What is Freemasonry?

Introduction
Freemasonry is one of the world's oldest secular fraternal societies. This explanation may correct some misconceptions.
Freemasonry is a society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values. Its members are taught its precepts by a series of ritual dramas, which follow ancient forms, and use stonemasons' customs and tools as allegorical guides.

Freemasonry and Religion
Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. Its essential qualification opens it to men of many religions and it expects them to continue to follow their own faith. It does not allow religion to be discussed at its meeting.

The Three Great Principles
For many years Freemasons have followed three great principles:

Brotherly Love - Every true Freemason will show tolerance and respect for the opinions of others and behave with kindness and understanding to his fellow creatures.
Relief - Freemasons are taught to practice charity and to care, not only for their own, but also for the community as a whole, both by charitable giving, and by voluntary efforts and works as individuals.
Truth - Freemasons strive for truth, requiring high moral standards and aiming to achieve them in their own lives.

Freemasons believe that these principles represent a way of achieving higher standards in life.

Charity
From its earliest days, Freemasonry has been concerned with the care of orphans, the sick and the aged.
This work continues today. In addition, large sums are given to national and local charities.

Freemasonry and Society
Freemasonry demands from its members a respect for the law of the country in which a man works and lives.
Its principles do not in any way conflict with its members' duties as citizens, but should strengthen them in fulfilling their public and private responsibilities.
The use by a Freemason of his membership to promote his own or anyone else's business, professional or personal interests is condemned, and is contrary to the conditions on which he sought admission to Freemasonry.
His duty as a citizen must always prevail over any obligation to other Freemasons, and any attempt to shield a Freemason who as acted dishonourably or unlawfully is contrary to this prime duty.

Secrecy
The secrets of Freemasonry are concerned with its traditional modes of recognition. It is not a secret society, since all members are free to acknowledge their membership and will do so in response to enquiries for respectable reasons. Its constitutions and rules are available to the public. There is no secret about any of its aims and principles. Like many other societies, it regards some of its internal affairs as private matters for its members. Its ceremonies are private. Freemasonry is not a secret society. In ordinary conversation there is very little about Freemasonry that may not be discussed.

Freemasonry and Politics
Freemasonry is non-political, and the discussion of politics at Masonic meetings is forbidden.

Who can become a Freemason?
Our fraternity has a wonderful history, which dates back more than three centuries. It is one of the world's oldest secular fraternities, a society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values. Founded on the three great principles of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth, it aims to bring together men of goodwill, regardless of background and differences. People might think that to become a Freemason is quite difficult. It's actually straightforward. Any man of more than 21 years of age who cares for the world in which we live, who is prepared to practice high moral standards and seeks excellence in all he undertakes. Someone who believes in family values, who is willing to contribute to the betterment of society. A law-abiding citizen, who seeks the fellowship of like-minded men. A person, who believes in the equality of all men and in the existence of a supreme being. Today Freemasons are speaking out to spread their beliefs in a world which many feel has moved away from standards which foster a caring community and ideals which nurture a better world. Membership of Freemasonry is open to men of all faiths who are law-abiding, of good character and who acknowledge a belief in a Supreme Being. Freemasonry is a multi-racial and multi-cultural organization. It has attracted men of goodwill from all sectors of the community into its membership.

Why do people join and remain members?
People become Freemasons for a variety of reasons, some as the result of family tradition, others upon the introduction of a friend or out of a curiosity to know what it is all about.
Those who become active members and who grow in Freemasonry do so principally because they enjoy it. They enjoy the challenges and fellowship that Freemasonry offers. There is more to it, however, than just enjoyment.
Participation in the dramatic presentation of moral lessons and in the working of a lodge provides a member with a unique opportunity to learn more about himself and encourages him to live in such a way that he will always be in search of becoming a better man, not better than someone else but better than he himself would otherwise be and therefore an exemplary member of society. Each Freemason is required to learn and show humility through initiation. Then, by progression through a series of degrees he gains insight into increasingly complex moral and philosophical concepts, and accepts a variety of challenges and responsibilities, which are both stimulating and rewarding. The structure and working of the lodge and the sequence of ceremonial events, which are usually followed by social gatherings, offer members a framework for companionship, teamwork, character development and enjoyment of shared experiences.

What promises do Freemasons take?
New members make solemn promises concerning their conduct in the lodge and society. These promises are similar to those taken in court or upon entering the armed services or many other organizations. Each member also promises to keep confidential the traditional methods of proving he is a Freemason, which he would use when visiting a lodge where he is not known.
The much-publicized 'traditional penalties' for failure to observe these undertakings were removed from the promises. They were always symbolic not literal and refer only to the pain any decent man should feel at the thought of violating his word.
Members also undertake not to make use of their membership for personal gain or advancement; failure to observe this principal or otherwise to fall below the standards expected of a Freemason can lead to expulsion.

Respect for the Law
Freemasonry demands from its members a respect for the law of any country in which a man may work and live.

Principles
The principles of Freemasonry do not in any way conflict with its members' duties as citizens, whether at work or at home or in public life, but on the contrary should strengthen them in fulfilling their public and private responsibilities. Thus there is no conflict of interest between a Freemason's obligation and his public duty.
If an actual or potential conflict of duties or interests is known to exist or is foreseen, a declaration to that effect should be made.
It may on occasions be prudent to disclose membership to avoid what others mistakenly imagine to be a potential conflict or bias, but this must be a matter for individual judgment.

