{"id":51,"date":"2018-05-22T11:56:17","date_gmt":"2018-05-22T11:56:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/freemasonrycape.net\/?page_id=51"},"modified":"2024-07-25T12:19:09","modified_gmt":"2024-07-25T12:19:09","slug":"about-us","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/freemasonrycape.net\/?page_id=51","title":{"rendered":"About Us"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row fullwidth=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1526990481711{background-image: url(http:\/\/freemasonrycape.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/bg_05.jpg?id=137) !important;}” id=”welcome”][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][mk_fancy_title color=”#ffffff” size=”24″ font_family=”none”]\n

ABOUT<\/h1>\n[\/mk_fancy_title][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h3″ color=”#ffffff” size=”24″ font_family=”none”]\n

WHAT IS FREEMASONRY?<\/h2>\n[\/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1530273094463{margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-top: 40px !important;padding-right: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;padding-left: 40px !important;background-image: url(http:\/\/freemasonrycape.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/bg_transp.png?id=81) !important;background-position: 0 0 !important;background-repeat: repeat !important;}”]An international and widely recognised fraternity, Freemasonry provides its members with the opportunity to embark on an amazing lifelong journey of learning and self-discovery and of deepening personal moral strength and compassion. Most Masons find the experience both challenging and rewarding and above all, enormously enjoyable.<\/span><\/p>\n

Freemasonry means different things to each of those who join. For some, it\u2019s about making new friends and acquaintances. For others it\u2019s about being able to help deserving causes \u2013 making a contribution to family and society. But for most, it is an enjoyable hobby.<\/span><\/p>\n

Freemasonry is one of the world\u2019s oldest and largest non-religious, non-political, fraternal and charitable organisations. It teaches self-knowledge through participation in a progression of ceremonies. Members are expected to be of good moral standing and are encouraged to speak openly about Freemasonry.<\/span><\/p>\n

Freemasonry instills 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.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”100px”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row fullwidth=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1526991864100{background-image: url(http:\/\/freemasonrycape.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/bg_06-1.jpg?id=150) !important;}” id=”about”][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][mk_fancy_title color=”#ffffff” size=”24″ font_family=”none”]\n

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS<\/h1>\n[\/mk_fancy_title][vc_tta_accordion style=”flat” color=”orange” active_section=”1″ no_fill=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”What is Freemasonry? ” tab_id=”1526990968172-1d24d9a6-01b6″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1526991021369{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Freemasonry means different things to each of those who join. For some, it\u2019s about making new friends and acquaintances. For others it\u2019s about being able to help deserving causes \u2013 making a contribution to family and for society. But for most, it is an enjoyable hobby.<\/span><\/p>\n

Freemasonry is one of the world\u2019s oldest and largest non-religious, non-political, fraternal and charitable organisation. It teaches self-knowledge through participation in a progression of ceremonies. Members are expected to be of high moral standing and are encouraged to speak openly about Freemasonry.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”What are the roots of Freemasonry? ” tab_id=”1721909684607-885b22db-48f7″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1721909944866{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Freemasonry is one of the oldest social and charitable organisations in the world, Freemasonry’s roots lie in the traditions of the medieval stonemasons who built our cathedrals and castles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It is here that a number of the famous elements of Freemasonry find their roots. In the medieval era, stonemasons often travelled around to find work in different locations. To demonstrate their level of qualification, they would use grips, words and signs in order to distinguish themselves from unqualified builders.<\/span><\/p>\n

Freemasonry uses building analogies to teach members how to lead productive lives that benefit the communities that they live in. In the medieval era, stonemasons wore aprons and gloves to protect themselves while working on shaping rough pieces of stone, but in today\u2019s society Freemasons meet to build friendships and communities rather than cathedrals and castles.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”What happens at a lodge meeting? ” tab_id=”1526990968232-b3903ac9-c373″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1530268835449{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]The meetings, which are open only to members, are usually in two parts. First, there are normal administrative procedures such as minutes of the previous meeting, finance, proposing and balloting for new members, news about charitable work and so on.<\/span><\/p>\n

