Questions and Answers

Who is a Mason ?

A Mason is a “Free” man or woman of good will and high ethical standards. He/she believes in the freedom of conscience and desires to work for the moral and intellectual improvement of humanity. This requires a high level of commitment as well as sincerity and humility in the search for truth and devotion to the well being of one’s fellow man.

What is Masonry?

Freemasonry is a traditional philanthropic, philosophic and initiatory Society based upon Fraternity and Sisterhood. Its methods represent an access to perfectibility and to self-discovery through the use of universal symbols.

Its symbolism and philosophy teach Freemasons the real integration between Nature and Mankind. Thus understood, Freemasonry is a Universal Alliance based on solidarity.

Freemasonry does not make any distinction between nationalities, race, religious belief or philosophical view, wealth or social standing. It promotes the freedom of conscience.

Our women’s Freemasonry is neither political nor dogmatic. It is not a social club.

How many Lodges from the WGLB ( Women’s Grand Lodge of Belgium ) exist in the USA?

- Universalis (NYC)

- Aletheia (L.A)

- Emounah. Washington D.C

Is there a difference between the Masonic Obediences?

We are an adogmatic Obedience (complete freedom of beliefs).

All adogmatic Obediences established in the USA have the same Masonic principles. They may, however, differ slightly in terms of:

- All feminine, all masculine, or mixed.

- Choices in the Rituals: French Rite / Ancient and Accepted Scottish rite.

- Languages (English / French / Spanish)

- Decorum and clothing worn in the Temple

What does Masonry do?

Freemasonry is a methodic path leading towards a certain Enlightenment.

But Freemasonry doesn’t contain and doesn’t authorize any promises.

Freemasonry appeals to all people of good will who desire to cooperate in the moral and intellectual improvement of society.

Freemasonry helps Masons in their spiritual growth, through assiduity in Lodge, search for the truth and devotion to the well being of the “other.”

The Mason learns to understand the beauty of Symbolism (through the study of Masonic tools) and the practice of Philosophy (through Lodges Lectures).

He/she also develops an awareness of the moral and social problems facing humanity.

Masons apply the motto: Liberty, Equality, Fraternityin the Temple and also in their daily lives.

Work is considered a moral imperative.

Masons obey to the Rules of their Obedience and their Lodge.

Masons respect the laws and legitimate authority of the country in which they hold their meetings.

Is Freemasonry a sect?

Freemasonry is not closed to the outside world and is, therefore, not a sect. A Mason is a Free thinker who acts inside and outside according to his/her ideas. Freemasonry does not coerce anyone. On the contrary, Freemasonry stimulates free spirit and open opinion. Freemasons are responsible of their own development and progression without any kind of pressure.

Is Freemasonry a religion?

Freemasonry is neither a religion nor a substitute for a religion. It doesn’t propose any system of faith whatsoever.

In our Freemasonry, there is no attempt to combine religions. There is, therefore, no composite Masonic God.

Liberal Freemasonry doesn’t have any dogma or theology. It doesn’t offer any sacrament. It doesn’t pretend to lead to Salvation through works, or secret teachings, or any other means.

Is Freemasonry secretive?

Our liberal Masonry is secretive to a certain extent. It would be more appropriate to say that Masonry requires “discretion”.

Freemasonry is a method, a technical method to work. Each one understands and experiences it differently in his/her life and would be incapable to explain it to a non-Mason. In that sense, it is his/her “secret” path.

It is generally forbidden to divulge the name of another Mason and also to mention what occurred in the Temple.

However a Mason is free to mention he/she belongs to the Craft.

What happens at a Lodge meeting?

Masons are builders; to build you need to work.

Masons work together in the Temple in order to build their inner Temple, following a Ritual and using symbolic tools.

The Ritual is important in that it transposes in a different frame of mind, away from the profane world, and encourages to reflect and be more receptive to the Masonic teachings.

The Masons regularly write and read in Lodge a symbolic, philosophical, or social paper (also called “Piece of Architecture”) that is subsequently discussed. Such a process helps them grow and develop their reflective minds.

They learn to listen and respect others’ points of view.

When the meeting is over, they all share a meal/snack, called “Agapes” (fraternal meal), an opportunity to develop friendships.

Why does Masonry use symbols?

"The symbol has an esoteric purpose; it is a method that “suggests” what cannot be transmitted by teaching or direct representation. It allows the Mason to integrate his/her part of personal intuition to go toward the discovery of his/her secret truth. Then we can consider the symbol as an initiatic principle. The goal of symbolism is to link the mind of human to what transcend it, bond the element to the whole and to the universal.”

~Jules Boucher

What does Masonry teach?

Self-discovery - Moral improvement - Awareness of deeper meanings in life Sincerity - Respect of the other - Humility - Tolerance - Commitment - Fraternal love .

What are the requirements for membership and how does a woman become a Mason?

- In the WGLB, women need to be 25 years old in order to apply.

- Accept to have 3 interviews with different Sisters of the Lodge.

- If positive, the candidate, blindfolded, will answer questions from the members of the Lodge. A vote for/against her Initiation will follow.

Once initiated, the following is required of her:

- A serious extended commitment to the meetings in Lodge, twice a month.

- Her Participationto instructions and to the activities in Lodge.

- Her Writing of some pieces of Architecture.

- An Acceptance of the financial requirements by the Lodge.

- An Acceptance of the rules of the Lodge.

- (Read also:” Who is a Mason?”)