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What is Freemasonry, what does it
offer & where can I get more information about it? The Formal Answer Whenever we are asked “What is Freemasonry?”,
the formal answer includes much of the following:-
Freemasonry is open to men of many
religions and it expects them to continue to follow their own faith.
Freemasonry is a system of morality, not a system of faith or salvation and
is complimentary to the belief of the individual. Indeed, lodge meetings, in
order to ensure harmony, expressly forbid the discussion of either religion
or politics. Freemasonry asks that each of its members
shows tolerance and respect for the opinions of others and behave with
kindness and understanding to his fellow man. Its members, in varying
degrees, are involved with numerous local, national and international
charitable works, both by charitable giving and by voluntary efforts and
works as individuals. Freemasonry demands from its members a
respect for the law of the country in which a man works and lives.
Freemasonry does not override the individuals duty to one’s self, one’s family
ones God or work. Masonic meetings have a set structure and
consistent content and although their organisation and ceremonies have been
shrouded in secrecy in the past, are now largely open to public scrutiny one
way or another – United Grand Lodge of England even hires PR consultants
these days to help get their message across fairly. Whilst Masonic lodges are
private, their members are happy to talk about any virtually any aspect of
Freemasonry, except their modes of recognition.
The More Casual Answer
Freemasons will also enjoy the customs
and theatrics and within the lodge room which, in an appropriate context,
are used to explain symbolic meaning. There is also good humour, spirit of
friendship and a dinner afterwards (which is known as the Festive Board) and
the potential to visit other lodges in the UK as well as abroad which all
adds to the enjoyment. In between lodge meetings, many
freemasons will try to find opportunities to put something back into the
community at large. They will also appreciate that humility and the conduct
by which they run their lives outside the lodge room is important. Finally,
they do not regard Freemasonry as a secret society, merely one that is
private that would lose some of its special significance and meaning to
newcomers should every aspect of lodge business become widely known or be
taken out of context. These days, any quick search on the
internet will reveal all sorts of signs, signals or so called secrets and
secret practices with rolled trouser legs ascribed to Freemasonry. Whilst
some might reveal a germ of truth, none of them warrant the wild rantings
from the conspiracy theorist or cult lobby in our society. However, if you
happen to hold those views, or got carried away with Dan Brown’s fascinating
book “The Da Vinci Code”, then email us and we will be happy to separate
masonic fact from media fiction. On the other hand, if you still have a
question mark about Freemasonry’s compatibility with religion (whether
Christian or otherwise) and fitness within society generally, click HERE for a thorough and considered response. The Masonic Checklist “Ok. What’s the real attraction?” Well, it can also offer:- 1.
Four fun, if idiosyncratic,
meetings and dinners a year amongst friends. 2.
An opportunity to give money or time
to charities that are well managed. 3.
Enjoyment: Masonry wouldn’t
survive if it were serious all the time. 4.
Mental gymnastics: Yes, there is a
bit of learning involved! 5.
Trust: Frankly, you have to
demonstrate this just to join. 6.
Historical Interest: Masonic
history can be fascinating life long study. 7.
Time to consider and evaluate
one’s moral outlook and character. 8.
A friendly forum where you can
develop confidence in public speaking. 9.
A chance to meet likeminded people
from other backgrounds on equal terms. Questions About Joining Freemasonry
If you have questions about
Freemasonry, then please email us or raise them in our chat room. You might
also want to look for advice on any of the sites listed on our links page. If
you are interested in joining and reside in the UK (and are not an Old
Epsomian), please contact United Grand Lodge of England who will be pleased to put you in touch with a local lodge..
Their number is 020 7831 9811. Once you have made contact with a particular
lodge, they will usually arrange an informal chat or interview if you wish to
put your name forward. Discussions of this nature often take the format shown
on this link If you still don’t understand why
so many people join Freemasonry, take a look at this link and if you want to see the really useful guide for all new prospective
members, published by Metropolitan Grand Lodge of London, then email the web
master. Principal Masonic Charities What about the charitable side to
Freemasonry? United
Grand Lodge of England’s site explains Masonic charitable bodies
in detail so we will only provide an outline. Key points however are that
Grand Charity’s running costs represent 13% of total expenditure which makes
it amongst the most efficient in the UK - much more so than most of the more
“media savvy” UK charities. Grand Charity donates approximately 5M
Euros each year, of which over 50% goes towards to non-Masonic causes; the
bulk of their Masonic grants go towards running over 18 care and nursing home
facilities nationwide. There are several other key masonic charitable
organisations and it should also be borne in mind that each lodge also tends
to give a significant proportion of their own charitable funds direct to non
masonic causes. Charitable income from the key four Masonic charities amounts
to around 33M Euros annually. Key Masonic charities and Initiatives include:- Helping with National financial
need 60 Great Queen Street, London WC2B
5AZ The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution Helping older people 20 Great Queen Street, London WC2B
5BG Helping the sick 26 Great Queen Street, London,
WC2B 5BL Royal
Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys Helping Young People 31 Great Queen Street, London WC2B
5AG London
Masonic Charitable Trust Generating aid from the London
area and coordinating donations to selected
charities eg Prostate Cancer Research &
the RNID Undergrad Aid Run by the MTGB and offers means
tested grants to Masonic children reading
a first degree subject to meeting certain
criteria. TalentAid Run by the MTGB and offers means
tested grants to Masonic children
(subject to certain criteria) with particular gifts
(eg music sport or drama) that need
assistance to reach their potential. Grand Lodge Tours And Masonic Museum
The tour around Grand Lodge is also a
must. Tours are generally available during the week between 11am, 12pm, 2pm,
3pm and 4pm. Saturday tours must be pre-booked and there might be a fee.
