So what is this "Freemasonry" all about, anyway?
The old, traditional definition is "a peculiar system of morality, veiled in allegory, illustrated by symbols." Doesn't tell you much, does it?
Freemasonry is multi-faceted and complex, and thus doesn't lend itself to a simple definition. It is, first and foremost, a fraternity. It's a group of men who embrace its traditions steeped in antiquity, as well as its tenets of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth which are just as relevant and compelling here in the 21st Century.
Our symbols are part of the foundation of Masonry and are much-loved by Masons. The allegories in Masonic ritual are meaningful and moving echoes of lessons passed down through the centuries.
Freemasonry is a worldwide fraternity, with over one million members in the United States alone.
By the way, the words "Freemason" and "Mason" are used interchangeably. Both refer to a Brother of our Craft.
Freemasonry is multi-faceted and complex, and thus doesn't lend itself to a simple definition. It is, first and foremost, a fraternity. It's a group of men who embrace its traditions steeped in antiquity, as well as its tenets of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth which are just as relevant and compelling here in the 21st Century.
Our symbols are part of the foundation of Masonry and are much-loved by Masons. The allegories in Masonic ritual are meaningful and moving echoes of lessons passed down through the centuries.
Freemasonry is a worldwide fraternity, with over one million members in the United States alone.
By the way, the words "Freemason" and "Mason" are used interchangeably. Both refer to a Brother of our Craft.
I've heard that Masons are a secret society.
Many Masons proudly proclaim their affiliation! We wear golf shirts, rings, baseball caps...you name it, emblazoned with Masonic emblems. They appear on our cars and trucks. Lodge 693 meets in a clearly marked building just outside of downtown Palm Springs. We even have a website! Hardly a secret society.
We are, rather, a "society with secrets." The secrets are in our modes of recognition, our rituals, and the knowledge we acquire through Masonic practice.
We are, rather, a "society with secrets." The secrets are in our modes of recognition, our rituals, and the knowledge we acquire through Masonic practice.
What are the requirements to become a Mason?
One must be a man of good character and believe in a Supreme Being. Age and residency requirements vary from state to state. Here in California, one must be at least 18 years of age and have lived in California for 12 months.
So, Freemasonry is a religion then?
No. Freemasonry is most definitely not a religion, but rather encourages men to follow their own faith. We welcome men of all faiths: Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism...even one's own unnamed, undefined spirituality. It's open to men who believe in a Supreme Being because spirituality is central to the Masonic experience. We do open and close Lodge meetings with a prayer, but religion is not discussed in Lodge. There are no Masonic sacraments and Masonry does not claim to offer a path to salvation.
How did Freemasonry begin?
It is widely maintained that Freemasonry originated in the craft guilds of the stonemasons who built the great Gothic cathedrals of Europe and Great Britain. The brotherhood, the guidelines of honorable conduct, and the ideals attracted even non-stonemasons to these "lodges." The images, rituals, and modes of recognition they employed have evolved into the landmarks of today's Masonry.
The first organized affiliation of Lodges - and the foundation of today's Masonry - occurred in London in 1717, when 4 independent Lodges got together and declared themselves the "United Grand Lodge of England."
There is evidence, however, that Masonry of some form existed well before then. There are documents called the "Old Charges" dating back to the 14th Century indicating a structure for Masonic institutions. Some Masonic scholars contend that the roots of Freemasonry go back as far as the era of the Old Testament and even Ancient Egypt.
So, the specific origins of Masonry are hidden in the mists of time. They continue to be the subject of ongoing discussions and speculation by researchers and enthusiasts of Masonic history.
The first organized affiliation of Lodges - and the foundation of today's Masonry - occurred in London in 1717, when 4 independent Lodges got together and declared themselves the "United Grand Lodge of England."
There is evidence, however, that Masonry of some form existed well before then. There are documents called the "Old Charges" dating back to the 14th Century indicating a structure for Masonic institutions. Some Masonic scholars contend that the roots of Freemasonry go back as far as the era of the Old Testament and even Ancient Egypt.
So, the specific origins of Masonry are hidden in the mists of time. They continue to be the subject of ongoing discussions and speculation by researchers and enthusiasts of Masonic history.
Why do men still choose to become Masons today?
Men are drawn to Masonry for a variety of reasons. The ideal of "making good men better" attracts many. For some, it's the desire to be part of a centuries-old tradition embracing brotherly love for all mankind, regardless of faith, race, heritage, or social rank. Other men find satisfaction in participating in the charitable work supported by Masonic bodies.
Many Masons, once initiated into our Craft, are fascinated by its history, secrets, rituals, symbols, and certainly, its mystique. Perhaps they've read the novel The Lost Symbol or seen the movie National Treasure and have been intrigued by the Masonic elements in these stories. You can see movies or explore websites, but the lessons, nuances and gifts of Freemasonry are unquestionably best experienced from within. The pursuit of knowledge becomes all encompassing.
