grand Lodges around the world. Top of Page
Are there dues, fees, etc. associated with being a Mason?
Yes. Like all organizations, Lodges must be able to pay their light
bills. Typically, there is a one-time fee for the three degrees of
Masonry, as well as regular annual dues. But these vary widely
depending on the number of members, cost of living (rent in Manhattan
is higher than it is in rural Oklahoma), the actual physical
facilities of the Lodge, etc. The fees and dues, however, are not
prohibitively expensive (the original author was a college student and
had no problem with them). Rather than give a single figure which may
be very different than your local Lodge charges, or publishing an
extended table of costs, it is easiest to simply refer the interested
to their local Lodge.
Incidentally, many Grand Lodge jurisdictions provide for "life
membership" after a Mason has paid dues for a long period. For
example, in Michigan a Mason is no longer asked to pay dues after he
has been a Mason for forty years. Other jurisdictions allow members to
pay a lump sum for life membership. As with almost everything in
Masonry, check with your local Grand Lodge or Lodge for more
information. Top of Page
I hear Masons refer to an "apron". What is that?
"During the ceremonies of his initiation, each Mason is presented with
a white apron. It is, to him, an emblem of innocence and the badge of
a Mason. It has, in all ages, been cherished by the rich, the poor,
the high and the low. It is his for life. He will never receive
another one and has, therefore, been cautioned to take it home and
instructed in its care. While perfectly satisfactory for him to do so
if he desires, he need not bring it to Lodge, as linen aprons are
provided for his use meetings." (From a pamphlet, "To the Lady and
Family of a Mason")
The above applies to the US. In many other countries, the Master Mason
owns his regalia and brings it to the Lodge. Top of Page
"Any member who was in good standing at the time of his death is
entitled to a Masonic funeral if he or his family requests it. Such a
request should be made to the Master of his Lodge who will make the
necessary arrangements with the family, the mortuary, and the
minister. A service is authorized by the jurisdiction in which you
are located, and consists of participation at the mortuary, the
beginning at the mortuary and the closing at the graveside, or
graveside only. Pallbearers will be furnished at the request of the
family. In general, the Lodge will do as much or as little as the
nearest relative wishes it to do." (From a pamphlet, "To the Lady and
Family of a Mason") Top of Page
Are Masons just a bunch of old men? Isn't Masonry dying out?
As regards the United States:
There is no doubt that the population of Masons is aging. There was a
huge increase in membership in almost all fraternal orders after World
War II, including Masonry. This peaked at sometime in the late 50s.
During the social turbulence and generational strains of the 60s and
70s, new membership fell off, with the result that by the 1980s, total
membership was in sharp decline.
However, there are signs that membership has leveled out, or is
gaining in some areas. In many lodges, there are a great number of
50-and-up members, and a number of 30-and-under members, with a gulf
in between, representing where Baby Boomers would have been. Of
course, we are speaking in broad generalities here - there is no way
to know the demographics of your local Lodge without asking one of its
members.
The overall point is that Masonic membership, when talking on a
national scale, has probably hit a stable membership base, after a
huge surge and then fall in membership.
Statistics compiled from many jurisdictions in the English-speaking
world by Worshipful Brother John Belton for Internet Lodge No. 9659,
England, demonstrate that almost universally there were two anomalous
initiation spikes preceding the two world wars with an overall
membership peak in the late 1950s to mid-1960s. The post-war
membership boom is a myth.
(Please submit information on other parts of the world) Top of Page
Regarding racism: Masonry explicitly states the equality of men,
regardless of race, creed, or color. But there are some Masons who are
prejudiced, and this is unfortunate, saddening, and unMasonic.
However, it is not representative of Masonry as a whole, or
representative of anything except a tiny minority of Masons. There are
Masons of all ethnic backgrounds.
"Elitism" is harder to define. If you mean that Masons are highly
selective in their membership, then yes, Masons are elitists. But just
criteria is used: men of good character, of good report, who believe
in God. Does the majority of the population fit that criteria? If you
think not, then you could say that Masons are elitists.
The idea that Masonry is only open to the patrician class, the landed
gentry, and the wealthy is incorrect. There are Masons of all economic
backgrounds. Indeed, there are Lodges which are mostly or wholly made
up of blue-collar workers due to local demographics. Top of Page
Isn't Masonry just a place where businessmen make deals?
No. In fact, most Masons believe that to trade with a Brother Mason
only because he is a Mason is unMasonic. Even more importantly, anyone
who attempts to join a Lodge solely for business reasons will not be
given a petition.
Masons, however, are friends, and it is not surprising that many
Masons do trade with Brothers. For one thing, they are dealing with
people that are of good character and can be trusted, which is no
small statement in the modern marketplace. But Masonry is not a "place
to network".
Yes, some men do view one of the benefits of membership as an
additional source of customers or partners, but few would say that is
the only reason they became Masons. The work involved in the degrees
alone would make this a poor investment -- better to join the Rotary
Club or other business group. Top of Page
I see titles like "Worshipful Master" and "Senior Deacon" -- is
this some kind of cult?
No. The titles are simply colorful, stylish, and full of ancient
symbolism. No Mason worships the Master of the Lodge, nor does a
Senior (or Junior) Deacon engage in religious actions, as a Deacon of
a church might. Top of Page
Masonry is a secret society, right?
Wrong. Secret societies are generally defined as organizations which
are unknown to the public and whose existence is denied. The Bavarian
Illuminati and the Mafia would be examples of secret societies. "The
emphasis in Freemasonry is not on secrecy but on discretion and
privacy." (Trevor W. McKeown)
Masonry, on the other hand, is well-known and proudly displays its
existence. Masonic Temples are clearly marked as such, and many Lodges
are listed in the yellow pages (usually under Fraternal Orders").
Members often wear rings or tie clips that identify themselves as
Masons, and Masons often participate in community charity work.
Finally, some Masonic functions are open to the public.
Though some Masonic texts have labeled Masonry as a secret society, it
is not; but rather a society with a few secrets. These are mainly
modes of recognition -- the signals, grips, signs, and phrases by
which Masons recognize each other. The actual degree rituals are
considered secret as well, not because there is anything that would
harm Masonry by their revelation, but rather because they are more
meaningful if the candidate does not know what is going to go on
during them beforehand.
It should be pointed out that many other organizations have a similar
class of secrets. College fraternities (Greek letter organizations)
often have small secrets known only to their members, allowing them to
travel from house to house and still be known. Businesses rarely
disclose the minutes of their closed-door meetings or trade secrets. Top of Page
Masonry is not a religion "by the definitions most people use.
Religion, as the term is commonly used, implies several things: a plan
for salvation or path by which one reaches the after-life; a theology,
which attempts to describe the nature of God; and the description of
ways or practices by which a man or woman may seek to communicate with
God. Masonry does none of those things. We offer no plan of salvation.
With the exception of saying that He is a loving Father who desires
only good for His children, we make no effort to describe the nature
of God. And while we open and close our meetings with prayer, and we
teach that no man should ever begin any important undertaking without
first seeking the guidance of God, we never tell a man how he should
pray or for what he should pray. Instead, we tell him that he must
find the answers to these great questions in his own faith, in his
church or synagogue or other house of worship. We urge men not to
neglect their spiritual development and to be faithful in the practice
of their religion. As the Grand Lodge of England wrote in 'Freemasonry
and Religion', 'Freemasonry is far from indifferent to religion.
Without interfering in religious practice, it expects each member to
follow his own faith, and to place above all other duties his duty to
God by whatever name He is known.' Masonry itself makes only a simple
religious demand on a man--he must believe that he has an immortal
soul and he must believe in God. No atheist can be a Mason." (Dr. Jim
Tresner, 33rd degree)
"Freemasonry has no dogma or theology. It teaches that it is important
for every man to have a religion of his choice and to be faithful to
it. A good Mason is made even more faithful to the tenets of his faith
by membership." (Rev. Norman Vincent Peale, who was also a Mason) Top of Page
Are Masons really controlling the world/meeting with the Bavarian
Illuminati/members of the Trilateralist Commission/etc?
