What is Freemasonry?
First of The Old Charges
“CONCERNING GOD AND RELIGION”
“A Mason is obliged, by his Tenure, to obey the moral Law, and not to be a stupid Atheist, nor an irreligious Libertine; that is, Masons are to be good Men and true, or Men of Honour, by whatever Denomination or persuasion they may be distinguished; whereby Masonry becomes the Centre of Union and the means of conciliating True Friendship among persons that must otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance.”
“CONCERNING GOD AND RELIGION”
“A Mason is obliged, by his Tenure, to obey the moral Law, and not to be a stupid Atheist, nor an irreligious Libertine; that is, Masons are to be good Men and true, or Men of Honour, by whatever Denomination or persuasion they may be distinguished; whereby Masonry becomes the Centre of Union and the means of conciliating True Friendship among persons that must otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance.”
Pennell's Book of Constitutions, Dublin, 1730.
Freemasonry
Freemasonry means different things to each of those who join. For some, it’s about making new friends and acquaintances. For others it’s about being able to help deserving causes – making a contribution to family and society.
Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest and largest non-religious, non-political, fraternal and charitable organisations, dating back at least to the Middle Ages. Its purpose is to promote the bonds of friendship, compassion and brotherly love. Politics has no role in it. Neither is it a religion as some would have you believe but rather a friend and promoter of all religions which are based on the belief in one God.
Regardless of their position in society, Freemasons meet as equals. One of the most fascinating aspects of Freemasonry has always been how so many men from so many different walks of life can meet together in peace, never discuss politics or engage in religious debates, conduct their affairs in harmony and friendship, and call each other "Brother".
Members are expected to be of high moral standing. Freemasonry is a society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values. Its members are taught its principles (moral lessons and self-knowledge) by a series of ritual dramas - a progression of allegorical plays which are learnt by heart and performed within each Lodge - which follow ancient forms, and use stonemasons’ customs and tools as allegorical guides.
Freemasonry instils in its members a moral and ethical approach to life: its values are based on integrity, kindness, honesty and fairness. Members are urged to regard the interests of the family as paramount but, importantly, Freemasonry also teaches and practices concern for people, care for the less fortunate and help for those in need.
Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest and largest non-religious, non-political, fraternal and charitable organisations, dating back at least to the Middle Ages. Its purpose is to promote the bonds of friendship, compassion and brotherly love. Politics has no role in it. Neither is it a religion as some would have you believe but rather a friend and promoter of all religions which are based on the belief in one God.
Regardless of their position in society, Freemasons meet as equals. One of the most fascinating aspects of Freemasonry has always been how so many men from so many different walks of life can meet together in peace, never discuss politics or engage in religious debates, conduct their affairs in harmony and friendship, and call each other "Brother".
Members are expected to be of high moral standing. Freemasonry is a society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values. Its members are taught its principles (moral lessons and self-knowledge) by a series of ritual dramas - a progression of allegorical plays which are learnt by heart and performed within each Lodge - which follow ancient forms, and use stonemasons’ customs and tools as allegorical guides.
Freemasonry instils in its members a moral and ethical approach to life: its values are based on integrity, kindness, honesty and fairness. Members are urged to regard the interests of the family as paramount but, importantly, Freemasonry also teaches and practices concern for people, care for the less fortunate and help for those in need.
Charity
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Irish Freemasonry is far from insular and apart from raising monies for its own Masonic charities contributes to many non-masonic charities, such as the Laura Lynn Foundation, Sufferer’s from Alzheimer’s Disease for which a previous Grand Master's "Festival" raised €660,000 to supply Ambulances, Helplines and other facilities to ease the plight of sufferers and their carers throughout Ireland, North and South, and St. Vincent de Paul, to mention but a few.
The Grand Lodge of Ireland also involves itself in society by, for example, sponsoring "The Irish Freemasons Young Musician of the Year" competition, a showcase for the young musicians who will be the bedrock of the future of classical music in this island of ours. It also serves to demonstrate to the public generally that Freemasons are are an outward-looking organisation, and emphasises that we are not a threat to society but a private body which cares greatly for the community in which we live and work. |
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Finally, why have I used the First of the Old Charges - “Concerning God and Religion” - as the heading to this page? This Charge sums up what Freemasonry means to me and has been for me “the means of conciliating True Friendship among persons that must otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance” - I have made such friendships and hopefully, Great Architect allowing, many more.
You will find below, in full, the Declaration of Fundamental Principles of the Order. I think the principles are worth reproducing in full in support of the above paragraph "Freemasonry".
You will also find after the "Declaration" a .pdf copy of a booklet recently published by the Grand Lodge of Ireland, entitled "An Initial Guide to Freemasonry in Ireland", which explains what Irish Freemasonry is all about.
Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Ireland,
Declaration of Fundamental Principles of the Order.
1. The first condition of admission into, and membership of, the Order is a belief in the Supreme Being. This is essential and admits of no compromise.
2. The Bible, referred to by Freemasons as the Volume of the Sacred Law, is always open in the Lodges. Every candidate is required to take his Obligation on that Book or on the Volume which is held by his particular creed to impart sanctity to an oath or promise taken upon it.
3. Everyone who enters Freemasonry is at the outset strictly forbidden to countenance any act which may have a tendency to subvert peace and good order of society; he must pay due obedience to the law of any State in which he resides or which may afford him protection, and he must never be remiss in the allegiance due to the Sovereign / Head of State of his native land.
