What is Freemasonry ?

Freemasonry is one of the oldest fraternal organisations in the modern world. Its members are taught its precepts by a series of ritual dramas, which follow ancient forms, and use traditional stonemasons' customs and tools as allegorical guides. The essential qualification for both membership, admission and continuation in the organisation, is a belief in a Supreme Being. Membership is open to men of any race or religion who can fulfil this essential qualification and are men of good repute.

Despite what many people claim, Freemasonry is not in any way a secret society. Freemasonry's so-called secrets are solely used as a ceremonial way of demonstrating that one is a Freemason when in Lodge meetings. In any case, they have been exposed by the media for almost as long as Freemasonry has existed and are not important really information anyway. The real point of a Freemason promising not to reveal them is basically a dramatic way of promising to keep one's promises in general.

Other reasons why Freemasonry cannot be called a secret society are that Freemasons do not promise to keep their membership secret (they can tell anyone they wish), where and when Freemasons meet are matters of public record (you can look up masonic centres in telephone directories) and our rule book, the Book of Constitutions and our aims are readily available to anyone.

It is ironic that because Freemasons used to be reticent about their membership (because they were and still are taught never to use it to advance their own interests), critics have taken this the wrong way round and think that there is something secretive and nasty going on. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Masonic ceremonies are secular morality plays which are learned by heart by members of the lodge for the benefit of the person who is becoming a Freemason or who wishes to explore Freemasonry further. Each ceremony has a message for the candidate. A further reason why Freemasons do not go around broadcasting their contents is simply because it would spoil it for new candidates - exactly as in the same way you would not tell someone the ending of a book or a film.

Although all Freemasons are required to profess and continue in a belief in a Supreme Being, Freemasonry is not in any way a substitute for religion. Furthermore, Freemasons are not allowed to discuss religion at meetings. English Freemasonry is also strictly non-political and the discussion of politics at masonic meetings is expressly forbidden. These rules both stem from Freemasonry's aims to encourage its members to discover what people from all different backgrounds have in common and, as is all to well known, the discussion of such topics can often lead to argument and disharmony

A Freemason is thus basically encouraged to do his duty first to His God (by whatever name He is known) through his faith and religious practice, and then, without detriment to his family and those dependent on him, to his neighbour through charity and service. None of these ideas is exclusive to Freemasonry, but all should be universally acceptable and Freemasons are expected to follow them.