Anyone who believes that Masons are the Master Puppeteers of the globe
either is pulling your leg or has read too much Robert Anton Wilson. A
non-Mason once suggested that if Masons were controlling the world
they are doing a poor job of it.
Detractors and conspiracy theorists often use flawed logic to make
such a claim. They discover that several men in considerably powerful
political or judicial stations are Masons and conclude that Masons are
trying to take over. What they don't consider is that they have as
much right, opportunity and responsibility as every other citizen to
be an active member of their communities, that Masonry affords none of
these to its members.
For more information, please see http://www.masonicinfo.com and/or
http://anti-masonry.info/anti-masonry_faq Top of Page
Masons are anti-Catholic, right? Don't Masons hate Catholics?
There is nothing anti-Catholic in Masonry, in its traditions, its
rituals, or its beliefs. "Freemasonry today is no more anti-Catholic
than it is anti-vegetarian. Freemasonry is composed of men with the
same fears, wants, and wishes of the general population and thus
individual Masons may exhibit certain characteristics, mirroring that
of the general population.
Because of Papal pronouncements against Freemasonry (Masons are
decried as being 'Humanist' -- whatever that means), those of the
Catholic faith are greatly under-represented compared to the
population as a whole - and as a result, views held by individual
Masons would have been reflective of that biased selection. As an
organization, however, Freemasonry takes no position whatsoever on any
religion and in fact encourages toleration in all its members.
(http://www.masonicinfo.com/) Top of Page
Masons are anti-{fill in the religion}, right?
No. Masons are brothers and friends regardless of their religious
belief, race, creed, color, financial or political status. Because
most religions teach that only their dogma leads to salvation, their
leaders sometimes cannot accept that Masonry allows men of all faiths
to be members. Masonry is no different than a business or bowling team
in that specific faith of its members has no bearing. Top of Page
What about the Masonic god Jabulon?
Any talk about a Masonic god is pure conjecture and misinterpretation.
Since Masonry is not a religion, it can have no god of its own.
Detractors will quickly point out (and with very little accuracy) that
the Mark Master Mason degree contains the word Jabulon, in various
spellings depending upon which web site they plagiarized and imply
that it means the god of Masonry. In fact it is part of the Royal Arch
Degree according to Duncan's Ritual and Monitor, which, as we all
know, is not considered a primary organization within Masonry but an
ancillary or concordant body.
Also according to Duncan's, the word is described as being a
combination of three different names for God: JAO or JAH being Syrian,
BEL or BUL being Chaldean or Phoenecian and AUN or AUM being Hindu or
Egyptian. According to Duncan's it is uttered in part of the degree
along with the words Jehovah and God. Quite obviously not the name of
some mythical Masonic god. And finding the description of the word is
actually a footnote is hardly reverent considering the import our
detractors place upon the word.
The Royal Arch degree ritual no longer contains the word, which should
be an indicator that it does not represent a Masonic god. Top of Page
Masonic rituals are demeaning or embarrassing to the candidate, right?
Nothing could be further from the truth. The rituals (degrees) are
designed to reinforce virtues that the Craft finds desirable, such as
Justice, Brotherly Love, Truth, and the like. The rituals are actually
quite beautiful and filled with ancient language and much symbolism.
At no point, however, is the candidate asked to do anything that would
embarrass or demean him, nor anything that would violate his
obligations to his faith, country, or the law. Top of Page
I heard/read a Mason talking about a "Masonic Bible". Do Masons have
their own Bible?
"No. The Bibles sometimes called 'Masonic Bibles' are just Bibles to
which a concordance, giving the Biblical citations on which the
Masonic Ritual is based, has been added. Sometimes reference material
on Masonic history is included. Anyone is welcome to read one." (Dr.
Jim Tresner, 33rd degree) Masonic Bibles are usually the King James
version. Top of Page
I see that Masonic buildings are called Temples. Does that mean that
Masons worship there?
No. "Webster's New Twentieth Century Dictionary provides a definition
for the word 'temple' which is as good an explanation as any: 'a
building, usually of imposing size, serving the public or an
organization in some special way; as, a temple of art, a Masonic
temple'". (Dr. Jim Tresner. 33rd degree) Top of Page
I see Masons called satan worshipers, criminals, money lovers, ad
infinitum. Any of that true?
No. Masonry, as a non-denominational organization, does not worship
any being or god. Members must profess a belief in a Supreme being,
but how one worships is left up to the individual. There are no
satanic rituals, no animals, no blood rituals, no sexual acts nothing
one would not find in any church or synagogue.
Masonry teaches honesty, truth, charity, hope, and many other tenets
that are in keeping with good moral character, none of which are
compatible with criminal activities.
Masonry teaches charity and relief, which are incompatible with
"monied evil." Top of Page
The all-seeing eye and pyramid in the Great Seal are Masonic, right?
No. The unfinished pyramid in the Great Seal of the United States is
actually the design of a non-Mason. Only one Mason worked on the Great
Seal. The all-seeing eye, symbolic to many as the Supreme Creator, has
been used by Masons, but it is not a universally-accepted Masonic
symbol. Many have used the all-seeing eye in their art, and few of
them are Masons.
The pyramid has been linked to the triangle, which is symbolic in many
Masonic Lodges. But a pyramid is not a triangle. There is no
Masonically symbolic import to the pyramid. Top of Page
Does Masonry have a hidden religious agenda or practice that is known
only to "higher" Masons?
No. The religious position of Freemasonry is stated often and openly,
and we've already mentioned it above. A Mason must believe in Deity,
and he is actively encouraged to practice his individual faith.
Masonry has no "god" of its own. Some anti-Masons have said that we
are not allowed to mention the name of Deity in Lodge, but simply
isn't true; in many jurisdictions, the letter G, found inside the
square & compasses symbol, represents God (it also represents
geometry). It is true that we, generally, use some other term ("The
Grand Architect of the Universe" is most common) to refer to God. That
is done only to avoid giving religious offense to anyone whose faith
prefers to refer to God by another name. But the God to whom Masons
pray is the God to whom all Christians pray. Top of Page
But haven't some Masonic writers said that the information given in
the early Masonic Degrees is incomplete or even misleading?
It's a matter of Masonic authors writing to those they assume have a
background of appropriate knowledge. Another way we say the same thing
is: "Masonry is a progressive science, revealed by degrees." There
nothing astonishing and certainly nothing sinister in that. ALL
knowledge is gained bit by bit, and this is especially true in ethics
and morality. A minister would do very little good if he gave a new
member of his church complex texts like the works of Cyprian, Clement
of Alexandria, and Origen. Greater good would be accomplished by
starting with less complex authors. Similarly, Masonry introduces the
idea of ethics and morality, and gives some practical instruction in
each. But then it says to the Mason, "We teach by symbols because
symbols can be constantly explored. Think about these things, read
what others have written. Only in that way can you make the knowledge
and insight really your own." Masonry tries very hard to raise
questions, and to help its members acquire the tools for thought -–
but we do not try to give answers. Top of Page
Why is it so hard to find an official statement of Masonic dogma?
Simply put: Because there is no such a thing. We've already mentioned
everything Masonry has to say officially on the topic. To go further,
as an official position, would be to deny a man his right to think for
himself and his right to follow the dictates of his own faith. Each
Mason has a right to seek in Masonry for what he wants to find. It is
his right to believe as he wishes; BUT it is not his right to force
that belief on others. Top of Page
But isn't the Masonic scholar Albert Pike's major book entitled Morals
and Dogma?
