Answering Questions About Freemasonry
Provincial Grand Lodge Northern Division
What is Freemasonry and why would a man want to join the Grand Lodge of South Africa?
There are many reasons why someone might choose to become a Freemason. Freemasonry is a fraternal organization that emphasizes personal growth, morality, and community service. Here are some common reasons people become Freemasons:
1. Personal growth
Freemasonry provides its members with opportunities to develop themselves personally, intellectually, and spiritually. Through its teachings, ceremonies, and symbols, Freemasonry encourages members to think deeply about the nature of humanity, the meaning of life, and their place in the world.
2. Brotherhood
Freemasonry is a fraternity, which means that it is a community of men who share common values and goals. Freemasons support and help each other in times of need, and they work together to improve their communities and the world at large.
3. Service
Freemasonry emphasizes the importance of service to others. Members are encouraged to give back to their communities through volunteerism and charitable work. Freemasonry also supports a number of philanthropic causes, such as medical research, disaster relief, and education.
4. Tradition
Freemasonry is a centuries-old institution with a rich history and traditions. Many people are drawn to Freemasonry because of its deep roots in Western culture and its connection to the philosophical and spiritual traditions of the past.
5. Spirituality
Freemasonry is not a religion, but it does encourage its members to explore their own spirituality and develop their own beliefs about the nature of the divine. The organization welcomes members from all religious backgrounds and encourages them to practice their faiths in their own way.
Ultimately, the decision to become a Freemason is a personal one, and each person will have their own reasons for joining. However, for many people, the fraternity offers a unique combination of personal growth, community service, and spiritual exploration that is difficult to find elsewhere.
Is Freemasonry a religion?
Because Freemasonry has often been associated with secrecy and mysticism it has been the subject of much speculation and misunderstanding, particularly in relation to its relationship with religion.
At its core, Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. It does, however, require its members to believe in a Supreme Being, which is referred to as the “Grand Architect of the Universe.” This belief is a fundamental requirement for membership of all Lodges in the Grand Lodge of South Africa.
However, Freemasonry is neither affiliated with any particular religion nor does it promote or advocate any specific religious beliefs or practices. It welcomes members of all faiths and backgrounds, and promotes tolerance, respect, and understanding among its members.
While some rituals and symbolism in Freemasonry appear to. have religious elements, they are not intended to replace or contradict the religious beliefs held by its members. Instead, they serve to remind us of the importance of moral and ethical principles, such as truthfulness, integrity, and charity.
So, Freemasonry is not a religion, but rather a fraternal organization that emphasizes moral and ethical principles, and welcomes members from all religious backgrounds. Its members are encouraged to practice their own religion and to use the teachings of Freemasonry to enhance their understanding and practice of their faith.
Are Freemasons Satanists?
What about the rumour that Freemasons are Satanists?
No, Freemasonry is not a satanic organization. Freemasonry is a fraternity that focuses on the development of moral and ethical virtues, such as charity, kindness, and honesty. The organization is based on the principles of brotherhood, tolerance, and mutual respect, and while it does not promote any particular religion or belief system, it does not accept Satanists in it midst..
Because Freemasonry encourages its members to lead moral and virtuous lives and to uphold the laws of their country, It encourages its members to be more actively involved in their own religious beliefs and organisations and is in fact quite contrary to the beliefs and practises of Satanism. Freemasonry seeks to create a better world through the development of the individual and the improvement of society.
While some conspiracy theories and myths suggest that Freemasonry has connections to satanism or other occult practices, these claims are unfounded and lack any basis in reality. Freemasonry is a non-religious organization that welcomes members of all faiths and backgrounds.
So you want to become a Freemason, how do you go about it?
Contrary to Popular belief, becoming a Freemason does not require a special invitation, all you have to do is apply, and, while the application process is designed to weed out those who wish to join for the wrong reasons (like those who believe it will make them rich and famous), it’s surprisingly simple to join, if you qualify.
Who is allowed to join?
The requirements of those who wish to join the Grand Lodge of South Africa is that they have either citizenship or permanent residence in South Africa , and are 21 years old or older (unless they are the son of a Mason, in which case they only have to be 18 years old), they must be gainfully employed (or if a student, have a sponsor to assist them with the reduced fee structure applicable to students), believe in a Supreme being, desire to improve themselves on an ongoing basis, have their own transport and want to associate themselves with men who hold strong moral and ethical values.
SATANISTS, UNREHABILITATED INSOLVENTS AND THOSE WITH A CRIMINAL RECORD WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
We find many of our applicants these days are young, successful (or well on their way to success) intelligent, hard-working and committed to self-improvement as well as sharing in the belief that we can all make a contribution to making the world a better place.
Is it true Freemasonry will make me rich and famous?
One of the many reasons it’s a popular myth that Freemasonry makes you rich and famous is the fact that a large number of Freemasons are in fact rich and famous!
This is probably because many of the attributes of a good Freemason, attributes such as diligence, integrity, high moral values, commitment to self-improvement, hard work and a willingness to assist others, are the very attributes of success in most endeavours.
Some of the many better-known, or “Famous Freemasons are:
Shaquille O’Neal
Scottie Pippen
Duke Ellington
Nat King Cole
Louis Armstrong
Lionel Richie
Steve Wozniak
Jesse Jackson
