I. WHO/WHAT ARE MASONS?
(1) Whatis Freemasonry?
(2) Whatis the Scottish Rite?
(3) Whatis the York Rite?
(4) Whatis the Shrine?
(5) Whatis the Eastern Star?
(6) What is DeMolay?
(7) What is Rainbow?
(8) Whatare some other Masonic organizations?
(9) Whatis Co-Masonry?
(10) Whatis Prince Hall Masonry?
(11) Whatis a 33rd degree Mason?
(12) Arethere any Masonic functions that I can attend as a non-Mason?
(13) Whois the head of the Masons?
(14) Arethere dues, fees, etc. associated with being a Mason?
(15) Ihear Masons refer to an "apron". What is that?
(16) Whatis a "Masonic Funeral"?

II. PUBLICPERCEPTIONS & MYTHS
(1) AreMasons just a bunch of old men? Isn't Masonry dying out?
(2) Aren'tMasons racist/elitist?
(3) Isn'tMasonry just a place where businessmen make deals?
(4) Isee titles like "Worshipful Master" and "Senior Deacon"-- is
thissome kind of cult?
(5) Masonryis a secret society, right?
(6) Masonryis a religion, right?
(7) AreMasons really controlling the world/meeting with the
BavarianIlluminati/members of the Trilateralist
Commission/etc?
(8) Masonsare anti-Catholic, right?
(9) Masonicrituals are demeaning or embarrassing to the candidate,
right?
(10) Iheard/read a Mason talking about a "Masonic Bible". Do
Masonshave their own Bible?
(11) Isee that Masonic buildings are called Temples. Does that
meanthat Masons worship there?

III. HOWDO I BECOME A MASON?
(1) Whatare the requirements for becoming a Mason?
(2) Can<fill in an ethnic group>s be Masons?
(3) Canhomosexuals be Masons?
(4) Ihave a physical disability. Can I be a Mason?
(5) Can<fill in the name of the religion> be a Mason?
(6) DoMasons accept Catholics?
(7) CanWiccans be Masons?
(8) Whatif my religion does not allow the swearing of oaths?
(9) DoI have to be invited?
(10) OK,I'm interested-- how do I proceed?

IV. HISTORY
(1) Wheredid Masons come from?
(2) WhatUS Presidents have been Masons?
(3) WasThomas Jefferson a Mason? Patrick Henry? Abraham Lincoln?
(4) Whatfamous people have been Masons?
(5) Whatfamous buildings in the US have been laid Masonically?
*(6)* What'sthe difference between AF&AM and F&AM?
(7) Was JosephSmith, founder of the Mormon Church, a Mason?
(8) Whatis the oldest Lodge Room in the world? In the US?
(9) Isit true that all of George Washington's generals during the
RevolutionaryWar were Masons?
(10) Isit true that all the signers of the Declaration of
Independencewere Masons? The Articles of Confederation? The
Constitution?
(11) GeorgeWashington turned down the title of "Grand Master of
theUnited States"-- true?
(12) Whydo some Lodges meet on a certain day of the week
"followingthe full moon"? Are Masons some kind of moon
worshippers?
(13) Did Masons suffer at the hands of the Nazis?
*(14)* AreMasons connected to Greek-letter college fraternities?
*(15)* Iwant information on Masonic history. What books would be
good introductions?
(16) My local Librarydoesn't have any books on Freemasonry,
where can I find them?
*(17)* What movies/books feature Masonry?
 
 

I.WHO/WHAT ARE MASONS?

(1)  Whatis Freemasonry?

Freemasonry (or simply, Masonry) isa fraternal order whose basic tenets
are brotherly love, relief (philanthropy), and truth. We strive to enjoy
the company of our brother Masons, assist them in times of personal
trouble, and reinforce essential moralvalues. There is an old adage
that Masonry "takes good men and makesthem better", which is our goal.

It has often been observed that menare the products of everything they
come into contact with during their lifetime. Masonry offers a man an
opportunity to come into regular, enjoyable contact with men of good
character, thus reinforcing his ownpersonal moral development. Of
course, Masonry is also meant to beenjoyed by its membership, so the
order should not be viewed simply as a philosophical club, but rather a
vibrant fellowship of men who seek to enjoy each other's company, a
fraternity.

To maintain this fraternity, discussionof religion and politics within
the Lodge is forbidden, as these subjectsare those that have often
divided men in the past. Masons coverthe spectrum of both religious
and political beliefs and encourages a man to be religious without
advocating a particular religion, and to be active in his community
without advocating a particular mediumof political expression.

While there probably are some actualstone-workers who are Masons,
Masonry does not teach is membership the literal techniques of stonework.
Rather, it takes the actual "operative" work of Medieval Masons and uses
it as an allegory for moral development. Thus, the symbols of Masonry
are the common tools that were used by medieval stonemasons: the gavel,
the rule, the compass, the square, the level, etc. Each of these has a
symbolic meaning in Masonry. For example,Masons are said to meet
"on the level", meaning that all Masonsare brothers, regardless of
social status, personal wealth, oroffice within the Lodge or in the
world at large. Similar symbolism exists for other tools.

Masonry is distinguished from otherfraternal orders by its emphasis on
moral character, its ornate rituals, and its long tradition and history,
which dates back to at least the 17thcentury in modern form, the 14th
century (c. 1350-1390) in the written evidence of its precursors, and back
to the mists of antiquity in its origin.Masonry has a continuously
documented paper history (i.e., Lodgeto Lodge) since 1717, though
historical analysis shows Masonry to be much older.

There are also a great many things that Masonry is NOT: a religion, a
secret society, etc., and these willbe covered later in this FAQ.

There are three degrees in Masonry. Other appendant bodies confer
additional degrees, up to the 32nd (or the honorary 33rd) of the Scottish
Rite, but in symbolic Masonry (or Blue Lodge Masonry) proper, there are
only three. At the Blue Lodge, Masons receive the degrees of Entered
Apprentice (first degree), Fellowcraft (second degree), and Master Mason
(third degree). Promotion generally requires the mastery of a small body
of memorized material, the contents of which varies from jurisdiction to
jurisdiction. In some jurisdictions, only the signs, tokens, and grips of
each degree must be learned; in others,a longer amount of material.

Of course, no Mason would ever lookdown upon a Brother simply because
he was of a lower degree-- the degrees do not exist to create a pecking
order or to confer rank. Rather, theyare a system of initiation that
allows men to become familiar with the august and ancient history and
principles of Masonry at a comfortable pace. Proceeding from Entered
Apprentice to Master Mason in the US can take as little as three months,
while in England, the degrees are spaced apart by a year's interval.

Most Lodges have regular communications (meetings) once a month, that are
also referred to as "business meetings". In the US, these are typically
only open to Master Masons. In England, these meetings are usually opened
in the first degree, and EAs may attend).Conferring of degrees is
usually done at other meetings during the month.

While conferral of degrees and mundanebusiness do take up a lot of a
Lodge's time, there are a host of other activities that Masons engage
in within the fraternity. Charitable work is often done, in the form
of fundraisers, community volunteer work, etc. And there are also a
great many things done for the simple pleasure of company: monthly
breakfasts or dinners, picnics, card/chessmatches, lecturers on Masonic
history, you name it. Masonry is afraternity, and its membership seeks
to have fun.

