Frequently Asked Questions...
and our answers.
What is Masonry?
Our
Grand Lodge for the State of Nevada has prepared what we feel
is a very interesting explanation of what Freemasonry is. You
are invited to go directly to this link and read it for yourself.
(bookmark this page for easy to return) http://www.nvmasons.org/whatis.html
If you would like to read it at your leisure simply down-load
it to your computer or print it off.
Who are Masons?
Masonic
Lodge members in the United States may be highly visible Shriners
in Costume, Knights Templar in uniform, apron-wearers in public
processions and at funeral services, or in Lodge regalia at special
Masonic ceremonies such as the placing of cornerstones as they
did at the United States Capitol Building in 1793 and the Statue
of Liberty in 1884. They may be individually identifiable by
a distinctive ring or lapel pin. They are however, for the most
part, not outwardly distinguishable in any way at all. They are
simply a cross section of the solid citizen majority of the population
of this great nation. They are mostly worthy, ordinary people,
self-respecting, considerate, patriotic, law-abiding, church-going,
and often leaders of their communities. Some are even world famous.
You may find it interesting
to look at a partial list of notable, famous, heroic and celibrated
men who have been Masons. If so simply detour to Famous
Masons for a look.
How is Masonry Organized?
The
unit of the Masonic organization is the Lodge. Associations of
these Lodges is known as a Grand Lodge. From this body they recognize
each other and regard those not recognized as irregular or clandestine.
The recognized Masonic Fraternity in the United States consists
of over three and a half million members in 14,000 Lodges and
50 Grand Lodges. There are about six million Masons and 100 Grand
Lodges worldwide. The Grand Lodge of Nevada has over 5,500 members
in 40 Lodges.
How Secret is it?
Here
in the United States the word "Freemasonry" has often
been mistakenly associated with secrecy and yet the fraternity
is not a secret society. Ours is a well-known organization whose
members proudly wear emblems and meet in buildings that are well
identified. We publicize our meetings and events in the newspapers,
on TV, and radio. As long ago as 1630 there was printed reference
to a "Secret Masons Word" and there have always been
special signs and handgrips by which the initiated might make
themselves known to one another, as well as private rituals which
are not shared with non-members. Only in this respect,
does it live up to its centuries-old reputation for secrecy,
but the secrecy is largely cerimonial. The fraternity does not
hide its existence, it's beliefs or its membership. Its purposes,
aims, and principles are not secret, and it meets in Masonic
buildings and Masonic halls which are familiar sights in thousands
of towns and cities throughout the world.
What is it all About?
Masonry
ritual and symbolism teach principles and ideas in human relations
of kindness, honesty, charity, decency, courtesy, fairness, understanding
and concern, as well as love of country, reverence toward God
and a resistance of evil.
How Charitable?
A basic
teaching of Freemasonry is Charity. The traditions of its members
helping one another is as old as its reputation for secrecy,
and is still maintained in practice. In the United States alone,
more than sixty million dollars per year is devoted to maintaining
Masonic Homes for aged members, widows, and orphaned children
who are in need, and additional amounts to help those not desiring
to enter such institutions. Individual Lodge charities, in the
aggregate, amount to even more.
Concern for non-members is
also real. Lodges contribute to local charities, the Red Cross,
and many character-building organizations. Related Masonic organizations
support schizophrenic research, eye care and research, multiple
sclerosis treatment, respiratory research, leukemia research,
childhood learning disabilities, as well as maintaining national
educational foundations, giving university scholarships and other
humanitarian projects.
The half-million Masons in
the United States who are Scotthish Rite, York Rite, and Shriners
and are famous for their hospitals for crippled children, and
institutes dedicated to the treatment of burn patients, Speech
and Vision Theropy Clinics. The Shrine Circus and the Shriners
East-West Football game are just two fund raisers that they use
to support these causes.
What about Politics and Religion?
Lodges, Grand
Lodges, and related Masonic organizations are non-political and
non-denominational. In fact, partisan discussions is forbidden
within Lodges. This is the rule in all regular Grand Lodges and
when not observed is an important reason for non-recognition
of some groups claiming to be Masonic. Since our Lodge membership
consists of men of good character, who have diverse political
views and various religious beliefs, they recognize one another
only as fraternal brothers, without regard to political party
or religious allegiance.
What do Masons do?
We learn about ourselves
by studying history, We work to support deserving charities,
We take care of our families and those of distressed fellow Masons,
We network, We develop our friendships, We try to leave this
life with mankind better off for our being on this earth. In
Short, We make Good Men ... Better.
What can I tell my non-Masonic
Friends?
Masons,
by tradition and practice, are circumspect when it comes to discussing
the Craft with non-Masons. Members are often so over-guarded
that they are not open about mentioning the things that everyone
knows about the Craft. Since Freemasonry is not a "secret
society" they are not forbidden to talk about its principles
with a non-member. For starters they may explain all that is
written here and much more. If your non-Masonic friend is the
type of person who belongs in Masonry and indicates interest,
do not hesitate to lead him to the point where he will seek membership.
He will find that to be called a Man and Mason is an accolade
worthy of being sought out.
What qualifications do I need?
- Of lawful age of 18 years.
- Of sound body and mind.
- Of good citizenship.
- Of moral character.
- Of a belief in a Supreme Creator of all things.
- Of the desire to "volunteer" to
associate with good people.
- Come to us well recommended by a Mason in
good standing.
What does Masonry Cost?
While
Masonic membership need not be overly expensive, there are initial
fees and annual dues. These vary widely, depending entirely on
the local Lodge where their own rates are set. Beyond fees and
dues, Lodges expect members to be reasonably generous with charitable
contributions.
If a mason extends his membership
beyond the Blue Lodge to York Rite bodies, Scottish Rite bodies,
a Shrine Temple, or any of the other Masonic organizations, his
costs increase accordingly. So does his knowledge and the satisfaction
in fraternal participation and humanitarian actions.
However, the member Lodges
within the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Nevada are quite
reasonable. Presently, St John #18 asks for $150.00 for the three
degrees and a combined dues and Grand Lodge levy of only $70.00
per year.
How do I become
a Mason?
I had
no problem with this question... My Father and Grandfather were
both Masons and so it was reasonably expected that I would join
the Lodge just as soon as I was of age. (What I did not know
was that I would have to ASK one of them if I could join them.)
For many others, it is not so obvious... in that Masons do not
recruit their members. They must wait for YOU TO ASK one
of them.
This becomes one of the very
reasons for our success. We do not solicit men. Each of our members
come to us of their own free will and accord. They have
sought out one of our members and have asked for a petition for
membership because they saw in that member character traits that
they would like to emulate or pattern their lives after.
A famous passage comes
to mind and could not be more appropriate: "Ask, and
you shall receive. Knock and the door will be opened unto you.
Seek and you shall find". It is no doubt the very basis
from which this concept was adopted by masonry long ago.
Again our Grand Lodge has prepared
what we feel is a good explanation of the process. Take a look:
http://www.nvmasons.org/howdoi.html
and see for yourself that it is really not difficult and
well worth the effort.
For More Info...
or a petition:
If this
material has not answered your questions please feel free to
contact one of our Lodge Officers.
Any one of them will be most happy to help you understand our
organization better. They will also be pleased to hand you a
petition to receive the misteries of the appropriate Masonic
organization of interestest.
MASONIC LINKS