Use of Membership
A Freemason must not use his membership to promote his own or anyone else's business, professional or personal interests. This is made clear directly or by inference several times during a Freemason's early career so that no Freemason can pretend to be ignorant of it. A Freemason who transgresses this rule may be suspended from Masonic activities or even expelled.

Family
Freemasonry should not be allowed to harm a man's family or other connections by taking too much of his time or his money, or causing him to act in any way against their interests.

Duty as a Citizen
A Freemason's duty as a citizen must always prevail over any obligation to other Freemasons, and any attempt to shield a Freemason who as acted dishonourably or unlawfully, or to confer an unfair advantage on another Freemason is contrary to this prime duty.

What every Candidate should Know

Freemasonry is a society of men, which derives its origins from medieval operative masons. In those days most would be unable to read and; hence they developed modes of recognition, which were given only when skills had been learnt. This enabled them to travel from site to site and prove that they had certain proficiency. To let the untrained have access to those signs of recognition would be the equivalent of giving them a certificate to which they were not entitled. Today those ceremonial methods of recognition are retained with a similar refusal to give them to non-members. In olden days the masons would demonstrate brotherly love, relief and truth, and today we follow that example in today's language - friendship, charity and integrity.

The ceremonies during which the different modes of recognition are given teach how we should behave to each other and the world at large. Masonry teaches its members that their first duty is to their families and its connections, that they should be honest friendly and proper in their conduct to everyone. They are urged to be good citizens, obey the law and maintain the good order of society. Members who fail to live up to those high standards may in appropriate cases be asked to resign or be expelled.

Freemasonry is a multicultural organization. Members of all races and faiths are welcome to join. It requires that its members should believe in a deity and no man can become a mason unless he does so. He will be required to take certain obligations with his hand upon his religion's sacred book. Freemasonry does not concern itself with which religion a member follows but urges a member to follow the teachings of his own faith. It is a requirement that topics of religion or politics should never be discussed in Lodge.

Freemasonry is not a benefit society. It offers no pecuniary advantage or reward nor does it require its members to support one another in business or employment. The organization does have charities for those Freemasons and their families who were once self-supporting, but through misfortune are now unable to do so. It also has a Charity, which supports causes unconnected with its membership. All money paid to these charities is from private donations from its members. Freemasonry does not solicit donations from members of the public.

No one should join Freemasonry unless he can afford to pay the expenses involved, without affecting his ability to support his family. These expenses include the joining fee, the annual subscription and a regular donation to charity. In addition, most meetings are followed by a dinner or supper. The actual costs vary from Lodge to Lodge. He should have discussed the prospect of his becoming a Freemason with his wife/partner and be satisfied that she is supportive of his application. He should not put his employment at risk by becoming a Freemason.

Anyone thinking of becoming a Freemason should be satisfied in his own mind that he desires the intellectual and moral improvement of himself and his fellow citizens; that he is willing to devote part of his time and money to promoting fellowship, charity and integrity and be able to afford it without affecting himself or his family's commitments; and that he seeks no commercial, social or pecuniary advantage by wishing to join.

Freemasonry is a voluntary organization and it is up to a would-be member to ask to be considered for membership. However, it is not improper for a Mason, once only, to suggest to a man who he considers could be a good member, that he might give some thought to the idea.

Freemasonry in Germany.

The Grand Lodge of British Freemasons in Germany is one of five Partner Grand Lodges within The United Grand Lodges of Germany. The Grand Lodge has excellent relationships with the other four Grand lodges. We are an internationally recognized Masonic Body and have fraternal relations with all recognized Grand Lodges. We have a special relationship with the Grand Lodges of Scotland, England and Ireland. We work mostly in the English Masonic Ritual, but have a Lodge, which works a Scottish Ritual. There are 16 Lodges within the Grand Lodge of British Freemasons in Germany. These Lodges meet in various places throughout Germany as listed below.

§        Mönchengladbach – 2 Lodges in the Area

§        Celle

§        Bielefeld

§        Berlin

§        Hamburg

§        Münster

§        Werl

§        Osnabrück

§        Bonn

§        Düsseldorf

§        Herford

§        Hannover

§        Paderborn

§        Munich

§        Osnabrück/Berlin – Scottish Ritual Lodge

We hope this has been an interesting insight into Freemasonry in general and within The Grand Lodge of British Freemasons in Germany in particular. If you would like any more details about Freemasonry and how you might be able to join then please do not hesitate visit our website. Or visit the Grand Lodge at its

Website – www.freimaurer.org/gl_bfg

Any questions regarding joining Freemasonry should be directed to Doric Lodge, details are in the contact section of the website or contact the Doric answer phone and fax on 05401 480618.

Conclusion

A Freemason is encouraged to do his duty first to his God (by whatever name he is known), through his faith and religious practice; and then, without detriment to his family and those dependent on him, to his neighbour through charity and service.
None of these ideas is exclusively Masonic, but all should be universally acceptable. Freemasons are expected to follow them.