Local Masonic Lodges are organized under Grand Lodges. In the United
States, each state has its own Grand Lodge, which is a peer with every
other Grand Lodge. There is not "GrandestLodge"-- each Grand Lodge is
supreme in its jurisdiction (e.g., in the US, in its state) but has no
authority elsewhere. Of course, thisdoes not mean that Masonry in New
York is radically different than Masonryin Scotland or New Mexico.
Masons are very traditional and thedifferences between Grand Lodges are
usually minor.

The head of a Lodge is given the titleWorshipful Master. This, of
course, does not imply that Masons worship him; it is merely a stylish
title. Masonic Lodges can be found in many cities, of all sizes, around
the world. There are presently approximately 5 million Masons, half of
which are in the United States.

(2)  Whatis the Scottish Rite?

The Scottish Rite is an appendant bodyof Masonry, meaning that it is
not part of the Blue Lodge per se, but closely associated with Masonry.
It requires that a man be a Master Mason before joining the Scottish
Rite. The Scottish Rite confers the4th through 32nd degrees. The
degree work may be, but is not necessarily, completed at one time.
Any Master Mason is eligible to jointhe Scottish Rite. The degrees
of the Scottish Rite continue the symbolism of the first three Masonic
degrees. For a discussion of the 33rddegree, see question 9 of this
section.

The above refers to the Ancient AcceptedScottish Rite (AASR), not the
Rectified Scottish Rite , which existsboth in UGLE-recognised and
non-recognised Masonic bodies in theEurope.

(3)  Whatis the York Rite?

The York Rite, like the Scottish Rite,is an appendant body of Masonry,
and confers degrees beyond the Blue Lodge's three degrees. It consists
of nine degrees additional degrees: Mark Master, Past Master, Most
Excellent Master, and Royal Arch Mason;the Cryptic Degrees of the
Royal Master, Select Master, and SuperExcellent Master; and the
Chivalric Orders of the Order of theRed Cross, Order of the Knights of
Malta and the Order of Knights Templar.

The Temple degrees, which comprise the top degrees of the York Rite
are specifically Christian. Or at least, it can be stated that the oath
is: in some Grand Lodges in the USand abroad, one need not be a
Christian, but rather only be willing to take a Christian OATH. The
difference here is that there are some who would willingly swear to
defend the Christian faith on the grounds that they would defend any
man's faith. The Chapter (or Royal Arch) and Council Of Royal And Select
Masters (Cryptic Rite), which comprise the first two sections of the
York Rite, are not specifically Christian.

As with most things Masonic, discussany concerns with your local
York Rite, who can advise you regarding your eligibility.

(4)  Whatis the Shrine?

The Shrine is not an appendant bodyof Masonry, though the distinction
would escape many. The Shrine confers no additional degrees. It was
founded in 1872 (the Mecca Temple in New York City) and an Arabic
theme was chosen. Hence, the distinctive red fez that Shriners wear at
official functions.

Members of the Ancient Arabic Orderof the Nobles the Mystic Shrine for
North America (AASONM is an anagram for "A MASON") are members of the
Scottish Rite's 32nd degree, and/or Knights Templer of the York Rite. The
Shrine is most noted for its emphasis on philanthropy and its jolly
outlook on life-- it has been called "the playground of Masonry". This
is expressed as "Pleasure without intemperance, hospitality without
rudeness, and jollity without coarseness."

The Royal Order of Jesters is a groupdrawn from Shrine membership,
by invitation only.

(5)  Whatis the Eastern Star?

The Order of the Eastern Star is anadoptive rite of Freemasonry with
teachings based on the Bible and objectivesthat are charitable and
benevolent. The founder of OES was Dr. Robert Morris, a lawyer and
educator from Boston, Massachusetts, who was a Master Mason and Past
Grand Master of Kentucky. Dr. Morris intended his creation to become a
female branch of Freemasonry, but he failed to overcome the great
opposition this idea engendered. Afterhis first published ritual in
1849-50, he became associated with Robert Macoy who wrote and published
a ritual based on Morris' in 1867. The first Grand Chapter was
organized in Michigan in the same year. (There is evidence for an
organization of the same name founded variously in 1788 or 1793, but
this group was defunct by 1867.) Subordinate(local) chapters operate
under charter from state level grand chapters which are responsible to
the General Grand Chapter at the InternationalEastern Star temple in
Washington, D.C.

Members must be eighteen years or olderand either Master Masons in good
standing or properly related to aMaster Mason in good standing. The
latter category includes wives; widows;sisters; daughters; mothers;
granddaughters; step-mothers; step daughters; step-sisters; and
half-sisters. In 1994 this was expanded to include nieces, daughters-in-
law, and grandmothers.

Each chapter has eighteen officers, some elected and others appointed.
Two offices are specifically male (Patron and Associate Patron) while nine
offices are specifically female (includingMatron and Associate Matron).
While the Worthy Matron is considered to be the presiding officer of the
chapter, the degrees cannot be conferred without a presiding brother in
good standing (hence the Patron andAssociate Patron).

Each chapter retains the right to decidewho shall be a member of the
organization. Election to the degrees must be unanimous, without debate,
and secret. The successful candidate must profess a belief in a Supreme
Being and is initiated in five degrees, which are conferred in one
ceremony. (When Eastern Star was created,it was intended to be the first
of a three degree series. The second and third degrees were Queen of the
South and the Order of the Amaranth, respectively.)

Interestingly enough, OES requires only the belief in a Supreme Being
even though the degrees are based in both the Old and New Testaments.
While non-Christians are not specifically barred from membership,
it would seem to be difficult to beother than Christian and belong to
the Order. (Thanks to Joy Leavy forthis section)

(6)  Whatis DeMolay?

The International Order of DeMolay is the world's largest
fraternal organization for young menbetween the ages of 13 and 21. The
Order was founded in Kansas City, Missouri on March 24, 1919 by Frank
Sherman Land. DeMolay Chapters are sponsored by Masonic Lodges, and some
members of the sponsoring body also serve as Advisors on the Chapter's
Advisory Council. Structurally, itis similar to Masonry. The officers of
a Chapter are the Master Councilor, Senior Councilor, Junior Councilor,
Senior Deacon, Junior Deacon, Senior Steward, Junior Steward, Orator,
Scribe, Marshal, Chaplain, Standard Bearer, Sentinel, Almoner, and seven
Preceptors.

DeMolay Chapters hold monthly or bi-weeklymeetings with Masonic-like
Ritual. Other activities include athletictournaments and events, social
functions (joint activities with Rainboware encouraged), fund-raising
activities, Masonic service activities, and civic and philanthropic
activities.

DeMolays are taught the seven cardinalvirtues of the Order--
filial love, reverence for sacred things, courtesy, comradeship,
fidelity, cleanness, and patriotism-- and the importance of practicing
them in their daily lives.

The Order's namesake is Jacques DeMolay,who was the last Grand Master of
the Knights Templar and who was executedby the Inquisition on March 18,
1314. Louis Lower, the first DeMolay, and his group of friends, when
asked by Dad Land to choose a name for their group, believed that his
heroic fidelity and loyalty to his fellow Templars were qualities with
which they wanted their group to beidentified. Mind you, Dad Land
explained this to them before they chose their name.

