Lodge Light in Arabia No. 3870
About Freemasonry
Freemasonry
under the United Grand Lodge of England is the UK's
largest,
secular fraternal and charitable organisation. It has over
300,000 members working in nearly 8,000 lodges throughout
England and Wales. and 30,000 more members overseas.
What
is Freemasonry?
Freemasonry
teaches moral lessons and self-knowledge through participation
in allegorical two-part plays, which are learnt by heart and
performed within each lodge.
Freemasonry offers its members an approach to life which seeks
to reinforce thoughtfulness for others, kindness in the
community, honesty in business, courtesy in society and fairness
in all things.
Members are urged to regard the interests of the family as
paramount but importantly Freemasonry also teaches and practices
concern for people, care for the less fortunate and help for
those in need.
Why
do people join and remain members?
People
become Freemasons for a variety of reasons, some as a result of
family tradition, others upon the introduction of a friend or
out of curiosity to know what it is all about.
Those who become active members and who grow in Freemasonry do
so principally because they enjoy it. They enjoy the challenges
and fellowship that Freemasonry offers. There is more to it,
however, than just enjoyment.
Participation in the dramatic presentation of moral lessons and
in the working of a lodge provides a member with a unique
opportunity to learn more about himself and encourages him to
live in such a way that he will always be in search of becoming
a better man, not better than someone else but better than he
himself would otherwise be and therefore an exemplary member of
society.
Each
Freemason is required to learn and show humility through
initiation. Then, by progression through a series of degrees he
gains insight into increasingly complex moral
and philosophical concepts, and accepts a variety of challenges
and responsibilities which are both stimulating and rewarding.
The structure and working of the lodge and the sequence of
ceremonial events, which are usually followed by social
gatherings, offer members a framework for companionship,
teamwork, character development and enjoyment of shared
experiences.
What
promises do Freemasons make?
New
members make solemn promises concerning their conduct in the
lodge and in society. These promises are similar to those taken
in court or upon entering the armed services or many other
organisations. Each member also promises to keep confidential
the traditional methods of proving he is a Freemason which he
would use when visiting a lodge where he is not known.
The much publicised 'traditional penalties' for failure to
observe these undertakings were removed from the promises in
1986. They were always symbolic not literal and refer only to
the pain any decent man should feel at the thought of violating
his word.
Members also undertake not to make use of their membership for
personal gain or advancement; failure to observe this principle
or otherwise to fall below the standards expected of a Freemason
can lead to expulsion.
Who
can join?
Membership
is open to men of all faiths who are law-abiding, of good
character and who acknowledge a belief in God. Freemasonry is a
multi-racial and multi-cultural organisation.
It has attracted men of goodwill from all sectors of the
community into membership. There are similar Masonic
organisations for women.
Is
Freemasonry involved in the community?
From
its earliest days, Freemasonry has been involved in charitable
activities, and since its inception it has provided support for
many widows and orphans of Freemasons as well as others within
the community.
All monies raised for charity are drawn from amongst Freemasons,
their families and friends, while grants and donations are made
to Masonic and non-Masonic charities alike.
Over the past five years alone Freemasonry has raised more than
£75m for a wide range of charitable purposes including those
involved in medical research, community care, education and work
with young people.
Freemasonry has an enviable record of providing regular and
consistent financial support to individual charities over long
periods while at the same time making thousands of grants to
local charities, appeals and projects throughout England and
Wales each year. For the future, opportunities to obtain or
provide matched funding are periodically examined with a view to
enhancing the impact of the support Freemasonry can give to
specific projects. The personal generosity of Freemasons and the
collective fundraising efforts of almost 8,000 lodges, however,
will continue to determine the contribution Freemasonry makes
within the community.
The content of this page is taken from a booklet entitled
'Freemasonry: An Approach to Life' issued by the United
Grand Lodge of England. Copies may be obtained from:
The Grand Secretary
The United Grand Lodge of England
Freemason's Hall
60 Great Queen Street
London
WC2B 5AZ
Tel: 020 7831 9811
Fax: 020 7831 5719
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