1. Is Masonry a religion?
No, Masonry is not a religion - it is composed of men of faith, whatever that faith may be that recognizes a Supreme Being: being honest and trustworthy, good people. (We do not accept Satanists) In Lodge there is no criticism, no politics, no dissention, no conflict. We're all equal - the Fellowship is real. There are Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, Sikhs and many more observances. We do not discriminate, and only require positive observance of a Supreme Being. Hence, we do not accept atheists to join our ranks.
2. Does Masonry favor one political group over another?
Absolutely not, nor do we judge classes, or discriminate. In Lodge there is no criticism, no politics, no dissention, no conflict. We're all equal. It is a fact, men were accepted, voted, and treated equitably in lodges long before many gained those benefits publicly in centuries past; things we take for granted in present day.
3. What are some of the "Pros" and "Cons" of joining a Masonic Lodge?
a.The pros include being among a group of men who are all there for one thing: to improve themselves. The fraternity is very supportive, the members all work towards common goals, gain new skills, and everyone meets 'on the level.' By 'on the level' we mean that all of the men meet as equals; some might be wealthy, other of modest means, tradesmen, dignitaries, others might be first responders, business owners, still others might be teachers, political leaders, faith leaders, all Brothers (aka Brethren) from virtually every walk of life. Being a member provides multiple opportunities to meet/socialize with like-minded men who one otherwise we might never have run into.
b.The cons can be if you forget the priority for family, faith, and occupation - you might become too involved, swept up in the amount of time for numerous possible Masonic opportunities. There have been members who join enthusiastically, then jump into the line as an officer, join appendant bodies like the Shrine, the York Rite, the Scottish Rite (and all of those appendant bodies have separate subgroups that can be joined), and find themselves getting 'burned out' rather quickly. But, if you pace yourself, you'll find that Masonry can be a great lifelong experience where you meet great friends and enjoy a fraternal bond that no longer exists in our society as a whole. It's not a race: Masonry is a journey, not a destination.
4. What are some common misconceptions?
a.Freemasonry is a social fraternity. It doesn't operate as a "tool" or means of influence for some imaginary "Global agenda." Why? Because there's no such thing, it's a conspiracy theory dreamed up by internet trolls.
b.Anyone who isn't a member of the fraternity but claims to know "secrets" of the fraternity that even Masons don't know can be safely ignored; they don't know what they're talking about. The ONLY people who do know what Masonry is about are Masons. Duh.
c.The Illuminati were a Bavarian political group - completely unrelated to Freemasonry - that advocated the overthrow of hereditary European monarchies. They were founded in 1776 and disbanded in 1785. It is rumoured they only ever had 6 members.
d.Masonry isn't secret society: neither are the Oddfellows, Rotary Club, Lions, and the Arts & Letters Club. And by the way, they're completely unrelated as well.
5. Why is it that so many famous people were Masons?
That is a great question. I'm going to broaden it a little and answer the question, "Why are so many famous or successful people Masons?" We can share why that happens without breaking any rules:
a.The first thing to remember is that Masonry is very old. There are lodges that trace back to at least the 12th Century. (Keep in mind this pre-dates public literacy, so not a lot of records) It is a fraternity that teaches and promotes morality, ethics, and social skills. It no longer teaches math or building techniques, except as allegory. Since teaching methods used predate widespread literacy, they are essentially experiential learning, with progressive commitment, symbols (to help memory work), coaching, mentoring and support.
b.The organization and these methods predate Dale Carnegie, Toastmasters, and other leadership training seminars by hundreds of years. Some of what is taught in Lodge is now incorporated into private schools, the military or business school, or the classic Carnegie/Toastmasters schools: Lodges predate them all. That means Freemasonry has a long and successful track record. The learning, the attitudes and Lodges were well established by then. The number of famous and successful Masons has added up over time. John Simcoe, Joseph Brant, James Naismith, Tim Horton, Gordon Sinclair, Sir Sandford Fleming, Roy Thompson, Robert Service (to name a few) were all Canadian Masons.
c.Lodge involvement has always been a learning and betterment experience. Masons accumulate incredible personal skills and positive attitude training, over time. They can bring those practical, social, and emotional skills into their everyday lives. It's not manipulative, or secret, or Machiavellian, it's just positive attitude and highly trained leadership and social skills, practical and principled. By doing your homework, serving in different capacities, and hanging out with the Brothers you can learn or improve:
i.Protocol how to introduce people formally by title.
ii.To do your mental preparation and homework, and the value of doing that.
iii.To commit things to memory.
iv.How to give a speech-off-the-cuff, how to formally address a room.
v.How to deliver a formal speech on cue from a prepared script.
vi.The honour and humility of service in every station.
vii.To act with honesty, integrity, and discretion.
viii.To give respect, honour, and gratitude, and to receive the same.
ix.How to follow a dress code, shine shoes, press shirts, and wear business and formal dress. Perhaps even how to tie a bow tie, depending on the Lodge.
x.How to set a formal table and setup a banquet room. How to plan an event and work with waiters, caterers, servers. To cost, plan, prepare and execute meals for large groups or other similar projects
xi.To learn leadership and management skills, and to motivate and encourage others to perform their roles.
xii.To commit names and other people's personal preferences, quirks and circumstances to memory.
xiii.To gauge the depth of potential ignorance, error even deception and deal with it tactfully and appropriately.
xiv.To administer tests and examinations either discretely or formally.