A fascinating book about the historyof the Order and the life of
Frank S. Land (1890-1959), titled "Hi! Dad," is available from the
DeMolay and More Store or practically any member of the Order. The
phone number of the DeMolay and MoreStore is 1-800-DEMOLAY.
(thanks to Tom Schnorrenberg)

*(7)*  Whatis Rainbow?

"The International Order of the Rainbowfor Girls is an organization for
girls from 11 to 20 years of age. Masonic relationship is not required.
Rainbow for Girls stands for belief in the Supreme Being, dignity of
character, the higher things in life,effective leadership, church membership,
patriotism, cooperation with equals, love of home and services to others.

At meetings, Rainbow Girls wear dressesvarying pastel colors and shades
while Grand Officers wear white."--"The International Order of Rainbow for
Girls was founded by Rev. W. Mark Sexson in 1922 for girls from 11 to 20,
membership requirements are to be sponsored by a Master Mason or Eastern
Star and two members of the Order, Origins of Lessons taught are from the
Bible using the Humanities, the PresidingOfficer is the Worthy Advisor,
the Subordinate Line Officers are the Worthy Associate Advisor - the
station of Charity - the station ofHope - the station of Faith, the
Presiding Advisor is the Mother Advisor,and the Adult Leadership is
the Advisory Board."
 

(8)  Whatare some other Masonic organizations?

Acacia: A college fraternity for MasterMasons, the sons of Masons, and
young men recommended by two Masons one of whom is an Acacian
himself. The national governing boardis composed exclusively of
32nd and 33rd degree Masons.

Order of Amaranth: Open to Masons andtheir wives, mothers, daughters,
widows, and sisters. At least one Master Mason must be present at
every initiation. It confers only one degree.

Daughters of Mokanna: An auxiliary organization of the Grotto comprised
of the wives, mothers, daughters, widows, and sisters of the
Master Masons in the Grotto.

Daughters of the Nile: An auxiliary organization for the wives,
mothers, daughters, widows, and sistersof members of the Shrine.

Desoms: An organization for deaf Masons.

Grotto: A fun organization open toMaster Masons. It imitates the
Shrine to a large degree, but requires only that a member be a
Master Mason rather than a 32nd degreeMason or Knight Templar.
Officially known as The Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the
Enchanted Realm (MOVPER).

High Twelve International: An organizationof Master Masons that
usually meet for lunch, enjoy fellowship, and support Masonic
causes, with special emphasis on youthand patriotic endeavors.

Job's Daughters: Enrolls girls betweenthe ages of 13 and 20 that have
some Masonic relative. They must professa belief in God, the Ten
Commandments, and the Lord's prayer.

L.O.S. of N.A.: The Ladies' Oriental Shrine of North America. Another
auxiliary for the wives, mothers, daughters, widows, and sisters
of Shrine members.

National Sojourners, Inc.: Open toMaster Masons which are U.S.
citizens and who have served or areserving as a commissioned or
warrant officer in the United States military or in any armed service of
a nation allied with the US in time of war.

Philalethes: A group for Masons interestedin Masonic philosophy and
history.

Royal Order of Scotland: An organization for Christian Masons who have
been 32nd degree Masons or Knights Templar for five or more years.

Tall Cedars of Lebanon: A fun organizationfor Master Masons similar to
the Grotto. It confers the two degrees of the Royal Court and the
Sidonian.

White Shrine of Jerusalem: For MasterMasons and their wives, mothers,
daughters, widows, and sisters. Membersmust profess a belief in
the defense of the Christian religion.

(thanks to Bill Menees for providing this section)

(9)  Whatis Co-Masonry?

Co-Masonry refers to Masonic Lodgesthat admit both men and women.
Co-Masonry traces its heritage back to the 19th century.

There are two Grand Lodges of Co-Masonrywith jurisdiction in
America: Le Droit Humain, a GL based in Paris, France and the original
Co-Masonic organization in the US, and the American Federation of
Human Rights (aka American Co-Masonry), which is based in Larkspur,
Colorado.

The degree structure differs slightlyfrom standard Blue Lodge
structure (i.e., the Scottish Rite is worked as part of the
regular Lodge, not a separate organization), but in most things
Co-Masonic lodges function as regular Masonic lodges.

*(10)*  Whatis Prince Hall Masonry?

NOTE: This section is excerpted fromthe Grand Lodge of New Brunswick's
annual communication. I wish there were some Prince Hall
Masons who could provide better information.

"There are some schools of thought that Prince Hall (his name not
a title) was born in Barbados to afree black woman and a
Scottish father. He emigrated to theColony of Boston, Mass. and
acquired real estate, making him eligibleto vote. It was also
documented that he was a devout Christianand a leather-worker by
trade. On March 6, 1775, during theAmerican War of
Independence, Prince Hall along withfourteen men of color were
made Masons in Army Lodge #441 of the Irish Constitution. When
Army Lodge moved on, the aforesaid brethren were issued a permit
authorizing them to appear publicly as a Masonic body for the
purpose of celebrating the feast ofSt. John and to bury their
dead.

On March 2, 1784, these same brethrenapplied to the Grand Lodge
of England for a charter, which wassubsequently issued to them
on September 29, 1784. They were warrantedunder the name of
African Lodge, No. 459 on the register of the Grand Lodge of
England by authority of then Grand Master, the Duke of
Cumberland. Prince Hall was the firstMaster. That charter, which
is authenticated and in safekeeping, is believed to be the only
original charter issued from the GrandLodge of England still in
the possession of any Lodge in the United States.

African Lodge allowed itself to slipinto arrears in the late
1790's and was stricken from the rollsafter the Union of 1813,
although it had attempted correspondence in 1802 and 1806. In
1827, after other unreplied-to attempts at communication, it
declared its independence of any externalauthority and began to
call itself African Grand Lodge No.1.

It is interesting to note that whenthe Massachusetts lodges
which were acting as a Provincial Grand Lodge declared themselves
an independent Grand Lodge, and evenwhen the present Grand Lodge
of Massachusetts was formed by the amalgamation of two separate
Grand Lodges, African Lodge was notinvited to take part, even
though it held a warrant every bit as valid as those others. This
may be explained in part by this 1795quote from John Eliot, who
later became Grand Chaplain of the Gr. Lodge of Mass. He wrote,
"White Masons, who are not more skilledin geometry than their
black brethren, will not acknowledge them... .the truth is they
are ashamed of being on an equality with blacks."

Today there are 45 Grand Lodges (thelatest being the just
formed "Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the
Caribbean") that trace their origin back to African Lodge #459.
There are more than 5000 Prince HallLodges and over 300,000
members. So far as it is known, theirritual, their secrets,
their procedures, their requirements, their beliefs, their tenets
or fundamental principles, are all either identical with ours, or
recognizably similar." (by.. W Bro. Roy Cassidy)

To add to this:

The United Grand Lodge of England hasnow officially recognized
Prince Hall Lodges. Many US Grand Lodges have recognized PH
GLs within their jurisdictions, andit has been or is being discussed
in other jurisdictions. Since every Grand Lodge is autonomous and
the supreme authority in its jurisdiction, this issue must be
approached on a state-by-state basis.

