Frequently Asked Questions 

DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES of the MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF THE STATE OF INDIANA Adopted May 24, 1939 Revised May 18, 1949 Revised May 18, 2005 Freemasonry is a charitable, benevolent, educational and religious fraternity. Its principles are proclaimed as widely as men will hear. Its only secrets are in its methods of recognition and of symbolic instruction. It is charitable in that it is not organized for profit and none of its income inures to the benefit of any individual, but all is devoted to the promotion of the welfare and happiness of mankind. It is benevolent in that it teaches and exemplifies altruism as a duty. It is educational in that it teaches by prescribed ceremonials a system of morality and brotherhood based upon the Sacred Law. It is religious in that it teaches monotheism, the Volume of the Sacred Law is open upon its Altars whenever a Lodge is in session, reverence for God is ever present in its ceremonial, and to its Brethren are constantly addressed lessons of morality; yet it is not sectarian or theological. It is a social organization in that it brings good men together in numbers to teach and practice the art of Freemasonry. Through the art of Freemasonry, the improvement and strengthening of the character of the individual man, Freemasonry seeks to improve the community. Thus it impresses upon its members the principles of personal righteousness and personal responsibility, enlightens them as to those things which make for human welfare, and inspires them with that feeling of charity, or good will, toward all mankind which will move them to translate principle and conviction into action. To that end, it teaches and stands for the reverence of God; truth and justice; fraternity and philanthropy; and enlightenment and orderly liberty, civil, religious and intellectual. It charges each of its members to be true and loyal to the government of the country to which he owes allegiance and to be obedient to the law of any State in which he may be. Masonry abhors Tyranny as being repugnant to its concept of the dignity of the individual personality, destructive of the basic human rights which are the Divine heritage of all men, and contrary to the fundamental Masonic tenets of faith in God and the free exercise of religion. It believes that the attainment of these objectives is best accomplished by laying a broad basis of principle upon which men of every race, country, sect and opinion may unite. Believing these things, this Grand Lodge affirms its continued adherence to that ancient and approved rule of Freemasonry which forbids the discussion in Masonic meetings of creeds, politics or other topics likely to excite personal animosities. It further affirms its conviction that it is contrary to the fundamental principles of Freemasonry and dangerous to its unity, strength, usefulness and welfare, for Masonic bodies to take action or attempt to exercise pressure or influence for or against any legislation, or in any way to attempt to procure the election or appointment of government officials, or to influence them, whether or not members of the Fraternity, in the performance of their official duties. The true Freemason acts in civil life according to his individual judgment and the dictates of his conscience.

Freemasonry, or Masonry, consists of a course of moral instruction, illustrated by types, emblems, and allegorical figures. The old English Constitutions state it in this manner, "a system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols." Webster says an allegory "represents by suggestive resemblance"; and a symbol is a visible sign or representation of an ideal.... Charles C. Hunt (Grand Secretary Emeritus of the GL of Iowa,) proposed the following definition, after an extensive analysis of opinions of other eminent Masonic scholars, "Freemasonry is an organized society of men symbolically applying the principles of operative masonry and architecture to the science and art of character building." This especially distinguishes our Fraternity from all other organizations which teach a system of morality. -Paraphrased from the Indiana Monitor and Freemason's Guide. In Indiana's jurisdiction, this is considered published materials.

If you are a man of lawful age, having a belief in God, and meet jurisdiction requirements, find a Mason and ask. If you are known to that man, and he is comfortable referring you to membership, he will have you complete a petition for membership. If you do not know a Mason, most Grand Lodges have an online referral platform to make contact - or find a local lodge building and just show up on a meeting night. If you are unknown to the members, expect to spend a number of evenings getting to know the members of the Lodge. This is an opportunity for you to see if you enjoy their company and an opportunity for them to get to know you. If you feel that you do not mesh well with the members of particular Lodge, feel free to go to other locations to see if there is a group you mesh more strongly with. Once you are ready to join, ask for a petition and pay the initiation fee. Your petition will be read and a committee to evaluate and recommend action will be formed by the presiding officer. This committee should meet with you to answer any of your questions and to ensure that you meet the requirements for membership. Once these meetings are complete, your petition will be read in Lodge and voted upon. It is one of the traditions of Freemasonry that members must be elected by unanimous vote of members present. Once voted in the affirmative, your initiation will be scheduled.

