A lot of people have heard of Freemasonry but many would like to ask questions, the following page has been designated to answer the 10 most frequently asked questions about Freemasonry. If there are any more questions, please feel free to contact the Secretary who will be happy to answer any you may have.

1.What is Freemasonry?

Freemasonry is one of the world's oldest secular fraternal societies. The following information is intended to explain Freemasonry as it is practiced under the United Grand Lodge of England, which administers Lodges of Freemasons in England and Wales and in many places overseas. This explanation may correct some misconceptions.

Freemasonry is a society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values. Its members are taught its precepts by a series of ritual dramas, which follow ancient forms, and use stonemasons' customs and tools as allegorical guides. The essential qualification for admission into and continuing membership is a belief in a 'supreme being'. Membership is open to men of any race or religion who can fulfil this essential qualification and who are of good repute.

Freemasonry teaches moral lessons and self-knowledge through participation in a progression of allegorical two-part plays, which are learnt by heart and performed within each Lodge. It also offers its members an approach to life which seeks to reinforce thoughtfulness for others, kindness in the community, honesty in business, courtesy in society and fairness in all things.

Members are urged to regard the interests of the family as paramount but importantly Freemasonry also teaches and practices concern for people, care for the less fortunate and help for those in need.

2. What are the main Principles of Freemasonry?

For many years Freemasons have followed three great principles:

BROTHERLY LOVE - Every true Freemason will show tolerance and respect for the opinions of others and behave with kindness and understanding to his fellow creatures.

RELIEF - Freemasons are taught to practice charity and to care, not only for their own, but also for the community as a whole, both by charitable giving, and by voluntary efforts and works as individuals.

TRUTH - Freemasons strive for truth, requiring high moral standards and aiming to achieve them in their own lives.
Freemasons believe that these principles represent a way of achieving higher standards in life.

3. What Happens at a Lodge Meeting?

The meeting is in two parts. As in any association there is a certain amount of administrative procedure - minutes of last meeting, proposing and balloting for new members, discussing and voting on financial matters, election of officers, news and correspondence.

Then there are the ceremonies for admitting new masons and the annual installation of the master and appointment of officers. The three ceremonies for admitting a new mason are in two parts - a slight dramatic instruction in the principles and lessons taught in the Craft followed by a lecture in which the candidate's various duties are spelled out.

The Festive Board is a formal dinner, usually of four courses with plenty of refreshments. This is where Freemasons in the Lodge get to know the visitors and each other better and friendships are formed. It is usual for stewards to be elected that ensure everyone's needs are catered for and everyone's glass is full. During the Festive Board, there will be a charity collection and sometimes a raffle which gets donated to various organisations. Various toasts and speeches are given and always around 9.00pm everyone will raise their glass to absent brethren. At the end of the evening, the final toast sees everyone off as they look forward to the next merry meeting.

4. Why do people join Freemasonry

People become Freemasons for a variety of reasons, some as the result of family tradition, others upon the introduction of a friend or out of a curiosity to know what it is all about. Those who become active members and who grow in Freemasonry do so principally because they enjoy it, and they enjoy the challenges and fellowship that Freemasonry offers. There is more to it, however, than just enjoyment:

Participation in the dramatic presentation of moral lessons and in the working of a Lodge provides a member with a unique opportunity to learn more about himself and encourages him to live in such a way that he will always be in search of becoming a better man, not better than someone else but better than he himself would otherwise be and therefore an exemplary member of society.

Each Freemason is required to learn and show humility through initiation. Then, by progression through a series of degrees he gains insight into increasingly complex moral and philosophical concepts, and accepts a variety of challenges and responsibilities which are both stimulating and rewarding.

The structure and working of the lodge and the sequence of ceremonial events, which are usually followed by social gatherings, offer members a framework for companionship, teamwork, character development and enjoyment of shared experiences.

5. Who can join Freemasonry?

Membership to Freemasonry is open to men of all faiths who are law-abiding, of good character and who acknowledge a belief in a superior being. Freemasonry is a multi-racial and multi-cultural organisation. It has attracted men of good will from all sectors of the community into membership. There are similar Masonic organisations for women.

6. How Much Does It Cost To Be A Freemason?

The cost of joining Freemasonry varies from Lodge to Lodge but anyone wishing to join can find a Lodge to suit his pocket. On entry, there is an initiation fee and an apron to buy. A member pays an annual subscription to his Lodge which covers his membership and the administrative cost of running the lodge.

It is usual to have a meal after the meeting; the cost of this can be included either in the annual subscription or paid for at the time. It is entirely up to the individual member what he gives to Charity, but it should always be without detriment to his other responsibilities. Similarly, he may join as many Lodges as his time and pocket can allow as long as it does not adversely affect his family life and responsibilities.

7. Is Freemasonry A Secret Society?

Freemasonry is not a secret society, but Lodge meetings, like meetings of many other social and professional associations, are private occasions open only to members. Freemasons are encouraged to speak openly about their membership, while remembering that they undertake not to use it for their own or anyone else's advancement.

As members are sometimes the subject of discrimination which may adversely affect their employment or other aspects of their lives, some Freemasons are understandably reluctant about discussing their membership. In circumstances where a conflict of interest might arise or be perceived to exist or when Freemasonry becomes an issue, a Freemason must declare an interest.

The Masonic Year Book, also available to the public, contains the names of all national office-holders and lists of all Lodges with details of their meeting dates and places. The meeting places and halls used by Freemasons are readily identifiable, are listed in telephone directories and in many areas are used by the local community for activities other than Freemasonry. Freemason's Hall in London is open to the public and 'open days' are held in many provincial centres.

The rituals and ceremonies used by Freemasons to pass on the principles of Freemasonry to new members were first revealed publicly in 1723. They include the traditional forms of recognition used by Freemasons essentially to prove their identity and qualifications when entering a Masonic meeting. These include handshakes which have been much written about and can scarcely be regarded as truly secret today; for medieval Freemasons, they were the equivalent of a 'pin number' restricting access only to qualified members.

Many thousands of books have been written on the subject of Freemasonry and are readily available to the general public. Freemasonry offers spokesmen and briefings for the media and provides talks to interested groups on request.

8. Is Freemasonry A Religion?

Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. Its essential qualification opens it to men of many religions and it expects them to continue to follow their own faith. It does not allow religion to be discussed at its meeting.

9. Is Freemasonry Involved In Politics?

Freemasonry is definitely not a political organisation, it has no political agenda, and discussion of politics is not permitted at Lodge meetings.

10. Do Freemasons Only Look After Each Other?

Absolutely not. That would be a misuse of membership and subject to Masonic discipline. On entry into Freemasonry each candidate states unequivocally that he expects no material gain from membership.

The Book of Constitutions, which every candidate receives, contains strict rules governing abuse of membership which can result in penalties varying from temporary suspension to expulsion. From its earliest days, Freemasonry has been involved in charitable activities. Since its inception, Freemasonry has provided support not only for widows and orphans of Freemasons but also for many others within the community.

Whilst some Masonic charities cater specifically but not exclusively for Freemasons or their dependents, others make significant grants to non-Masonic organisations. On a local level, Lodges give substantial support to local causes.