Some have criticized Masonry as "segregated"due to the Prince Hall
Lodges, but this is a ridiculous claim,since there are many black
Masons in non-PH Lodges and white members in PH Lodges, and displays
a fundamental ignorance of Masonic history.

(11)  Whatis a 33rd degree Mason?

The Scottish Rite awards a special honorary degree, the 33rd, to
those it feels has made an outstanding contribution to Masonry,
the community as a whole, and to mankind.There is no way to "achieve"
this degree or "take" it, in the sensethat one takes the 4th through
32nd degrees in the Scottish Rite. It is a singular honor, rarely
bestowed, and greatly admired.

(12)  Arethere any Masonic functions that I can attend as a non-Mason?

Yes. Many Lodges open their installation of officers to the public.
Once a year, a new Worshipful Master takes office. The ceremony
performed during his inauguration is public. It is not the same ceremony
as would be performed in a regular Masonic ritual or degree, but it does
have the flavoring of Masonic symbolism and allows the public to "get a
feel for Masonry" without being Masons.NOTE: Not all jurisdictions
have public installations. Call orwrite your local lodge for details.

In addition, many Lodges sponsor publicfunctions throughout the year,
such as dinners or charity functions, designed to allow non-Masons who
are interested in Masonry the chance to talk with Masons and ask
questions. For information, call yourlocal Lodge.

(13)  Whois the head of the Masons?

No one. Each Grand Lodge has its ownjurisdiction and is the supreme
authority within that jurisdiction. Obviously, many Grand Lodges have
regular communication with each other,but official policy in one
has no effect in another.

(14)  Arethere dues, fees, etc. associated with being a Mason?

Yes. Like all organizations, Lodgesmust be able to pay their light
bills. Typically, there is a one-time fee for the three degrees of
Masonry, as well as regular annual dues. But these vary widely
depending on the number of members, cost of living (rent in Manhattan
is higher than it is in rural Oklahoma), the actual physical facilities
of the Lodge, etc. The fees and dues,however, are not prohibitively
expensive (the author is a college student and has no problem with
them). Rather than give a single figurewhich may be very different
than your local Lodge charges, or publishing an extended table of costs,
it is easiest to simply refer the interested to their local Lodge.

Incidentally, many Grand Lodge jurisdictionsprovide for "life
membership" after a Mason has paid dues for a long period. For
example, in Michigan a Mason is nolonger asked to pay dues after
he has been a Mason for forty years. Other jurisdictions allow
members to pay a lump sum for life membership. As with almost
everything in Masonry, check with your local Grand Lodge or Lodge
for more information.

(15)  Ihear Masons refer to an "apron". What is that?

"During the ceremonies of his initiation,each Mason is
presented with a white apron. It is,to him, an emblem of
innocence and the badge of a Mason. It has, in all ages, been
cherished by the rich, the poor, thehigh and the low. It is his
for life. He will never receive anotherone and has, therefore,
been cautioned to take it home and instructed in its care. While
perfectly satisfactory for him to do so if he desires, he need not
bring it to Lodge, as linen aprons are provided for his use
meetings." (From a pamphlet, "To theLady and Family of a Mason")

The above applies to the US. In manyother countries, the Master
Mason owns his regalia and brings it to the Lodge.

(16)  Whatis a "Masonic Funeral"?

"Any member who was in good standing at the time of his
death is entitled to a Masonic funeral if he or his family requests
it. Such a request should be made to the Master of his Lodge who
will make the necessary arrangements with the family, the mortuary,
and the minister. A service is authorized by the jurisdiction in which
you are located, and consists of participationat the mortuary, the
beginning at the mortuary and the closing at the graveside, or
graveside only. Pallbearers will befurnished at the request of the
family. In general, the Lodge will do as much or as little as the
nearest relative wishes it to do." (From a pamphlet, "To the Lady and
Family of a Mason")
 
 

II.PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS & MYTHS

(1)  AreMasons just a bunch of old men? Isn't Masonry dying out?

As regards the United States:

There is no doubt that the population of Masons is aging. There
was a huge increase in membership in almost all fraternal orders
after World War II, including Masonry. This peaked at sometime
in the late 50s. During the social turbulence and generational
strains of the 60s and 70s, new membershipfell off, with the
result that by the 1980s, total membershipwas in sharp decline.

However, there are signs that membershiphas leveled out, or is
gaining in some areas. In many lodges, there are a great number of
50-and-up members, and a number of30-and-under members, with a
gulf in between, representing where Baby Boomers would have been.
Of course, we are speaking in broad generalities here-- there is no
way to know the demographics of yourlocal Lodge without asking one
of its members.

The overall point is that Masonic membership,when talking on a
national scale, has probably hit astable membership base, after a
huge surge and then fall in membership.

(Please submit information on otherparts of the world)

(2)  Aren'tMasons racist/elitist?

Regarding racism: Masonry explicitly states the equality of men,
regardless of race, creed, or color. But there are some Masons
who are prejudiced, and this is unfortunate,saddening, and
unMasonic. However, it is not representative of Masonry as a
whole, or representative of anything except a tiny minority of
Masons. There are Masons of all ethnicbackgrounds.

"Elitism" is harder to define. If youmean that Masons are highly
selective in their membership, then yes, Masons are elitists. But
just criteria is used: men of good character, of good report, who
believe in God. Does the majority of the population fit that
criteria? If you think not, then youcould say that Masons are
elitists.

The idea that Masonry is only opento the patrician class, the landed
gentry, and the wealthy is incorrect. There are Masons of all
economic backgrounds. Indeed, there are Lodges which are mostly
or wholly made up of blue-collar workersdue to local demographics.

(3)  Isn'tMasonry just a place where businessmen make deals?

No. In fact, most Masons believe thatto trade with a Brother Mason
only because he is a Mason is unMasonic. Even more importantly,
anyone who attempts to join a Lodge solely for business reasons will
not be given a petition.

Masons, however, are friends, and itis not surprising that many
Masons do trade with Brothers. For one thing, they are dealing with
people that are of good character and can be trusted, which is no
small statement in the modern marketplace.

But Masonry is not a "place to network".Yes, some men do view
one of the benefits of membership as an additional source of
customers or partners, but few would say that is the only reason they
became Masons. The work involved inthe degrees alone would make this
a poor investment-- better to join the Rotary Club or other business
group.

(4)  Isee titles like "Worshipful Master" and "Senior Deacon"-- is this some
kind of cult?

No. The titles are simply colorful, stylish, and full of ancient
symbolism. No Mason worships the Masterof the Lodge, nor does a Senior
(or Junior) Deacon engage in religious actions, as a Deacon of a church
might.

(5)  Masonryis a secret society, right?

Wrong. Secret societies are generally defined as organizations which
are unknown to the public and whose existence is denied. The Bavarian
Illuminati and the Mafia would be examples of secret societies.

Masonry, on the other hand, is well-knownand proudly displays its
existence. Masonic Temples are clearly marked as such, and many Lodges
are listed in the yellow pages (usually under "Fraternal Orders").
Members often wear rings or tie-clips that identify themselves as Masons,
and Masons often participate in communitycharity work. Finally, some
Masonic functions are open to the public.

