This page features a series of questions, and their answers as best as we can explain them, about Freemasonry, and the questions and concerns people have in approaching Freemasonry for the first time. Also check our About Us page, which features specific information about Le Droit Humain, and Lodge Elizabeth St. Leger.
Sometimes you use weird abbreviations, and use those three dots after them. What do they mean?
A∴&A∴S∴R∴ – Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite
A∴ F∴ &A;∴ M∴ – Ancient Free & Accepted Masons
Bro∴ – Brother
Br∴ – Brother
B∴ – Brother; Brother is a traditional designation Freemasons use for each other. In Le Droit Humain some Lodges and juristictions use Brother for masons of all genders, while others use both the designation Brother and the designation Sister.
DH/ LDH – Droit Humain/ Le Droit Humain
Droit Humain – The International Order of Freemasonry for Men and Women
Lodge – A Lodge is the basic organisational unit of Freemasonry. Every new Lodge must have a Warrant or Charter issued by a Grand Lodge, authorising it to meet and work. (Except for the a few time immemorial Lodges)
Pioneer Lodges – Lodges in countries without a national organization are called pioneer lodges in Le Droit Humain.
Triangle – Is another description of a pioneering lodge working towards having the ideal implementation.
Sr∴ – Sister
Therefore sign – The sign ∴ used in masonic abbreviations.
V∴ S∴ L∴ – Volume(s) of the Sacred Lore. In other masonic obediences this is often rendered as Volume of the Sacred Law. This is a volume of wisdom teachings that informs our values. This may include the constitution of the Order, or a volume of one or more of the world religions.
Can You Be a Freemason if You Are a Woman?
Yes. We do not discriminate on any irrelevant grounds.
Some Freemason orders may feel that their traditions warrant such discrimination, but ours feels that such discrimination is counter productive in our search for truth and self-improvement.
We know that good people can be of any gender: male, female, cis- or trans-.
After all, before any central Freemason organization formed in Ireland, a woman was famously initiated in Cork: the Lady Freemason, Elizabeth Aldworth, born Elizabeth Saint Leger.
Who Can Join Freemasonry?
Anyone who is an adult of good character, and fosters a desire to be useful to their fellow men and women.
Can You Be A Freemason if you are Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual?
Yes. We do not discriminate on any irrelevant grounds.
Some Freemason orders may feel that their traditions warrant such discrimination, but ours feels that such discrimination is counter productive in our search for truth and self-improvement.
Without entering in the debate of knowing if sexual orientation is the result of a nature or of a choice, or a combination of both, we can serenely claim that it does not matter.
We only care about what someone does to become a better person, and sexuality in itself does not predetermine the ability to be a good person. We look for character, not traditionally divisive traits.
Can You be a Freemason if You are a Minor (child)?
No.
You have to be an adult.
Any organization that recruits children and is ready to lock a door behind them, or ask them to keep secrets should be viewed with suspicion.
Can You Be a Freemason if You are an Atheist?
Yes. We do not discriminate on any irrelevant grounds.
The reference to the “Great Architect of the Universe” (formerly the “Supreme Being” found in the French Constitution) does not necessitate the belief in a personal deity or in any deity. It does not contradict such as belief either, but it does not imply it.
The “Great Architect of the Universe” can of course be understood to be the god(s) of any religion our members may adhere to. But it can also be “science” or “human consciousnesses”, etc..
For Freemasons, the concept of “Great Architect of the Universe” is an organizing principle rather than a dogmatic belief. Freemasonry does not offer dogmas.
Some other branches of freemasonry differ on this point.
What are the Advantages and Privileges of Joining Freemasonry?
None other than fraternally working towards improving yourself, be of service to your fellow women and men, and search for the truth.
There are no financial incentive in being a member. It will not give you a job, a business advantage, or help you escape the law.
What is Le Droit Humain?
The International Order of Freemasonry for men and women, Le Droit Humain, is worldwide. Membership is open to all adults, without distinction of gender, race, personal beliefs or social standing. We draw from across a wide subsection of society including men and women (and those who don’t fit neatly into this binary), people of different ethnic, religious, social backgrounds, and of different ages. We look for strength of moral character and not outer or incidental traits that may differentiate us.