Please ring them first to check availability. The nearest tube is Holborn on
the Central line but Covent Garden isn’t far. Just in case you’re wondering, you do not
need to be a Freemason to visit the museum or enjoy a tour, non Masonic
visitors are especially welcome! Grand Lodge is also the best place to
enquire if you would like more information generally or would like to join.
Further Masonic Information & Research If you are looking to make "A Daily Advancement in Masonic
knowledge", there are
many sources of interest and help. The following sources all have web sites
and their links can be found on our links page HERE Freemasonry Today The quarterly official UGLE Masonic
publication. Well written, fascinating articles, outstanding, scholarly
journalists and modest annual subscription If you are a non mason, UGLE might
post you a free copy if you ask them nicely. Cornerstone Society Regular conferences held at FMH
majoring on meaning rather than historic aspects of Freemasonry. Quatuor Coronati The premier research lodge with a
correspondence circle for serious academic research. They also administer an
annual Masonic essay competition for those with scholarly Masonic inclinations
(June deadline). Canonbury Masonic Research Centre Regular conferences and outstanding
evening lectures held in North London. See their web or call on 020 7226 6256
for details. Sheffield University Centre for Masonic
Research Courses and seminars held in
Sheffield. See their web or call on 0114 222 9890 for details. UGLE Freemasons Hall Lunchtime Talks Good occasional 1:15 pm talks given
by UGLE. Ring on 020 7831 9811 for details London Masonic Walks See the sites of early Freemasonry on
a structured lunchtime tour with renowned lecturer Yasha Beresiner http://www.thestreetsoflondon.co.uk/ or email
contactstreetsol@hotmail.com Bath Masonic Hall If in Somerset, why not tour this
amazing historic building or go to a talk or lecture? Emulation Lodge of Improvement If you are already a Freemason, you could
always try visiting one of the following to see how the ritual really should
be undertaken. They require membership and possibly a small attendance charge
but are great experience, especially if you are anywhere near “taking the
chair” and your lodge or chapter has no formal Instruction. Please enquire
through Grand Lodge before attending and bring your papers with you first
time you go along. They undertake ceremonies and work lectures but do not
dine. Emulation Lodge of Improvement also offers the much coveted “silver
matchbox” for freemasons capable of undertaking a full ceremony
from “the chair” without mistake or prompt – a tall order! Emulation Lodge of Improvement Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen St,
London Most Fridays from 6:15 pm October
to June Domatic Chapter of Instruction Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen St,
London Most Wednesdays from 6:45 pm There is also the Aldersgate Chapter of
Improvement which meets at Mark Masons’ Hall, 86 St James Street, London SW1
1PL. They meet monthly on (usually one Thursday) at 7:15 pm from September to
May. Please email us for more details. And finally, a
few thoughts (based upon the words of Bro Dan Weatherington) explaining why
people really join Freemasonry:- WHY MEN JOIN FREEMASONRY? By Brother
Dan Weatherington, from the Masonic e-mail journal CINOSAM
Not one person ever joined Freemasonry because Churchill was a Mason. Not one person ever joined Freemasonry because George Washington, Walt Disney or Peter Sellers were Masons. Nobody ever joined Freemasonry because of our great Masonic heroes: Joining Freemasonry doesn't make you any of those people. Not one person ever joined so that they could give money to charity: You don't have to be a Freemason to give money to worthy causes. Not one person ever joined because of our attention to lodge rules, regulations or ritual. Outsiders don't know about all of our procedures. They joined because someone they knew and admired was a Mason. It could have been a father, a friend, a man down the street, or someone a thousand miles away. Who it was didn't matter. They admired him and wanted to do the things he did and they did it by the millions. If you want to
help promote Freemasonry, try to be the kind of man that other people
admire. Someone will notice. SOURCES: The lodge room illustration linked to
this page was kindly supplied by kind permission of Heart of England Lodge.
Their web site may be found at www.heartofenglandlodge.org.uk |
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