Masonry is not a secret society, butrather a society with a few secrets.
These are mainly modes of recognition-- the signals, grips, signs, and
phrases by which Masons recognize each other. The actual degree rituals
are considered secret as well, not because there is anything that would
harm Masonry by their revelation, but rather because they are more
meaningful if the candidate does notknow what is going to go on during
them beforehand (see question 9 ofthis section if that makes you
nervous).

It should be pointed out that manyother organizations have a similar
class of secrets. College fraternities (a.k.a. "Greek letter
organizations") often have small secretsknown only to their members,
allowing them to travel from house to house and still be known.

(6)  Masonryis a religion, right?

Wrong.

Masonry is not a religion "by the definitionsmost people use. Religion,
as the term is commonly used, implies several things: a plan for salvation
or path by which one reaches the after-life;a theology which attempts to
describe the nature of God; and thedescription of ways or practices by
which a man or woman may seek to communicatewith God. Masonry does none
of those things. We offer no plan of salvation. With the exception of
saying that He is a loving Father who desires only good for His children,
we make no effort to describe the nature of God. And while we open and
close our meetings with prayer, andwe teach that no man should ever begin
any important undertaking without first seeking the guidance of God, we
never tell a man how he should pray or for what he should pray. Instead,
we tell him that he must find the answers to these great questions in his
own faith, in his church or synagogue or other house of worship. We urge
men not to neglect their spiritual development and to be faithful in the
practice of their religion. As the Grand Lodge of England wrote in
'Freemasonry and Religion', 'Freemasonry is far from indifferent to
religion. Without interfering in religiouspractice, it expects each
member to follow his own faith, andto place above all other duties his
duty to God by whatever name He isknown.' Masonry itself makes only a
simple religious demand on a man--he must believe that he has an immortal
soul and he must believe in God. Noatheist can be a Mason." (Dr. Jim
Tresner, 33rd degree)

"Freemasonry has no dogma or theology.It teaches that it is important
for every man to have a religion ofhis choice and to be faithful to it.
A good Mason is made even more faithful to the tenets of his faith by
membership." (Rev. Norman Vincent Peale, who was also a Mason)

(7)  AreMasons really controlling the world/meeting with the Bavarian
Illuminati/members of the Trilateralist Commission/etc?

Yes, not to mention the International Jewish Conspiracy, the Elders of
Zion, Inver Brass, S.P.E.C.T.R.E., and the minions of Cthulhu.

Anyone who believes that Masons arethe Master Puppeteers
of the globe either is pulling your leg, has read too much Robert Anton
Wilson, or is in need of serious psychotherapy.

(8)  Masonsare anti-Catholic, right?

Wrong. There is nothing anti-Catholic in Masonry, in its traditions,
its rituals, or its beliefs.

(9)  Masonicrituals are demeaning or embarrassing to the candidate, right?

Nothing could be further from the truth.The rituals (degrees) are
designed to reinforce virtues that the Craft finds desirable, such as
Justice, Brotherly Love, Truth, andthe like. The rituals are actually
quite beautiful and filled with ancientlanguage and much symbolism.
At no point, however, is the candidate asked to do anything that would
embarrass or demean him, nor anything that would violate his obligations
to his faith, country, or the law.

(10)  Iheard/read a Mason talking about a "Masonic Bible". Do Masons
have their ownBible?

"No. The Bibles sometimes called 'MasonicBibles' are just Bibles
to which a concordance, giving the Biblical citations on which the
Masonic Ritual is based, has been added. Sometimes reference material
on Masonic history is included. Anyoneis welcome to read one." (Dr.
Jim Tresner, 33rd degree)

(11)  Isee that Masonic buildings are called Temples. Does that mean that
Masons worship there?

No. "Webster's New Twentieth CenturyDictionary provides a definition for
the word 'temple' which is as good an explanation as any: 'a building,
usually of imposing size, serving the public or an organization in some
special way; as, a temple of art, a Masonic temple'". (Dr. Jim Tresner.
33rd degree)
 

III.  HOWDO I BECOME A MASON?

(1) What arethe requirements forbecoming a Mason?

Candidates must be male, at least 21years of age, able to profess a
belief in God, and of good character.

For information on mixed-sex Masonry,see the discussion on Co-Masonry
in II, 7.

Some Grand Lodges also have a residencyrequirement; for example,
the Grand Lodge of Michigan requires candidates to have lived in its
jurisdiction (Michigan) for a minimum of one year.

There are some exceptions to the agerequirement. For example, in
England and Virginia, the direct relativesof Master Masons in good
standing are eligible to join at theage of 18. In some
jurisdictions, DeMolays may join uponreaching their 18th birthday.

(2)  Can<fill in an ethnic group>s be Masons?

Any human who meets the requirements listed in question (1) of this
section is eligible, regardless ofrace or color.

Some have speculated that while thereis no official prohibition
against, say, blacks or Asians from becoming Masons, there is a de facto
prohibition because they would never be voted into a lodge. This is
false. There are Masons of all ethnic backgrounds.

However, it is fair to state that Masons,as humans, are prone to
the kinds of prejudices that all humansmay succumb to. Since the
vote to admit a candidate is anonymous and must be unanimous, one man's
unspoken prejudice is sufficient todeny entry to a man (except, of
course, in those jurisdictions which require more than one 'no' vote
to deny entrance, but you get the idea). Prejudice is inexcusable and
irreconcilable with Masonry, but then,it is also irreconcilable with
Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, and there are certainly Christians,
Jews, and Muslims who harbor prejudices.

So it is possible that a Mason, actingunMasonically, could act to
keep a member out without due cause. But this is not common, nor is
it representative of Masonry in general,nor does it conform to the
high ideals of Masonry.

(3)  Canhomosexuals be Masons?

Yes, and there are homosexual Masons.Everything said in question (2)
of this section holds true in this case as well. There is the
consideration that some men may viewhomosexuality as being immoral,
i.e., that homosexuals are not men of "good character". This is
generally not due to any specific prejudice but rather due to religious
belief (depending on how one interprets St. Paul, for example). However,
judging by conversation on alt.freemasonry, it is safe to say that Masons
generally would not regard homosexuality as a barrier to membership.

(4)  Ihave a physical disability. Can I be a Mason?

The answer is almost certainly yes,provided you can attend Lodge (and
meet the non-physical criteria in question (1) of this section).
Paraplegics have been made Masons, as have the blind, the deaf, and
others with a variety of physical handicaps. Minor modifications may
need to be done to the rituals (e.g., employing sign language, modifying
points where the candidate stands if the candidate is in a wheelchair,
etc.) but most Lodges are willing to accommodate candidates.

In medieval times, the requirement to have a sound body free of physical
defect was a serious one, since thework of stonemasonry was physically
difficult. Some Grand Lodges did carrythis requirement into
symbolic (i.e., non-operative) Masonry. However, in recent times
this has all but been eliminated. Talk to your local Lodge if you have
any questions.

(5)  Can<fill in the name of the religion> be a Mason?

The only religious requirement is thatcandidates believe in the Supreme
Being. If you can in good faith professa belief in the Supreme Being,
you are eligible to be a Mason. Noatheists will ever knowingly be made
a Mason.

There are Christian (Catholic, Protestant,Mormon), Jewish, and
Muslim Masons. It would be tedious and pointless to go into a
religion-by-religion (and then denomination-by-denomination)
discussion. The key points to remember are the requirement of belief
in the supreme being and the fact that Masonry is a fraternity, not a
religion.