Yes. As is clear from his writings, however, Pike is using the word in
its original Greek sense of "that which I think is true," or "that
which has been thought to be true," not in the modern sense of "this
is what you are required to believe."
And the question of Morals and Dogma brings up an important point.
Anti-Masonic writers are forever "discovering" something they find
shocking in the book, largely because they don't under- stand what
kind of book it is. Pike was attempting the almost impossible task of
surveying and condensing the whole history of human thought in
philosophy into one volume. He writes about the things which were
believed in ancient Egypt, China, Persia; all over the world. It's
easy to take a paragraph out of context as one writer does with
Pike's comment about the Ancient Egyptian belief in Osiris -- and then
insist that Masons teach and believe that all good comes from Osiris.
But a history lesson is not a statement of theology.
Some of the anti-Masonic writers seem almost deliberately to twist
things to make them say what they want. As an example, the same writer
takes a passage in which Pike is contrasting the immortality of the
soul with the temporary nature of earthly things. To illustrate the
impermanence of the body as opposed to the soul, Pike notes that, when
we die, our bodies return again to the earth. The minerals of which
the body was composed may scatter far. Those minerals may be picked up
again by the roots of plants, grow into food, and be eaten by other
men. This, the anti-Masonic writer suggests, is pagan Masonic
communion-eating the dead! A simple illustration is distorted into a
cannibal feast. Top of Page
Which Masonic writers does Masonry consider authoritative?
If you mean "authoritative" in the sense that they speak for the
Fraternity or that what they say is "binding" upon Masons, then the
answer is none. Each Mason must think for himself, and is entitled to
write whatever he wishes. It's like the situation in studying
government; if a person really wants to understand American
government, he or she almost has to read Madison's and Hamilton's
Federalist Papers as well as De Tocqueville and the history of the
Constitutional Convention. But none of these are the law -- they are
just commentaries on the way the law was made, and the thinking of the
people who write the Constitution.
And it is like that with Masonic writers: Some have a lot of value to
say -- some are useless (each man can write whatever he wants, after
all) -- but none of them speaks for Masonry. He can only speak for
himself. Top of Page
What are the requirements for becoming a Mason?
Candidates must be male, adult, profess a belief in a Supreme Creator
and be of good character.
Some Grand Lodges also have a residency requirement; for example, the
Grand Lodge of Michigan requires candidates to have lived in its
jurisdiction (Michigan) for a minimum of one year.
Adult imples the man is at least 18 years of age, though the actual
minimum age can differ. For a listing of age requirements, please
visit http://www.bessel.org/age.htm
A belief in a Supreme Creator can sometimes be a hurdle for some
Christians, assuming that professing such a belief denies Jesus
Christ. As this author sees it, one would believe in the Father to
accept the Son, and such a concept does not deny either. Top of Page
Can <fill in an ethnic group>s be Masons?
Any human who meets the requirements listed in question 1 above is
eligible, regardless of race or color.
Some have speculated that while there is no official prohibition
against, say, blacks or Asians from becoming Masons, there is a de
facto prohibition because they would never be voted into a lodge. This
is false. There are Masons of all ethnic backgrounds.
However, it is fair to state that Masons, as humans, are prone to the
kinds of prejudices that all humans may succumb to. Since the vote to
admit a candidate is anonymous and must be unanimous, one man's
unspoken prejudice is sufficient to deny entry to a man (except, of
course, in those jurisdictions which require more than one 'no' vote
to deny entrance, but you get the idea). Prejudice is inexcusable and
irreconcilable with Masonry, but then, it is also irreconcilable with
Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, and there are certainly Christians,
Jews, and Muslims who harbor prejudices.
So it is possible that a Mason, acting unMasonically, could act to
keep a member out without due cause. But this is not common, nor is it
representative of Masonry in general, nor does it conform to the high
ideals of Masonry. Top of Page
Yes, and there are homosexual Masons. A man's sexual preference is not
questioned. There is the consideration that some men may view
homosexuality as being immoral; that homosexuals are not men of "good
character". This is generally not due to any specific prejudice but
rather due to religious belief (depending on how one interprets St.
Paul, for example). However, judging by conversation on
alt.freemasonry, it is safe to say that Masons generally would not
regard homosexuality as a barrier to membership. Top of Page
I have a physical disability. Can I be a Mason?
The answer is almost certainly yes, provided you can attend Lodge (and
meet the non-physical criteria in question (1) of this section).
Paraplegics have been made Masons, as have the blind, the deaf, and
others with a variety of physical handicaps. Minor modifications may
need to be done to the rituals (e.g., employing sign language,
modifying points where the candidate stands if the candidate is in a
wheelchair, etc.) but most Lodges are willing to accommodate
candidates.
In medieval times, the requirement to have a sound body free of
physical defect was a serious one, since the work of stonemasonry was
physically difficult. Some Grand Lodges did carry this requirement
into symbolic (non-operative) Masonry. However, in recent times this
has all but been eliminated. Talk to your local Lodge if you have any
questions. Top of Page
Can <fill in the name of the religion> be a Mason?
The only religious requirement is that candidates believe in the
Supreme Being. If you can in you can in good faith profess a belief in
the Supreme Being, you are eligible to be a Mason. No atheists will
ever knowingly be made a Mason.
There are Christian (Catholic, Protestant, Mormon), Jewish, and Muslim
Masons. It would be tedious and pointless to go into a
religion-by-religion (and then denomination-by-denomination)
discussion. The key points to remember are the requirement of belief
in the supreme being and the fact that Masonry is a fraternity, not a
religion. Top of Page
Catholicism is only mentioned specifically because it has generated a
lot of traffic in the past on the Masonic newsgroups. There is no
prohibition in any Grand Lodge jurisdiction against Catholics being
made Masons.
Please bear in mind that discussion of this subject on the Masonic
newsgroups invariably generates a very high noise-to-signal ratio. Top of Page
This religion is specifically mentioned only because it has been often
debated on alt.freemasonry. It is possible to get into very involved
discussions on the nature of Wiccan beliefs and their compatibility
with Masonry, but the only possible arbitrator is your Grand Lodge. To
that end, it is suggested that if you have more specific questions,
contact your local Lodge.
Again, the same could be said about a number of religions, and Wicca
is only mentioned specifically because it has been brought up
repeatedly on the Masonic newsgroups. Please bear in mind that
discussion of this subject on the USENET Masonic newsgroups invariably
generates more heat than light. Top of Page
What if my religion does not allow the swearing of oaths?
Some Grand Lodges allow affirmations to be used instead of the
traditional Masonic oath. This is more common in Europe than in the
United States. In all cases, it is best to check with the Grand Lodge
in your jurisdiction (or your local Lodge) for more specific
information. Top of Page
No, and you should never wait to be invited. Masons are prohibited
from asking others to join the fraternity to insure that candidates
come of their own free will.
As with many things Masonic, there are some exceptions to this rule.
Some Grand Lodges allow solicitation, such as in the form of an
information kiosk, provided it is low-key and with the strict
provision that no pressure be applied. Still, you don't *need* to be
invited in any jurisdiction; and if you're interested, act. Top of Page
OK, I'm interested -- how do I proceed?
If you know a Mason, ask him about membership. He will be glad to tell
you all about the Craft and the local lodge, and give you a petition
if you wish to join.
If you do not know a Mason, drop a letter or email to the local lodge
and one of the officers will call you (or call the lodge, though you
may not get an answer unless someone is actually there). You may also
wish to visit a local lodge and become acquainted with the brothers
meeting there. Most lodges are listed in the telephone book, along
with their meeting dates and times.
Typically, the process in America is as follows:
a. The applicant fills out a petition, which asks for personal
references and one or two Masonic sponsors. If you don't know any
Masons, arrangements will be made for you to become acquainted.