Our Order is founded on the ancient teachings and traditions of Freemasonry. The Order was founded in 1893.
The International Order of Freemasonry for men and women, Le Droit Humain, works to the glory of the Great Architect of the Universe and/or to the perfection of humanity. On an individual level, it strives “to promote the progress of individual worth, without the imposition of dogma, or exacting the abandonment of cultural or religious ideas”. On a group level “it works to unite men and women who agree on a humanist spirituality whilst respecting individual and cultural differences”
What is Freemasonry?
Freemasonry is a pathway of initiation, free from dogma, inspired by the search for truth, an understanding of human consciousness – a science of the spirit. Masonic ritual and symbolism are the tools Freemasons use on that journey, whether this is their personal spiritual path towards the perfection of mankind; to liberty, equality and fraternity – human rights.
Is Membership Secret?
The answer is both No. And Yes… depending on context
No, not for you
No, it is not one of the “secret” of Freemasonry. You can reveal your membership to whom you want, when you want.
It is even strongly encouraged that you let your family know. It is encouraged that you let your friends know. Because family and friends are the best counsel anyone can find.
They can keep you in check and make sure that you do not let any activity in your life “take over”; that includes Freemasonry.
They can also advise you when you are wondering if you should invest more time with Freemasonry, by taking more responsibilities, or if you are doing enough already as regards to your other social obligations.
As for work, or religious groups you belong too, or other social clubs, it is up to you to decide whom to tell and when to tell them. And if someone is approaching you to ask about it, they may be interested, so feel free to share. But you are certainly not encouraged to “talk people into joining”.
Yes, for others
Just like anything which relates to the intimate (e.g., religion, sexuality, spirituality, relationships, fantasies, dreams and hopes), there is a difference between “coming out” by yourself to people, and “being outed” by others.
It is unacceptable to disclose someone’s membership without their express and renewed consent.
It is similar to the coming out/outing of gay people: it should not be a big deal to be “out”, but it is never acceptable to “out” someone else.
When Will You Ask Me to Join?
A strange but common misconception is that someone will have to ask you to become a freemason, and that you can’t inquire. This is untrue. We accept only free men and women, so you must freely take the first step.
When Do you Meet?
We meet one Saturday afternoon a month in Dublin city.
What Do You Wear?
We welcome people of many different backgrounds and ways of dressing, however when we meet together we dress in semi-formal clothing, with women in black, and men in black suit, tie and with black or white shirt. This is a signifier that we take our work seriously, and creates a uniformity that is visually appealing during ceremony. In addition we wear clothes specific to the lodge room including masonic aprons and masonic collars and jewels. Some lodges also elect to wear masonic gloves.
What happens at a meeting?
Members arrive in advance of the meeting to chat and welcome visitors.
Members dress in the appropriate clothing and regalia. They also do any preparations of the masonic temple, as needed.
The Lodge meeting begins with a ceremonial Opening Ceremony followed by some administrative matters relevant to all members and then the main work of the meeting begins.
The work may be one of the 3 Craft degrees (Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, or Master Mason) or it may be a Piece of Architecture (a presentation leading to open discussion). It may also be another ceremony/ ritual.
When all the work is completed, a corresponding ceremonial Closing Ceremony is carried out. Meetings have a formal tone and structure, though directly following members share refreshments or a meal and engage in more informal discourse.
A meeting should be expected to last for one and a half to two hours, not including setting up and afters. Members are encouraged to consider these social aspects as an important part of the meeting, and to allow up to three hours for a meeting.
Is Freemasonry a Secret Society?
No. It is an organization with secrets.
It is not a “secret society” with nefarious aims or criminal activities, covered by a coded language.
But it is an organization that needed, at a time in its history, to be discrete. This required some signs to recognize people that could be trusted, at a time when sharing ideas and crossing “party lines” (in term of politics or religion) freely was condemnable.
