It seems to me that masonry is not quite the same all around the world. Since I am not an initiate, by the previous sentence I mean in terms of organization, not in terms of core values. To share my background a little bit: I have lived in the United States for a little under six years, including my college years, and as far as masonry goes I found a lot of openness. Literature about masonic history, or masonic philosophy was readily available. Any reputable book store would keep in stock a masonic encyclopedia, if not other literature as well. Not to mention that the people were rather proud, when asked, that they were free masons. My personal friend and mentor was a master mason, and while he did not disclose masonic knowledge with me, I learned a lot from his teachings and life experience. He was open, and willing to help whenever I was willing to accept his aid. We spent a lot of time together talking about various aspect of human existence, and I must say it was most enjoyable.

I cannot say the same, though, about Europe. Like the old saying goes “To become a mason, ask a mason” ... I must say that in Romania, for instance, you hardly have anybody to ask. Unlike the United States, a temple in any given town is “hidden”, if I may call it so. While, for example, in the streets of Washington DC you could walk down Pennsylvania Avenue and read off a sign post in front of a building Naval Masonic Lodge, you can wear your feet down in Bucharest in search for a temple. Look for masonic symbolism: sure, you’ll find it all over the place, especially on buildings of the 18th and 19th century. On the other hand you will find that they are no longer lodges hosted in those buildings, but rather public institutions like police head quarters, city halls, opera houses, etc. I also have a few mason acquaintances, and even if asked directly they refuse to talk about anything having to do with masonry. Very few will give out some information, and even fewer will entertain a conversation on this topic. Another example: a gentlemen, member of the brotherhood, once offered to lend me his Masonic Encyclopedia, but I had to promise him I would keep this act as a most guarded secret. I can buy a Masonic Encyclopedia off of amazon.com, so why the big hush?

Why all the secrecy? I can understand that masonic knowledge should be a secret for the eyes and ears of brothers only, but the rest is quite unnecessary. In the light of my British and American education I conclude that masonry in a country like Romania is a taboo issue. And if people are so secretive, how do they grant access to new members? Local gossip, if I may call it so, says that the freemasons are an exclusive club for the rich, or that it is a club dedicated to politicians and public servants ... and the list of gibberish can go on and on. I know better not to listen to this type of talk. But other than this gossip nobody would shed some light into the matter - I figured I should ask you! Why do you think that masonry is treated in such a manner?

That’s a good observation.  I get the same sense myself.  There are places in the world where Masonry is not spoken of or proudly displayed, but is rather hidden.

The only explanation I can think of for this is that the visibility of the craft in a particular part of the world is in relation to how accepted it is.  In America we have a long proud history of Masonry, and can boast so many famous Masons that we may find strength in numbers, and can trace our openness back to the foundation of this country when our founding fathers did not hide their Masonic involvement.

The same can’t be said for every country.  Due to a few unscrupulous Masons in the UK, the whole group is seen with a heavy eye of skepticism and mistrust.  In other parts of the world, Masonry is only recently even allowed, having previously been banned by whatever religious institution happened to hold sway at the time.

That’s how I account for those differences.  There may be a more accurate reason, but that seems to be the most logical.

I appreciate the prompt reply.

I have a few more questions if you would be so kind. Looking back on the conversations I had with my mentor, my friend that I have mentioned in the previous post, I recall him saying this: if one desires to join he must believe in God (by whatever name he shall address him), be of right age, be recommended by two members, and most importantly, the attempt of joining a lodge must be his own initiative. Is that available world wide? The reason I am asking is because of the way I was approached over here. It was hinted to me, by a few brother masons, that it is a possibility for me to be accepted into the lodge, but the choice of words they used made me understand firmly that the application process cannot be initiated unless somebody from the inside invites me to join. This whole invitation only thing is new to me. Like I said above, I was under the impression that I must be the one who makes the first step.

I have contemplated on becoming a mason for a long time, and maybe when the opportunity came up, I refused to make the next step as I considered myself unprepared at that point in time. Things have changed, and I am inclined towards this more than ever before. As my wisdom and preparation changed, so did circumstances. I am no longer in the US, and with this whole secrecy surrounding the issue, I have no clue what to expect anymore. I am assuming that once a mason, you will be treated equal in lodges all over the world. If you had experience with masonry outside the US, I am assuming you can answer my question. Should I expect the same values, the same ritual and the same behavior of members as I have seen in the US?