Those whom you meet would eventually sponsor you.
b. The petition is read at the next business meeting, which for many
lodges is during the first week of the month. A committee is formed
to investigate the candidate. The petition also asks for two
character references.
c. The committee meets with the candidate to answer questions. These
questions are very informal; the committee confirms that the
candidate meets membership criteria, that he was not coerced into
petitioning, and to get to know him. This is not a "grilling
session", but rather a friendly and casual chat to make certain
that the candidate has been properly informed about Masonry and was
not improperly solicited. The committee also contacts the character
references listed on the petition (typically asking if they know
any reason why the candidate should not be accepted, etc.)
d. The committee reports back to the lodge during the next business
meeting and the candidate is voted on. If accepted, someone from
the lodge (often the Secretary) contacts the candidate and informs
him that he has been accepted and schedules a date for the Entered
Apprentice degree. Top of Page
A fascinating question! And, alas, impossible to answer within the
confines of this FAQ. There are a number of theories, a lot of debate,
and a lot of musty history books. Some of the books listed in question
15 of this section should be of help. As a *very* brief overview, here
is part of an essay by Henry C. Clausen, a noted Masonic author. This
is, of course, just one point of view -- many other theories exist,
but Clausen nicely covers the basics:
"Our Masonic antiquity is demonstrated by a so-called Regius
Manuscript written around the year 1390, when King Richard II reigned
in England, a century before Columbus. It was part of the King's
Library that George II presented to the British Museum in 1757.
Rediscovered by James O. Halliwell, a non-Mason, and rebound in its
present form in 1838, it consists of 794 lines of rhymed English verse
and claims there was an introduction of Masonry into England during
the reign of Athelstan, who ascended the throne in A.D. 925. It sets
forth regulations for the Society, fifteen articles and fifteen points
and rules of behavior at church, teaching duties to God and Church and
Country, and inculcating brotherhood. While the real roots of Masonry
are lost in faraway mists, these items show that our recorded history
goes back well over 600 years. Further proof is furnished through
English statutes as, for example, one of 1350 (25 Edward III, Cap.
III) which regulated wages of a "Master...Mason at 4 pence per day."
The Fabric Role of the 12th century Exeter Cathedral referred to
"Freemasons."
The historical advance of science also treats of our operative ancient
brethren who were architects and stonemasons of geometry. It is
apparent from this portrayal that they had a very real and personal
identification with the Deity and that this fervent devotion provided
energy to build cathedrals. They embraced the teachings of Plato and
understood and applied Pythagorean relationships. Just as there is a
beauty of harmony credited to mathematical relationships on which
music is based, in precisely the same way these master geometricians
treated architecture. The architects and stonemasons became the
personification of geometry, performing extraordinary feats with
squares and compasses. Geometrical proportion, not measurement, was
the rule. Their marks as stonemasons were derived from geometric
constructions. The mighty works they wrought, cathedrals with Gothic
spires pointing toward the heavens, and especially their
"association," were not without danger and opposition, bearing in mind
the Inquisition established in 1229, the Saint Bartholomew's Eve
Massacre of 1572, and the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685.
These historical points remind us of the need for our cautions against
cowans and eavesdroppers.
Our operative Brethren of the Middle Ages thus were the builders of
mighty cathedrals throughout the British Isles and continental Europe,
many of which still stand. These skilled craftsmen wrote in enduring
stone impressive stories of achievement, frequently chiseled with
symbolic markings. With these architectural structures of these master
builders there was a companion moral code. These grew up together. Out
of this background modern Freemasonry was born.
Although "Lodges" had existed for centuries, four of the "old" Lodges
met in London on St. John the Baptist's Day, June 24, 1717, and formed
the first Grand Lodge of England, thereafter known as the Premier
Grand Lodge of the world. No longer operative as of old, the Masons
carried on the traditions and used the tools of the craft as emblems
to symbolize principles of conduct in a continued effort to build a
better world.
The American colonial Masonic organizations stemmed from this Grand
Lodge of England and were formed soon after 1717. Its then Grand
Master appointed Colonel Daniel Coxe as Provincial Grand Master of New
York, New Jersy and Pennsylvania on June 5, 1730, and Henry Price of
Boston as Provincial Grand Master of New England in April 1733."
-- Henry C. Clausen Top of Page
What US Presidents have been Masons?
George Washington William McKinley
James Monroe Theodore Roosevelt
Andrew Jackson William Howard Taft
James Polk Warren G. Harding
James Buchanan Franklin D. Roosevelt
Andrew Johnson Harry S. Truman
James Garfield (Lyndon B. Johnson)
Gerald R. Ford
Notes (in chronological order):
William McKinley's Masonic membership has not been confirmed 100%,
though his name does appear on several lists. Hopefully, someone will
be able to provide a definitive yes or no.
William Howard Taft was made a Mason At Sight by the Grand Master of
Ohio and later raised to Grand Master of Ohio in 1909.
Harry S. Truman was also Grand Master of his home state, Missouri.
Lyndon Johnson was an Entered Apprentice, but never progressed beyond
that degree.
Ronald Reagan is not a craft Mason. He was made an honorary 33rd
degree Mason by the Southern Jurisdiction of the AASR and an honorary
member of the Imperial Council of the Shrine, but he was never
entered, passed, and raised as a Mason, nor was he ever made a Mason
at sight. (Source: Robinson's _Born in Blood_)
Bill Clinton is not a Mason, though he was involved in DeMolay for a
time.
Many other leaders in government have been Masons: "They have included
fourteen Presidents and eighteen Vice Presidents of the United States;
a majority of the Justices of the United States Supreme Court, of the
Governors of States, of the members of the Senate, and a large
percentage of the Congressmen. Five Chief Justices of the United
States were Masons and two were Grand Masters. The five were Oliver
Ellsworth, John Marshall (also Grand Master of Masons in Virginia),
William Howard Taft, Frederick M. Vinson and Earl Warren (also Grand
Master of Masons in California.)"
-- Henry C. Clausen Top of Page
Was Thomas Jefferson a Mason? Patrick Henry? Abraham Lincoln?
No, no, and no. As for the first two, "an exhaustive search of Masonic
records in Virginia, and elsewhere, offers no iota of evidence to make
them Freemasons. Jefferson participated in the cornerstone laying of
his University at Charlottesville, which was done Masonically. He
praised Freemasonry and his own words proved he had never been a
member of the Craft." (FMBITS.TXT)
There is some evidence that Abraham Lincoln intended to become a Mason
when he returned to Springfield after his second term in office, had
he not been assassinated in 1865. Top of Page
What famous people have been Masons?
This is by no means a complete list. This list also includes Prince
Hall Masons.
