About Freemasonry
Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest and largest non-religious, non-political, fraternal and charitable organisations. It teaches self-knowledge through participation in a progression of ceremonies.
Freemasonry brings together men from differing and diverse backgrounds, where the daily pressures of a career, criticism and the excesses of modern life can be left outside the door and where friendship is the norm.
These attributes are summarised in the tenets, or fundamental principles of Freemasonry: Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth or to give them a more modern meaning: Friendship, Support and Integrity. If these values meet your requirements then Freemasonry would welcome you.
Every candidate for Freemasonry must affirm a belief in a single Supreme Being. This belief is a matter for the individual and Freemasonry recognises each person’s own beliefs. Religion, along with politics is NEVER discussed within the Lodge. Each member is free to pursue his religious convictions in a manner best suited to him.
Freemasonry is a fraternal association of men of good will and high values. Our constitution is in the public domain and there are a number of web sites that explain what Freemasonry is about. The secrecy behind the rituals or ceremonies is there to increase and focus the meaning and values of those rituals on to the candidate involved with them (to avoid spoilers). It also means we can identify people who say they are Freemasons but are not.
As a fraternity, Freemasonry provides a chance for men to enjoy a friendly atmosphere away from the hubbub of work. It encourages good will towards all mankind regardless of sex, creed, race etc. It promotes self-improvement and teaches the basic principles of Brotherly Love (Friendship), Relief (Support/Charity) and Truth (Integrity), which Freemasons also carry out in their daily lives.
Freemasonry welcomes men who seek harmony with their fellow man and who wish to take part in making the world a better place to live for everyone.
Freemasonry was founded as a male-only society, though there are now parallel Orders of Women Freemasons in the UK and abroad.
Freemasonry for Women
The information below is supplied by the United Grand Lodge of England:
Freemasonry is a society of people 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. The structure and working of the lodge and the sequence of ceremonial events are usually followed by social gatherings, and these meetings offer members a framework for companionship, teamwork, character development and enjoyment of shared experiences.
There are two women’s Freemasonry Grand Lodges that the United Grand Lodge of England consider to be "regular" in their practice of Freemasonry.
They are:
|
The Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons |
The Order of Women Freemasons |
| 402 Finchley Road | 27 Pembridge Gardens |
| Child’s Hill | London |
| London | W2 4EF |
| NW2 2HR | |
| Tel: 020 7443 5268 | Tel: 020 7229 2368/020 7227 2164 |
| www.hfaf.org | www.owf.org.uk |
The above organisations practise "regular" Freemasonry. There are some Grand Lodges and other apparently Masonic bodies that do not meet these standards, e.g. that do not require a belief in a Supreme Being, or that allow or encourage their members as such to participate in political matters, and these Grand Lodges and bodies are not recognised by the United Grand Lodge of England as being Masonically regular.
Both these women’s organisations and the male equivalent, The United Grand Lodge of England, prefer to practice their Freemasonry in a single sex environment – rather like say, hockey or football; men and ladies "play the same game", but not on the same pitch at the same time.
Please contact the above organisations for more detailed information on women’s Freemasonry regarding locations of meeting places, joining, etc, and please do not hesitate to contact the Communications Department at The United Grand Lodge of England if you have any further questions that we might be able to answer for you.
United Grand Lodge of England
Freemasons’ Hall
Great Queen Street
London
WC2B 5AZ
Telephone: 020 7831 9811
Facsimile: 020 7831 6021
Website: www.ugle.org
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