Q&A for How to Become a Mason

As a freemason, you can take interest in helping and working with your brother freemasons. Freemasons often contribute to the community by doing volunteer work, such as at a children's home.

The process is the same no matter who was a Mason. There will still be an investigation of you.

Go to the nearest Masonic Hall and leave your contact information in the mailbox. Failing that, try searching the web for a site for the Grand Lodge in your country, state or province.

Of course, wealth does not play a role in joining. Freemasons will look at who you are as a person.

It's like a club, very exclusive that's faith and community serviced based but you don't have divulge which exact faith you have, provided you demonstrate that you believe in a higher power. Like any club, membership has its rewards. But to get in, you have to be recognized as an individual who can add to their cause because you already have experience. It is a lot of work, but the friendships you'll make are life-long.

Contact Masonic lodges closest to where you live, come to a monthly meeting and introduce yourself.

Dues are set independently by each lodge. If you find a lodge that you would like to join, inquire at that lodge. You can also contact the local Grand Lodge for the answer.

Freemasonry is not a secret society like many people believe. You talk about Freemasonry like you would about your favorite football or baseball team -- enthusiastically!

Not at all. I personally know a number of Masons who have tattoos. It will neither help nor hinder you.

Yes. You do not need a Masonic pedigree to join.

Any sort of criminal history or violence against others is grounds for denying entry into the Freemasons.

If you truly have overcome it, it would be up to the investigation committee and the Lodge. Just be honest as you can.

Brotherhood and the satisfaction of being of service to the community.

Of course. Once you are 21 years or older and you believe in a singular greater power, you have every reason to join. It is your will to join, not your family's. If you are joining for anyone other than yourself, perhaps you shouldn't join.

No. In fact that goes against the Masonic objective of giving aid to others.

Yes, it does not matter what religion or race you are when it comes to joining.

Shriners are members of a branch of Freemasonry that is based on fun, fellowship and Masonic principles.

As long as you are at least 21 years old, you can become a freemason. There is no age limit.

The lawful age is 21 to submit a petition to join a masonic lodge.

If you were speaking to a woman, while she may have possibly been a member of the Eastern Star, she was NOT a Mason. Furthermore, if she asked for cash for you to be considered, most likely it was just some random person trying to scam you.

Yes they can, as long as you believe in a higher power. How you interpret that higher power can be completely up to you.

The same way you would ask out any other person. Masons just normal people, but with a badge of honor.

The Freemasons are not a secret society, in my area the lodge has both a visible sign on a major street as well as an online presence, which gives a phone number one may use to apply. You need only utilize Google, no need to scrutinize the handshakes of strangers or anything! Also, most masons will openly talk about the fact they are a member, not necessarily any specifics about what goes on within a lodge, but it isn't something that a mason is likely to be guarded about, unless, of course, you accost them in the street raving about Freemasonry. That is an inadvisable course of action.

Depends on your conviction, the lodge will make that decision. Violent crimes and those hurting other people would be a no.

That would be determined on an individual basis through the interview and background check processes. If you have genuinely changed and have been living a life in line with Masonic values then you are more likely to be considered. It would also depend on your actions during your period of substance abuse. In the end, it is up to the committee at the lodge you are applying to.

No. Freemasonry is not a religion. It does not require one to believe in a certain god or belong to a particular church. They most definitely do not put curses, hexes or any other forms of malicious magical spells upon their families or anybody else.

Money isn't an issue in joining Freemasonry. As someone answered above, they look at you as a person and not by your wealth.

Absolutely, racial and religious diversity are not barriers to becoming a mason.

Visit the website of the grand lodge of the jurisdiction you live in, some times they'll have a lodge locator built in the site, if not, there should be some contact information to someone who can be of assistance.

The process takes on the average 4-8 months from the time of your first petition to becoming a mason.