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Answers to FAQ's
- Separating Facts from Fiction -
1. How widely followed is Freemasonry?
In the UK alone, there are over 320,000 Freemasons
and more than 8,000 Lodges. The Masonic fraternity is
further represented in dozens of countries throughout
the world, with membership believed to exceed 6 millions.
(Source, External Relations Dept. - UGLE)
Some so-called "Masonic" organisations found
overseas may not conform to the constitutions by which
we operate and therefore we cannot and do not recognise
them.
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2. Is it a "secret" society?
No, absolutely not. Secret societies are usually sinister
groups that exist "underground" to avoid detection.
By no stretch of the imagination, can Freemasonry be
regarded as that - much as some would like to claim
it is!!
We make no pretences about our existence, what our
objectives are, where we meet and when. In fact we
want
everyone to know as much as possible about Freemasonry.
We'd like you to visit us, chat with us and discuss
any aspect you wish.
But as with any organisation there are elements we
want to keep private. It is solely those things which,
if made freely available, would destroy the sequence
of the unfolding story - the amazing journey of self-discovery
and learning that Masons value so highly.
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3. Does the notion of "Secrecy"
feature in Masonic ceremonies?
As a legacy of centuries-old ceremonial terminology,
yes it does. By today's standards, this terminology
is probably far too extreme. Nevertheless, words associated
with "secrecy" remain in our ceremonies by
tradition. By default, they happen to serve as a timely
reminder that, today, privacy is a rare commodity valued
by everyone - and something we should always respect
in our daily lives.
These days, a better interpretation of "secrecy"
in Freemasonry would indeed be "privacy" -
to protect from premature disclosure, the strictly sequential
process of learning and self-discovery that comprises
the great Masonic journey.
Even Masons themselves cannot divulge elements of the
story to junior members until the latter have advanced
to the relevant "degree" of knowledge. The
privacy of the unfolding story is vitally important
and fundamental to the success and joy of Freemasonry
for all of its participants.
Thus we regard as private many details of our ceremonies
and rituals. Having said that, it is very easy to obtain
a book of Emulation Ritual - ISBN 0 85318 209 4. It
provides a very good outline of what we do and how but
which omits some detail.
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4. Is it true that Masons have to
"swear to secrecy", supposedly on pain of
awful physical penalties?
Yes it is - but it's not nearly as dramatic or sinister
as it sounds!
Firstly, swearing to secrecy exists to remind Masons
of the importance of preserving the concept of the "journey
of self-discovery" and the unfolding Masonic story.
It's rather like ensuring that no one reads the last
chapter of a thrilling book without first having read
carefully all the preceding pages. And the process can
take many years!
Therefore a Mason is not permitted to get a "sneak
preview" of what lies ahead, nor is he allowed
to divulge them to anyone - otherwise there would be
no journey, no unfolding story!
The notion of a physical penalty for "disclosure"
is again purely symbolic - a legacy of the days of ancient
ceremonies - but it does serve to place great emphasis
on Freemasonry's reliance on the integrity of the individual
to preserve the amazing way in which it works.
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5. What else does Freemasonry help
us to understand?
Although a voluntary and charitable organisation, Freemasonry
is strongly structured and hierarchical. Whilst somewhat
at variance with the modern preference for 'flat' relationship/management
structures, its character helps us to appreciate the
advantages of having "order" in society and
in life in general.
Just like the ancient teams of working stonemasons,
by having "order" - people who plan, lead
teach and encourage, people who learn, practice and
perfect - great and enduring things can be achieved.
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6. Can women join Freemasonry?
No. Although Freemasons' partners and their families
play a vital role in the fraternity's social and charitable
activities, under the constitutions of the United Grand
Lodge of England (UGLE) by which we operate, women are
not admitted as members.
However, there are two separate and unrelated organisations
that welcome women:
- The Order of Women Freemasons
- The Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons
NOTE: They are not officially recognised by UGLE,
as they do not conform to its constitutions.
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7. What are Masonic ceremonies and
rituals?
Masonic ceremonies and rituals provide a spoken and
enacted framework for the journey of learning and discovery.
Through them, Masons learn about the great human qualities
and virtues that Freemasonry advocates, and their relevance
to them as individuals and their importance in society.
