Freemason

I often wear some bit of Masonic regalia when I'm out and about, my antique Masonic ring, say, or one of my neat old Masonic belt buckles I've found on Ebay, because I enjoy the frequent inquiries I get from strangers about what Freemasonry is all about. I get so many inquiries, in fact, I figured a web page on the topic might be of interest. I guess you can consider it my, er, Masonic web ring.

So, what is a Freemason? What is a Mason? Are they different?

Let me start by saying that when discussing the ancient fraternity, the words "Freemason" and "Mason" are synonymous. The word "mason" is slightly less precise however, because it can refer to both a brick or stone laying contractor (an "operative" mason, as we say) or member of the fraternity (a "speculative" mason). Usually, when one says "Freemason" one is referring only to a member of our fraternity or "Craft".

Traditionally, a Freemason is a man of legal majority, and, as we say in the Craft, of good report, and well recommended. I realize that there is a kind of "old boy" network stigma associated with Freemasonry being a men-only society. This is a fair criticism. To address it, I usually point out several mitigating factors.

First, women are encouraged to join Eastern Star, a co-ed society that is a fully integrated and respected part of the Masonic family. My grandmother was a Worthy Matron (a local grand poobah, you could say) of her chapter of Easern Star and proudly wore her Eastern Star ring every day. I don't believe she ever felt slighted by the fact that Eastern Star was the vehicle by which women participate in Freemasonry.

Second, being a Freemason in the traditional men-only "Blue Lodge" (the nickname given to regular local Masonic lodges) has the same benefits that single gender schools and colleges provide. The Blue Lodge provides a place where a "guy can be a guy" and not have to worry about the distractions of a dating scene that could occur should the lodge be co-ed. In fact, this is precisely the rationale behind some of the prestigious women's colleges such as Wellesley and Smith, and no one questions the validity of those institutions.

Third, and this is a controversial point, there has been some suggestion that the rule against women becoming Freemasons appears to be softening. A Masonic-type society called Co-Masonry has taken root in many countries, and it is specfically for women. As of now, Co-Masonry is considered a "clandestine" Masonry, that is, a sociey that claims to be Masonic, but is not reognized by any regular Masonic grand lodge, and therefore, Freemasons are forbidden from joining it or even attending its meetings. However, there have been indictations that the Grand Lodge of England, the mothership of Freemasonry and Masonic recognition, may at some point confer a limited recognition of Co-Masonry. This would be a dramatic change of course in Freemasonry. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds.

Not surprisingly, the next part of the definition of who is a Freemason has to do with how one becomes a Freemason. Freemasons undergo a series of three inititation ceremonies called degrees in which the principles of Freemasonry are taught. These ceremonies are traditionally kept private, like the endings of mystery movies, to prevent "spoilers" from ruining some of the surprises. These degrees are really what Freemasonry is all about. They are quite elaborate productions that require much memorization and rehearsal on the part of the officers who present them.

It is these degrees that truly differentiates Freemasonry from other social or business clubs such as the Elks or Rotary. This difference can't be over emphasized.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, becoming a Freemason has to do with how a man chooses to live his life after taking degrees. That is, how does he put into practice the moral teachings he has received. Without this, then his membership really is like that of some other club. For me it's all about square dealing and universal brotherhood without regard to financial status, or political or religious affiliation. This passage from our teachings sums it up:

A Mason is obliged by his Tenure, to obey the moral law; and if he rightly understands the Art, he will never be a stupid Atheist nor an irreligious Libertine. But though in ancient times Masons were charged in every country to be of the religion of that country or nation, whatever it was, yet it is now thought more expedient only to oblige them to that religion in which all men agree, leaving their particular Opinions to themselves: that is, to be Good men and True, or Men of Honor and Honesty, by whatever Denomination or Persuasion they may be distinguished; whereby Masonry becomes the Centre of Union and the Means of conciliating true Friendship among persons that must have remained at a perpetual distance.