FROM THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION (other than Presidents): Benjamin
Franklin, John Hancock, Paul Revere, John Paul Jones, LaFayette, Rufus
King, James Otis, Baron von Steuben, Joseph Warren, Benedict Arnold
(well, you can't win them all)
POLITICAL LEADERS: Winston Churchill, Simon Bolivar, Edmund Burke,
Benito Juarez, Edward VII, George VI, Bernardo O'Higgins, Jose' de San
Martin, Francisco de Paula Santander, Jose'Rizal, Jose' Marti, Pandit
Nehru, Lajos Kossuth, Jonas Furrer, Guiseppe Mazzini, Eduard Benes,
John A. MacDonald, Aaron Burr, George McGovern, Barry Goldwater, Estes
Kefauver, Adlai Stevenson (not the governor of Illinois but his
father, who was Vice President in 1892), Thomas E. Dewey, Alf Landon,
Hubert H. Humphrey, Wendell Wilke, W.E.B. DuBois, William Jennings
Bryant
MILITARY LEADERS: Omar Bradley, John J. Pershing, Douglas McArthur,
General Winfield Scott, Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, Jimmy Doolittle,
General Mark Clark, General George C. Marshall
REPUBLIC OF TEXAS: Sam Houston, Stephen Austin, Davy Crockett, Jim
Bowie, William B. Travis (and, it should be added, General Santa Ana)
FINE ARTS: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (and his father, Leopold), Ludwig
von Beethoven, Jean Sibelius, Franz Liszt, Josef Haydn, Irving Berlin,
Gutzon Borglum, Charles W. Peale, Alfons M. Mucha, John Philip Sousa,
both Gilbert & Sullivan, George Gershwin, George M. Cohen, Count
Basie, Nat King Cole, Giacomo Meyerbeer, Signmund Romberg
ACTORS: John Wayne, Red Skelton, Clark Gable, W.C. Fields, Will
Rogers, Burl Ives, Roy Rogers, Danny Thomas, Ernest Borgnine, Oliver
Hardy, Tom Mix, Audie Murphy, Gene Autry, Wallace Beery, Eddie Cantor
INDUSTRY & LABOR: Henry Ford, Samuel Gompers, Walter P. Chrysler, John
Wanamaker, S.S. Kresge, J.C. Penney, John Jacob Astor, John L. Lewis
ADVENTURERS: Lewis & Clark, Charles A. Lindberg, Kit Carson, Roald
Amundsen, Adm. Richard Byrd, Commodore Robert Peary
PHILOSOPHERS: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Gotthold E. Lessing,
Voltaire (Francois Marie Arouet)
ATHLETES: Bob Feller, Tris Speaker, Ty Cobb, Paul "Dizzy" Trout, Harry
Carey, Dell Rice, Jimmy Fox, Joe Tinker (of "Tinker to Evers to
Chance"), Jack Dempsey, Arnold Palmer, Jack Arthur Johnson
ASTRONAUTS: Edwin E. "Buzz" Aldrin, Jr., Leroy Gordon Cooper, Donn F.
Eisele, Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, Edgar D. Mitchell, Walter M. Schirra,
Jr., Thomas P. Stafford, Paul J. Weitz, James B. Irwin, John Glenn.
WRITERS: Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), Sir Walter Scott, Rudyard
Kipling, Robert Burns, Wassily I. Maikow, Heinrich Heine, Jean P.C. de
Florian, Leopoldo Lugoner, Antonio de Castro Alves, James Boswell,
Alexander Pushkin, Arthur Conan Doyle, Johnathon Swift, Oscar Wilde
LAW: John Marshall, Earl Warren, Thurgood Marshall
MEDICINE: Drs. Alexander Fleming, Jules Bordet, Antoine DePage, Edward
Jenner, Charles and William Mayo, Karl and William Menninger
SCIENCE: Hans C. Orsted, Jons Jakob Frk. von Berzelius, Alfred Edmund
Brehm, Luther Burbank, Johan Ernst Gunnerus, Albert Abraham Michelson,
Gaspard Monge, C.F.S. Hahnemann, Pedro N. Arata, Alexandre Gustave
Eiffel, Alexander Fleming, James Smithson
...as well as Harry Houdini, Norman Vincent Peale, David Sarnoff,
Thomas J. Watson, Giuseppe Garibaldi, Cecil J. Rhodes, Marvin Zindler,
and many, many more. Top of Page
What famous buildings in the US have been laid Masonically?
The U. S. Capitol
The Smithsonian Institution
Jackson Hall
The National Education Association Building
The Army War College Building
House of Representatives Office Building
The Washington Monument
The Washington Monument is in Alexandria, Virginia, and honors our
first President and Brother Mason, George Washington.(FMBITS.TXT) Top of Page
What's the difference between AF&AM and F&AM?
Today, there is no difference. F&AM means "Free & Accepted Masons";
AF&AM means "Ancient Free & Accepted Masons".
In 1723, a second Grand Lodge formed, which styled itself as ancient.
It issued charters in the colonies, as did the original Grand Lodge.
By the time the two Grand Lodges united in 1813, many U.S. Grand
Lodges had been formed in the United States, and each adopted one or
the other designations. Top of Page
Was Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Church, a Mason?
(This section provided by Brother Bob Dixon; the use of the first
person is his)
"Joseph Smith was a mason, as were the following four presidents of
the LDS church.
From about 1839 to about 1846 most of the members of the church
gathered to Nauvoo, Illinois, and there were at least four lodges in
operation there. Joseph Smith was a very flamboyant individual and had
a disagreement with the Grand Lodge of Illinois over the way the
Nauvoo lodges were operated. Accordingly, their charters were revoked
by the Grand Lodge.
He was murdered by a mob in 1844, and Brigham Young felt it was as a
result of a masonic conspiracy. He prohibited Mormons from being
Masons, which remained in effect until the last ten years or so. The
ill feelings went both ways, as the Grand Lodge of Utah refused to
accept Mormons as members until about 1984.
There are no particular restrictions on Mormons being Masons. We are
continually counselled to put our families and Christ first, which
many interpret as counsel to avoid most activities outside family and
church. This is a personal choice, though, and not a matter of strict
doctrine.
We perform certain ordinances such as baptisms for the dead and
eternal marriages in our temples, and minor portions of those
ordinances bear very surface similarity to parts of the Masonic
degrees. The whole scope and character is much different, though.
Where (I feel, anyway) that the masonic degree work revolves around
our place in God's kingdom here on the earth, our temple rituals deal
with creation and our place in the eternities."
(A minor historical note: Smith was made a Mason at Sight by the Grand
Master of Illinois) Top of Page
What is the oldest Lodge Room in the world? In the US?
"St. John's Chapel, Edinburgh, Scotland is said to be the oldest
Masonic Lodge Room (1736) in the world. The oldest known Lodge Room in
the U.S. is situated in Prentiss House, Marble head, Massachusetts
(1760).The oldest Masonic Lodge Building is the Lodge Hall of Royal
White Hart Lodge No. 2, Halltax, Northings, North Carolina (1771)."
(FMBITS.TXT)
Other information disagrees with this, stating that the oldest
American Lodge Room is "Masons Hall in Richmond, Virginia, the home of
Richmond Randolph Lodge No. 19 and Richmond Royal Arch Chapter No. 3.
The building owned by Royal White Hart Lodge wasn't built until 1821.
Masons Hall was built in 1785. It was originally the home of Richmond
Lodge No. 10, the first wholly new Lodge chartered by the Grand Lodge
of Virginia. It was also the first permanent home of the Grand Lodge
of Virginia." (from Northern Light) Top of Page
Is it true that all of George Washington's generals during the
Revolutionary War were Masons?
No. 33 of the generals serving under Washington were Masons. A
substantial number, but not "all". Top of Page
Is it true that all the signers of the Declaration of Independence
were Masons? The Articles of Confederation? The Constitution?
No. Masons constituted ten of the signers of the Articles, nine
signers of the Declaration, and thirteen signers of the Constitution.
Additionally, Edmund Randolph, Grand Master of Virginia, was an active
participant at the Constitutional Convention, though he didn't sign
the document. It should also be noted that four Presidents of the
Continental Congresses were Freemasons: Peyton Randolph of Virginia,
John Hancock of Massachusetts, Henry Laurens of South Carolina, and
Arthur St. Clair of Pennsylvania. (Northern Light) Top of Page
George Washington turned down the title of "Grand Master of the
United States" -- true?
Yes, sort of. The American Union Lodge proposed that Washington become
"General Grand Master of the United States", a title to be held in the
"National Grand Lodge". However, there were many others who also
disagreed with the idea, so it was never a serious proposal.
Washington was Master of Alexandria Lodge No. 22 in Virginia, whose
Grand Master was then Edmund Randolph. Washington was never Grand
Master of Virginia (or any other jurisdiction). Top of Page
Why do some Lodges meet on a certain day of the week "following the
full moon"? Are Masons some kind of moon worshipers?
