Who are the Masons?
Masons are men who have joined together to improve themselves. This is accomplished through the principles and ceremonies of the Fraternity. Members endeavor to extend Masonic lessons into their daily lives in order to become positive influences in their homes, communities, nation and throughout the world. They base their efforts on morality, justice, charity, truth and the laws of God. Worldwide, membership encompasses millions of men who believe and support the same fundamental principles.
What is the purpose of Freemasonry?
Simply put, the overall purpose of Masonry is to provide a way to help each member become a better person. The fraternity does not propose to take a bad man and make him good; rather, to take the good man and make him better. The fraternity places emphasis on the individual man by:
•strengthening his character;
•improving his moral and spiritual outlook; and
•broadening his mental horizons.
Freemasonry tries to impress upon its members the principles of personal responsibility and morality, to give each member an understanding of and feeling for Freemasonry's character, and to have every member put these lessons into practice in his daily life. The aim is to build a better world by building better men to work in their own communities.
Freemasonry believes in universal peace made possible by teaching its doctrine through the Brotherhood of Man and Fatherhood of God.
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.
Is Freemasonry a Religion?
Absolutely not, it is the oldest and largest Fraternity in the world - Freemasonry requires a belief in a Supreme Being to become a member, and accepts men of any faith, it is in no way a religion, and it does not try to compete with religion. Instead, the fraternity strongly encourages you to be active in the church of your choice, and pursue your own religious beliefs.
What are Lodges?
The local Lodge is a group of Masons granted a Charter by the Grand Lodge of Iowa. There are specific guidelines set by the Grand Lodge as to how this local Lodge may function and what it can and cannot do. These guidelines are set forth in books of constitutions and ritual. The leaders of the Lodge are elected by the Lodge membership each year.
A Lodge is a meeting place for Masons. Masons may use it for regular business meetings, degrees, social activities, other Masonic groups or even community activities. Lodge buildings are prominently marked and are often recognized as special landmarks in the cities and towns of our state.
Masons are men who have joined together to improve themselves. This is accomplished through the principles and ceremonies of the Fraternity. Members endeavor to extend Masonic lessons into their daily lives in order to become positive influences in their homes, communities, nation and throughout the world. They base their efforts on morality, justice, charity, truth and the laws of God. Worldwide, membership encompasses millions of men who believe and support the same fundamental principles.
What is the purpose of Freemasonry?
Simply put, the overall purpose of Masonry is to provide a way to help each member become a better person. The fraternity does not propose to take a bad man and make him good; rather, to take the good man and make him better. The fraternity places emphasis on the individual man by:
•strengthening his character;
•improving his moral and spiritual outlook; and
•broadening his mental horizons.
Freemasonry tries to impress upon its members the principles of personal responsibility and morality, to give each member an understanding of and feeling for Freemasonry's character, and to have every member put these lessons into practice in his daily life. The aim is to build a better world by building better men to work in their own communities.
Freemasonry believes in universal peace made possible by teaching its doctrine through the Brotherhood of Man and Fatherhood of God.
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.
Is Freemasonry a Religion?
Absolutely not, it is the oldest and largest Fraternity in the world - Freemasonry requires a belief in a Supreme Being to become a member, and accepts men of any faith, it is in no way a religion, and it does not try to compete with religion. Instead, the fraternity strongly encourages you to be active in the church of your choice, and pursue your own religious beliefs.
What are Lodges?
The local Lodge is a group of Masons granted a Charter by the Grand Lodge of Iowa. There are specific guidelines set by the Grand Lodge as to how this local Lodge may function and what it can and cannot do. These guidelines are set forth in books of constitutions and ritual. The leaders of the Lodge are elected by the Lodge membership each year.
A Lodge is a meeting place for Masons. Masons may use it for regular business meetings, degrees, social activities, other Masonic groups or even community activities. Lodge buildings are prominently marked and are often recognized as special landmarks in the cities and towns of our state.