Knightsbridge Reserve Forces Lodge
2978
Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest secular fraternal societies. This information is intended to explain Freemasonry as it is practised under the United Grand Lodge of England, which administers Lodges of Freemasons in England and Wales and in many places overseas.
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. An integral part of Freemasonry is Charity.
The essential qualification for admission into and continuing membership is a belief in a Supreme Being. Membership is open to men of any race or religion who can fulfill this essential qualification and are of good repute.
Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. Although an essential qualification to membership is the belief in a Supreme Being, the membership is open to men of many religions, and the expectation is that they will continue to follow their own faith. It does not allow religion to be discussed at its meetings, (or politics).
Like any club or organization part of our meetings are taken up with formal administrative business and communications of the Lodge. The most important other part of the meeting is the ceremonies, which may best be described as short plays, with a moral message, acted out by members of the Lodge. These ceremonies are acted out to a particular script, or ritual.
Freemasonry is meant to be enjoyable, so it’s always helpful to possess a sense of humour.
After the Lodge meeting we have a formal dinner in a local hotel or restaurant, which we call a Festive Board.
Becoming a Freemason is more than wearing aprons and performing strange rituals. The aprons and rituals are symbolic and designed to develop an individual’s understanding of morality and charity and build personal confidence through participation in a progression of ceremonies.