xv.To lead or follow in a small team doing physical work or renovations helping the Lodge, a Charity or Community functions.
xvi.To lead or follow in a large team doing organizational or ritual work.
xvii.To delegate work and oversee it responsibly and graciously.
xviii.To command the attention of a room speech, gesture or simple presence.
xix.To run a formal meeting as Chairman.
xx.To be the Master of Ceremonies at a formal dinner.
xxi.To be Chair of a committee or participate in a committee.
xxii.To be Secretary of a meeting and take meaningful minutes.
xxiii.To speak confidently in public with and without preparation.
xxiv.How to coach and mentor and how to learn from other's coaching and experiences.
xxv.To exercise good judgement with careful consideration guided by intuition and experience.
xxvi.To say what needs to be said and not say what does not, or to sit down and shut up or to stand up and be heard at the appropriate time.
xxvii.To elicit commitment and excellence from subordinates and to offer commitment and deliver excellent work when called on.
xxviii.To be a gracious host and to be a gracious guest.
xxix.To deliver a formal toast to a room and to respond to a formal toast.
xxx.To handle money, account for sales, expenses and inventory.
xxxi.To respond with appropriate candor and disclosure in interviews.
xxxii.To interview and elicit facts and attitudes with grace.
xxxiii.To solicit and rally emotional and financial support for various causes.
xxxiv.To readily acquiesce to the will of the majority when you lose as well as when you win.
xxxv.To help shape the will of the majority and more importantly how to build consensus by compromise, with principles intact.
xxxvi.To follow procedures that guarantee fair elections as leader, candidate or voter.
xxxvii.To read and interpret and abide by a rule book or constitution.
xxxviii.To understand that leadership involves service, commitment, and love.
xxxix.To prepare. To test your memory and understanding. To put abstract principles to practical test and apply them in your life and in your position.
xl.How to start at the bottom and work your way up a ladder by work, competence, and commitment. Some of those skills are ethereal and vague, some are eminently practical and useful. All of them are what YOU make of them.
6. Why the secrecy with Masons?
Good question. throughout Masonry's existence, groups of like-minded men, of varying classes, politics and religious beliefs hoping for a better tomorrow met in secret, found common ground and mutual respect for one another: "Monarchs themselves thought it not beneath their dignity to patronize our assemblies and exchange the scepter for the gavel". And they carried those lessons back with them in their various stations in life. Had they been discovered, the consequences (especially in earlier times) were severe, even forfeiture of life itself.
The early operative masons' secrets consisted of the practical innovations of their craft, which they communicated one to the next in secret and by merit, so as not to enable an imposter to place themselves, their patrons, or the public at risk from corrupt WORK. Noting centuries ago, few received literary education save nobility and the clergy, learning and recognition became physical, hence our dramas and modes of recognition both of which were closely guarded.
Concurrently, nobles in the Templar Order and other aristocracy witnessed corruption many forms in privileged society and sought to bring it in check. In short, Masons found common ground, and mutual benefit. The nobles gained practical lessons from the craftsmen, and the craftsmen though the benefits of what we now call networking, gained the benefits of education and governance. Mutual exchange of SECRETS if you will. Both nurtured the notions of mutual respect and honest dealings.
Over time grew the notions of LIBERTY, EQUALITY and FRATERNITY. Then as now, the ignorant, the corrupt and the intolerant felt their selfish interests threatened, so our Brethren then as now kept their assemblies safe, and their mutual exchange of teachings only for those who had earned them. During the turbulent centuries since, we have seen that proponents of LIBERTY, EQUALITY and FRATERNITY are often the first targets of violence, persecution loss of opportunity, even in recent decades. Were they perfect, hardly, but they tried to be better and carried society with them incrementally.
Society is still catching up to our ideals, even in recent years, that began centuries ago, passed through OUR oral tradition, refining good men into better ones through safe and respectful discourse.
7. What's the deal with Masonic Ceremonies?
Great question. The answer is to create a shared experience, and lasting communication message for both observants and participants.
The Candidate is the LEAD ACTOR in traditional play. That play has been repeated word-for-word, line-for-line for almost a millennium. There is a timelessness in that moment, the Candidate "touches" a part of HISTORY. Something they likely have never done before, never otherwise would likely gain the opportunity to do, and in so doing obtain profound understanding.
Next, through the scenes of this dramatic event, Candidates gain a tangible understanding of "morals" in the story…hence the phrase "the moral of the story". Some cultures refer to this as an "oral tradition".
Think of each Easter in the Christian faith, when what is sometimes called a "Passion Play" illustrates the sacrifice of the "Great Exemplar" for the benefit of mankind. The "Passion Play" concept goes back centuries. Similar principle, same purpose. If you're a history buff, you've come to the right place.
8. How can I learn more about Masonry?
How can I join? Awesome questions. Reach out via through the webmaster email below. All polite questions are referred to the District Deputy Grand Master and will be answered by him or a competent Brother.
9. What is the process and timeframe to join a Masonic Lodge?
Fair questions. The process is to ASK a Mason, or if you don't know one personally yet, use the webmaster email address. Interested men are referred to the District Deputy Grand Master, and questions will be answered by him or a competent Brother. There is an interview to ensure mutual interest, and an application is completed. The timing typically is 4-8 weeks for an application to be processed, but respecting COVID public health mandates, this process was extended.
At present date Lodges are just being permitted to open like many other organizations in Ontario. We will happily clarify the situation during the application process. Your safety and ours is paramount.
