Freemasonry is the most widely recognized fraternal society in the world. It is a centuries-old brotherhood of men from different religious, ethnic, social, and economic backgrounds. It requires each member to believe in God, while accepting that his fellow members may hold very different beliefs than his own. Freemasonry respects each man’s success and place in society while treating him as an equal in the lodge room. It encourages members to take the lessons learned in the lodge, such as tolerance, integrity, civility, and charity, and apply them outside the lodge for the betterment of themselves, their families, and their communities. Thus, good men build character and become even better friends, citizens, husbands, fathers, and brothers. Today, Masonry has over 3 million members, with more than 1 million residing in North America. For more information, visit BeAFreemason.org.

No. Freemasonry is not a religion or a substitute for religion. However, it is an organization of men who all profess a belief in a Supreme Being, and it includes spiritual or religious elements in its ceremonies. While it is built on the premise that the universe and all life are creations of a deity, Freemasonry deals more with man’s relationship with his fellow man rather than his relationship with his God. From a 21st century point of view, lodge ceremonies may have a sacred or timeless feel to them. Freemasonry, however, does not judge or interpret or in any way attempt to change the religious beliefs of its members. There are no religious discussions in lodge meetings. Because of its origins in Great Britain and Western Europe, many of the symbols and allusions to God used in the lodge are taken from the Bible, which can always be found in the lodge, open to a different passage in each of the three degrees. Each man, however, is free to interpret these passages according to his conscience.

The origins of Freemasonry are lost in the unrecorded history of the Middle Ages, and they are subject to speculation, unproven claims, and even conspiracy theories. However, we know that lodges of working or operative stonemasons existed from early times to support great building projects, like castles, fortresses, churches, and cathedrals. Many Masonic scholars believe that as these massive building projects became less frequent, lodges of working stonemasons began accepting men of good character, reputation, and rank as honorary members into their guilds. These accepted Masons found that the legends, skills, and knowledge of the building trades (especially their moral code, emphasis on merit, and application of geometry and the liberal arts and science to daily life) provided value and meaning to its members’ social and professional connections. Over several generations, the number of operative Masons declined and accepted Masons increased, until the lodge became an early version of the fraternal organization we know today. These independent lodges have been documented in England, Ireland, and Scotland. Learn about the physical and symbolic meanings behind the operative Masonic working tools still used in Freemasonry today. Four of the existing independent lodges in London, England, formally united or organized during the early 18th century. The Grand Lodge of London and Westminster, soon recognized as the Grand Lodge of England, was the first organized grand lodge in modern Freemasonry. Grand lodges in Scotland and Ireland soon followed. From these humble beginnings, Freemasonry rapidly spread to more countries in Europe and throughout the English colonies, including those that became the United States.

All Freemasons are held to the same standard and must be of good character and reputation to become and remain a member. Additionally, to join Ohio Freemasonry, you must first meet the following criteria: Be a male at least 19 years old Be an Ohio resident for at least six months Be able to read and write English Be prepared to profess a belief in Deity Be of good reputation as a man of honor and integrity Be prepared to obtain a background check if requested

In Freemasonry we do not solicit membership. We are prohibited from directly asking people to join. The choice to join Freemasonry must be done of YOUR OWN FREEWILL AND ACCORD. You may come across our Slogan for membership. Contact a Mason to learn more.