The reason is actually simple practicality. Masonic Lodges meet at
night, since their membership typically works during the day. Before
street lights were available in the 19th century, men walked to Lodge
in the dark of night and it was common to schedule Lodge meetings
shortly after a full moon to provide maximum illumination for
Brothers' walk to and from Lodge.
Obviously, this is no longer an issue, though some Lodges whose
history stretches back into the 19th century or earlier still schedule
their meetings by the moon's period. These are sometimes referred to
as "moon Lodges". Top of Page
Did Masons suffer at the hands of the Nazis?
Yes. The exact numbers are unknown. Lt. Col. David Boyd wrote that
85,000 German Masons were killed by the Nazis, though other research
has found that this number may be off by as much as a third. This
figure does not include any of the nations the Nazis occupied.
Regardless of the actual number killed, it is clear that Hitler viewed
Masonry, which exalts truth, toleration, brotherly love, and free
thought, to be dangerous and a threat to his regime. Ironically, in
his last days in his bunker in Berlin, Hitler had a painting of
Frederick the Great in his chambers. Frederick the Great was a Mason. Top of Page
Are Masons connected to Greek-letter fraternities?
No, however there is one styled after Greek houses. Called Acacia, it was founded by Masons attending the University of Michigan in 1904. It was originally open only to Masons, but that requirement was dropped.
For more information, please visit http://www.acacia.org/. Top of Page
I want information on Masonic history. What books would be good
introductions?
Hodapp, Chris _Freemasons for Dummies_ Recently published, this is a
clearly- and well-written reference for Masons and non-Masons alike.
Virtually anything by Allen Roberts.
Robinson, John J. _A Pilgrim's Path_
Robinson, John J. _Born in Blood_
Stevenson, David, PhD. _The Origins of Freemasonry: Scotland's Century
1590-1710_ (Cambridge, New York: Cambridge University Press, 1988).
_Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia_ is an excellent reference. Top of Page
My local Library doesn't have any books on Freemasonry, where can I
find them?
Many Lodges maintain their own libraries as do the Grand Lodges. Some
larger public Libraries also may have a better collection than a
smaller Library. Unfortunately, bookstores do not typically carry a
wide assortment of Masonic related books, however, there are several
sources to purchase books:
Macoy Publishing (804) 262-6551
P.O. Box 9759
Richmond, VA 23228
Anchor Communications (804) 737-4498
110 Quince Ave. Drawer 70
Highland Springs, VA 23075
Look at Roger Ingersoll's home page or web site for free publications
and addresses of other sources of Masonic books. Top of Page
What movies/books feature Masonry?
_The Man Who Would Be King_, by Brother Rudyard Kipling. A good story,
later made into an excellent film, starring Michael Caine, Sean
Connery, and Christopher Plummer. Its portrayal of Masonic history is
quite fanciful, of course.
_Murder by Decree_ A Sherlock Holmes movie, concerning the Master
Sleuth's hunt for Jack the Ripper. It does not portray Masonry in an
honest, accurate, or favorable light. A good movie, but it is
important to remember that no Mason would ever knowingly commit a
crime for a Brother. Incidentally, Edward VII was actually a Mason.
(The story is not one of Brother Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's).
_From Hell_ A movie which makes yet another attempt to link
Freemasonry to the Jack the Ripper murders.
_National Treasure_ An action movie that suggests that Masons had
hidden a great treasure and left clues to its location in several
places, including the back of the Declaration of Independence.
Although there are a few inconsistencies, attributed to Hollywood's
skill at glittering up an otherwise plain story, the movie does cast
the Fraternity in a good light.
For more Masonic movie information, please visit
http:freemasonry.bcy.ca/fiction/cinema.html
The "Turmgesellschaft" in Goethe's "Wilhelm Meister" novels is
certainly of Masonic origin.
In Tolstoy's "War and Peace", the Masonic initiation ritual of the
character Pierre Besouchoff is described in great detail.
There is also a modest body of Masonic poetry: Kipling's "The Palace"
and "Mother Lodge", Burns's "Masonic Farewell", Goethe's "Mason
Lodge", Leigh Hunt's "Abou Ben Adhem", Carruth's "Each in His Own
Tongue", Burns's "On the Apron", Meredith's "Ebony Staff of Solomon",
Bowman's "Voice of America", Malloch's "Father's Lodge" and Nesbit's
"I Sat in Lodge with You." (Carl H. Claudy)
In addition, Right Worshipful Brother Trevor W. McKeown kindly
provided the following reading list:
The Freemason at Work
Harry Carr, revised by Frederick Smyth.
Ian Allan Lewis Masonic Ltd. Riverdene Business Park, Molesey Road,
Hersham Surrey KT12 4RG. ISBN: 0 85318 189 6 hc 404 pp.
Symbolism in Craft Freemasonry
Colin Dyer.
Lewis Masonic, Ian Allen Regalia Ltd., Terminal House Shepperton
Surrey. ISBN: 0 85318 130 6 pb 1983 [0 85318 102 0 clothbound, 1991].
184 pp.
Workman Unashamed, The Testimony of a Christian Freemason
Christopher Haffner.
Lewis Masonic, Ian Allan Regalia Ltd, Terminal House Shepperton
Surrey. ISBN: 0 85318 167 5. hc. 271 pp.
Early Masonic Pamphlets
Reprinted and edited by Douglas Knoop and G.P. Jones and Douglas
Hamer.
Q.C. Correspondence Circle Ltd. 60 Great Queen Street, London WC2B
5BA: 1978. ISBN: 0 9502001 3 1. 338 pp. [tel: 0171-405 7340,
fax:0171-404 8131]
Fundamentalism & Freemasonry, The Southern Baptist Investigation of
the Fraternal Order
Gary Leazer.
M. Evans and Company, Inc. 216 East 49th Street, New York, New York
10017. ISBN: 0-87131-775-3 (cloth). 252 pp.
Freemasonry, A Journey through Ritual and Symbol
W. Kirk MacNulty.
Thames and Hudson Inc., 500 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10110:
Reprinted 1999. ISBN: 0-500-81037-0. pb. 96 pp.
Freemasonry, The Study of a Phenomenon
Alexander Piatigorsky.
The Harvill Press, 2 Aztec Row, Berners Road, London N1 0PW: 1997.
ISBN: 1 89046 265 0. pb. 398 pp.
The Freemasons
Jasper Ridley.
Constable & Robinson Ltd, 3 The Lanchesters, 162 Fulham Palace Road,
London W6 9ER: 1999. ISBN: 1-84119-238-4. pb 340 pp.
The Origins of Freemasonry : Scotland's Century, 1590-1710
David Stevenson.
Paperback, Cambridge University Press: 1990 Top of Page
Are there any online resources?
There certainly are:
http://www.gpdemolay.org/freemasonry/
http://www.freemasonry.org/
http://www.masonicinfo.com/
http://web.mit.edu/dryfoo/Masonry/
http://www.canonbury.ac.uk/
http://www.shef.ac.uk/~crf/
http://www.internetloge.de/hotlinks/hyplink.htm
http://www.freemasonrytoday.co.uk/
http://mastermason.com/
http://bessel.org/
http://links.hiram.net/
http://welcome.to/psfreemasonry
http://www.qccc.co.uk/
It should also be noted that there are many anti-masonic resources,
but personal experience indicates that many of them refer to each
other when citing “fact”, which is to say that a majority of their
claims are baseless and built on a foundation of hatred, intolerance
or ignorance. Top of Page
U S E N E T
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FAQ
Version 1.6
August 2006
I. IMPORTANT NOTE, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, INTRODUCTION, A NOTE ON WORLD-
WIDE MASONRY, AND TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Important Note
I have stepped forward to update the FAQ. I'm working on this in my
spare time. Please contact me with any information that you would like
added or corrected in the FAQ.
