Parsons Masonic Lodge #117

What is Freemasonry
Home | Lodge Officers | What is Freemasonry | Becoming a Member | The Badge of an Mason | charges of a freemason 1734 | reguis document oldest masonic document known | What is Masonic Apprenticeship? | What makes you a Mason? | Zeal for the Institution | A is for Apathy | What ever happened to Masonic Pride | Boring our members to death | Lack of Education | Masonic Symbols | Masonic Symbols quiz | A.A.O.N.M.S. Shirne | York Rite Masonry | Scottish Rite Masonry | Caps and Regalia of the Scottish Rite | Lodge of perfection 4-14th degree | Chapter of Rose Croix | Council of Kadosh | Consistory degrees | Court of Honour | Illustrations | illustrations book 1 | illustrations book 2 | lodge member essays | notable papers various authors | Contact Us | Lodge Rental | Links

f2f-b2.jpg

What is freemasonry?

Making good men better

The oldest and largest and most prestigious fraternity in the world. We're kind of like a civic club, a chairitable instituition and a fraternity-all rolled into one. We're like a civic club in that we do alot of community and statewide projects. We're like a major charity in that we give almost $2 million away everyday. But, most importantly, we are fraternity of men doing good things for each other, and trying to bring men of good morals and ethics together in our community.

Our Mission

To promote a way of life that binds like-minded men in an worldwide brotherhood that transcends all religious, ethnic, cultural, social and educational differences; by teaching the great principles of brotherly love, relief and truth; and by the outward expression of these through its fellowship, its compassion and its concern, to find ways in which to serve god, family, country, neighbors and self.
 
What do masons do?
The most important thing we do is take care of each other and our families. We are a fratenity. That means we help other masons, treat them in special ways, support them no matter where they live. And we build friendships all over the world. Not very many organizations do that today. And we help others. Thats way we give nearly $2 million a day to charity. And most of our money goes to help kids. We rank among the top ten best liked charitable groups in america. But we also teach leadership skills, and help men lead an ethics-based life. We promote good relationships and strong family values. We try to do something to strengthen the family unit every day.
 

Statement on Freemasonry and Religion

Prepared by the Masonic Information Center

Basic Principles. Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. It requires of its members a belief in God as part of the obligation of every responsible adult, but advocates no sectarian faith or practice. Masonic ceremonies include prayers, both traditional and extempore, to reaffirm each individual's dependence on God and to seek divine guidance. Freemasonry is open to men of any faith, but religion may not be discussed at Masonic meetings.

The Supreme Being. Masons believe that there is one God and that people employ many different ways to seek, and to express what they know of God. Masonry primarily uses the appellation, "Grand Architect of the Universe," and other non-sectarian titles, to address the Deity. In this way, persons of different faiths may join together in prayer, concentrating on God, rather than differences among themselves. Masonry believes in religious freedom and that the relationship between the individual and God is personal, private, and sacred.

Volume of the Sacred Law. An open volume of the Sacred Law, "the rule and guide of life," is an essential part of every Masonic meeting. The Volume of the Sacred Law in the Judeo/Christian tradition is the Bible; to Freemasons of other faiths, it is the book held holy by them.

The Oath of Freemasonry. The obligations taken by Freemasons are sworn on the Volume of the Sacred Law. They are undertakings to follow the principles of Freemasonry and to keep confidential a Freemason's means of recognition. The much discussed "penalties," judicial remnants from an earlier era, are symbolic, not literal. They refer only to the pain any honest man should feel at the thought of violating his word.

Freemasonry Compared with Religion. Freemasonry lacks the basic elements of religion: (a) It has no dogma or theology, no wish or means to enforce religious orthodoxy. (b) It offers no sacraments. (c) It does not claim to lead to salvation by works, by secret knowledge, or by any other means. The secrets of Freemasonry are concerned with modes of recognition, not with the means of salvation.

Freemasonry Supports Religion. Freemasonry is far from indifferent toward religion. Without interfering in religious practice, it expects each member to follow his own faith and to place his Duty to God above all other duties. Its moral teachings are acceptable to all religions.

Prepared by the Masonic Information Center(12/93)
Revised (9/98)

alter12.jpg