Thank you for your interest in Freemasonry

It's possible that you do not know a great deal about Freemasonry, and if this is the case we think it is important that before you continue any further we should touch base with a few matters of importance. Things you really should know.

Jump to section:
About the Fraternity
Who can join?
No improper solicitation
Belief in a Supreme Being
The purpose of Freemasonry
Financial obligations
Masonic Meetings — Frequency — Location
What goes on at the meetings?
Clothing - Meetings
The aims of Freemasonry
To be one, ask one

About the Fraternity

Freemasonry is a fraternity of men bound together by obligations of morality in public and private life, who believe in God and the constitutional rights of all people to free choice of religion and political persuasion.

As for our supposed secrecy, we are not a secret society. You found us didn't you? How hard was it for you to contact our "secret" organisation? Not much of a secret is it? It is a well-known, nation-wide fraternity whose members are free to acknowledge their membership, and will do so in response to inquiries for respectable reasons. Its constitutions and rules are available to the public.

There is no secret about any of its aims and principles. Like many other societies, it regards some of its internal affairs as private matters for its members. The only "secrets" of Freemasonry are concerned with its traditional modes of recognition, which make it similar to organisations such as Lions, Rotary, Scouts, Guides and many others.

Freemasons meet in buildings plainly identified as Masonic Centres and public announcements of their meetings and activities are often published in daily and community publications. There is no attempt to hide the names of community leaders who are Freemasons.

To convey the messages Freemasonry has to give and for uniformity of presentation in our ceremonies we use a ritual. Our ritual is often considered by Freemasons as having been amongst the most important experiences of their lives. This ritual is broken into several ceremonies called degrees which are presented to new members over a period of time after they join.

We employ the tools of the stone mason as symbols of basic moral truths and our Masonic ritual dramatises a philosophy of life based on morality.

   

Through the improvement and strengthening of the character of the individual, Freemasonry seeks to improve the community. One of our proudest claims is that we "make good men better". Freemasonry thus strives to make good men better to teach its members to be "better than themselves". It accepts only men of high moral character.

The fraternity of Freemasonry encourages self-improvement, promotes patriotism and respect for the rule of law, sanctions equal rights under law, practices good will towards all men, and contributes generously to worthy causes.

Freemasonry is not a benefit society or a Charity but it is a charitable institution. It assists members in various ways through times of hardship, but it is not an insurance society with sickness, death, disability or old age benefits. Masonic Charities are renowned world-wide for work with medical research, educational assistance and other noble purposes.

The bond of faith and confidence among Freemasons is largely the result of the common knowledge that all, having experienced the memorable rituals, accept the high ethical standards it teaches as guides to their conduct.

Freemasonry, with its dedication to education, morality, brotherly love, non-sectarianism in religion and politics, and equal rights, is a steadying influence that balances and consolidates the social, religious and political life of Australia.

Freemasonry is not a religion and favours no religious practices or beliefs over others. Freemasons are not only allowed to practice their faith of choice but are encouraged to do so, whatever that faith may be. It teaches men to be religious without advocating a particular doctrine, or creed. It encourages its members to support their own particular Church.

The discussion of politics and/or religion at Masonic meetings is strictly forbidden as is any other subject likely to excite personal animosities.

Freemasonry's principle tenets are themselves important religious teachings applicable to all faiths: Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth.

Freemasonry demands from its members a respect for the law of the country in which they live. Its principles do not in any way conflict with its members' duties as citizens, but should strengthen them in fulfilling their private and public responsibilities. It requires its members to be good citizens, but free to choose their medium of political expression.

The use by a Freemason of his membership to promote his own or anyone else's business or personal interests is condemned, and is contrary to the conditions on which he sought admission to Freemasonry.

A Freemasons' duty as a citizen must always prevail over any obligation to other Freemasons, and any attempt to shield a Freemason who has acted dishonourably or unlawfully is contrary to this prime duty.

A Freemason is entitled to invite a friend to consider joining. The friend must then voluntarily seek membership by announcing his desire to do so. It is hoped that those who see the good works and services performed by Freemasons will desire on their own to join.

Who can join?

Membership is open to men of all faiths who are law-abiding, of good character and who acknowledge a belief in a God/Supreme Being and a Book of Holy Writings.

Freemasonry is a multi-racial and multi-cultural organization. It has attracted men of goodwill from all sectors of the community into membership.

No improper solicitation

As previously mentioned Freemasonry has always required that men should come to its doors:

• Entirely of their own free will and accord; not as a result of importunity or idle curiosity, but
  
• From a favourable opinion of the fraternity
• A genuine desire for knowledge, and
• A sincere wish to be serviceable to one's fellows.

Some men are surprised that no one has ever asked them to become a Freemason. They may even feel that the Freemasons they know don't think they are "good enough" to join. But it doesn't work that way.

For hundreds of years Freemasons have been forbidden to ask others to join the fraternity.

We can talk to friends about Freemasonry. We can tell them about what Freemasonry does, we can tell them why we enjoy it but we do not coerce or pressure, anyone to join.

There's a good reason for that. It isn't that we're trying to be exclusive. It is because becoming a Freemason is a very serious thing.

Joining Freemasonry is making a permanent life commitment to live in certain ways.

• To live with honour and integrity,
• To be willing to share with and care about others,
• To trust each other, and
• To place ultimate trust in God.
  

No one should be "talked into" making such a decision.

So, when a man decides he wants to be a Freemason, he asks a Freemason. That member will arrange for the application process to be started.

