Frerquently asked Questions

Freemasonry is:

"A system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols". Not a Secret organisation but an organisation with secrets? To become a mason you must meet the qualifications and be accepted by a Lodge. There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding Freemasons and their activities. The following may answer some of your questions or worries.

What is Freemasonry?

It is the world's oldest and largest fraternity dating back at least to the Middle Ages. Its purpose is to promote the bonds of friendship, compassion and brotherly love. Politics has no role in it. Neither is it a religion as some would have you believe but rather a friend and promoter of all religions which are based on the belief in one God. Regardless of their position in society, Freemasons meet as equals. One of the most fascinating aspects of Freemasonry has always been how so many men from so many different walks of life can meet together in peace, never discuss politics or engage in religious debates, conduct their affairs in harmony and friendship, and call each other "Brother".

What do we do?

Freemasons are respectable citizens who are taught to respect and conform to the moral laws of society and to abide by the laws of the country or state in which they reside. They are men of charity and good works who strive to support those less fortunate than themselves both inside and outside the order.

What are the qualifications?

Freemasonry is proud of its philosophy and practice of "making good men better." Only individuals believed to be of good character are favourably considered for membership. Every applicant must be 21 years of age or more and respected in his locality.

What goes on at a meeting?

A Masonic meeting can be compared to a committee meeting or to a small "parliament" with various officers performing specific functions - Chairman (called the "Worshipful Master"), Secretary, Treasurer and so on. Items on an agenda are taken sequentially and will typically involve a ceremony, involving a candidate, which dramatises his inner growth in morality and ethics, using the symbols and metaphors of Biblical revelation and the tools of the Mediaeval stonemasons. Announcements are made and the business of the lodge dealt with. Proposals requiring assent are put to a vote. The atmosphere is convivial, but dignified. The meeting is usually followed by a supper or dinner, called a Festive Board, depending on the occasion, which is again convivial. If this description appears limited, it is not because Masons have sinister secrets to hide, but because to reveal what goes on in detail would spoil the enjoyment of the ceremonies for those who have yet to participate in them.

So how do I find a lodge to join?

There is a popular misconception that to become a Mason one needs to be invited to join, that there is some cloak and dagger operation involved. In fact the reverse is true - a longstanding convention within Freemasonry is that it is the potential candidate who should do the asking! If you know a friend or neighbour who is a Mason and you have a notion of joining just ask him. He will be delighted to talk with you as all Masons are proud to be members of their own Lodge.

The Three Great Principles.

(1) 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.

(2) Relief. Freemasons are taught to practise 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.

(3) 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.
The three principal" virtues" of Freemasonry are, Faith, Hope and Charity.

Freemasonry and Religion.

Freemasonry has no dogma or theology. It offers no sacraments. It teaches the importance for every man to have a religion of his own choice and to be faithful to it in thought and action. As a result, men of different religions meet in fellowship and brotherhood under the fatherhood of God.

The Volume of the Sacred Law in the Christian tradition is the Bible; to Freemasons of other faiths, it is the book held holy by them.The Oath of Freemasonry. The obligations taken by Freemasons are sworn on the Volume of the Sacred Law. They are undertakings to follow the principles of Freemasonry and to keep confidential a Freemason's means of recognition.
The much discussed "penalties," judicial remnants from an earlier era, are symbolic, not literal. They refer only to the pain any honest man should feel at the thought of violating his word, and knowing he can no longer sustain a worthy reputation and will sink beneath the estimation of every good and virtous man.

A Masonic Bible is simply a normal bible, usually the King James Version. It has no special modifications to it. The only real difference between a Masonic Bible and the ones most people are accustomed to is that a Masonic Bible often has a few added pages in the front. These pages usually include an area to record the owner's Masonic history.
They also typically contain an outline of all the scriptural verses we refer to in our degree work.

My KJV has the dates of my degrees and the names of the Officers present and otherwise a full version of the Bible that you would buy in a shop, it was purchased in a religious book shop

Freemasonry promotes unity and tolerance amongst all men and does not discriminate against any religion. The principles and practices of Freemasonry are compatible with all compassionate religions that teach respect for the deity and tolerance towards one's fellow man. If anything Freemasonry complements the philosophies of these faiths. There are many practicing Catholics and Jews who are Freemasons.

Freemasonry Compared with Religion.

(a) It has no dogma or theology, no wish or means to enforce religious orthodoxy.
(b) It offers no sacraments.
(c) It does not claim to lead to salvation by works, by secret knowledge, or by any
other means. The secrets of Freemasonry are concerned with modes of recognition,
not with the means of salvation, this is the individuals choice of diety and worship.

Wickipedia has an excellent database about Freemasonry Worldwide.

Also try www.freemasons.co.nz. some interesting items there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemasonry

http://www.freemasons.co.nz/faq/#isitanticatholic

A simple Google search on Freemasonry will answer any questions you may have, for leaflets, flyers, and Information for Candidates, refer to your specific Grand Lodge, much of it is similar in presentation and content, all may be contacted by email, if required.