What is Freemasonry?

Freemasonry

Freemasonry is not a secret society, and is one of the world's oldest secular fraternal societies. This is intended to explain Freemasonry as it is practised under the UNITED GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND, which administers Lodges of England and Wales and many places overseas. Its aims, principles, constitutions and rules are available to the public and its members are at perfect liberty to acknowledge their membership. The only secrets in Freemasonry are the traditional modes of recognition.

A Freemason is taught that his prime duties are to his God (Freemasonry is open to men of any race or religion, so a Supreme Being is  the God of that Freemason), to the laws of the country in which he lives and works, and to his family. Any attempt to use his membership to promote his own or anyone else's business, professional or personal interests, and any attempt to shield a Freemason who has acted dishonourably or unlawfully, is contrary to the conditions on which he seeks admission.

By following the three Great principles of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth a Freemason hopes to show tolerance and respect for the opinions of others; to practise charity within the community as a whole both by charitable giving and voluntary efforts; and to strive to attain truth and high moral standards in his own life.

Free and Accepted Freemasonry

Free

Skilled mediaeval builders worked with an even-grained limestone or sandstone called freestone, first mentioned in 1212 in Normandy. The term free-stone mason is recorded in 1375 and the term was easily condensed to free mason. Centuries later this meaning became secondary, if not forgotten, when town mason guilds became more powerful.

It is hypothesized that a Free Mason was free of his Guild; he had the freedom of its privileges and was entrusted with certain rights. The London Company of Freemasons changed its name to that of Masons in 1655-56, perhaps recognizing that the term had undergone yet another change in meaning.

Members who were not stonemasons could be accepted in the Company and were termed speculative, free or accepted. In time the terms became synonymous and "free" then referred to an inner fraternity of speculative masons.

Accepted

"Acception" was an Inner Fraternity of speculative freemasons found within the Worshipful Company of Masons of the City of London. Operative members were "admitted" by apprenticeship, patrimony, or redemption; speculative members were "accepted". First recorded use of the term dates from 1620.

Freemasonry, Religion and Politics

Freemasonry is not a religion, nor a substitute for a religion. Freemasonry does not have a separate Masonic God. It is open to men of many religions and expects them to continue to follow their own faith. It does not allow religion or politics to be discussed at its meetings.