4. While Irish Freemasonry thus inculcates in each of its members the duties of loyalty and citizenship, it reserves to the individual the right to hold his own opinion with regard to public affairs. But neither in any Lodge, nor at any time in his capacity as a Freemason, is he permitted to discuss or to advance his views on theological or political questions.
5. The Grand Lodge has always consistently refused to express any opinion on questions of foreign or domestic state policy either at home or abroad, and it will not allow its name to be associated with any action, however humanitarian it may appear to be, which infringes its unalterable policy of standing aloof from every question affecting the relations between one government and another, or between political parties, or questions as to rival theories of government.
6. The Grand Lodge is aware that there do exist Bodies, styling themselves Freemasons, which do not adhere to these principles, and while that attitude exists, the Grand Lodge of Ireland refuses absolutely to have any relations with such Bodies or to regard them as Freemasons.
7. This Grand Lodge is a Sovereign and independent Body practising Freemasonry only within the three Degrees and only with the limits defined in its Constitution as "pure Ancient Masonry". It does not recognise or admit the existence of any superior Masonic authority, however styled.
8. There is no secret with regard to any of the basic principles of Freemasonry, some of which have been stated above. The Grand Lodge will always consider the recognition of those Grand Lodges which profess, and practice and can show that they have consistently professed and practised those established and unaltered principles, but in no circumstances will it enter into discussion with a view to any new or varied interpretation of them. They must be accepted and practised wholeheartedly and in their entirety by those who desire to be recognised as Freemasons by the Grand Lodge of Ireland.
2. The Bible, referred to by Freemasons as the Volume of the Sacred Law, is always open in the Lodges. Every candidate is required to take his Obligation on that Book or on the Volume which is held by his particular creed to impart sanctity to an oath or promise taken upon it.
3. Everyone who enters Freemasonry is at the outset strictly forbidden to countenance any act which may have a tendency to subvert peace and good order of society; he must pay due obedience to the law of any State in which he resides or which may afford him protection, and he must never be remiss in the allegiance due to the Sovereign / Head of State of his native land.
4. While Irish Freemasonry thus inculcates in each of its members the duties of loyalty and citizenship, it reserves to the individual the right to hold his own opinion with regard to public affairs. But neither in any Lodge, nor at any time in his capacity as a Freemason, is he permitted to discuss or to advance his views on theological or political questions.
5. The Grand Lodge has always consistently refused to express any opinion on questions of foreign or domestic state policy either at home or abroad, and it will not allow its name to be associated with any action, however humanitarian it may appear to be, which infringes its unalterable policy of standing aloof from every question affecting the relations between one government and another, or between political parties, or questions as to rival theories of government.
6. The Grand Lodge is aware that there do exist Bodies, styling themselves Freemasons, which do not adhere to these principles, and while that attitude exists, the Grand Lodge of Ireland refuses absolutely to have any relations with such Bodies or to regard them as Freemasons.
7. This Grand Lodge is a Sovereign and independent Body practising Freemasonry only within the three Degrees and only with the limits defined in its Constitution as "pure Ancient Masonry". It does not recognise or admit the existence of any superior Masonic authority, however styled.
8. There is no secret with regard to any of the basic principles of Freemasonry, some of which have been stated above. The Grand Lodge will always consider the recognition of those Grand Lodges which profess, and practice and can show that they have consistently professed and practised those established and unaltered principles, but in no circumstances will it enter into discussion with a view to any new or varied interpretation of them. They must be accepted and practised wholeheartedly and in their entirety by those who desire to be recognised as Freemasons by the Grand Lodge of Ireland.
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This booklet, recently published by the Grand Lodge of Ireland, is entitled "An Initial Guide to Freemasonry in Ireland". It explains what Irish Freemasonry is all about and can be accessed by the following link "An Initial Guide to Freemasonry in Ireland" ~ this is a .pdf file which is quite large, so it may take sometime to download depending on the speed of your broadband. |
What is Freemasonry? - An Answer for the Profane,
by W.Bro. W. J. O'Brien
On Wednesday, 29th October, 1980, a Musical Evening was presented in the Grand Lodge Room, Molesworth Street, Dublin. The programme was provided by the Band of the Garda Siochana, and the proceeds of the Concert were divided between the Irish Wheelchair Association and the Garda Benevolent Society.
The event was promoted by the Grand Master's Lodge, and for the occasion the Paper 'What is Freemasonry?' was written by Bro. W. J. O'Brien. It is an answer for the profane.
The original paper was reproduced by kind permission of Grand Master's Lodge in the Lodge of Research Supplementary Volume A, Pages 1-5, 1985.
The webpage containing the above paper can be accessed through the following link ~ "What is Freemasonry? - An Answer for the Profane, by W.Bro. W.J. O'Brien" and a .pdf copy of the text of the above paper can be accessed by the following link "What is Freemasonry? - An Answer for the Profane, by W.Bro. W.J. O'Brien".
The event was promoted by the Grand Master's Lodge, and for the occasion the Paper 'What is Freemasonry?' was written by Bro. W. J. O'Brien. It is an answer for the profane.
The original paper was reproduced by kind permission of Grand Master's Lodge in the Lodge of Research Supplementary Volume A, Pages 1-5, 1985.
The webpage containing the above paper can be accessed through the following link ~ "What is Freemasonry? - An Answer for the Profane, by W.Bro. W.J. O'Brien" and a .pdf copy of the text of the above paper can be accessed by the following link "What is Freemasonry? - An Answer for the Profane, by W.Bro. W.J. O'Brien".