After the administrative procedures there is usually a ceremony for admitting new members, advancing recent members and once a year the installation of the new Master and the investiture of his new officers.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Why do Freemasons take oaths? ” tab_id=”1526991081278-a66bb18d-39f6″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1526991107057{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]New members make solemn promises concerning their behaviour both in the Lodge and in society. Members also promise to keep confidential the way they recognise each other when visiting another Lodge. Freemasons also promise to support others in time of need but only so far as it does not conflict with their family and public obligations.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Are Freemasons expected to give preference to fellow members? ” tab_id=”1526991108056-991b34b2-17c7″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1526991137991{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Certainly not. This would be unacceptable and may lead to action being taken against those involved. On joining, each new member states that he expects no material gain from membership.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Are new Freemasons treated as equals?” tab_id=”1526991200065-23853d74-731f”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1526991223934{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Yes. Freemasons treat all its members as equals, making no distinctions on grounds of race, religion, colour or creed.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”What is the minimum joining age?” tab_id=”1526991228994-d4cedc4f-f579″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1526991259717{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]The joining age is 21, although in very special circumstances a member may be admitted at 18. University students under 21 years of age can apply to join our Universities Scheme Lodge in Cape Town.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Do you have to believe in a God? ” tab_id=”1526991267962-66884b94-6d51″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1721908501520{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]When becoming a Freemason, members are expected to be able to affirm a belief in a \u2018Supreme Being\u2019.\u00a0 This is deliberately phrased so as to be fully inclusive and we celebrate the diverse nature of the beliefs of our members. There is no requirement to be an active practitioner of any particular religion.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Why do some churches not like Freemasonry? ” tab_id=”1526991296352-9178ac3e-bfc2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1526991325158{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]There are elements within churches who misunderstand Freemasonry and its objectives. They confuse secular rituals with religious liturgy. There are many Masons in churches where their leaders have been openly critical of the organisation. Masonry has always actively encouraged its members to be active in their own religion but discussing religion at Masonic meetings has always been discouraged.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”What is Freemasonry\u2019s relationship with politics? ” tab_id=”1526991331828-2ef98591-4225″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1526991355339{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Freemasonry, as a body, will never express a view on politics or state policy. The discussion of politics at Masonic meetings, like religion, has always been prohibited.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Is Freemasonry an international order? ” tab_id=”1526991366281-118d6721-6096″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1526991389187{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Freemasonry exists throughout the world. However, each Grand Lodge is sovereign and independent. There is no international governing body for Freemasonry.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Are there women Freemasons? ” tab_id=”1526991555643-f1b7fc96-a3ba”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1721908446993{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Only men aged over 18 are allowed to join the United Grand Lodge of England in England and Wales.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The two leading women\u2019s Grand Lodges, that we have the closest relationship with, are: \u00a0<\/span>Freemasonry for Women (HFAF)<\/span><\/a> and the <\/span>Order of Women Freemasons<\/a>. These two groups only admit women because that is the choice of their memberships. Both of the women\u2019s organisations, and ourselves, prefer to practice our Freemasonry in single sex environments. The <\/span>United Grand Lodge of Englandregularly hires its facilities out for meetings of the two women\u2019s Lodges due to our mutual respect and close relations.<\/span><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Why do you wear regalia? ” tab_id=”1526991582441-c99c37ff-e9fb”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1526991612845{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Wearing regalia is historic and symbolic. Like a uniform, the regalia indicates the rank of the wearer in the organisation.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”How many Freemasons are there? ” tab_id=”1526991619942-af6a457f-59fa”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1526991652053{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Under the United Grand Lodge of England, there are over 200,000 Freemasons.<\/span><\/p>\n

Worldwide, there are approximately six million Freemasons.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”How many degrees are there in Freemasonry? ” tab_id=”1526991658309-e3a273b7-8020″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1526991693176{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Basic Freemasonry consists of three progressive degrees:<\/span><\/p>\n