Masonry does not endorse political candidates or legislation, and the discussion of politics at Masonic meetings is not allowed.

G.A.O.T.U is an acronym for "Great Architect of the Universe" and is synonymous with God. The term "Great Architect of the Universe" is in keeping with the use of stone masons symbolism throughout our organization with an architect being recognized as the one with the plan to build or symbolically live ones life. Why don't we simply say "God?" - we do! Freemasonry teaches non-sectarian monotheism; reverence for God is ever present in our ceremonies. When a Mason references God or the Great Architect, they are referencing the god of their personal faith.

No - the beliefs of a Satanist are in conflict with the morality, norms, and teaching of Freemasonry. Generally, "historical Satanism, also called devil worship, consists of belief in and worship of the Judeo-Christian Devil and the explicit rejection of his antithesis [explicit rejection of God.]" (7/22. Britannica.) Faith in God is a requirement to join the fraternity. We accept no atheists.

No - Freemasonry is a charitable, benevolent, educational and religious fraternity. Through the art of Freemasonry, the improvement and strengthening of the character of the individual man, Freemasonry seeks to improve the community. Thus it impresses upon its members the principles of personal righteousness and personal responsibility, enlightens them as to those things which make for human welfare, and inspires them with that feeling of charity, or good will, toward all mankind which will move them to translate principle and conviction into action. Masonry abhors Tyranny as being repugnant to its concept of the dignity of the individual personality, destructive of the basic human rights which are the Divine heritage of all men, and contrary to the fundamental Masonic tenets of faith in God and the free exercise of religion. It believes that the attainment of these objectives is best accomplished by laying a broad basis of principle upon which men of every race, country, sect and opinion may unite.

Symbols allow people to communicate quickly, and to transcend language barriers. When you see a green light or a circle with a line through it, you know what it means. Likewise, Masons use metaphors from geometry and the architecture of stonemasonry to inform their continuing pursuit of knowledge, ethics, and leadership skills. To reflect their heritage, Masons wear aprons while in lodge, at certain public events, and at funerals to demonstrate their pride in the fraternity, and their lineage from stonemasons, who historically carried their tools in leather aprons. The square and compass is the most widely known symbol of Masonry: When you see the symbol on a building, you know that Masons meet there.

Together with the Holy Bible (or other appropriate book of faith,) the Square and Compass compose the three Great Lights of Masonry. "Light" being emblematic of knowledge. The Holy Bible (or book of faith) is the rule and guide of faith, a requirement for membership, the Square to remind us to square our actions with mankind and other members, and the Compass to circumscribe and keep us within due bounds with all mankind, but especially a Brother Mason. -Paraphrased from the Indiana Monitor and Freemason's Guide. In Indiana's jurisdiction, this is considered published materials.

The lamb-skin or white leather apron is an emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason. Members are presented with the unadorned apron at their initiation into the Fraternity and are taught to keep their thoughts and actions as pure and spotless as that badge. Throughout a member's masonic journey, they may be presented with other aprons that are emblematic of other offices or recognitions, but none are more significant than that first plain apron. At the funeral of a member who has "dropped the working tools of life," that first apron may be placed upon the body or otherwise incorporated into a Masonic Funeral Service as a final act of brotherhood/fraternity to the departed brother.

Freemasonry (also called “Masonry”) is the world’s first and largest fraternity, based on the belief that each man can make a difference in the world. Freemasonry enhances and strengthens the character of the individual man by providing opportunities for fellowship, charity, and education.