In effect, the ceremonies and rituals are "plays"
enacted by Masons, having learned by heart, the scripts
appropriate to their position or office in Freemasonry.
Sometimes, ceremonies can be quite dramatic if not theatrical
- but always for a purpose - to emphasise a fact or
a message. For example and by repute, no Mason ever
forgets the sheer drama, excitement and emotion of the
Third Degree ceremony, in which he finally becomes a
Master Mason.
As a Mason progresses in his Masonic journey, over
a number of years, rising through a series of positions
or offices, so he takes different parts in the ceremonies,
learning them by heart, and gaining a deeper understanding
of the relevance of each rôle.
You can read more about this subject from the Masonic
book of Emulation Ritual - ISBN 0 85318 209 4
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8. What are the so-called "mysteries"
of Freemasonry?
In today's definition of the word, there are no "mysteries",
as such. A far better description would be "knowledge"
or "information" that has yet to be learned!
Yes, as a legacy of ancient ceremonies, the term "mysteries"
often occurs in Freemasonry - but it has nothing to
do with wizards and magicians!! The term is used in
the context of those steps and elements of knowledge
on the path of self-discovery that a Mason has yet to
learn. That which a Mason has learned is therefore no
longer a so-called "mystery" to him, but it
remains described as such amongst other Masons who have
yet to "discover" them.
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9. What about those so-called "funny
handshakes" and "passwords"? Do they
exist?
They certainly do! They're rather quaint, old-fashioned
and the butt of many a joke! Masons can find them amusing
too. Still much in use today, they remain as a centuries
old tradition, from the days when there were no reliable
means of identity as there are today.
In bygone days, by giving a particular password and
a distinctive handshake when visiting other Lodges,
a Freemason was able to prove his membership and demonstrate
the "degree" he had obtained in the Craft.
The concept of the password and handshake is thought
to have stemmed from ancient times when stonemasons
used similar methods to prove their level of expertise
when finding new work.
There were no employee references in those days to
take to a new employer! So a series of carefully guarded
words was used, each representing a particular level
of proficiency in stonemasonry. It prevented unskilled
stonemasons from claiming to be skilled. And also, of
course, on this, depended the level of pay at which
they were contracted!
In the same vein, stonemasons guarded their identity
so diligently that they would make their own unique
"mark" - the stonemasons' mark - on every
piece of stone they carved. These can still be seen
today on the stonework of castles, cathedrals, churches
and palaces all over the world. The leading stonemasons
used these marks to identify the origin of outstanding
or faulty workmanship.
But for the working mason, the mark became his personal
hallmark, the mark of pride in his work. Improving his
standard of workmanship, overcoming imperfections, was
his sole means of improving his lot in life.
In the same spirit, Masons today are encouraged continuously
to develop and improve themselves. By adopting worthy
values and exercising commendable standards of personal
conduct, so he develops his own personal hallmark.
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10. We've heard about the "rolled-up"
trouser leg? Is that true too?
Yes it is. This too is an ancient part of our traditional
ceremonies. It occurs at the moment when someone is
first admitted into Freemasonry as an "Entered
Apprentice". The meaning of the rolled up trouser
leg is simple and symbolic - firstly to remind him that
he joins Freemasonry, figuratively, in a poor and humble
state; secondly, to make such an impression that he
should never forget the needs of others, particularly
those less fortunate than himself.
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11. What part does religion play
in Freemasonry?
Belief in God, the Supreme Being is the heart and bedrock
of Freemasonry.
However, Freemasonry is not, nor ever will be, a religion.
Nor does it purport to have any religious standing whatsoever.
Freemasonry does not expound the virtue of any one
religion in particular. It expounds the virtue of Faith
in general and the advantages it holds out for every
person - man, woman and child.
Freemasonry embraces people from all the main Faiths.
But in the spirit of Craftsmen, the Supreme Being, or
God, is referred to as the "Great Architect of
the Universe". That generic title is acceptable
to anyone who believes in a Supreme Being and enables
people from all Faiths to stand together in collective
homage.
In this sense, Freemasonry has, since the early 1800's
been ahead of its time in its desire and success in
bringing together people of all Faiths.
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12. Why do Lodges meet in a "Temple"?
Any room in which a Lodge convenes formally is referred
to as a Temple.
