What is Freemasonry and what do Freemasons do?

Updated

Freemasonry, as described by the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE), is a members' organisation that has existed for over 300 years. Its members meet in individual Lodges across the country, where they follow ceremonial traditions intended to encourage tolerance and respect, take part in civic and charitable responsibilities, and make time to eat, drink and meet together. UGLE describes itself as having no political or religious affiliations and as comprising members of all ages, races, religions, cultures and backgrounds.

What happens at a Lodge meeting?

The core activity is the Lodge meeting, where members gather for ceremonial traditions. According to UGLE, these traditions are meant to encourage members to be more tolerant and respectful and to actively fulfil their civic and charitable responsibilities. Meetings are also social occasions: members make time to eat, drink and meet together, and UGLE describes this as a setting where lifelong friendships form.

If you are considering visiting or joining, the practical point is that activity is organised at the level of individual Lodges rather than centrally. The specific rhythm of meetings, the ceremonial content and the social programme are therefore things to ask about locally rather than assume from the national website.

What values does Freemasonry promote?

UGLE sets out four core values and describes them as the underlying principles behind who members are, what they stand for and what they do:

Value What UGLE says it means
Integrity Honesty, trustworthiness, honour, reliability and conscientiousness as the foundation of a virtuous character; fostering trust and dependable actions
Friendship Opportunities to make a wide circle of friends for life who share common interests and values; a bond of friendship and a sense of belonging
Respect Respecting members' beliefs since Freemasonry's earliest days; promoting an environment where diversity is valued
Service Fulfilling civic and charitable responsibilities (listed among the aims UGLE describes for its members)

UGLE frames these values as vital to understanding what Freemasonry is, so they are a useful test when deciding whether the organisation's aims match your own.

What is Freemasonry trying to achieve for its members?

UGLE states two connected aims. First, to attract people from all backgrounds and walks of life and enable them to develop into more thoughtful and confident people. Second, to inspire and challenge them to practise the core values of Integrity, Friendship, Respect and Service in their private and public lives.

At the organisational level, UGLE says it wants to cement its reputation as a force for good in communities and society at large, and as a thriving organisation that people aspire to join. Over a stated seven-year horizon, it aims to broaden membership across all age groups.

Who is it for, and what should you check before joining?

UGLE's own description emphasises openness: no political or religious affiliations, and members of all ages, races, religions, cultures and backgrounds. That makes the stated criteria about values and conduct rather than background.

Before acting on interest, check the following with the Lodge you would actually join, since UGLE presents itself as a federation of individual Lodges:

  • Meeting pattern and location — how often the local Lodge meets and where.
  • Time and cost expectations — what membership involves in practice; UGLE's public pages describe activities and values but do not set out fees or subscription details.
  • The joining process — how enquiries are handled locally and what the stages are.
  • Social and charitable activity — what the Lodge actually does in its area, so you can judge the "Service" value in concrete terms.

The national site is the right starting point for the organisation's stated purpose and values; the local Lodge is the right source for the practical commitments of membership.