What is Freemasonry? | Lodge St Forhad’s Auchterderran 1059

What is Freemasonry ?

An ancient brotherhood dedicated to friendship, morality, and brotherly love where moral lessons are veiled in allegory and illustrated by signs and symbols.

Masonic secrets are simply methods used by Freemasons to recognize each other.

Freemasonry neither interferes with religion or politics. Freemasonry only strives to teach a man the duty he owes to his God, his neighbor and himself.

BROTHERLY LOVE is the concern which each Freemason has for his Brother, which is readily shown by tolerance and respect for the beliefs, opinions and practices of his fellows and his willingness to care for his Brother and that Brother's dependants.

RELIEF The Freemason is by nature and teaching a charitable man. He will cheerfully and kindly assist those less fortunate (whether Freemasons or not!). He will care for and support his community - local, national and international.

TRUTH The Freemason believes in Truth in all things in honesty and integrity in his personal, business and public life, in fair dealings and in firm standards of decency and morality.

Freemasonry's Principles are steady standards of life and conduct in a changing world.

Scotland has the oldest Lodges in the world and has many Lodges at home and abroad. In Scotland, Lodges are arranged into Provinces, abroad they are arranged in Districts. The Grand Lodge of Scotland is one of the oldest in the world and works in harmony with all other "Regular" Grand Lodges . i.e. those whose members profess a belief in a Supreme Being and follow the same basic principles and practices as the Scottish Freemason.

Freemasonry is NOT...

A Religion - although to become a Mason, a man must believe in a supreme being.

A Charity - even though Masons contribute considerably to worthwhile charities.

A Subversive Organization - a Mason must be a peaceful, law abiding citizen.

A Political Party or Action Group - Masons are free to follow their own political persuasion

A Secret Society - If it was, Nobody but Masons would know about it.

Freemasonry and the Military

During the 18th and 19th centuries there were a large number of Masonic Lodges within various British and Irish Regiments. Such Lodges were allowed, and indeed were encouraged, by the military and political 'establishment' for it was well known that such Lodges did not, nor could not, become involved in matters of Religion or Politics. The ethos of Freemasonry based on the encouragement of men to actively practice their own faith, and to abide by the law, ensured that it was quite acceptable for Lodges to be founded within the armed forces. It is an interesting fact that Lodges in many Scottish Regiments were founded under the Grand Lodge of Ireland. Exactly why that should be is rather a puzzle until it is explained that the Grand Lodge of Ireland asked a lower fee for Initiation than either the Grand Lodge of Scotland or England! A browse through the list of Lodges on the Roll of The Grand Lodge of Scotland will confirm that the names of many Lodges bear the names of the Regiments with which they were, and in many cases, still are associated