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What is Freemasonry? The fraternity of Freemasonry is the oldest, largest and most widely known fraternal organization in the world. Freemasonry is not a secret society, nor is it an insurance or beneficial society. It is a non-profit fraternal organization involved in charitable, educational and civic projects. Freemasonry accepts men who are found to be worthy, regardless of religious convictions. An essential requirement is a belief in the existence of a Supreme Being. It teaches the "Golden Rule". It seeks to make a good man better through its firm belief in the Fatherhood of God, the Brotherhood of man and the immortality of the soul. Masonry has no creed, no priesthood, and no plan for salvation. Neither is it an offspring of any church, ancient or modern. It espouses none of them nor is it subservient to any. While Masonry does require a belief in a Supreme Being, each Mason worships in his own fashion according to his religious faith, whether he be Christian, Jew, Protestant, Roman Catholic, Buddhist, or Hindu. The Masonic Lodge, often known as the Symbolic Lodge, Blue Lodge, or Craft Lodge, receives and acts upon petitions for the three degrees known as the Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason Degrees. In many parts of North America, Masonry does not solicit members. In these areas, no one is asked to join, and a man must seek admission of his own free will - he must ask. In some areas, Masons are permitted to solicit new members. In all cases, a man interested in becoming a Mason, if he has not been asked, should consult a friend whom he believes to be a Freemason to secure his good counsel and recommendation concerning this important undertaking.
The Scottish Rite is one of the two appendant bodies of Freemasonry in which a Master Mason may proceed after he has completed the three degrees of Blue Lodge Masonry. Scottish Rite work amplifies and elaborates on the lessons of Craft Lodge degrees. As with Freemasonry, the Scottish Rite is not a religion, and it is nondenominational, although it does require a belief in a Supreme Being. A Master Mason may achieve 29 degrees - the fourth through thirty-second - in the Scottish Rite. A 33rd Degree is bestowed on men who have given outstanding service to Freemasonry or to their communities. The Scottish Rite, sometimes called the "College of Freemasonry", uses extensive drama and allegory to emphasize the messages of its degrees. Click here to reach Scottish Rite of Canada
The York Rite is the other appendant body of Freemasonry in which a Master Mason may proceed to supplement and amplify the Craft Lodge degrees, affording historical background on the work and meaning of Freemasonry. The York Rite takes its name from the old English city of York. It is said that Athelstan, a British king, was converted to Christianity in York and that he granted the original charter to the Masonic guilds in that city nearly a thousand years ago. Although the York Rite is not itself a religion, it does develop themes based on Christian Crusades. In the York Rite, a Master Mason may become a member of three bodies - a chapter of Royal Arch Masons, a council of Royal and Select Masters, and a commandery of Knights of Templar. As mentioned in the Every Shriner Is A Mason section, a Mason must have achieved the 3rd degree before he can petition to become a Noble of the Mystic Shrine.
Click Here To View Freemasonry Structure in Graphics Back to Mason's
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