What is SO often misunderstood is a simple fact: there are few but important requirements to become a Freemason!

While they are stated in slightly different words in various jurisdictions (and a few jurisdictions may have one or two requirements beyond these), they basically are as follows:

1. Being a man, freeborn, of good repute and well-recommended;

2. A belief in a Supreme Being;

3. Ability to support one's self and family;

4. Of lawful age; and

5. Come to Freemasonry of their "own free will and accord".

Let's examine these individually:

Being a man, freeborn, of good repute and well-recommended

• Masonry began as a male organization. There are women's groups and groups of mixed male-female membership who use rituals similar to that of the major body of Freemasons throughout the world. Some of these groups receive acknowledgement (but not 'recognition') due to their adherence to high moral principles etc. while others are frowned upon. It is, after all, quite easy for anyone to claim that they are the head of a Masonic group and begin to obtain members.

• The requirement of being "freeborn" is one which harkens back to the earliest days of Freemasonry. It became a requirement since only those free from indentured service (as many were in 17th century England, for example), could truly make decisions for themselves.

• Being of good repute is another essential requirement in that Masons do not wish to encourage membership by those whose actions would stain the reputation of the fraternity. In some jurisdictions this is stated but in all, it is practiced!

• A well-recommended person is one for whom another is willing to vouch. Those who become Freemasons have been recommended by a proposer and then examined by lodge members to ensure that the candidate will benefit from his membership.

Belief in a Supreme Being

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• The major 'bone of contention' for some detractors, Masonry does not attempt to define or delineate how a person should pray or to whom worship should be addressed.

• The term "Great Architect of the Universe" (or "Grand Architect of the Universe") is used to permit a more generic worship to the Supreme Being of all present. All Masons understand this concept and when prayers are offered in their lodge, they understand that regardless of the person speaking the words or the manner of prayer of others present, the prayer is addressed to their Supreme Being.

• Once a candidate professes such belief, no further investigation or interrogation is made. This fact too stymies Freemasonry's detractors who seem to be constantly engaged in wars of 'religious correctness' and who wind up in contradiction with each other at times as a result.

Ability to support one's self and family

• Although not specifically stated by all jurisdictions, this 'requirement' comes from a time when many would join organizations in the hope that there would be benefits for them in their old age. Masonry did want to become some type of benevolent association. Now, however, this ability is important to ensure that those who seek membership understand the priority of Freemasonry is secondary to religious and family obligations!

Of Lawful Age

• It's a simply understood concept: if you are not old enough to make legal commitments, then the concepts and precepts of Freemasonry might be a bit too much for you to comprehend. Although this isn't always true, there is a conceptual basis for separating 'adults' from 'children'.

• In most jurisdictions, this age is 21. There are, however, some jurisdictions where the age might be as low as 18.

"Own Free Will and Accord"

• You won't find recruiting posters or hear of Masonic membership drives; Masonry is a voluntary organization which is sought be those with a positive impression of the organization.

• Masonic membership has always been an intensely personal experience and in times when "feelings" weren't discussed publicly, the need for a person to ask for membership was often not communicated to those who might otherwise be interested in the fraternity.  Accordingly, there are many who became Masons much later in life than necessary: they had thought the proper thing to do was to wait to be asked to join!

• Some grand jurisdictions, recognizing the problem arising from expectations ("I must be asked to join such a good organization."), have begun to loosen prior strict prohibitions and will now  sometimes have a provision for Masons to let those who they may feel would be appropriate candidates that they are, indeed, 'invited' to join. This does not, however, in any way mitigate or diminish the requirement that a man make the choice to join under his 'own free will and accord' not motivated by unworthy motives!

These basic principles have been  the means of attracting the most highly respected persons to Masonry for over three centuries. Their simplicity confounds and confuses those who see a conspiracy lurking behind every bush; those who want 'religious purity' and those whose own motives are constantly self-oriented. As a result, this quiet fraternity continues - as do its detractors.

If you've read this far and are now interested in Masonic membership for yourself, simply call or visit your local Masonic lodge or call the Grand Lodge for your area. Masons, except in countries where persecution may require it, don't hide: our buildings (unlike most of our detractors) are clearly found in virtually every city and town throughout the inhabitable planet!!!

If you know a man who is a Mason, ask him! We suspect that you'll both be glad that you did! In many parts of the world, Masons wear jewelry which makes them easily identifiable.