Information about Freemasonry
Why do Freemasons dress up for meetings?
The different forms of dress, based on ceremonial aprons, collars and gauntlets are to distinguish rank and derive from and reflect the protective garments worn by the original stonemasons.
In olden times aprons would have been of leather, tied around the waist, to protect the mason as he handled stone. The ceremonial aprons worn at Lodge meetings become more ornate as the Mason progresses through the three Degrees of Craft Masonry. The most identifiable symbols would be the common tools of ancient stonemasons, the gavel, the rule, the square, the compasses, the level, and so on. Various Degrees and Offices are associated with particular implements, as symbols.
The levels of Freemasonry
At its basic level, known as ‘the Craft’, Freemasonry has three degrees, beginning with the degree of ‘Entered Apprentice’ representing the apprentice of the working stonemason who learned how to use the tools of the trade. After a period, he advances first to the degree of ‘Fellow (of the) Craft’ and finally to that of ‘Master Mason’.
Religion and Politics
Perhaps the most frequently asked questions nowadays are about the relationship between Freemasonry and religion & politics. The Media frequently implies or directly states that Freemasonry is ‘anti-religious’ or ‘politically orientated’. These charges are entirely inaccurate and without foundation.
It is an absolute requirement for membership that a Mason must believe in a Supreme Being. Every Irish Lodge, at its meetings, must have the Holy Bible known to Freemasons as ‘The Volume of the Sacred Law’, in evidence and open. The Old Testament, the Koran or other Holy Scriptures may also be in evidence if Brethren of such beliefs are members of the Lodge. Some organisations calling themselves Masonic, do not require belief in a Supreme Being and, like others which may use words, emblems, and symbols similar to ours, are deemed Irregular Bodies with which we as ‘Regular’ Masons can have no contact whatever, however well-meaning their members may be.
Freemasonry regards a man’s relationship with his God as a purely personal matter, and never enquires into it or lays down any rule or regulation about it save that: (i) all Masons must believe in a Supreme Being, however they address Him, and (ii) no discussion on religious matters is permitted at Masonic gatherings.
The ruling on politics is much the same. Freemasonry has no political attitudes except to require its members to be peaceable and law-abiding citizens regardless of their individual political opinions, and discussion on politics is similarly prohibited in Masonic assemblies.