Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Freemasonry a Religion?
A: Freemasonry is not nor ever has been a religion. Freemasonry is a
fraternity and does
not offer worship, sacraments, salvation, or any of the other
attributes of a religion. The confusion seems to originate from the
requirement that you must believe in God to be a member. There are a
number of organization which are not a religion, including the Boy
Scouts of America, that require a belief in God for membership.
Q: Is Freemasonry a secret society?
A: A Secret Society is generally defined as one whose existence is
unknown to the public and is specifically denied. The existence of
Freemasonry and its work in the community have a high profile
publicly and individual membership of Freemasonry is no more secret
than belonging to a general club or other organization. Some of the
confusion as to the "secrets" of Freemasonry comes from
our secret customs, which are the passwords, signs and the handshake
used by Freemasons as modes of recognition. Though there are
elements of the ceremonial which are generally not discussed in
detail they are by no means secret. Freemasons are sometimes
reluctant to discuss these in order to retain an element of surprise
for joining members in much the same way as the key points of a
movie are not generally discussed in order to avoid spoiling the
ending.
Q: Why do Freemasons call each other
"Brothers"?
A: Masons describe their fraternity as a brotherhood that teaches
moral lessons through allegory and secret rituals. It spells out a
structured code that Masons are to live by – truth, honor and
charity. Masons pledge to take care of one another and their
families for life.