Normally, temples are regarded as places of worship,
of religious practice. But in Masonic terms, the temple
is a place where Masons of all Faiths may not only pay
homage to the Great Architect of the Universe but also
enact long-established ceremonies and rituals that help
guide them on their quest of self-discovery and self-improvement.
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13. How strict are the Masonic
rules?
Masonic rules and regulations place much emphasis
on the individual to exercise his integrity and responsibility.
Because of this, the rules are generally very highly
respected by everyone, giving the impression of being
strictly applied. And indeed they are. But as in most
things Masonic, it is close guidance and good example
that generally prevails rather than castigation.
Whilst we recognise and accept that human failing
will always be amongst us, we have clearly defined
limits of tolerance.
Thus, significant breaches of our values and the expected
standards of conduct are treated very seriously. Transgressors
may be admonished formally, or suspended, or invited
to resign and in extreme cases, expelled. Over the
last three years, in England, there have been no fewer
than 43 expulsions enforced by The United Grand Lodge
of England.
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14. What is a "Lodge"?
A Lodge is, in effect, the modern version of what used
to be a group of working stonemasons. These days, rather
than stonemasons, a Lodge can be viewed as a social
team whose common objective is to promote and share
in the experience of pursuing the precepts and values
of Freemasonry.
In doing so, they remain stonemasons at heart for,
as metaphorical sculptors, they try to create in themselves
better and more worthy individuals.
Its members gather to meet on a regular basis on pre-determined
dates. Membership of a Lodge can vary from a handful
of men, to well over a hundred - although it is most
commonly in the range of 30 - 60. Collectively, the
members are known as "Brethren".
There are over 6,000 Lodges in England alone and over
8,000 in total including overseas Lodges which operate
under the constitution of the United Grand Lodge of
England
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15. Who runs the Lodge?
A Lodge is strictly hierarchical, and is led by the
"Master", called the "Worshipful Master".
He is supported by officers - two "Wardens",
two "Deacons", an "Inner Guard"
and a "Tyler".
Each year, a new Worshipful Master of the Lodge is
elected and then appointed in a special installation
ceremony.
The purpose of the Wardens was, and still is, to assist
the Master in the management of the Lodge. In times
past, the Deacons' primary role was to act as couriers,
and thus ensure good communication. These days, the
role of "courier" is rather more notional.
But as a vital part of their own Masonic progression,
Deacons also have special responsibilities in the initiation
of new members "Entered Apprentices" - and
their subsequent, later advancement to the 2nd Degree.
The Inner Guard exists, even now, to ensure that the
meeting of the Lodge is not interrupted by visitors
except with the permission of the Master. The "Tyler"
stands outside the door of the Temple to introduce guests
and late arrivals at moments convenient to the proceedings.
Other key officers in the Lodge are:
- The Immediate Past Master who guides and assists
the Master of the Lodge
- The Chaplain who assists with the spiritual focus
and conduct of the Lodge
- The Secretary and his Assistant who prepare agendas
and minutes and deal with correspondence
- The Director of Ceremonies and his Assistant who,
at the Master's command, direct and regulate the Lodge's
ceremonial activities
- The Treasurer who looks after the Lodge's financial
affairs
- The Charity Steward - responsible for coordinating
charitable activity
- The Almoner - who maintains contact with sick and
distressed members of the Lodge and the widows of
the deceased and organises whatever help, relief and
support as may be afforded by the Lodge.
- The Stewards - who, at the meal or banquet - known
as the "Festive Board" - after the Lodge
meeting are responsible for ensuring that the members,
visitors and guests are properly catered for, with
food and beverages.
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16. What is a Masonic "Province"
A Masonic "Province" is a geographically
defined area for the purposes of Masonic administration
- of which there are 47 in England and Wales. They
are closely associated with County or Regional boundaries.
The Masonic Lodges within each "Province"
are grouped and administered from a central office
of management - the Provincial Office - and governed
by the Provincial Grand Lodge. That in turn, is responsible
to the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) - the
supreme
governing body for Freemasonry in England and Wales.
Hence in this County, we have the Provincial Grand
Lodge for Nottinghamshire, based at the Masonic Hall,
Goldsmith Street, Nottingham.
Overseas, the term "District" is used to
define the UGLE's geographic areas of Masonic administration.
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