(6)  DoMasons accept Catholics?

Catholicism is only mentioned specificallybecause it has generated
a lot of traffic in the past on theMasonic newsgroups. There is no
prohibition in any Grand Lodge jurisdiction against Catholics being made
Masons.

(7)  CanWiccans be Masons?

This religion is specifically mentionedonly because it has been
often debated on alt.freemasonry. It is possible to get into very
involved discussions on the nature of Wiccan beliefs and their
compatibility with Masonry, but theonly possible arbitrator is your
Grand Lodge. To that end, it is suggestedthat if you have more specific
questions, contact your local Lodge.

Again, the same could be said abouta number of religions, and Wicca
is only mentioned specifically because it has been brought up repeatedly
on the Masonic newsgroups. Please bear in mind that discussion of this
subject on the USENET Masonic newsgroups invariably generates more heat
than light.

(8)  Whatif my religion does not allow the swearing of oaths?

Some Grand Lodges allow affirmations to be used instead of the
traditional Masonic oath. This is more common in Europe than in
the United States. In all cases, itis best to check with the Grand
Lodge in your jurisdiction (or your local Lodge) for more specific
information.

(9)  DoI have to be invited?

Don't wait to be invited-- you willdie waiting. Masons are
prohibited from actively recruiting or asking non-Masons to join
the fraternity, to insure that candidates come of their own free will.

As with many things Masonic, thereare some exceptions to this rule.
Some Grand Lodges allow solicitation, provided it is low-key and
with the strict provision that no pressure be applied. Still, you
don't *need* to be invited in any jurisdiction, and if you're
interested, act.

(10) OK, I'minterested-- how do I proceed?

If you know a Mason, ask him aboutmembership. He will be glad to
tell you all about the Craft and thelocal lodge, and give you a petition
if you wish to join.

If you do not know a Mason, drop aletter to the local lodge, and one
of the officers will call you (or call the lodge, though you may not
get an answer unless someone is actuallythere).

Typically, the process is as follows:

(a) the applicant fills out a petition.The petition asks for two
sponsors, though if you meet and talkwith the officers, they can
usually find sponsors or act as sponsorsthemselves if you do not know
anyone in the lodge.

(b) the petition is read at the lodgeduring the next business meeting,
which for many lodges is during thefirst week of the month. A
committee is formed to investigate the candidate. The petition also
asks for two character references.

(c) the committee meets with the candidateto answer questions, ascertain
that he meets the criteria for membership, and find out a little about
him. This is not a "grilling session", but rather a friendly and casual
chat to make certain that the candidate has been properly informed about
Masonry and that was not improperly solicited. The committee also contacts
the character references listed onthe petition (typically asking if they
know any reason why the candidate should not be accepted, etc.)

(d) The committee reports back to thelodge during the next business
meeting and the candidate is voted on. If accepted, someone from the
lodge (often the Secretary) contacts the candidate and informs him that
he has been accepted and schedules a date for the Entered Apprentice
degree.

NOTE: This is based on the summation of several experiences in the U.S.
Your mileage may vary.
 
 

IV.  HISTORY

(1)  Wheredid Masons come from?

A fascinating question! And, alas,impossible to answer
within the confines of this FAQ. Thereare a number of theories,
a lot of debate, and a lot of musty history books. Some of the books
listed in question 15 of this section should be of help. As a
*very* brief overview, here is part of an essay by Henry C. Clausen,
a noted Masonic author. This is, ofcourse, just one point of view--
many other theories exist, but Cluasen nicely covers the basics:

"Our Masonic antiquity is demonstrated by a so-called Regius
Manuscript written around the year 1390, when King Richard II reigned
in England, a century before Columbus. It was part of the King's
Library that George II presented tothe British Museum in 1757.
Rediscovered by James O. Halliwell, a non-Mason, and rebound in
its present form in 1838, it consists of 794 lines of rhymed
English verse and claims there was an introduction of Masonry
into England during the reign of Athelstan,who ascended the
throne in A.D. 925. It sets forth regulations for the Society,
fifteen articles and fifteen points and rules of behavior at
church, teaching duties to God and Church and Country, and
inculcating brotherhood. While the real roots of Masonry are
lost in faraway mists, these items show that our recorded history
goes back well over 600 years. Further proof is furnished
through English statutes as, for example,one of 1350 (25 Edward
III, Cap. III) which regulated wages of a "Master...Mason at 4
pence per day." The Fabric Role ofthe 12th century Exeter
Cathedral referred to "Freemasons."

The historical advance of science alsotreats of our
operative ancient brethren who were architects and stonemasons of
geometry. It is apparent from this portrayal that they had a
very real and personal identification with the Deity and that
this fervent devotion provided energy to build cathedrals. They
embraced the teachings of Plato andunderstood and applied
Pythagorean relationships. Just asthere is a beauty of harmony
credited to mathematical relationships on which music is based,
in precisely the same way these mastergeometricians treated
architecture. The architects and stonemasonsbecame the
personification of geometry, performing extraordinary feats with
squares and compasses. Geometrical proportion, not measurement,
was the rule. Their marks as stonemasons were derived from
geometric constructions. The mighty works they wrought,
cathedrals with Gothic spires pointing toward the heavens, and
especially their "association," werenot without danger and
opposition, bearing in mind the Inquisitionestablished in 1229,
the Saint Bartholomew's Eve Massacre of 1572, and the revocation
of the Edict of Nantes in 1685. Thesehistorical points remind
us of the need for our cautions againstcowans and eavesdroppers.

Our operative Brethren of the MiddleAges thus were the
builders of mighty cathedrals throughout the British Isles and
continental Europe, many of which still stand. These skilled
craftsmen wrote in enduring stone impressive stories of
achievement, frequently chiseled withsymbolic markings. With
these architectural structures of these master builders there was
a companion moral code. These grew up together. Out of this
background modern Freemasonry was born.

Although "Lodges" had existed for centuries,four of the
"old" Lodges met in London on St. John the Baptist's Day, June
24, 1717, and formed the first Grand Lodge of England, thereafter
known as the Premier Grand Lodge ofthe world. No longer
operative as of old, the Masons carriedon the traditions and
used the tools of the craft as emblems to symbolize principles of
conduct in a continued effort to builda better world.

The American colonial Masonic organizationsstemmed from
this Grand Lodge of England and wereformed soon after 1717. Its
then Grand Master appointed Colonel Daniel Coxe as Provincial
Grand Master of New York, New Jersy and Pennsylvania on June 5,
1730, and Henry Price of Boston asProvincial Grand Master of New
England in April 1733." -- Henry C.Clausen

(2)  WhatUS Presidents have been Masons?

George Washington
James Monroe
Andrew Jackson
James Polk
James Buchanan
Andrew Johnson
James Garfield
William McKinley
Theodore Roosevelt
William Howard Taft
Warren G. Harding
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Harry S. Truman
(Lyndon B. Johnson)
Gerald R. Ford

Notes (in chronological order):

William McKinley's Masonic membership has not been confirmed 100%,
though his name does appear on several lists. Hopefully, someone
will be able to provide a definitive yes or no.