There was one other thing that I know it’s not common practice in the US, and I was surprised to hear. Again, the member who told me this was hinting towards what I am about to say and did not say it directly. Basically, the premise is that masonry is an elites group. Membership is granted in one of two way: either you buy your way in, or you are simply invited. If you have an entourage with enough members, you may be invited and the invitation will cost a considerable sum of money. It is my understanding that this is something practiced by leading business people or politicians, who are not interested in what masonry stands for, but are rather interested in business networking. The alternative to this would be invitation, which I understand is a rare occurrence, for merit. By this it is meant a bright individual that displays genuine interest for the spiritual part of masonry is invited without any monetary expectation from him. Again, this is not something that was told to me in a direct fashion, I was just led to understand this. Leaving aside the ethical part of what I have just said, how far off am I? As far as ethics I want to briefly express my point of view: in spite of the fact that I might afford paying a “joining fee”, I don’t see that to be right. I don’t think that the core of masonry, judging from my limited knowledge on the topic, should be about networking. Of course, networking will inevitably occur when you have a number of bright minds in the same room, but that should not be the main purpose of a lodge meeting - that’s not what masonry stands for (again, I am making this statement based on my readings and from my experience with masons prior to Romania).

Thank you for your patience. I hope to find the pertinent answers I seek for the past year and a half!

You pose some interesting questions. Let me say at the outset, that I am a Mason, currently in the USA for a short while. I have visited lodges in France, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Masonry is an international institution, and the practices, customs, and traditions vary somewhat from country to country.  I will speak from my own experience, and try to enlighten you.

Masonry is quite “open” in the USA (and Canada, and many other countries). You can obtain books, easily. Masons wear pins, rings, belt buckles,etc. Many states have an official Masonic license plate (I initiated the legislation to get these in KY). Masons are generally glad to discuss Freemasonry (I will talk your ears off!). The best kept secret about Freemasonry, is that there are no secrets. Everything we do, and our goals and objectives are broadcast to all the world. The only topics that are kept from the public, are the modes of recognition (grips, passwords,etc), and even these are easily found on the internet.

In other countries, Masonry is much more discreet. The National Grand Lodge of France, is in an obscure building in Neuilly, France. The Square and Compasses are not visible on the building, and you could drive right past the building and not even know it was a masonic grand lodge. French Masons do not display the square and compasses openly, you never see a ring or tie-tack. When I lived in Paris (1986-1987), there was a rumor that the Freemasons were controlling the government, because the current president’s brother was a Freemason.

In Saudi Arabia, Freemasonry is illegal. The lodges that meet on the American housing compound, meet in private residences, and the government generally turns a blind eye. As long as only Brits and Americans participate, and the meetings are discreet, there is no problem.

In Iraq, anyone participating in Freemasonry, could be killed. The few lodges that meet on the US military bases, have no problem with the local government, there is no jurisdiction.

Masonry is hardly a rich man’s club. My annual dues are $60. We have some wealthy men, but the wide majority of (USA) masons are not wealthy. Dues are very low, in most cases, and I get more than $60 worth of free meals per year. 

In the USA (and most countries) the decision to participate in Freemasonry, must be made by the individual man. Most Grand Lodges in the USA forbid recruitment, or inviting any man to join. The philosophy is “Masonry does not seek men, Men seek Masonry”. I cannot speak for all countries, but some Grand Lodges abroad, may permit invitations. I honestly don’t know. If you are not sure of what the procedure is in your country of residence, then contact the Grand Lodge, and ask. Your understanding of the qualifications, is generally on the mark. In the USA, these are:

Belief in God
Of proper age
Good moral character
Resident of the area where the lodge is located

The requirements differ from place to place. Some lodges require that you be recommended by two masons, some states only require that you provide two/three individuals who can vouch for your character. Some states have a minimum residency requirement, you must live in California for one year, prior to petitioning a California lodge.

