What is Freemasonry?
There is a section dedicated for this topic and can be found here.
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How do I become a Freemason?
There is a section dedicated for this topic and can be found here.
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Is Freemasonry a religion?
No.
Freemasonry is not a religion nor should it ever be considered a substitute for religion. Freemasonry does not seek converts nor does it offer sacraments or rituals of worship.
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Is Freemasonry a cult?
No.
Cults are systems of religious worship. There is no religious worship in Freemasonry.
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Is Freemasonry a secret society?
No.
Secret societies attempt to conceal their existence from the public. Freemasons openly show their affiliation with the fraternity, Masonic buildings are marked as such, and many Lodges advertise meeting times and gatherings in the local newspaper.
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Can Catholics become Freemasons?
Yes.
Freemasonry openly welcomes Catholics.
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Can a person of any race become a Freemason?
Yes.
Freemasonry does not discriminate against any race or ethnicity.
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What does A.F & A.M. mean?
It stands for Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
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What is a 33rd degree Mason? Is he more important than a 3rd degree Mason?
A 33rd degree Mason is Mason who has gone through the Scottish Rite degrees and was elected by the Scottish Rite Supreme Council to receive an honorary 33rd degree for his major contributions to society or to Masonry.
There is no higher degree in Masonry than that of a 3rd degree Master Mason. Appendent degrees, such as those in the Scottish Rite represent a lateral, rather than upward, movement in Masonic instruction.
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As a non-Mason, are there any Masonic functions I can attend?
Yes.
Many lodges have events that are open to the public, most comonly the officer installation ceremony. Other events such as Fish Fries, family dinners, and awards of service are open to the public.
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What is a "Masonic Funeral"?
Any Mason in good standing at the time of his death is entitled to a Masonic Funeral. It is a ceremony typically conducted at graveside by brother Masons in token of appreciation and respect to a fallen brother.
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I am physically disabled. Can I still become a Mason?
Yes.
You must still be physically able to attend Lodge and meet the non-physical criteria.
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Is it true many U.S. Presidents are or have been Freemasons?
14 U.S. Presidents have been Masons.
George Washington , Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4; Alexandria Lodge No. 22, VA
James Monroe , Williamsburgh Lodge No. 6, VA
Andrew Jackson , Harmony Lodge No. 1; Past Grand Master of Tennessee.
James K. Polk , Columbia Lodge No. 31, TN
James Buchanan , Past Master of Lancaster Lodge No. 43, Lancaster, PA; Past District Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania
Andrew Johnson , Greenville Lodge No. 119, TN
James A. Garfield , Magnolia Lodge No. 20, OH
William McKinley , Hiram Lodge No. 21, VA
Theodore Roosevelt , Matinecock Lodge No. 806, Oyster Bay, NY
William Howard Taft , "Mason at sight"; affiliated Kilwinning Lodge No. 356, OH
Warren G. Harding , Marion Lodge No. 70, OH
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , Holland Lodge No. 8, NY
Harry S Truman , 33° Belton Lodge No. 450, Belton, MO; Past Grand Master of Missouri
Gerald Ford Columbia Lodge No. 3, Washington, DC, courtesy to Malta Lodge No. 465, Grand Rapids, MI
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Who are some famous people who are or have been Freemasons?
A more comprehensive list can be found here or in Denslow and Truman's books 10,000 Famous Freemasons.
Here are some of the more well-known Freemasons:
John Hancock
Paul Revere
John Paul Jones
Winston Churchill
Simon Bolivar
Benito Juarez
Aaron Burr
Thomas E. Dewey
Omar Bradley
John J. Pershing
Douglas McArthur
Sam Houston
Stephen F. Austin
Davy Crockett
Jim Bowie
William B. Travis
General Santa Ana
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Ludwig von Beethoven
George Gershwin
John Wayne
Red Skelton
Clark Gable
W.C. Fields
Will Rogers
Burl Ives
Roy Rogers
Henry Ford
Walter P. Chrysler
J.C. Penny
Edwin E. "Buzz" Aldrin, Jr.
John Jacob Astor
Lewis & Clark
Charles A. Lindbergh
Francois Voltaire
Ty Cobb
Arnold Palmer
Mark Twain
Sir Walter Scott
Rudyard Kipling
Charles and William Mayo
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