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Membership FAQ
We will
try to answer many of the questions asked by people about Masonry. For
people considering joining the Craft or for those who have not recently been in
attendance, hopefully you will find some answers here.
If you would like one of our members to contact you, please fill out
the form at the bottom of this page.
What is Freemasonry?
How do I become a Mason?
How old do I have to be to become a Mason?
Is Freemasonry a religion?
Who can become a Mason?
Does Masonry desire to serve Mankind?
What are the basic principles of Freemasonry?
What is the time commitment?
Is it really a secret society?
Can women become Masons?
What does Freemasonry teach?
How does Freemasonry teach?
How does Freemasonry teach individual improvement?
What are some ways Masons serve their fellow man?
What is the difference between a Shriner and a Mason?
How do I get reinstated into a Lodge?
What if I can't remember the ritual?
What about my past dues?
I have just moved to Lethbridge and I would like to attend Lodge, who do
I contact?
How do I affiliate with Lethbridge Lodge
No.39?
What kinds of activities is the Lodge involved?
What's In It For ME?
What is Freemasonry?
Freemasonry is one of the world's oldest fraternal societies. The lessons Freemasonry
teaches in its ceremonies are to do with moral values (governing relations between people)
and its acknowledgement, without in any way crossing the boundaries of religion, that
everything depends on the providence of God.
Freemasonry is a society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values. Its members
are taught its precepts by a series of ritual dramas, which follow ancient forms and use
stonemasons' customs and tools as allegorical guides.
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How do I become a Mason?
Phone or Email one of the Officers on the Lodge Officer's Page
Email the Lodge requesting
information which relates to your personal cirumstances
Contact a person know to you to be a Mason and ask him to assist in obtaining the
information you require
Contact the Grand Lodge in your area.
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How old do I have to be to become a Mason?
Twenty one years old
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Is Freemasonry a religion?
The answer to that question is simple. No. As a fraternal association dedicated to
making good men better, Freemasonry respects the religious beliefs of all its members.
Freemasonry has no theology and does not teach any method of salvation.
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Who can become a Mason?
Freemasonry is open to all men of good character who believe in God.
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Does Masonry desire to serve Mankind?
Freemasons are united in their desire to be of service to mankind.
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What are the basic principles of Freemasonry?
Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth
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What is the time commitment?
It varies, depending on the individual, but the minimum is about six hours per month.
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Is it really a secret society?
Freemasonry is an open, not secretive, society. Virtually everything that makes up the
various degrees of Freemasonry has either been seen as a documentary on T.V. or can be
found in your local library or on an Internet site.
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Can women become Masons?
Freemasonry admits only men, but many Masonic-related organizations, such as the
Eastern Star, Amaranth, Job's Daughters, Rainbow for Girls and DeMolay for Boys, offer
ample opportunities for women and youth.
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What does Freemasonry teach?
Freemasonry teaches individual improvement through study.
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How does Freemasonry teach?
Freemasonry teaches in steps. Masons learn through a series of lessons. These
"degrees" of insight move from basic to more complex concepts. This no more
hides the nature of Freemasonry from novice members than does having a student understand
fractions before calculus.
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How does Freemasonry teach individual improvement?
Freemasonry encourages study, including literature by the great writers of ancient
times. Freemasonry does not sanction the views of these authors but offers them for each
individual's reflection and evaluation.
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What are some ways Masons serve their fellow man?
In Alberta Freemasonry supports a wide variety of charitable causes. The largest is the
Higher Education Bursary Fund, which is the largest non-government bursary fund in
Alberta. In addition each individual Lodge will have it's own individual charitable causes
such as food banks, widows funds, highway cleanups, sponsoring children's sports teams and
other local charitable causes such as clothing for street kids. In some jurisdictions
Freemasonry supports homes for members and their spouses.
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What is the difference between a Shriner and a Mason?
All Shriners are Masons but not all Masons are Shriners. A Mason has the option of becoming
a Shriner by joining the Shrine organization.
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How do I get reinstated into a Lodge?
Reinstatement consists of making application for reinstatement with the particular
Lodge in question. Upon recite of the application the Master of the Lodge will appoint the
appropriate investigating committee. If the report of the investigating committee is
favorable and the ballot in Lodge is favorable, the individual will reinstated upon
receipt of two years back dues (the number of years before a member is suspended for
non-payment of dues), plus current dues payable.
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What if I can't remember the ritual?
Contact the Lodge through the Web Site phone numbers or E-mail one of the officers
listed and you will be assigned a coach. The coach will work with you to bring your Lodge
skills back up enabling you to enjoy attending Lodge.
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What about my past dues?
If you have not been suspended for non-payment of dues (less than two years) you can
simply pay your past dues and current dues.
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I have just moved to Lethbridge and I would like to attend
Lodge, who do I contact?
Your best course of action would be to phone or E-mail one of the officers listed on
the home page and make arrangements to attend the next Lodge meeting.
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How do I affiliate with Lethbridge Lodge #39?
You need to fill out a petition for affiliation, which can be obtained form the Lodge
secretary or one of the officers listed on the home page. After the petition is filled out
the Lodge will be in contact with you. In the meantime please attend Lodge and enjoy the
fellowship.
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What kinds of activities is the Lodge involved?
To see some of our activities, please see the
Master's Gavel
page.
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What's In It For ME?
To fully appreciate the benefits of membership, we have created a
separate
page to tell you all about the benefits!
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