What is Freemasonry, and what is it like? What do Freemasons do in their meetings..?
Freemasonry is an initiatic fraternal order, founded upon the principles of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth. Freemasons meet regularly in Masonic Lodges, where they discuss and debate topics of mutual interest, practice rituals and ceremony, and promote charity and public service.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES:
The guiding principals are setout below but the FIRST THREE, Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth are held as the cornerstone of what it is to be a Fremason
1. Brotherly Love: Freemasons are taught to regard the whole human species as one family and to show tolerance and respect for the opinions of others.
2. Relief: Freemasons are encouraged to practice charity and to care, not only for their own, but also for the community as a whole, by both 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.
4. Faith: Freemasonry encourages its members to be faithful to their own religious beliefs and to be tolerant to those of others.
5. Charity: Freemasons are expected to practice charity and to care, not only for their own but also for the community as a whole.
6. Integrity: Freemasons are expected to practice integrity and morality in all aspects of their lives, both public and private.
7. Justice: Freemasons are encouraged to uphold justice, respect the law of the land, and act with fairness and equity toward all people.
8. Self–improvement: Freemasonry encourages its members to better themselves through study, self–reflection, and self–improvement.
What actually happens during meetings at Masonic lodges?
Meetings at Masonic lodges typically involve a variety of activities, including prayer, reading of Masonic texts, discussion of Masonic principles, and community service projects. The lodge also holds educational lectures, initiations of new members, and fellowship among members. During initiations, the candidate is taken through a series of ceremonies to become a full member of the lodge. There is also the opportunity for members to network and share experiences.
Business [Committee] Meetings:
There are no business meeting per se and all Masonic dealings are dealt with strictly in accordance with the Guiding Principles listed above. Most major decisions are taken in ‘Open Lodge’ by ALL MEMBERS voting equally. That is not to say there is not some room for discussion and even disagreement..!
Most Lodges have a Committee made up of Past Masters, The Current Master, his Wardens and other members of the Lodge – they discuss and recommend topics for approval in ‘Open Lodge’ where ever Member votes on an equal basis. Remember, Freemasons prizes Equality above Rank.
WHY ARE THINGS CONFIDENTIAL, WHY CAN I NOT KNOW IF SOMEONE IS A MASON..?
Yes there are some secrets but for very good reasons…. ask yourself would you want your application for membership public, and would you if we found some adverse information against you and declined your application..? Of course not, we are no different from any other Society of Men, we do not wash our or your dirty linen in public.
We will neither confirm or deny membership, we consider it up to an individual member to make his membership public. Having said that many Lodges publish their lists of Officers on their websites and The Master frequently represents his Lodge in Public.
CONCLUSION:
Members of the order are encouraged to practice a high standard of morality, and to be of service to each other and the community. Freemasons use a variety of symbols, allegories, and metaphors to teach moral and ethical lessons, and promote self-improvement. Freemasonry is not a religion, but it does encourage its members to adhere to a moral and ethical code of conduct.
