FAQ’s What is Freemasonry? Freemasonry, also called “Masonry, is the world's first and largest fraternity, based on the belief that each man can make a difference in the world. Freemasonry enhances and strengthens the character of the individual man by providing opportunities for fellowship, charity, and education. With Freemasonry for Men and Women, we bring together the spirit of a Fraternity and Sorority, so that Men and Women, can work together for a greater spiritual ideal. We fully respect and recognise the need for seperate Freemasonry for men, which is the original iteration of Freemasonry as we know it, and seperate Freemasonry for women, but our order also recognises that there are those, that want to unify the practice of Freemasonry. This is the reason for our order and other aligned orders. Where is The United Order of Freemasons for Men & Women based? The order is based in London, England, however we have members from all over the United Kingdom, and Europe. We are also aligned with other Masonic orders in Europe and the United Kingdom. Where do the names Freemasonry, Masonry, and Free and Accepted Masons come from? The Masons’ name, is derived from the occupation of their original members – stonemasons who built castles and cathedrals in England and Scotland, though the deeper aspects of Freemasonry, are purported to come from Ancient Egypt. The word “free” was added during the Middle Ages. Due to the fact that stonemasons possessed highly technical skillsets, these men had the opportunity of traveling between numerous countries. Over time, many men who were not builders were drawn to the practices of Freemasonry. To encourage intellectual diversity, stonemasons began accepting men from other professions into the fraternity. These men were known as “accepted Masons.” This trend continued, and accepted members eventually outnumbered operative members. Today, the names “Freemasonry,” “Masonry,” and “Free and Accepted Masons” are used interchangeably to refer to Freemasonry as a whole. What is a Lodge? Freemasonry in its current iteration, began when stonemasons formed local organizations, called lodges, to take care of ill, and injured members, as well as the families of those who were killed whilst working. The masons also used the lodges as places to meet, receive their pay, plan their work, train new apprentices, and socialize. Today, this term refers both to a unit of Masons and the room or building in which they meet. What is a Grand Lodge? A grand lodge is an administrative body that oversees Freemasonry in a specific geographic area, called a jurisdiction. Is Freemasonry an international organization? Freemasons number over 5 Million worldwide. All lodges follow the same principles of Freemasonry, but their activities, and interpretations of the principles may vary according to culture. It must be noted that there are Freemasons, and aligned orders, in Latin America, North America, Africa, Asia, Australisia, and Europe, so cultural considerations will obviously have to be taken into account. Each Grand lodge is sovereign and independent; there is no central international governing body for Freemasonry. Is Freemasonry a secret organization? Membership in Masonry is not a secret; all members are free to acknowledge their membership. There is nothing clandestine or secret about any of Masonry’s aims or principles. Masonry’s constitutions, and rules are available to the public, and meeting locations are clearly identifiable. Like many similar organizations, some of Masonry’s internal processes, such as ceremonies, grips, and passwords, are regarded as private matters for members only. What happens at a lodge meeting? There are two kinds of meetings for members of a Lodge. The first and most common is focussed on administrative procedures: minutes of the last meeting, discussing financial matters, learning, discussion, voting on applications, and planning for lodge activities. The second kind of meeting is fully ceremonial, and is used for admitting new Masons and conferring degrees. What are degrees in Freemasonry? In Freemasonry, there are three core degrees of members ship, which can be likened to rank in the military: Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason. These stages are referred to as “degrees,” and correspond with members’ self-development and increased knowledge of Freemasonry. As a member completes each phase of learning, the lodge holds a ceremony to confer the corresponding higher degree. Degree names are taken from craft guilds from the Middle Ages. To become a stonemason, a man would first be apprenticed. As an apprentice, he learned the tools and skills of the trade. When he had proved his skills, he became a “fellow of the craft,” and when he gained exceptional ability, he was known as a “master of the craft.” Freemasonry is focussed on using the symbolism of Masonry and building, in the development of our work, spiritual practice and in self development. What is the significance of officers’ titles? Senior Masonic titles may sound archaic in today’s society, but their meanings are simple. The master is the head of the lodge, similar to the term president in other organizations. If we use a military analogy, if the Master is a Major, then the Senior Warden would be a Captain, and a Junior Warden would be a Lieutenant. Why does Freemasonry use symbols? Pictoral Symbols are older than any human civilisation, and allow people to communicate quickly, and to easily transcend language barriers, as we can interpret them. As Masons, we use metaphors from geometry and the architecture of stone masonry to inform their continuing pursuit of spiritual knowledge, ethics, and leadership skills. Masons wear aprons while in the lodge, at certain public events, to symbolise membership in the Order, and their link to ancient stonemasons, who historically carried their tools in leather aprons. The square and compass is the most widely known symbol of Masonry: When you see the symbol on a building, you know that Masons meet there. Do Freemasons engage in politics? Freemasonry on a matter of general principle, does not endorse or oppose political candidates or legislation, and the discussion of Government and politics at Masonic meetings is not allowed. Our order, takes the principles of Freemasonry, but is focused in the main, on spiritual and personal development. Is Freemasonry a religion? Freemasonry cannot be truly considered a religion, or a substitute for religion. The Order, does have a strict requirement that its members to have a belief in a Supreme Being, but the fraternity itself is not affiliated with any specific religion. Virtually all faiths are represented in the Order. Religious issues are not discussed at lodge meetings. Why can’t women join Masonry? This is not completely true. Freemasonry is in its original iteration, is and has been a fraternity, a brotherhood of Men. The essence of a fraternity is that it is for men, just as the essence of a sorority is that it is for women. There are several Masonic organizations for women only, and this Order is designed for Men and Women, who wish to engage in Freemasonry, but are more focussed on the esoteric aspects of Freemasonry, and that is how our Order differs. In our Order however, to keep in line with the original essence of Freemasonry,all Members are referred to as “Brother” including female members. Are there Masonic organizations for youth? In the years following World War I, Masons in the United States helped establish a trio of youth orders dedicated to teaching young men and women the principles and values of Masonry. Today, DeMolay International, Job’s Daughters International, and the International Order of Rainbow for Girls offer young men and women ages 10 to 21 opportunities for personal growth and community service. More information is available at masons4youth.org. Children of Masons, are known as Lewis’s. Are there financial commitments for Masons? Yes. There is an subscription fee for membership, which includes a charitable contribution to help fulfill our philanthropic mission, and our obligation to aid brothers and their families in times of need. Continued giving supports important charitable programs, which rely on member contributions. Annual dues begin when the Entered Apprentice degree is received; each lodge determines the dues amount. What if I do not like Masonry and want to leave? Freemasonry, is an organization, that focusses on the member, joining of their own free will and accord. Free will, is the essence of being a human being, and as such, if a member, no longer wants to be on the path of Esoteric Fremasonry, then they can leave at any time. The member simply has to inform us, and our only hope is that they will have gained as an individual from being a member, and the knowledge they will have gained will aid them in their lives. How often do Masons meet? This will depend on the Lodge and the specific policies that they have, but on average most of our Lodges will meet approximately 4 to 6 times per year for meetings and ceremonies. Extra social events and the like, depend on the timetable and policies of each Lodge. Prospective members are usually invited to meet active members of the Lodge. This presents a fantastic opportunity for both interested people, and members to meet, find out more about each other, and to answer any questions. Prior to acceptance, Senior Brethren, will undertake a formal interview with the prospective candidate. If you want to learn more, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will get back to you.