William Howard Taft was made a MasonAt Sight by the Grand Master
of Ohio and later raised to Grand Master of Ohio in 1909.

Harry S. Truman was also Grand Masterof his home state, Missouri.

Lyndon Johnson was an Entered Apprentice,but never progressed
beyond that degree.

Ronald Reagan is not a craft Mason.He was made an honorary 33rd
degree Mason by the Southern Jurisdiction of the AASR and an honorary
member of the Imperial Council of the Shrine, but he was never entered,
passed, and raised as a Mason, nor was he ever made a Mason at sight.
(Source: Robinson's _Born in Blood_)

Bill Clinton is not a Mason, thoughhe was involved in DeMolay for
a time.

Many other leaders in government havebeen Masons: "They have included
fourteen Presidents and eighteen VicePresidents of the United States;
a majority of the Justices of the United States Supreme Court, of the
Governors of States, of the members of the Senate, and a large percentage
of the Congressmen. Five Chief Justices of the United States were Masons
and two were Grand Masters. The fivewere Oliver Ellsworth, John Marshall
(also Grand Master of Masons in Virginia),William Howard Taft, Frederick
M. Vinson and Earl Warren (also GrandMaster of Masons in California.)"
-- Henry C. Clausen

(3)  WasThomas Jefferson a Mason? Patrick Henry? Abraham Lincoln?

No, no, and no. As for the first two,"an exhaustive search of Masonic
records in Virginia, and elsewhere, offers no iota of evidence to make
them Freemasons. Jefferson participated in the cornerstone laying of his
University at Charlottesville, which was done Masonically. He praised
Freemasonry and his own words proved he had never been a member of the
Craft." (FMBITS.TXT)

There is some evidence that Abraham Lincoln intended to become a Mason
when he returned to Springfield afterhis second term in office, had he
not been assassinated in 1865.

(4)  Whatfamous people have been Masons?

This is by no means a complete list.This list also includes
Prince Hall Masons.

FROM THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION (otherthan Presidents): Benjamin Franklin,
John Hancock, Paul Revere, John PaulJones, LaFayette, Rufus King,
James Otis, Baron von Steuben, Joseph Warren, Benedict Arnold (well, you
can't win them all)

POLITICAL LEADERS: Winston Churchill, Simon Bolivar, Edmund Burke,
Benito Juarez, Edward VII, George VI, Bernardo O'Higgins, Jose' de
San Martin, Francisco de Paula Santander, Jose'Rizal, Jose' Marti,
Pandit Nehru, Lajos Kossuth, Jonas Furrer, Guiseppe Mazzini,
Eduard Benes, John A. MacDonald, AaronBurr, George McGovern, Barry
Goldwater, Estes Kefauver, Adlai Stevenson(not the governor of Illinois,
but his father who was Vice President in 1892), Thomas E. Dewey, Alf
Landon, Hubert H. Humphrey, Wendell Wilke, W.E.B. DuBois, William
Jennings Bryant

MILITARY LEADERS: Omar Bradley, JohnJ. Pershing, Douglas McArthur,
General Winfield Scott, Captain EddieRickenbacker, Jimmy Doolittle,
General Mark Clark, General George C. Marshall

REPUBLIC OF TEXAS: Sam Houston, StephenAustin, Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie,
William B. Travis (and, it should be added, General Santa Ana)

FINE ARTS: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (and his father, Leopold), Ludwig von
Beethoven, Jean Sibelius, Franz Liszt,Josef Haydn, Irving Berlin,
Gutzon Borglum, Charles W. Peale, Alfons M. Mucha, John Philip Sousa,
both Gilbert & Sullivan, George Gershwin, George M. Cohen, Count Basie,
Nat King Cole, Giacomo Meyerbeer, Signmund Romberg

ACTORS: John Wayne, Red Skelton, ClarkGable, W.C. Fields, Will Rogers,
Burl Ives, Roy Rogers, Danny Thomas, Ernest Borgnine, Oliver Hardy,
Tom Mix, Audie Murphy, Gene Autry, Wallace Beery, Eddie Cantor

INDUSTRY & LABOR: Henry Ford, SamuelGompers, Walter P. Chrysler,
John Wanamaker, S.S. Kresge, J.C. Penney, John Jacob Astor, John L. Lewis

ADVENTURERS: Lewis & Clark, CharlesA. Lindberg, Kit Carson, Roald
Amundsen, Adm. Richard Byrd, Commodore Robert Peary

PHILOSOPHERS: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe,Gotthold E. Lessing,
Voltaire (Francois Marie Arouet)

ATHLETES: Bob Feller, Tris Speaker, Ty Cobb, Paul "Dizzy" Trout,
Harry Carey, Dell Rice, Jimmy Fox, Joe Tinker (of "Tinker to Evers
to Chance"), Jack Dempsey, Arnold Palmer, Jack Arthur Johnson

ASTRONAUTS: Edwin E. "Buzz" Aldrin, Jr., Leroy Gordon Cooper,
Donn F. Eisele, Virgil I. Grissom, Edgar D. Mitchell, Walter M.
Schirra, Jr., Thomas P. Stafford, Paul J. Weitz, James B. Irwin,
John Glenn.

WRITERS: Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain),Sir Walter Scott, Rudyard Kipling,
Robert Burns, Wassily I. Maikow, HeinrichHeine, Jean P.C. de Florian,
Leopoldo Lugoner, Antonio de Castro Alves, James Boswell, Alexander
Pushkin, Arthur Conan Doyle, Johnathon Swift, Oscar Wilde

LAW: John Marshall, Earl Warren, ThurgoodMarshall

MEDICINE: Drs. Alexander Fleming, JulesBordet, Antoine DePage, Edward
Jenner, Charles and William Mayo, Karl and William Menninger

SCIENCE: Hans C. Orsted, Jons JakobFrk. von Berzelius, Alfred Edmund
Brehm, Luther Burbank, Johan Ernst Gunnerus, Albert Abraham Michelson,
Gaspard Monge, C.F.S. Hahnemann, PedroN. Arata, Alexandre Gustave
Eiffel, Alexander Fleming, James Smithson

...as well as Harry Houdini, NormanVincent Peale, David Sarnoff,
Thomas J. Watson, Giuseppe Garibaldi, Cecil J. Rhodes,
Marvin Zindler, and many, many more.

(5) What  famousbuildings in the US have been laid Masonically?

The U. S. Capitol
The Smithsonian Institution
Jackson Hall
The National Education Association Building
The Army War College Building
House of Representatives Office Building
The Washington Monument

The Washington Monument is in Alexandria,Virginia, and honors
our first President and Brother Mason,George Washington. (FMBITS.TXT)

*(6)* What's the difference between AF&AM andF&AM?

F&AM means "Free & Accepted Masons."
AF&AM means "Ancient Free & Accepted Masons".
In practical terms, there is no difference,since the jurisdictions
that are termed "ancient" F&AM are no different than those that are
simply F&AM. The distinction isa historical one, owing to differences
in Grand Lodge names. (someone will provide more information on this
topic, I hope)

(7) Was  JosephSmith, founder of the Mormon Church, a Mason?

(This section provided by Brother BobDixon; the use of the first
person is his)

"Joseph Smith was a mason, as werethe following four presidents of
the LDS church.

