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Masonic Lodge |
(1) What are the requirements for becoming a Mason?
(4) I have a physical disability. Can I be a Mason?
(5) Do Masons accept Catholics?
(7) What if my religion does not allow the swearing of oaths?
(9) OK, I'm interested-- how do I proceed?
(1) What
are the requirements for becoming a Mason?
Candidates must be male, at least 18 years of age, able to profess a belief in
God or a supreme being, and of good character.
For information on mixed-sex Masonry, see the discussion on Co-Masonry
on Page 1, (9).
Some Grand Lodges also have a residency requirement; for example, the Grand
Lodge of Texas requires candidates to have lived in its jurisdiction (Texas) for
a minimum of one year.
There are some exceptions to the age requirement. For example, in England and
Virginia, the direct relatives of Master Masons in good standing are eligible to
join at the age of 18. In some jurisdictions, DeMolays may join upon reaching
their 18th birthday.
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(2) Can
Any human who meets the
requirements listed in question (1) of this section is eligible, regardless of
race or color.
Some have speculated that while there is 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 humans may succumb to. Since the vote to admit a candidate
is anonymous and must be unanimous, one man's unspoken prejudice is sufficient
to deny 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).
Racial 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, acting un-Masonically, could act to keep a candidate 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.
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(3) Can gay men become Masons?
Yes, and there are gay Masons.
Oscar Wilde was a famous Mason well known to be gay. Everything said in question
(2) of this section holds true in this case as well. There is the consideration
that some men who are Masons may view homosexuality 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 most Masons generally would not regard
homosexuality as a barrier to membership.
(4) I have 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 the work of stonemasonry was physically difficult. Some
Grand Lodges did carry this 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.
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(5) Do Masons accept Catholics?
Catholicism is only mentioned
specifically because it has generated a lot of controversy and debate. There is
no prohibition in any Grand Lodge jurisdiction against Catholics being made
Masons, and there are in fact many Catholic Masons.
(6) Can Wiccans or other Neo-Pagans be Masons?
This religion is specifically
mentioned only 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 the only possible arbitrator is your
Grand Lodge. To that end, it is suggested that if you have more specific
questions, contact your local Lodge.
Again, the same could be said about a 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.
[On the religion issue, this editor
is personally acquainted with, and has sat in Lodge with, Masons who were
Catholic, Wiccan, Druid, Thelemite, Jewish, Muslim and Gnostic.]
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(7) What if 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, it is best to check with the Grand Lodge in your jurisdiction (or your local Lodge) for more specific information.
Many believe that the form and
content of the Masonic obligations does not actually violate the true spirit of
the prohibition of oaths in their religions, but rather reinforces the ethics
and values therein.
(8) Do I have
to be invited?
Don't wait to be invited-- you will die waiting. In most jurisdictions 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, there are 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, ask.
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(9) OK, I'm interested-- how do I proceed?
Click here to go to our "How to join" page.
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