The general principle is, that when you are a Mason anywhere, then you are a Mason everywhere. This is one of our splendid traditions, that dates back to our ancient operative brethren. If you hold a membership in a legitimate lodge, you are generally entitled to visit and fellowship with all lodges, worldwide.

There are minor differences in ritual, in foreign lodges. The lodge in Moscow,Russia meets in Russian, but they use the ritual of the Grand Lodge of France. The lodges in Saudi Arabia, use the ritual from the Grand Lodge of Minnesota. There are minor differences in wording and procedure, but the concept and practices of Masonry, are universal and worldwide.

Masonry in the USA, is definetly NOT an “elite’s group”. Ordinary working men, engineers, truck drivers, and men with advanced degrees, meet as brothers and equals. In the USA, no one “buys” his way in, and almost no man is invited. The costs for most USA lodges are very low, and have not kept up with inflation.

If you have decided that Masonry is right for you, then I encourage you to petition the lodge in your area of residence.

Anonymouse,

Bro. Martin has given an excellent reply covering most of your concerns.

I would add that the very private, even secretive, nature of Masonry in many countries is the result of its having been suppressed in the not too distant past. Hitler, Mussolini and Franco made Masonry illegal, seized all lodge property and killed or imprisoned masons. After the war, eastern Europe came under Soviet communist rule which continued to suppress Masonry, being as inimical to it as the Fascists. Franco lived a long time and Spanish masonry could not be revived until he was gone. It was not until the end of the Iron Curtain era that masonry could be revived in Romania, Hungary, Croatia, etc. and the masons there are understandably reluctant or unable to adapt our kind of openness after being persecuted for more than half a century. While Italy resumed masonic activity after WWII, it still needs to be very circumspect, being in the homeland of the Papacy and thus under a constant spotlight of suspicion. As Bro. Martin noted about Saudi Arabia, masonry is illegal in all Arab and Muslim countries except Morocco and Lebanon.

The differences between procedures, customs, and rituals are actually greater than Bro. Martin has observed. In the UK, it’s basically like our customs and ritual workings, but there are considerable differences in the details. In the Scandinavian countries, they use the Swedish Rite, which has more than the three degrees we practice and which is limited in numbers the higher you go, so that only the most prominent and well-connected men receive the top degrees. In Germany and other places in Europe, they use rituals which were current in the 18th century and very different from ours. In South America, there is great influence from the (European) Scottish Rite, which started most of those lodges. Even in the USA there is a divergence between theh “traditional” lodges and the Prince Hall lodges. The PH lodges have no problem with inviting men to join, and often do so. They also generally charge very high fees.

In traditional US lodges and in most other places, there are two sets of charges:
The Initiation (or Joining) Fee, and the annual dues. The fee is paid once only, in full and up front, usually with the petition when submitted. It is intended to cover the long-term expenses of the lodge (such as its hall or meeting place and its furniture and equipment), provide funds for charitable contributions, and form an endowment so that the lodge always has funds to relieve a distressed brother, or his widow and orphans. The Initiation Fee is set by each lodge. It may be very small, or it may be fairly large. In my state, it varies from $75 to $300 or $400. I know that in other states it may run into thousands.
The annual dues are for the current expenses, such as refreshments and dinner, printing and mailing, a small salary for the Secretary, rent, and normal costs. As these costs rise over time, the dues will be increased slightly. In my lodge, dues are currently $45 per year, and this is about in the middle of the scale. Some lodges are as low as $25, others are over $100. Much depends on the lodge’s facilities, number of members, etc.

But when all is said and done, Masonry is not a big money organization except in one area, and that is its charitable efforts. It is well known that taken as a whole, Masonry in the USA expends on average way more than $1 million dollars per day on charity. The Shriners Hospitals, with their network of orthopedic hospitals and burn centers, which treat children at NO cost whatever, has a vast endowment, which has been built up by the contributions of millions of Shriners since 1925. The Knight Templar Eye Foundation has a very large endowment which they continue to grow by an annual campaign. There is a hospital in Texas paid for by the Scottish Rite. There are many others, too numerous to mention here. Altogether the funds held by all these Masonic groups must amount to billions—all for charity, and all collected a little at a time from millions of masons over three or more generations.