Larry W <larryw@holbrookmasons.org>
Holbrook Lodge #30
Roger Ingersoll made some minor corrections to World Wide Web pages
and other minor changes.
Andrew Fabbro compiled/authored versions of this FAQ up to version
1.2. Unfortunately, he no longer had the time available to maintain
it.
Ed King maintains version 1.5a of this FAQ on his website,
http://www.masonicinfo.com/usenetfaq.htm
2. Acknowledgements.
Since I assumed revision duties, I have received some helpful letters,
but I would dearly like to see more. Many sections of this FAQ were
written by brothers (and sisters) whose wisdom, experience, and
knowledge is a truly wonderful resource. Thanks to ALL who've written
me. I tried to acknowledge everyone personally, but if I missed you,
it wasn't intentional.
Honor Roll: Peter T. Arnold, Ron Boutwell, Denis Constales, Steven
Cranmer, Earl K. Dille, Bob Dixon, Hans Prag Enator, Ed Greenberg,
Bill Hickey, Roger Ingersoll, Ed King, Joy Leavy, Paul Leger, Steve
Lubetkin, Trevor W. McKeown, Bill Menees, Henry Miller, Stephen
Morris, Roderick Morrison, Nick Oliver, Tony Olivero, Bruce Perrussel,
Charles Plater, Mark Saunders, Tom Schnorrenberg, Michael Shelby,
Robert H. Starr, Dave Stites, David R. B. Walker, Don Williams,
Catherine Yronwode, Jeffrey Zeth, and a few others whose names I
couldn't discern from their e-mail addresses.
Special thanks to Roger Ingersoll, whose Masonic FTP archives
provided substantial portions of this FAQ. Where possible, I have
included specific credits to the authors of those files, though
several are anonymous. Note that one of the sources credited here is
FMBITS.TXT, which has the following disclaimer as its preface: "With
apologies, the original source for the following information has been
lost. It probably came from either the Philatethes or the Southern
California Research Lodge. The file has been stored in my Computer for
a couple of years. Enjoy! William N. Wine (Sysop) #72435,1512 [Masonry
Forum Compuserve 07/11/93]".
Special thanks to Steve Lubetkin, who dug up the list of US Grand
Lodges.
Finally, thanks to the Grand Lodge of Michigan, whose lectures
provided the basis of the "Famous Freemasons" list, and to many
research lodges, whose work over the years has provided much of the
information contained here.
3. Introduction
This FAQ is version 1.6, which revises and updates many portions.
Any question you see marked with an asterisk should be considered
incomplete.
Finally, it should be stated without fail that no Mason, no Master,
no Grand Master can speak for all of Masonry. The answers provided
herein are not "authoritative" in the sense that they are universally
true for all Masons everywhere and reflect the beliefs of all Masons.
There are differences between each jurisdiction, and in general there
are differences between US Grand Lodges and Grand Lodges in other
countries. Of course, the high ideals and noble principles of Masonry
remain the same the world over, but some of the fine points and
details may vary.
So remember: nothing here is "gospel". This FAQ is intended to
provide a summation of commonly-given answers to commonly-asked
questions on the net.
Andrew Fabbro (Original FAQ caretaker)
Ed King (Current FAQ caretaker)
Larry W (current FAQ editor)
larryw@holbrookmasons.org
4. A Note on World-Wide Masonry
This FAQ was written and updated by Americans and the majority of
those who've contributed material are also Americans. This
unfortunately lends a very American flavor to the material. While the
tenets and noble principles of Masonry are the same everywhere, there
is some difference in organizational structure, ritual work, policies,
procedures, etc. in non-US GLs (and even among US GLs). I am always
more than happy to include material on Masonry outside of the US and
examples of how Masonry differs in non-US jurisdictions, and what I've
received I've included. This is simply a disclaimer that the material
herein is derived from primarily American sources and when in doubt,
check with the Grand Lodge in your jurisdiction.
5. Table of Contents
II. MASONRY ON USENET AND THE INTERNET
1. Where is this FAQ available?
2. Is there a mailing list?
3. Are there any FTP sites?
4. Are there any Wide World Web Masonic resources?
5. What about CompuServe, AOL, Prodigy, GEnie, Delphi, and other
commercial services?*
6. What is alt.freemasonry for?
7. What is alt.masonic.members for?
8. What is alt.masonic.demolay for?
9. Hey! Somebody just posted some nonsense about how Masons worship
Satan and sell their soul to the Reverend Moon! What should I do
about it?
III. WHO/WHAT ARE MASONS?
1. What is Freemasonry?
2. What is the Scottish Rite?
3. What is the York Rite?
4. What is the Shrine?
5. What is the Eastern Star?
6. What is DeMolay?
7. What is Rainbow?*
8. What are some other Masonic organizations?
9. What is Co-Masonry?
10. What is Prince Hall Masonry?*
11. What is a 33rd degree Mason?
12. Are there any Masonic functions that I can attend as a non-Mason?
13. Who is the head of the Masons?
14. Are there dues, fees, etc. associated with being a Mason?
15. I hear Masons refer to an "apron". What is that?
16. What is a "Masonic Funeral"?
IV. PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS & MYTHS
1. Are Masons just a bunch of old men? Isn't Masonry dying out?
2. Aren't Masons racist/elitist?
3. Isn't Masonry just a place where businessmen make deals?
4. I see titles like "Worshipful Master" and "Senior Deacon" – is
this some kind of cult?
5. Masonry is a secret society, right?
6. Masonry is a religion, right?
7. Are Masons really controlling the world/meeting with the Bavarian
Illuminati/members of the Trilateralist Commission/etc?
8. Masons are anti-Catholic, right?
9. Masonic rituals are demeaning or embarrassing to the candidate,
right?
10. I heard/read a Mason talking about a "Masonic Bible". Do Masons
have their own Bible?
11. I see that Masonic buildings are called Temples. Does that mean
that Masons worship there?
V. HOW DO I BECOME A MASON?
1. What are the requirements for becoming a Mason?
2. Can <fill in an ethnic group>s be Masons?
3. Can homosexuals be Masons?
4. I have a physical disability. Can I be a Mason?
5. Can <fill in the name of the religion> be a Mason?
6. Do Masons accept Catholics?
7. Can Wiccans be Masons?
8. What if my religion does not allow the swearing of oaths?
9. Do I have to be invited?
10. OK, I'm interested-- how do I proceed?
VI. HISTORY
1. Where did Masons come from?
2. What US Presidents have been Masons?
3. Was Thomas Jefferson a Mason? Patrick Henry? Abraham Lincoln?
4. What famous people have been Masons?
5. What famous buildings in the US have been laid Masonically?
6. What's the difference between AF&AM and F&AM?*
7. Was Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Church, a Mason?
8. What is the oldest Lodge Room in the world? In the US?
9. Is it true that all of George Washington's generals during the
Revolutionary War were Masons?
10. Is it true that all the signers of the Declaration of Independence
were Masons? The Articles of Confederation? The Constitution?
11. George Washington turned down the title of "Grand Master of the
United States" -- true?
12. Why do some Lodges meet on a certain day of the week "following
the full moon"? Are Masons some kind of moon worshipers?
13. Did Masons suffer at the hands of the Nazis?
14. Are Masons connected to Greek-letter college fraternities?*
15. I want information on Masonic history. What books would be good
introductions?*
16. My local Library doesn't have any books on Freemasonry, where can
I find them?
