Haysville Masonic Lodge #112 A.F. & A.M.

Why Masons are called Masons?

The fraternity gets its name from the stonemasons in the Middle Ages who built castles and cathedrals in England and Scotland. Because of the danger of their work, many stonemasons formed local organizations, or lodges, to provide aid for sick and injured members, as well as the families of those who were killed on the job. The masons also used the lodges as places to meet, receive pay, plan work, train new apprentices, and socialize. Today, Freemasonry provides fellowship, community, and shared values to members and their families.

 

Do Masons have a political and financial agenda to control our political and financial systems?

Nothing could be farther from the truth.  Political discussions are typically frowned upon and politics are never discussed during Lodge meetings.  It is true that some Masons have been involved in politicians and financial institutions, but that doesn't mean they control them.  Freemasonry believes in brotherly love, relief, and truth.  They make important contributions to society, whether it be government, business, education, philanthropy, or simple goodwill.

 

Does Freemasonry discriminate on the basis of race and religious belief?

No.  The rules of Masonry in Kansas do not even consider race or religion as a qualification for membership.  Most Lodges contain members of diverse races and religious beliefs.

 

Were all American presidents Masons?

Some, but not all presidents in the past were Masons. To date, only thirteen 13 Presidents were Masons.  Many of the early leaders of the American Revolution, including Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock and Paul Revere, were also Masons.

 

Is there any truth regarding Dan Brown's references to Masonry?

Dan Brown is an author of fiction, and therefore his theories and insights must be viewed from that perspective.

 

Is Freemasonry a cult?

Webster defines a cult as the rites and ceremonies of a religion; or the practice of worshipping a deity or group of deities.  Since Freemasonry is not a religion, but a fraternal organization, it cannot be a cult. 

 

Is the eye-in-the-pyramid symbol a Masonic emblem?

The eye in the pyramid found on the Great Seal of the United States and on the back of the U.S. dollar bill is not a Masonic symbol. The Great Seal was designed by a committee in 1776 but only included one Mason, Benjamin Franklin, and his design suggestions were not related to Masonry.

 

Can an atheist become a Mason?

No.  Masons are required to have a belief in a Supreme Being, other than Satan, and therefore cannot become a Mason.

 

Isn't Masonry a secret society?

Secret societies are by definition secret.  They try NOT to let people know they exist.  Almost every Mason meeting place must be identified.  The public is often invited to meetings at Masonic Halls.  Masons commonly wear rings and lapel pins identifying themselves as Masons.  And it is easy to find books in the library about Masonry.  There is nothing secret about the Masonic fraternity.

 

What does Masonry have to offer that I don’t already have in my civic club?

Masonry helps their community projects of civic improvement, but its purpose is fellowship, learning, and charity.  It is mainly concerned with the self-improvement of men.  We usually say that the purpose of Masonry is to find good men and make them better.

 

What are the requirements to become a Mason?

Membership is open to men age 18 or older who are of strong character and believe in a Supreme Being other than Satan. Men of all ethnic and religious backgrounds are welcome.

 

What’s the process for becoming a member?

Masonry does not solicit members; men must seek membership on their own. Any man who is interested must first contact a Mason or a local lodge. He is then introduced to other Masons who can recommend him for membership and provide an application. Once he applies, a committee of lodge members meets with him to discuss the application and answer his questions. The committee then presents the application to lodge members, who vote on his membership.

 

Is Freemasonry the same thing as the Shrine or Scottish Rite?

A man first becomes a Mason at his local lodge, then after being awarded the three degrees of Masonry, he may join any of the other allied Masonic organizations, each of which has a special social, educational, or philanthropic focus. The best known in the United States are the Shrine, Scottish Rite, and York Rite.

 

It's complicated and why are there three degrees?

The process of becoming a Mason is not complicated, but three degrees, or stages of membership, are conferred in a ceremony at the lodge.  There are three degrees: Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason. These are learning experiences.  It takes time to learn and develop any skill, even the skill or productive living.  We a person joins a craft such as stonemasonry or carpentry, he must first learn the tools of the trade as an apprentice.  Upon proving his skills, he became a Fellow of the Craft and finally after attaining sufficient skill, he was known as a Master of the Craft.  The degrees of Masonry teach progressive lessons in morals, ethics, and philosophy.  To understand and use them in our daily lives requires that we invest some individual time and thought.  But that's what makes being a Mason special.

 

I've heard that Masonry takes a lot of time?

The normal process of becoming a Mason involves three separate Lodge Ceremonies that will be held a minimum or two weeks apart.  Because there is some homework that goes with each degree, this period allows the candidate to memorize a small part of the ritual with the aid of a coach or tutor who is a member of the Lodge; and before proceeding to the next degree the candidate is tested on what he has learned.  But, after becoming a Mason, the time he gives to the fraternity is entirely up to him.  There is no requirement that a man participate in the meetings and projects of his lodge.

 

Are there any shortcuts in becoming a Mason?

Typically there is a "one day class" held at least once a year, where the 2nd and 3rd Degrees can be attained in a single day for several candidates simultaneously.  However, the candidate must receive the 1st Degree in the Lodge of his home Lodge first. There is no memorization required for this approach, but the candidate will not fully enjoy the beauty of the ceremonies and the personal interaction of actually being an integral part of the ceremony.

 

If Masonry is such a good organization, why do so many groups condemn it?

Its a matter of misunderstanding.  Many people have been told the wrong things about Masonry by others who think they know what Masonry teaches, but have not taken the time and effort to find out the truth.  Spreading the same wrong information to others then perpetuated these myths.  Some people sell anti-Masonic pamphlets, videotapes and books for nothing more that personal gain.  They know hate sells.  Some members of the clergy are coerced into preaching against Masonry by anti-Masons within their own churches.

 

Is there any hazing or horseplay associated with the degrees?

No.  The initiation into Masonry is by a series of three beautiful and ancient ceremonies.  These teach lessons in morals and ethics.  Nothing of humor or silliness is permitted.  The ceremonies of Masonry are both serious and meaningful.

 

Why can't women be Masons?

Masonry is a fraternity, a brotherhood of men as in college just as a sorority is for women. There are several affiliated Masonic organizations open to women, including the Order of Eastern Star.

 

Since Masonry is a fraternity for men, does this mean my family can't participate?

No.  Freemasonry teaches that our families are second only to our belief and commitment to God through the faith or our choice.  There are many activities that involve the wives and family members: dinners, picnics, tours, study groups, forums, entertainment, and others.  There are organizations within the fraternity for women and youth.  The only meetings that are limited to only members are the business meeting and joining ceremonies.  Masonry is a family affair.  There are organizations for wives and daughters of Masons, such as the Order of the Eastern Star.

 

Are all members above a certain 'station' in life?

No.  Freemasonry teaches that every individual, regardless of their religious, ethnic, cultural, social, or education meet on the Level.  What me mean by this is that no matter what your station in life, Masons all treat each other the same.  Corporate business officers, educators, carpenters, bus drivers, construction workers, janitors, and garbage collectors are on an equal level among Masons.  This is the only organization that I know of where this is true.

 

What is Freemasonry's most guarded secret?

When you become a Mason, you gain weight!  We love to eat and almost everything we do has some kind of food involved.

 

What is the Lost Word that Masons refer to?

NO is truly our lost word.  Why?  Because when you become a Mason, you very quickly forget how to say it.