[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row gap=”35″][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_tta_accordion style=”modern” shape=”square” color=”white” spacing=”5″ active_section=”1″][vc_tta_section title=”What is Freemasonry?” tab_id=”1578604486963-c003f498-5b7b”][vc_column_text]Freemasonry is the largest secular, fraternal and charitable organisation in the United Kingdom. It teaches self-knowledge through participation in a progression of ceremonies. Members are expected to be of high moral standing and are encouraged to speak openly about Freemasonry.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”What happens at a Lodge Meeting?” tab_id=”1578604486990-c17aac90-f6db”][vc_column_text]The meeting, which like those of other groups, are open only to members, is normally in two parts.
\nFirstly, there are normal administrative procedures such as:<\/p>\n
Minutes of the previous meeting
\nProposing and balloting for new members
\nDiscussing and voting on the annual accounts
\nMasonic news and correspondence
\nNews about charitable work<\/p>\n
Secondly, there are the ceremonies for:<\/p>\n
Admitting new members
\nThe annual installation of the Master of the Lodge and his officers[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Why do Freemasons take oaths?” tab_id=”1578604627639-c9db5a64-dbad”][vc_column_text]New members make solemn promises concerning their behaviour both in the Lodge and in society. Members also promise to keep confidential the way they recognise each other when visiting another Lodge. Freemasons also promise to support others in time of need but only so far as it does not conflict with their family and public obligations.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Are Freemasons expected to give preference to fellow members?” tab_id=”1578604657606-71c2779d-b775″][vc_column_text]Certainly not. This would be unacceptable and may lead to action being taken against those involved. On joining, each new member states that he expects no material gain from membership.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Who do the Masonic charities donate to?” tab_id=”1578604719353-d94906dd-398e”][vc_column_text]Whilst there are Masonic charities that cater specifically, but not exclusively, for Masons or their dependants, others make significant grants to non-Masonic organisations.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”What is Freemasonry\u2019s relationship with religion?” tab_id=”1578604691531-2996d6fb-393a”][vc_column_text]All Freemasons are expected to have a religious belief, but Freemasonry does not seek to replace a Mason\u2019s religion or provide a substitute for it. It deals in a man\u2019s relationship with his fellow man not in a man\u2019s relationship with his God.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Why do some churches not like Freemasonry?” tab_id=”1578604774744-770f0f30-f32b”][vc_column_text]There are elements within churches who misunderstand Freemasonry and its objectives. They confuse secular rituals with religious liturgy. There are many Masons in churches where their leaders have been openly critical of the organisation. Masonry has always actively encouraged its members to be active in their own religion.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Does Freemasonry accept Roman Catholics?” tab_id=”1578604831162-c226423f-15fb”][vc_column_text]Yes, four Grand Masters of English Freemasonry have been Roman Catholics. Today there are many Roman Catholic Freemasons.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”What is Freemasonry\u2019s relationship with politics?” tab_id=”1578604858813-1f3e6722-b7b4″][vc_column_text]Freemasonry, as a body, will never express a view on politics or state policy. The discussion of politics at Masonic meetings has always been prohibited.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Is Freemasonry an international order?” tab_id=”1578604884291-1031c3d2-fe64″][vc_column_text]Freemasonry exists throughout the world. Each Grand Lodge, however, is sovereign and independent. There is no international governing body for Freemasonry.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Are there women Freemasons?” tab_id=”1578604913778-2da47cc1-43c4″][vc_column_text]Yes. Whilst UGLE, following the example of medieval stonemasons, is, and has always been, restricted to men, there two separate Grand Lodges which are restricted to women.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Why do you wear regalia?” tab_id=”1578604945337-5a69a184-5180″][vc_column_text]Wearing regalia is historic and symbolic. Like a uniform, the regalia indicates the rank of the wearer in the organisation.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”How many Freemasons are there?” tab_id=”1578604973422-70cf8832-c664″][vc_column_text]Approximately 2,000 Freemasons belong to Lodges in the Province of Bedfordshire and there are over 250,000 members under the United Grand Lodge of England.<\/p>\n
The Grand Lodge of Ireland (which covers both Northern Ireland and Eire) and the Grand Lodge of Scotland which have a combined total of approximately 150,000 members and, worldwide, there are approximately 6,000,000 Freemasons.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”How much does it cost to be a Freemason?” tab_id=”1578605001636-46775145-1993″][vc_column_text]It varies from Lodge to Lodge. Anyone wishing to join will find a Lodge to suit his pocket. There is an initiation fee on entry and in due course regalia will have to be bought. The meeting is normally followed by a dinner, the cost depending on the venue. There is, in addition, an annual subscription.<\/p>\n
Members are invited to give to charity but this should always be within their means and it is entirely up to the individual how much he wishes to contribute.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”482″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/WAcj4WVLxt0″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Craft FAQs [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row gap=”35″][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_tta_accordion style=”modern” shape=”square” color=”white” spacing=”5″ active_section=”1″][vc_tta_section title=”What is Freemasonry?” tab_id=”1578604486963-c003f498-5b7b”][vc_column_text]Freemasonry is the largest secular, fraternal and charitable organisation in the United Kingdom. It teaches self-knowledge through participation in a progression of ceremonies. Members are expected to be of high moral standing and are encouraged to speak openly about Freemasonry.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”What […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":38,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.masonicwebsites.co.uk\/multi-page\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/121"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.masonicwebsites.co.uk\/multi-page\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.masonicwebsites.co.uk\/multi-page\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.masonicwebsites.co.uk\/multi-page\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.masonicwebsites.co.uk\/multi-page\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=121"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.masonicwebsites.co.uk\/multi-page\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/121\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":595,"href":"https:\/\/www.masonicwebsites.co.uk\/multi-page\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/121\/revisions\/595"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.masonicwebsites.co.uk\/multi-page\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/38"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.masonicwebsites.co.uk\/multi-page\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=121"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}