17. What movies/books feature Masonry?*
---===---
II. MASONRY ON USENET AND THE INTERNET
1. Where is this FAQ available?
2. Is there a mailing list?
3. Are there any FTP sites?
4. Are there any Wide World Web Masonic resources?
5. What about CompuServe, AOL, Prodigy, GEnie, Delphi, and other
commercial services?*
6. What is alt.freemasonry for?
7. What is alt.masonic.members for?
8. What is alt.masonic.demolay for?
9. Hey! Somebody just posted some nonsense about how Masons worship
Satan and sell their soul to the Reverend Moon! What should I do
about it?
1. Where is this FAQ available?
There are three sources:
+ Via Usenet. This FAQ is posted every Friday at 08:00 Pacific. It
is archived by Google and the most recent posting can be found at
http://groups.google.com/groups/search?q=usenet+masonry+faq&start=0&
scoring=d& (or http://tinyurl.com/rrmp8 for short).
+ Via the web at www.masonicinfo.com/usenetfaq.htm. This is currentyl
version 1.5a.
+ Via email to me at larryw@holbrookmasons.org.
2. Is there a mailing list?
Yes, there are several from which to choose. A resent search found
http://dmoz.org/Society/Organizations/Fraternal/
Freemasonry/, which lists several mailing lists.
3. Are there any FTP sites?
Yes, but they are few and far-between. One site has withstood the
test of time: Hiram's Oasis. It can be accessed via FTP at
ftp.kena.org in folder /Hirams, or via a web browser at
http://ftp.kena.org/Hirams/
4. Are there any Wide World Web Masonic resources?
Oh, yes, and their number is increasing all the time. The most
commonly referred site is http://web.mit.edu/dryfoo/www/Mason/, and
this FAQ is maintained at another fine site:
http://www.masonicinfo.com.
5. What about CompuServe, AOL, Prodigy, GEnie, Delphi, and other
commercial services?
(I am not a subscriber to most of these commercial services; if you
have more up-to-date information, please drop me a line.)
On CompuServe, type GO MASONRY to reach the Masonry forum. The CIS
Masonry forum has an excellent library of files on Masonry, and the
forum contains very good discussion.
On America On-Line: There are four Masonic discussion folders in two
different areas. Each area has a Masonic Youth Groups section and a
Freemasonry section. To get to the first area use keyword: Exchange,
then press the Communities Center button, then go to the Organizations
Board. In that folder are the discussion groups called Freemasonry
Online and Masonic Youth Organizations. To get to the second, use
keyword: Religion, then go to Other Religions, and then select Other
Religions again in the new list. Masonic Youth Groups and Freemasonry
should be in there somewhere (commercial providers have a habit of
incorrectly placing Masonry in the "religion" section -- GEnie used to
do this). The first area is probably the better of the two.
You can also search the software libraries on AOL using the keyword
"Mason". Also, searching the member directory using the keyword
"Mason" will give you a list of many other Masons on AOL.
AOL also has a "CyberLodge". E-mail Fronefield@aol.com for a copy of
the trestleboard. The "CyberLodge" meets in the "Public Chat Room" by
the name of "Freemasonry." Meetings are held at 9:00PM Eastern on the
second Wednesday and 8:00PM Eastern on the fourth Sunday of each
month. (Thanks to Bill Menees for the information on AOL)
6. What is alt.freemasonry for?
Alt.freemasonry is intended for general discussion of Masonry and
related topics. Almost any question regarding Masonry is welcome
there. Both Masons and non-Masons are welcome.
7. What is alt.masonic.members for?
Alt.masonic.members is intended to be a home for USENET Masons to
talk about the Craft, though non-Masons are welcome to participate.
The focus in a.m.m., however, is on discussion among people already
familiar with Masonry or people who are Masons, so questions about
becoming a Mason or what the York Rite is would be inappropriate (feel
free to post such questions in alt.freemasonry instead).
Of course, neither newsgroup (or the mailing list) is considered
Tiled and non-Masons read both regularly, so Brothers should not post
anything that they would not normally discuss with non-Masons.
Discussion on Co-Masonry (a form of Masonry which includes both men
and women) is welcome in either a.f or a.m.m.
8. What is alt.masonic.demolay for?
A.m.d. is for discussion regarding DeMolay (shocker, huh?) See
section III.6 if you don't know what DeMolay is.
9. Hey! Somebody just posted some nonsense about how Masons worship
Satan and sell their soul to the Reverend Moon! What should I do
about it?
Periodically (well, more like frequently, someone will post obvious
flame-bait on one of the Masonic newsgroups. Masons who read the
newsgroup obviously want to post and rebut these false claims.
However, keep in mind that a single bit of bait that takes 30 seconds
to write ("Masons are all KKK members!") can consume hours of time in
rebuttal. Half-a-dozen flame-bait posts can drown the newsgroup in
meaningless flame-wars that asphyxiate any serious conversation. On
the other hand, if the poster finds that his ramblings are simply
being ignored, he will likely become bored and go off to
alt.get-a-life and mingle with his own kind.
Some readers feel that these claims must be addressed, otherwise
USENET readers will get the wrong impression about Masonry. There is
some truth in this, though to be frank, if someone is willing to get
his information from someone who posts unsubstantiated one-line
attacks with half-a-dozen misspelled words, there is probably little
hope. However, this FAQ has been created to provide an answer to these
nonsense posts, so that Masons can simply say "read the FAQ" rather
than having to recreate its answers every time.
Still, some people will want to reply. In descending order of
desirability, here is a hierarchy of possible responses:
a. Ignore it. The person involved obviously is trying to stir up a
flame-war, or bait Masons into saying something nasty in return so
he can point and say "See! Masons are name-callers!"
b. Respond via e-mail. Point the poster to this FAQ, or write your own
response.
c. Post a followup designed to entertain newsgroup readers. For
example, if someone posts claiming that Masons are part of a global
conspiracy, a gag post about channeling Adam Weishaupt of the
Bavarian Illuminati or stating that Masons receive their daily to-
do lists from root@universe.org would show the folly of the
poster's ideas while still contributing something enjoyable to the
group's readers.
d. If the poster's flame-bait is something not covered in this FAQ and
you feel that you just can't hold back from responding, please:
1. Remove any cross-posts (in both the posting and the followups).
Some trollers will post a bit of bait in alt.freemasonry and
cross-post it to a half-dozen different groups, thus assuring
that they receive at least some response somewhere, which will
be echoed to all the other groups... can you say snowball?
2. If it not covered in this FAQ, please send a copy of the
original post and your reply to larryw@holbrookmasons.org, so it
may be included future editions. No one has yet claimed that
Masonry is really a secret martial art or that Master Masons
have a special power to buy real estate no-money-down, but if
someone does, a Q&A just for them will be added.
Finally, remember that there are people who have genuine questions or
misconceptions about Masonry and are not trying to flame anyone but
rather simply want answers. Just because they have misconceptions does
not mean they are trying to provoke anyone. You can usually tell the
difference by the tone of the post:
Honest Question: "I read in the Weekly World News that Masons have
ties to the KKK and are prejudiced and don't allow
blacks to be members. Is this true?"
Flame-Bait: "You Masons are all Klansmen and bigots, aren't you?
How do you live with yourselves? Do you enjoy
harassing ethnic minorities?"
Honest Question: "I've heard that Catholics can't be Masons. Is this
true? Are there any Catholic Masons? What is the
issue here?"
Flame-Bait: "How can you Masons lie about Catholics, saying they
can be Masons? Why are you trying to deceive
everyone? What is your hidden agenda?"
Honest Question: "I thought Masonry was a fraternity, but I read that
you have to profess some kind of faith in God, or
that people pray in Lodge. Is Masonry a religion?"
Flame-Bait: "Masonry is a religion, and you have to give up your
religion to be a Mason! Don't believe what Masons
tell you!"
Etcetera. Those asking honest questions will usually respond with a
thanks and consider the information given. Those seeking to sow the
seeds of a flame-war will simply switch subjects endlessly and ignore
any responses.
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