6.Is Freemasonry a secret society?
Freemasonry is not a secret society, but lodge meetings, like
meetings of many other social and professional associations, are
private occasions open only to members.
Freemasons are encouraged to speak openly about their
membership, while remembering that they undertake not to use it for
their own or anyone else's advancement. As members are sometimes
the subject of discrimination which may adversely affect their
employment or other aspects of their lives, some Freemasons are
understandably reticent about discussing their membership. In
common with many other national organisations, Grand Lodge neither
maintains nor publishes a list of members and will not disclose names
or member's details without their permission.
7.In circumstances where a conflict of interest might arise or be
perceived to exist or when Freemasonry becomes an issue, a
Freemason must declare an interest. The rules and aims of Freemasonry are available to the public. The Masonic Year Book, also available to the public, contains the names of all national office-holders and lists of all lodges with
details of their meeting dates and places.
The meeting places and halls used by Freemasons are
readily identifiable, are listed in telephone directories and in many
areas are used by the local community for activities other than
Freemasonry. Freemasons' Hall in London is open to the public and
'open days' are held in many provincial centres.
The rituals and ceremonies used by Freemasons to pass on
the principles of Freemasonry to new members were first revealed
8.publicly in 1723. They include the traditional forms of recognition used
by Freemasons essentially to prove their identity and qualifications
when entering a Masonic meeting. These include handshakes which
have been much written about and can scarcely be regarded as truly
secret today; for mediaeval Freemasons, they were the equivalent of
a 'pin number' restricting access only to qualified members.
Many thousands of books have been written on the subject of
Freemasonry and are readily available to the general public.
Freemasonry offers spokesmen and briefings for the media and
provides talks to interested groups on request. Freemasons are proud
of their heritage and happy to share it.
9.Is Freemasonry involved in politics?
Freemasonry is definitely not a political organisation, it has no political
agenda, and discussion of politics is not permitted at lodge meetings.
Freemasonry naturally tends to attract those with a concern
for people and a sense of social responsibility and purpose. There are
members, therefore, who are involved in politics at local, national and
international level. Equally there are members who take an active
interest in non Masonic charitable organisations and other community
groups.
10.Is Freemasonry involved in the community?
From its earliest days, Freemasonry has been involved in charitable
activities, and since its inception it has provided support for many
widows and orphans of Freemasons as well as others within the
community. All monies raised for charity are drawn from amongst
Freemasons, their families and friends, while grants and donations
are made to Masonic and non-Masonic charities alike.
Over the past five years alone Freemasonry has raised more
than £75m for a wide range of charitable purposes including those
involved in medical research, community care, education and work
with young people. Freemasonry has an enviable record of providing regular and
consistent financial support to individual charities over long periods
while at the same time making thousands of grants to local charities,
appeals and projects throughout England and Wales each year. For
11.the future, opportunities to obtain or provide matched funding are
periodically examined with a view to enhancing the impact of the
support Freemasonry can give to specific projects. The personal
generosity of Freemasons and the collective fundraising efforts of
almost 8,000 lodges, however, will continue to determine the
contribution Freemasonry makes within the community.