A. In short, Freemasonry is the worlds oldest and largest fraternity. Its purpose is to make good men better. Its bonds of friendship, compassion, and brotherly love provide its strength allowing the organization to survive even the most challenging political, military, and religious conflicts through the centuries.

Freemasonry is a fraternity not a religion, and as a fraternal association dedicated to making good men better, Freemasonry respects the religious beliefs of all members. Freemasonry has no theological preferences and does not teach any method of salvation. In particular, Freemasonry does not claim any direction towards salvation.

A. Freemasons consist of respectable citizens who are instructed to conform to the moral laws of society and to abide by the laws of the government under which they live.

A. They are men of charity and good works. They remain unchallenged as the worlds great philanthropists. Only individuals believed to be of the greatest character and moral standing are permitted to be members. Every member must believe in a Supreme Being (athiests are not allowed within the fraternity).

A. Freemasons dont actively seek new members. Those interested in membership within the honored fraternity must ask a Masonic friend to recommend him for membership. The interested party must sign a petition giving his age, occupation, and place of residency. Members of the Lodge vote in secret ballot on the acceptance of new members.

A. No one. Each Grand Lodge has its own jurisdiction and is the supreme authority within that jurisdiction.

Obviously, many Grand Lodges have regular communication with each other, but official policy in one has no effect in another other than to respect the ancient landmarks across all lodges.

A. As with all organizations there are bills that need to paid. There is a one-time fee for each degree of Masonry, and there are regular annual dues. These dues and fees vary with the needs of the lodge, but they are designed not to be prohibitively expensive.

A. Any member who was in good standing at the time of his death is entitled to a Masonic funeral if he or his family requests it. Such a request should be made to the Master of his Lodge who will make the necessary arrangements with the family, the mortuary, and the minister. A service is authorized by the jurisdiction in which you are located, and consists of participation at the mortuary, the beginning at the mortuary and the closing at the graveside, or graveside only. Pallbearers will be furnished at the request of the family. In general, the Lodge will do as much or as little as the nearest relative wishes it to do.

A. Not at all. Most Masons believe that dealing with another Mason for the sheer fact that they are a Mason is unmasonic. Anyone who joins the lodge purely for the satisfaction of business dealings does not have their petition favorably voted upon.

Masons are friends, and as friends there are dealings that take place. After all, in dealing with a fellow Mason they know they are dealing with a person of moral standing and values, which in todays marketplace is a valuable commodity.

A. No. Secret societies are generally unknown to the public, or their existence fervently denied. Masonry is well-known and proudly displays its existence. Masonic temples are publicly listed in phone books, and display their existence right on the buildings themselves. Members often wear jewelry displaying their membership, place symbols on their vehicles, wear pins, and openly admit to membership. In fact, some Masonic functions are even open to the public.

Masonry is not a secret society, but rather a society with secrets. They are primarily methods of recognition, and degree work is kept secret to enhance the experience of the brother as he completes each degree.

It should be pointed out that many other organizations have similar marks, and secrets.

A. Quite simply; no.

Masonry is not a religion by the definitions most people use. Religion, as the term is commonly used, implies several things: a plan for salvation or path by which one reaches the after-life; a theology which attempts to describe the nature of God; and the description of ways or practices by which a man or woman may seek to communicate with God. Masonry does none of those things. We offer no plan of salvation. With the exception of saying that He is a loving Father who desires only good for His children, we make no effort to describe the nature of God. And while we open and close our meetings with prayer, and we teach that no man should ever begin any important undertaking without first seeking the guidance of God, we never tell a man how he should pray or for what he should pray. Instead, we tell him that he must find the answers to these great questions in his own faith, in his church or synagogue or other house of worship. We urge men not to neglect their spiritual development and to be faithful in the practice of their religion.

Freemasonry has no dogma or theology. It teaches that it is important for every man to have a religion of his choice and to be faithful to it. A good Mason is made even more faithful to the tenets of his faith by membership.

- Rev. Norman Vincent Peale, who was also a Mason

A. Not at all. The rituals (degrees) are designed to enhance that which the the fraternity values: Justice, Brotherly Love, Truth, and all good traits within Man. The rituals are filled with beauty and ancient decorum as well as much symbolism. At no point is the candidate asked to perform, or participate, in anything demeaning, uncomfortable, or that would violate his obligation to his faith, country, or law.

A. The only requirement is that the candidate believes in a Supreme Being. No athiest can become a Mason. Remember, Freemasonry is a fraternity, not a religion.

A. No. As a matter-of-fact, Masons are prohibited from recruiting. You have to ask a Mason to become a Mason. You must join of your own free will.

A. If you know a Mason, ask how to become a part of the Craft and about the lodge. He'll be happy to help you with the petition and begin the process. If you don't know a Mason, use the forms provided on this site to send us an e-mail and we'll be happy to help you with the process.

The process usually follows this path:

1. The applicant fills out the petition. The petition asks for two referrals, one of which is a Mason with whom you've been acquainted for at least six months. Should you have difficulty fulfilling this requirement, speak with one of the officers and we'll be happy to find an appropriate sponsor.
2. The petition is read at the next lodge meeting (for the Damascus lodge that would be the second Wednesday of each month) where it will be voted upon by anonymous ballot. Should the candidate be voted in the affirmative, a committee is formed and the investigation into the character of the candidate is formed.
3. The committee meets with the candidate and asks a series of questions--this is not an interrogation, but rather an opportunity for the committee to ascertain the worthiness of a candidate and get to know him better. This meeting is usually very casual. The committee will also contact the character references.
4. The committe reports their findings back to the lodge at the next meeting and the candidate is again voted on. Should the candidate be accepted, they will be contacted by an officer and a date will be scheduled for the Entered Apprentice degree work.

A. Freemasonry is open to all men of good character. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, or social class.

A. Freemasonry is a fraternity and open only to men, however many Masonic-related organizations, such as the Eastern Star, Amaranth, Job's Daughters, Rainbow for Girls, and DeMolay for Boys, offer plenty of involvement for women and youth.

A. The solemn promises taken in Freemasonry are no different than the oaths taken in court, or on entering the armed services. The much-discussed "penalties," judicial remnants from an earlier age, are symbolic, not literal. They refer only to the pain any honest man should feel at the thought of violating his word.

A. The word "Lodge" is used in reference to both the group of Masons meeting together and the actual building in which they meet. Lodge is interchangeable with the word "Temple" because the original meaning of the term was "place of knowledge" and Masonry encourages the advancement of knowledge. It is not in reference to the religious context of the word "Temple." The bonds of friendship and fellowship are formed in the lodge, and strengthened there as well.