What is Masonry?
Masonry is the oldest and largest fraternal organization in the world and is based on the lessons of living a life of brotherhood and high moral standards as portrayed There are more than 10,000 members in about 125 communities in the state. Freemasonry has nearly two million members in the United States.
Masonic lodges across Nebraska support local youth, community projects, and humanitarian efforts including a statewide blood drive, the Child Identification Program, and scholarships. Freemasonry, a benevolent, educational, and charitable organization, provides $2 million a day in charity through its lodges and appendant bodies. The Grand Lodge of Nebraska helps to maintain two homes: The Masonic Home at Plattsmouth for Masons and their female relatives, and the Masonic-Eastern Star Home for Children in Fremont.
Is Masonry a religion?
Masonry is a fraternity, not a religion. Masonry acknowledges the existence of God, but Masonry does not tell a person which religion he should practice or how he should practice it. That is a function of his house of worship, not his fraternity.
Sometimes people confuse Masonry with a religion because we call some Masonic buildings “temples.” But we use the word in the same sense that Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes called the Supreme Court a “Temple of Justice.” Neither Masonry nor the Supreme Court is a religion just because its members meet in a “temple.” Most Nebraska lodges now refer to their buildings as Masonic centers.
Why is Masonry so secretive?
It really isn’t secretive, although it sometimes has that reputation. Masons certainly don’t make a secret of the fact that we are members of the fraternity. We wear rings, lapel pins, and tie clasps with Masonic emblems like the Square and Compass. Masonic buildings are clearly marked, and are usually listed in the phone book. Lodge activities are not secret – events are often listed in the newspapers, especially in smaller towns. But there are two traditional categories of secrets. First are the ways in which a man can identify himself as a Mason: grips and passwords. This is the same for any fraternity. Second are Masonic ceremonies, which are private (for members only) but are not secret.
Why does Masonry use symbols?
Everyone uses symbols every day because it allows us to communicate quickly. When you see a red light, you know what it means. When you see a circle with a line through it, you know it means “no.” In fact, using symbols is probably the oldest method of communication and teaching.
Masons use symbols for the same reasons. Certain symbols, mostly selected from the art of architecture, stand for certain ethics and principles of the organization. The “Square and Compass” is the most widely known symbol of Masonry. In one way, this symbol is the trademark for the fraternity. When you see it on a building, you know that Masons meet there.
How Can I Become a Mason?
It’s easier to become a Mason than most people think. There are four main qualifications for membership:
1. You must be at least the minimum age.
2. You must believe in a supreme being.
3. You must be known as a man of good character.
4. You must join of your own free will and accord.
The Minimum Age
In Nebraska, you must be 18 years old to join. In most areas of the United States, the minimum age is only 18 or 19. If you are located outside Nebraska you can find your local age requirements by contacting your state’s Grand Lodge.
A Belief in a Supreme Being
Masonry is open to members of every religion who can honestly say, “Yes” when asked if they believe in some kind of Supreme Being. No atheist can become a Mason. However, beyond this singular restriction, the fraternity does not pry into your individual faith. Masonry insists on toleration — on the right of each person to think for himself in religious, social and political matters. Are you willing to allow others the same right to their beliefs that you insist on yourself? Our rulebook for the consideration of applicants is clear: “Freemasonry is opposed to no man’s religion.”
To illustrate, a Bible is on the altar in every meeting of our lodges, because most of the brethren in the United States are from one of the many religions drawn from that great scripture. However, when you take the degrees of Masonry in Nebraska, you have the right to have your own religion’s sacred writing on the altar.
A Man of Good Character
When you apply for a job, the employer asks for professional references. When you apply to Freemasonry, we ask for character references. Masonry only accepts male candidates who are generally known to be good people. This is important for maintaining the integrity of our society, which frowns on petty politics and dishonest behavior. Masonry doesn’t expect perfection from any man… but we have a responsibility to keep watch over the door to ensure that quality applicants find themselves welcomed into a lodge, which is comprised of men of similar caliber. The fact is, most men pass this test with flying colors. Masonry is not concerned with and does not discriminate based on ethnicity, nationality, class, or political views.
You Must Join of your Own Free Will and Accord
One of the customs of the fraternity is that a man must join of his own free will. Masonry does not solicit members or conduct membership “drives” to supplement its membership roster.
A man desiring to become a Mason may request a petition from a friend who is a Mason, and he must be recommended to the Lodge by two Masons and pass a ballot of Lodge members.
Though Masonry does not permit direct or open membership solicitation, most jurisdictions have no objection to an approach being made to a man that is considered a suitable candidate for Freemasonry.
The potential candidate should then be left to make his own decision and come of his own free will and accord.
The bottom line: if you want to join our fraternity, please ask a Mason for a membership petition. He will be more than happy to obtain one for you.
For more information on Freemasonry, please write or email us:
Nebraska Lodge #1 A.F. & A.M.
2424 South 135th Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68144
Email: [email protected]