What is Freemasonry?

Freemasonry is the largest and oldest fraternity still in existence. New members go through an initiatic experience, which teaches moral lessons through allegory and symbols. To put it more simply, we teach lessons that men have been using for centuries to improve themselves successfully.

Who can become a Freemason?

In the lodges that fall under the Grand Lodge of Michigan, the requirements are that you 1) Are a male, age 18 or older, 2) Have lived in Michigan for the past 12 months (six for men in the military), and 3) Believe in a Supreme Being.

Why do you only admit males?

When freemasonry was first formed out of old guilds of stonemasons, they were formed by men only. We carry on down from those first lodges, and have had that requirement ever since. There are lodges for women, or for mixed genders, but not under our system.

Why do you require a belief in a Supreme Being? Which Being does Masonry endorse?

A belief in a Supreme Being is a requirement, yes, but which is left up to the individual brother. We are not a religion, and do not try to replace a person’s individual beliefs. Men of many different faiths have sat in a lodge room together, and religious argument (as well as political argument) is banned in lodges. However, we require a belief in a Supreme Being because while we are not a religion, we require obligations of every new brother that we consider more binding when they believe in a deity.

Are you members of the Illuminati/Skull and Bones/Stonecutters etc?

No. Masons are members of their community, trying to improve it and themselves. Because we conduct business behind closed doors and require obligations, some have gotten the mistaken impression that all sorts of nefarious things are done by us. Rest assured that we have many different viewpoints within a lodge room, and no one in our lodge is plotting world domination.

Will becoming a member give me more money or other benefits?

No. Masons do try to help out distressed brothers if they fall on hard times from time to time, but we hold each other to high moral standards. If someone joins a lodge in order to get some sort of material benefit, they will be very disappointed.

Aren’t all Masons older men?

Not at all! While there are a lot of outstanding Masons that are over the age of 60, many younger members are now joining the Craft. In Lansing #33, we have had many Masters under the age of 40. When you join a lodge, you are on the “Level”, which means that most distinctions outside of lodge (such as age) mean less. In fact, this allows men to form relationships who otherwise would have remained distant. Every Mason is a Brother.

What does Lansing #33 do when not in lodge?

In addition to supporting each other and working to improve ourselves, we devote time to improve our communities. We have various charitable projects we work on throughout the year. And, yes, sometimes, we just get together and have fun!

I am not in the Lansing area, but am still interested in Masonry. Can you guide me to the right place?

If you reside in Michigan, a list of lodges can be found here. If you are outside of the state, a good place to go is this webpage maintained by the United Grand Lodge of England. The lodges listed here are generally considered “regular” by most of Craft Masonry.

I have other questions!

Here is an excellent FAQ page produced by the Grand Lodge of Michigan. You can also send us a message here.