From about 1839 to about 1846 mostof the members of the church
gathered to Nauvoo, Illinois, and there were at least four lodges in
operation there. Joseph Smith was a very flamboyant individual and had
a disagreement with the Grand Lodge of Illinois over the way the Nauvoo
lodges were operated. Accordingly, their charters were revoked by the
Grand Lodge.

He was murdered by a mob in 1844, andBrigham Young felt it was as a
result of a masonic conspiracy. Heprohibited Mormons from being
Masons, which remained in effect untilthe last ten years or so. The
ill feelings went both ways, as theGrand Lodge of Utah refused to
accept Mormons as members until about1984.

There are no particular restrictions on Mormons being Masons. We are
continually counselled to put our families and Christ first, which many
interpret as counsel to avoid most activities outside family and church.
This is a personal choice, though, and not a matter of strict doctrine.

We perform certain ordinances suchas baptisms for the dead and
eternal marriages in our temples, and minor portions of those ordinances
bear very surface similarity to partsof the Masonic degrees. The whole
scope and character is much different, though. Where (I feel, anyway)
that the masonic degree work revolves around our place in God's kingdom
here on the earth, our temple rituals deal with creation and our place
in the eternities."

(A minor historical note: Smith wasmade a Mason at Sight by the
Grand Master of Illinois)

(8)  Whatis the oldest Lodge Room in the world? In the US?

"St. John's Chapel, Edinburgh, Scotlandis said to be the
oldest Masonic Lodge Room (1736) inthe world. The oldest known Lodge
Room in the U.S. is situated in PrentissHouse, Marble head,
Massachusetts (1760).The oldest MasonicLodge Building is the Lodge
Hall of Royal White Hart Lodge No. 2, Halifax, Northings, North Carolina
(1771)." (FMBITS.TXT)

Other information disagrees with this,stating that the oldest
American Lodge Room is "Masons Hall in Richmond, Virginia, the home of
Richmond Randolph Lodge No. 19 and Richmond Royal Arch Chapter No. 3. The
building owned by Royal White Hart Lodge wasn't built until 1821. Masons
Hall was built in 1785. It was originally the home of Richmond Lodge No.
10, the first wholly new Lodge chartered by the Grand Lodge of Virginia.
It was also the first permanent homeof the Grand Lodge of Virginia."
(from Northern Light)

(9) Is it truethat all of GeorgeWashington's generalsduring the
Revolutionary War were Masons?

No. 33 of the generals serving underWashington were Masons. A
substantial number, but not "all".

(10) Is it truethat all the signers of the  Declarationof Independence were
Masons? The Articles of Confederation? The Constitution?

No. Masons constituted ten of the signersof the Articles, nine signers
of the Declaration, and thirteen signersof the Constitution.

Additionally, Edmund Randolph, GrandMaster of Virginia, was an active
participant at the Constitutional Convention, though he didn't sign the
document. It should also be noted that four Presidents of the
Continental Congresses were Freemasons: Peyton Randolph of Virginia, John
Hancock of Massachusetts, Henry Laurensof South Carolina, and Arthur St.
Clair of Pennsylvania. (Northern Light)

(11)  GeorgeWashington turned down the title of "Grand Master of the United
States"-- true?

Yes, sort of. The American Union Lodgeproposed that Washington
become "General Grand Master of theUnited States", a title to
be held in the "National Grand Lodge". However, there were many
others who also disagreed with the idea, so it was never a serious
proposal.

Washington was Master of Alexandria Lodge No. 22 in Virginia, whose
Grand Master was then Edmund Randolph. Washington was never Grand
Master of Virginia (or any other jurisdiction).

(12)  Whydo some Lodges meet on a certain day of the week "following the
full moon"? Are Masons some kind of moon worshippers?

The reason is actually simple practicality.Masonic Lodges meet at
night, since their membership typically works during the day. Before
street lights were available in the19th century, men walked to Lodge
in the dark of night and it was commonto schedule Lodge meetings
shortly after a full moon to provide maximum illumination for
Brothers' walk to and from Lodge.

Obviously, this is no longer an issue,though some Lodges whose
history stretches back into the 19thcentury or earlier still
schedule their meetings by the moon's period. These are sometimes
referred to as "moon Lodges".

(13) Did Masonssuffer at the hands of the Nazis?

Yes. The exact numbers are unknown. Lt. Col. David Boyd wrote that
85,000 German Masons were killed bythe Nazis, though other research has
found that this number may be off by as much as a third. This figure
does not include any of the nations the Nazis occupied.

Regardless of the actual number killed,it is clear that Hitler viewed
Masonry, which exalts truth, toleration, brotherly love, and free
thought, to be dangerous and a threat to his regime. Ironically, in his
last days in his bunker in Berlin, Hitler had a painting of Frederick the
Great in his chambers. Frederick theGreat was a Mason.

*(14)* Are Masonsconnected to Greek-letter fraternities?

*(15)* I wantinformation on Masonic history. Whatbooks would be good
introductions?

Virtually anything by Allen Roberts.

Robinson, John J. _A Pilgrim's Path_
Robinson, John J. _Born in Blood_

Stevenson, David, PhD. _The Origins of Freemasonry: Scotland's
Century 1590-1710_ (Cambridge, New York: Cambridge University
Press, 1988).

_Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia_ is anexcellent reference.

(16) My local Librarydoesn't have any books on Freemasonry,
where can Ifind them?

Many Lodges maintain their own librariesas do the Grand Lodges.
Some larger public Libraries also may have a better collection than
a smaller Library. Unfortunately, bookstores do not typically carry
a wide assortment of Masonic related books, however, there are
several sources to purchase books:

Macoy Publishing (804) 262-6551
P.O. Box 9759
Richmond, VA 23228

Anchor Communications (804) 737-4498
110 Quince Ave. Drawer 70
Highland Springs, VA 23075

*(17)* What movies/booksfeature Masonry?

_The Man Who Would Be King_, by BrotherRudyard Kipling. A good
story, later made into an excellent film, starring Michael Caine,
Sean Connery, and Christopher Plummer. Its portrayal of Masonic
history is quite fanciful, of course.

_Murder by Decree_ A Sherlock Holmesmovie, concerning the Master
Sleuth's hunt for Jack the Ripper. It does not portray Masonry in
an honest, accurate, or favorable light. A good movie, but it is
important to remember that no Mason would ever knowingly commit
a crime for a Brother. Incidentally, Edward VII was actually a Mason.
(The story is not one of Brother SirArthur Conan Doyle's).

The "Turmgesellschaft" in Goethe's "Wilhelm Meister" novels is
certainly of Masonic origin.

In Tolstoy's "War and Peace", the Masonicinitiation ritual of the
character Pierre Besouchoff is described in great detail.

There is also a modest body of Masonicpoetry: Kipling's "The Palace"
and "Mother Lodge," Burns's "Masonic Farewell," Goethe's "Mason Lodge,"
Leigh Hunt's "Abou Ben Adhem," Carruth's "Each in His Own Tongue,"
Burns's "On the Apron," Meredith's "Ebony Staff of Solomon,"
Bowman's "Voice of America," Malloch's "Father's Lodge" and Nesbit's
"I Sat in Lodge with You." (Carl H.Claudy)