Belief in a Supreme Being

Freemasonry is a fellowship of friends who meet together for fraternal friendship and association. This fellowship is founded upon a system of morality based on a belief in the existence of a Supreme Being. The nature of the relationship that each Freemason has with his own Supreme Being is never enquired into, although he is encouraged to be an active participant in the church of his own choosing.

No non-believer can be made a Freemason.

Freemasonry teaches the Brotherhood of Man. It constantly holds before man the duty he owes to his God, his country, his neighbour, and himself.

Freemasonry does not involve itself with religion or politics, but endeavours always to bring out man's highest and noblest qualities.

The aim of the true Freemason is to promote a brotherly feeling among men and to help the distressed and afflicted to the best of his ability.

The purpose of Freemasonry

The purpose of Freemasonry is moral and spiritual improvement, not the gaining of any material advantage.

It should be clearly understood and borne in mind that Freemasonry is not to be entered into in the hope of material gain or advancement. Admission must not be sought for mercenary or selfish motives.

It cannot be too strongly emphasised that Freemasonry is not a benefit society. Membership does not confer any special right to sick benefits, death benefits, burial expenses, and the education of your children or the support of your dependents.

Failure to understand this has sometimes caused families to hold false impressions, which have led to disappointment, misunderstanding and embarrassment. The practice of charity is however, a fundamental virtue taught in Freemasonry. Membership in the fraternity will not gain you employment advantages beyond your merit nor will it bring advancement in life that is not commensurate with your demonstrated abilities.

Financial obligations

It is obvious that the membership must carry the burden of the cost of Lodge facilities, operations and functions. Like any organization there are entrance fees, set annual dues and some initial costs.

An applicant must, therefore, be willing and able to meet his financial obligations for the entrance fees, and annual dues without material handicap or detriment to his family or dependents.

A Freemason is only a Freemason as long as he continues to subscribe to a lodge. He loses the privilege of calling himself a Freemason if he stops paying his dues to his lodge or resigns.

Applicants are asked to consider any impact the payment of fees and dues might have on their family situation. We consider the payment of prescribed fees by individual members as proof of their sincerity.

It is important that this be clearly understood. We would not wish to see a family disadvantaged because of Lodge dues.

Masonic Meetings — Frequency — Location

Each Lodge meets formally once in every month and informally once in every month. The informal meeting usually consists of a brief administrative session to deal with any major items of correspondence or other matters to come before the lodge at the formal meeting, as well as a rehearsal or practice session for any ceremonial work that may be carried out at the formal meeting. All members of the Lodge are expected to attend the formal regular monthly meeting, only matters of a family or work nature should take a precedence.

This is a personal commitment of time and it is a duty.

Freemasons Lodges meet in building plainly identified as Masonic Centres. These may range from simple country buildings that may house one or two lodges, right through to the major metropolitan centres where several lodges may meet throughout the month.

What goes on at the meetings?

For members only, two basic kinds of activities take place in a lodge.

• A simple business portion, and
• What we term "the work" for the evening.
  "Degrees" may be performed ("the work") to either admit new members, or progress members to the next level in their advancement. At other times we provide interesting and informative matters of discussion.
• A meal is shared after the meeting.

Every lodge serves more than its own members. Frequently, there are meetings open to the public. Examples are Ladies' Nights, Bring a Friend Nights, Film nights, Supper dances and other special meetings supporting community events and dealing with topics of local interest.

Clothing – Meetings

Freemasons adopt a basic dress code that in Queensland varies from summer to winter. This is usually a black Dinner suit for the Winter months and a white mess jacket (Eton jacket) and black trousers for the Summer months. A dark business or lounge suit with tie is also acceptable.

The aims of Freemasonry

The aims of Freemasonry are noble and unselfish. It deserves and expects your sincere attachment and your faithful service. It will make demands upon your time and energies. We ask you to consider that if you proceed and you are accepted it will be a duty and a privilege to attend our meetings and to contribute your share to any of our useful undertakings.

Once again, things that we do not do

• We do NOT discuss or participate in any religious or political matters. These subjects are forbidden in the lodge and its precincts.
• We do NOT conduct any form of "Masonic" religious practice, other than some brief totally non-denominational prayers which are deemed suitable for men of all religious beliefs to share. These prayers should be considered as the equivalent of those held in a Parliament, council etc., rather than as part of a religious service.
• We do NOT indulge in secret schemes, plots or conspiracies
• We do NOT use Masonic membership for personal gain
• We do NOT use knowledge of another person's Masonic membership to favour him at the expense of a non-Freemason
• We do NOT keep secret, knowledge of any criminal matters, or of dishonourable conduct, in an attempt protect a fellow Freemason. A Freemason is always expected to put his duty as a law-abiding citizen before any obligation to other Freemasons or Freemasonry in general.
  

Well there you have it, it wasn't earth shattering but they were essential items and matters that should be known to you. We hope the information provided this evening will help you to understand a little bit more about Freemasonry.

Freemasonry offers much to its members – the opportunity to grow, the chance to make a difference, to build a better world. It offers the chance to be with and work with men who have the same values and ideals.

Remember this: in a Freemasons' Lodge you will always be treated with care and respect.

Whatever your destiny in life and wherever it carries you the right hand of Masonic fellowship will always be extended to you.

It may be that now you appreciate these things you might have other thoughts about applying for membership or on the other hand you might see, as we do, that Freemasonry is a great place to be and a better way to live.

Whatever your decision we wish you well in your endeavours.