Membership in Masonry is not a secret; all members are free to acknowledge their membership. There is no secret about any of Masonry’s aims or principles. Masonry’s constitutions and rules are available to the public, and meeting locations are clearly identifiable. Like many similar organizations, some of Masonry’s internal affairs, such as ceremonies, grips, and passwords, are regarded as private matters for members only.

Masons’ name comes from the occupation of their original members – stonemasons who built castles and cathedrals in England and Scotland. The word “free” was added during the Middle Ages. Because stonemasons possessed knowledge and skills not found everywhere, these men had the privilege of traveling between countries. Over time, many men who were not builders were drawn to the practices of Freemasonry. To encourage intellectual diversity, stonemasons began accepting men from other professions into the fraternity. These men were known as “accepted Masons.” This trend continued, and accepted members eventually outnumbered operative members. Today, the names “Freemasonry,” “Masonry,” and “Free and Accepted Masons” are used interchangeably to refer to the fraternity.

A grand lodge is an administrative body that oversees Freemasonry in a specific geographic area, called a jurisdiction. The United States has grand lodges in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

There are about five million Masons worldwide, including more than one million in the U.S. and more than 40,000 in Indiana. All lodges follow the same principles of Freemasonry, but their activities may vary. Each grand lodge is sovereign and independent; there is no U.S. or international governing body for Freemasonry.

A man first becomes a Mason at his local lodge. After he has been awarded the three degrees of Masonry, he may join any of the other allied Masonic organizations (appendant bodies), 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.

There are three strands of Freemasonry in the world: masculine Masonry (exclusively men), feminine Masonry (exclusively women), and mixed Masonry (men and women). The Masons of Indiana is a fraternity of men. We sponsor Masonic organizations for men, women, and youth.

In the years following World War I, Masons in the United States helped establish a trio of youth orders dedicated to teaching young men and women the principles and values of Masonry. Today, DeMolay International, Job’s Daughters International, and the International Order of Rainbow for Girls offer young men and women ages 10 to 21 opportunities for personal growth and community service.

There is an application fee for membership, which includes a charitable contribution to help fulfill our philanthropic mission and our obligation to aid brothers and their families in times of need. Continued giving supports important charitable programs, which rely on member contributions. Annual dues begin when the Entered Apprentice degree is received; each lodge determines the dues amount.

Freemasonry began when stonemasons formed local organizations, called lodges, to take care of 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 their pay, plan their work, train new apprentices, and socialize. Today, this term refers both to a unit of Masons and the room or building in which they meet. There are nearly 400 lodges in Indiana and approximately 13,000 in the United States.

There are three stages of Masonic membership: Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason. These stages are referred to as “degrees,” and correspond with members’ self-development and increased knowledge of Freemasonry. As a man completes each phase of learning, the lodge holds a ceremony to confer his degree. Degree names are taken from craft guilds: In the Middle Ages, to become a stonemason, a man would first be apprenticed. As an apprentice, he learned the tools and skills of the trade. When he had proved his skills, he became a “fellow of the craft,” and when he gained exceptional ability, he was known as a “master of the craft.”

There are two kinds of meetings for members. The most common is a business meeting, called a stated meeting, devoted to administrative procedures: minutes of the last meeting, discussing financial matters, voting on applications, and planning for lodge activities. The second kind of meeting is ceremonial, used for admitting new Masons and conferring degrees.

Masonry came to America from England and many of the original English titles are still in use. These titles may sound archaic in today’s society, but their meanings are simple. The master is the leader of the lodge, similar to the term president in other organizations. He is called “master” for the same reason that the leader of first violins in an orchestra is called the concertmaster. It’s simply an older term for leader. The senior and junior wardens represent the first and second vice presidents.

We sometimes call a building a “temple” in the same sense that Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes called the Supreme Court a “Temple of Justice.”