These signs, rituals and other codes remain, but they are not the true “secrets” of Freemasonry. They are widely available on the Internet, and are only external representations of the facts that some of our teachings are not communicable in any other ways but in experiencing them.
Freemasonry is a pathway of initiation, free from dogma, inspired by the search for truth and an understanding of human consciousness – a science of the spirit. Masonic ritual and symbolism are the tools Freemasons use on that journey, whether this is their personal spiritual path towards the perfection of mankind; to liberty, equality and fraternity – human rights, Le Droit Humain.
The authentic secrets of an authentic Freemasonry cannot be communicated by words or signs: they are experienced in walking the initiatic path to truth.
Is Freemasonry a Religion?
No.
Freemasonry is not a religion, or a combination of religions, nor is it a substitute for religion. It expects its members to adhere to their own faith, and it does not permit discussion on religious matters at Masonic meetings and gatherings, other than to augment their understanding of humanity in a fraternal atmosphere of sharing and understanding.
What is the Highest Degree in Freemasonry?
This point is often misunderstood including by Freemasons themselves.
The highest degree in Craft Freemasonry is the 3rd: Master Mason
There is no “higher” level than the 3rd. It is the degree needed to take part in masonic work, for instance chairing a lodge meeting.
A Master Mason is as ‘high’ as you can get as a Freemason, after having been initiated as an Entered Apprentice, and then trained as a Fellow Craft.
There is no need or obligation for any Freemason to go any further if they do not so wish. It does not make them lesser Freemasons.
Some orders, like ours, offer a path that consists of further degrees.
They are not “higher” than the third degree, but they can be seen as “further” or “deeper”.
We “work” the “Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite” from the 1st to the 33rd degree, and some other rites.
Other orders may have another degree structure.
Is Le Droit Humain Recognised By Other Masonic Orders?
Le Droit Humain is in fraternal relations with a number of masonic orders (meaning recognition is reciprocal and members can intervisit).
Le Droit Humain recognises a number of masonic orders (but is not reciprocally recognized by them as a regular masonic order.)
Regular is a word used by Grand Lodges, Orients and Orders of Freemasonry (all organisational bodies) to describe masonic organisations that share the same values, and sometimes way of doing things, and so can work together harmoniously. Conversly the word irregular is used to describe organisations which masonic organisations do not feel aligned to in terms of values or what they practice. While these descriptions can be useful in clarifying relationships, they are also limited, and imply an overarching set of agreements across masonic organisations or an ultimate authority among them. Freemasonry predates such overarching organisations and such descriptions.
If you belong to a masonic order:
- Ask your order if you want to know if you are allowed by them to go and visit us
- Ask us if you want to know if you are allowed to come and visit us
We might welcome visitors whose order does not recognize us, but we do not encourage Freemasons to defy the orders they are members of.
How Much Does it Cost to Join Freemasonry?
The cost of joining the Order is associated with the cost of running it.
The total cost will depend on each lodge, but it should never exceed what you would be ready to pay for joining a club (a choir, a theater group, a sports club or a gym).
There is a once-off joining fee when joining a lodge.
There is then an annual fee, to be paid every year.
There is a fee associated with each ceremony linked to masonic degrees. None of these fees should be excessive.
Then you can expect costs related to charitable activities, but again they should never stretch to anything that would be unreasonable for any other voluntary activities or hobbies.
Members are invited to not contribute above their means, and as a guideline, to not volunteer further sums that would exceed what they would give a charity or their church if they contribute to such bodies.
The value of members is not indexed to their financial contribution.
A good guideline is that if your expenses on any voluntary activity is over 1% of your disposable income, you should start to look closer and start thinking about cutting back.
The most precious contribution will more likely be the time you invest, as long as that time does not interfere with other social obligations, especially family and work obligations.
Are You the “Real” Freemasons? Are There Others?
There is more than one organisation of Freemasonry in Ireland. Masonic Organisations are formed to reflect the values of those Masons that work under it. They may differ in their choices, such as the choice to include women on an equal basis, or the choice to include all candidates of good character, including atheists.