Finally, many men are drawn to Masonry simply because of good old fellowship! The brotherhood of Masonry engenders meaningful friendships that can last a lifetime. Being a Brother of a Masonic Lodge is just plain fun!
Incidentally, many men taking their first steps into Freemasonry have neither a clear idea of what the Craft is about nor a clear reason why they're becoming a Brother. So, if that's the case with you, please know that your uncertainty has been shared by millions!
In a world where maturity is put off later in life, and rites of passage into adulthood have all but been eliminated, it is becoming apparent that we are missing a core aspect of what it is to be human and how to connect with others.
Jonathan Haidt is the American social psychologist, author, and Professor of Ethical Leadership at New York University’s Stern School of Business. His main areas of study are the psychology of morality and moral emotions, and he is the author of more than 90 academic articles, and three books, including “The Happiness Hypothesis”. Jonathan Haidt was recently named one of the world’s “Top 50 Thinkers” and his latest work “The Coddling of the American Mind” is a New York Times best-seller which explains How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure.
Jonathan Haidt is the American social psychologist, author, and Professor of Ethical Leadership at New York University’s Stern School of Business. His main areas of study are the psychology of morality and moral emotions, and he is the author of more than 90 academic articles, and three books, including “The Happiness Hypothesis”. Jonathan Haidt was recently named one of the world’s “Top 50 Thinkers” and his latest work “The Coddling of the American Mind” is a New York Times best-seller which explains How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure.
In the video RITES OF PASSAGE: Why Do Males Need Fulfillment To Become Men?, Jonathan Haidt echoes positions of his predecessors such as Joseph Campbell, that initiation into manhood is essential for men. Similar to others he states how females are biologically predisposed to become women, while men don’t have a biological event like pregnancy and child birth that provides this state of self reflection and shift of relation to others in their society. Instead “boys need something done to them, in some cultures things that are terrifying, to ‘kill’ the child, and then the man emerges from that experience.”
When asked on why Brian Rose, the host of London Real, liked his college Fraternity, and why he referred to is a “Beautiful” the Brian responds with “it felt like I belonged to something. Felt like I was part of a tribe or wolf pack. It was our world and we got to create it.”
Haidt goes on to say that this experience is “truly is ‘mystical’ in that mystical is a way to merge with the universe”
If you don’t understand the psychology of male development, you are setting down a generation for failure, and you are going to create some unintended consequences. These experiences allow for people to become self governing, but when you don’t allow that self governing experience at a young age, and then deny it in college, you are getting an early work force that does not know how to do things for themselves at the same level that previous generations experienced.
This is one of the reasons Masonic Lodges are seeing such a come back with younger generations. There are young men out there that have been denied the ability to learn how to be men in earlier stages of their life. They have not been able to self govern with other groups of men. They have not gone through anything that makes them reflect upon their connection with the universe, their life, and their society. Like Haidt said, there is something “mystical” about these types of processes, and that is likely the reason the Freemason degrees have always been referred to as the “Mysteries of Freemasonry.”
If you feel that something may be missing from your experience, that want to gain leadership experience, or want to feel accepted by groups of men, we highly encourage you to look into your local Masonic Lodge and see if Freemasonry might be an initiatic experience that is right for you. why he referred to is a “Beautiful” the Brian responds with “it felt like I belonged to something. Felt like I was part of a tribe or wolf pack. It was our world and we got to create it.”
Haidt goes on to say that this experience is “truly is ‘mystical’ in that mystical is a way to merge with the universe”
“And yet, we are not able to do this anymore. Going back to my college fraternity at MIT, the fraternity is barely there. After a violation here and there, regulation has shut down the ability to have the initiatory experience.”
If you don’t understand the psychology of male development, you are setting down a generation for failure, and you are going to create some unintended consequences. These experiences allow for people to become self governing, but when you don’t allow that self governing experience at a young age, and then deny it in college, you are getting an early work force that does not know how to do things for themselves at the same level that previous generations experienced.
This is one of the reasons Masonic Lodges are seeing such a come back with younger generations. There are young men out there that have been denied the ability to learn how to be men in earlier stages of their life. They have not been able to self govern with other groups of men. They have not gone through anything that makes them reflect upon their connection with the universe, their life, and their society. Like Haidt said, there is something “mystical” about these types of processes, and that is likely the reason the Freemason degrees have always been referred to as the “Mysteries of Freemasonry.”
If you feel that something may be missing from your experience, that want to gain leadership experience, or want to feel accepted by groups of men, we highly encourage you to look into your local Masonic Lodge and see if Freemasonry might be an initiatic experience that is right for you.