Some other organisations may or may not recognize us as “real” or “valid” or “fraternal”. They may see our order as being out of order and “irregular”. They would not allow their members to visit us, or allow our members to visit them. That is likely to be the case, for instance, of orders that do not accept women in their midst.
Some may recognize us in spite of our divergences on some points.
We think that openness and fraternal relationships are more important than organizational structures, national boundaries or unjustified prejudices. We are open to discuss with members of all organisations who share the common grounds of Freemasonry, whether they desire to be members of our order or not.
Also, because we are an international order, we work closely with our Brethren in other countries.
We aim at practising an authentic Freemasonry, without casting doubts on how “real” other practices or organisations are. They are just not our practices. They are only one of the paths to the truth, the one we have chosen.
We do not pass comment on other masonic organisations.
Are Freemasons Trying to Take Over the World? Are They Satanists? Are they the Illuminati?
Unfortunately many untruths have been spread by opposers of Freemasonry, often referred to as Anti-masons. Some of these untruths include some of the above conspiracy theories. Freemasonry isn’t hiding some alterior motive. It does exactly what it says on the tin. Despite speaking openly and plainly about what we do, some prefer the fantastical lies perpetuated in the past, and still perpetuated by some today.
In truth Freemasonry is influencial only through its bearing on the character and development of its members.
Freemasonry is rooted in the world, and the realities of a well lived life. As such, it would not suit fantasists, conspiracy theorists, or those detached from reality.
Is Freemasonry a Cult?
No, but any cult would say that.
First, let’s clarify how the world “cult” and “sect” can have multiple usages: mainstream religious cult and philosophical sects made of follower of the likes of Plato, are not what this question is addressed at.
The question refers to some form of organization that submits members’ wills and bodies, separate them from their families and friends, oppress them and extracts large amounts of money, and/or have obscure and dangerous aims. The judging criteria are not the ideological beliefs but the actions and behaviors that violate the rights, dignity and freedom of the human person.
And often members of a religious or political organization will call “a cult” any organization that they disagree with.
So in order to answer the question objectively, we have to address some objective criteria laid out by a recognized body. We can take the criteria of the French association of defense of individuals and families: http://www.unadfi.org/caracteristiques-des-sectes-selon (translated and summarized here):
To describe a group of “cult”, we retain the criterion of harmfulness or extremely dangerous group by the combination of three characteristics:
- Mental manipulation
- Indoctrination
- Mind Control
- Feeding dependency
- Pressures
- Triple destruction
- Destruction of the person
(physically, weaken the body; psychological, weaken critical mind; intellectual, reduce the field and sources of knowledge; relational, reduce social skills and contacts; social, withdraw from society)- Destruction of the family
(breakup relationships, undermine authority, estrange from children, recruit children)- Destruction of society
(infiltrate institutions, or desert them, reject legal authority, turn anyone external to an enemy, prevent involvement as a citizen, remove from cultural and social activities)- Triple scam
- Intellectual
(You never get what was promised, it is always postponed and everyone else is blamed for the failure to deliver. Members first of all)- Moral
(Members usually become victim of all sorts of abuses, and have lost the will to even see that they are victims)- Financial
(The bigger red flag of them all is the money aspect. If you spend more than 1% of your disposable income you have to start to worry; more than 10% there is no doubt about the cultish nature of the organization)
The FAQ’s address the main criteria: unreasonable financial demands, negative impact on trust and relationship with family and friends, social and intellectual submission.
In a nut shell, it is a very strong principle of Freemasonry that members have to strike a balance in their lives between their professional life, their private life, their social obligations and their rest.
Freemasonry should not cost members more time or money than any social club they may belong to, like an acting society for instance.
And if they decide to take on more responsibilities, for instance becoming a treasurer, they are requires to inspect their own conscience to decide if that extra time commitment is compatible with their other obligations; and they are encouraged to discuss with their family how this will impact their free time.
In Freemasonry, the ultimate priority is the Freemason’s happiness and balance. And their family should always be included in making big decisions when joining or when progressing.
If you’ve read the Questions and Answers, and our About Us page, and you remain interested, check out our Membership page.