What kind of person becomes a Freemason?

This site continues to get a substantial amount of traffic each day from people who are considering joining Freemasonry. In the past I posted a couple of articles about 'Reasons to Become a Freemason' and another one that was a lame attempt at being funny called 'Reasons *not*' to become a Freemason'.

This weekend I thought of a different way to present the topic, thinking perhaps it would be interesting to discuss the types of people who tend to join the institution. While any time you are dealing in generalities and stereotypes this can be tricky. Please realize that these are just my own personal observations and most Freemasons fall into any number of these categories or, perhaps, not fit any of them exactly.

The purpose of this message is to paint a general picture of they types of people who get involved in our institution. I am hopeful that individuals considering joining might see some of them self in one or more of these descriptions.

Finally, and this is the most significant, is that there is a huge difference between 'joining' the Freemasons and actually being active. Many people join Freemasonry, pay their dues, and rarely, if ever, show up to a meeting. In fact, this is the norm. I will follow up at the end of this article with a discussion of just what it means to be 'active' or not and why that does, or does not, appeal to particular individuals.

The Traditionalist

This is the most common reason people join. They are simply perpetuating a family tradition. From grandfather, to father, and now son each are expected to join. It is an important rite of passage in some families. Unfortunately Freemasonry hit a bit of a road bump during the cultural revolution of the 60's and 70's. At this time young men were rejecting any of the establishments of their parents. It was a rebellious time and joining a 'square' institution like Freemasonry wasn't on the hip list.

Today we see fewer and fewer men joining because their fathers were Masons and, instead, more and more because their grandfathers were. It seems we have skipped a generation. However, it seems to me those who are joining out of respect for the memory of their grandfathers are much more serious about their undertaking.


The Cop and the Fireman

This is really just another extension of the 'traditionalist'. Just as many cops and firemen had fathers who were cops and firemen so to were many of their parents members of the Fraternity as well.

The correlation between being a police officer or a member of the fire department and Freemasonry should be obvious. Here we have men who have already dedicated their lives to the service of others. Since this is a fundamental principle taught in Freemasonry the two organizations match closely in thought, word, and deed.

It is important to note that it was Benjamin Franklin who started the first fire department and this kind of civic duty is what he learned from within the Freemason lodge. Benjamin Franklin promoted many forms of public service for the common good and he often found this a natural expression for the teachings held within Freemasonry.

Both police officers and firemen are part of a 'brotherhood' already. They know the strength and power of a fraternal bond and how important that can be. Once again, it is a natural tendency for them to feel comfortable in a lodge setting.

I am not trying to suggest that every cop and fireman is a Freemason. I am merely pointing out that, traditionally, the two have often been a very good match. We have any number of police officers and fire service professionals in my own lodge.


The Frat Boy

You may see a number of these guys join Freemasonry but you don't usually see them at lodge afterwards. The man who enjoyed his fun partying fraternity days and thinks he is going to relieve them within a Freemason lodge is often disappointed. That is...until somebody invites him to join the Shrine where he is quite happy and content afterwards.

The Patriot

I debated whether or not to make this a distinct 'category' since most of the members I am identifying on this list could be considered strong patriots. However, I want to make a point here that is quite specific to the United States. Freemasonry exists all around the world and, all around the world, we are taught to uphold the laws of the country in which we live and to be quiet and peaceful citizens.

However, in the United States Freemasonry is somewhat unique in terms of how embroiled it was with the creation of this nation, its ideas, principles, and laws. Many members of the fraternity feel great pride in the fact that men such as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin were such strong proponents of Freemasonry and how Freemason ideas became enmeshed in the creation of this great nation.

If you are interested in learning more about the history behind this I strongly recommend you read 'Solomon's Builders' by Right Worshipful Brother Christopher Hodapp.

The Theologian

Even though some right wing fundamentalists take issue with the tolerance found within Freemasonry we find that many members of the clergy belong to this institution.

A minister can easily feel somewhat limited in his own expression once he gets into the weekly grind of producing one sermon after the next. Here we have a man who is deeply spiritual and is extremely knowledgeable about a wide range of theological topics and he finds that Freemasonry gives him a forum to engage in a very satisfying and rewarding ritual, honor a shared belief in deity while performing good works.

The brotherhood and intellectual stimulation offered by the lodge can often satisfy a deep personal need for a member of the clergy.

The Scholar and Historian

To the historian Freemasonry is fascinating. Thousands upon thousands of books have been written upon the topic. From those written within the recent known history of Freemasonry (the past three centuries) we find the protestant reformation, revolutions, the overthrow of monarchies and dictatorships, a new nation borne upon the idealistic vision of the enlightenment, and that only touches the surface.

Societies with possible ties and clear similarities to Freemasonry literally go back thousands of years. It can be a pleasant diversion trying to trace these roots and translate them into personal meaning.

The Mystic

By the 'mystic' I refer to that individual who searches for esoteric meaning in our work. Personally I have struggled for a long time trying to understand what 'esoteric' even means. I now think I understand it at an intellectual level, even though I have no personal frame of reference.

We are each familiar with operating in the material world, after all we move through it on a daily basis and manipulate it with our thoughts, words, actions and symbols. Meanwhile, there are those who believe there is an equally valid 'spiritual' world, one which is also manipulated with thoughts, words, actions, and symbols.

When I perform a ritual I might find it comforting or take some personal pride in performing it well. To the mystic he may perceive this ritual as operating at a deeper level that is producing valid and significant spiritual effects.

I can't really go into this topic any further because, to be frank, I don't understand it. I am not a mystic and I don't feel the veils of perception slipping away if I focus my energies strong enough. You will not find much, if any, discussions of the esoteric meaning behind our ceremonies inside of a lodge.

That is not to say, however, that you might not find the experience of esoteric relevance to yourself. If you are interested in the 'esoteric' meaning behind any rituals I would recommend you save those conversations for outside of the lodge.

The Deist

This is the individual who feels a great awe and admiration for creation. He feels that the handiwork of God is evidenced in every thing we can survey. He feels deeply inspired by the majesty of creation and wishes to honor it by creating beauty in his own life.

This is a man who is not comfortable with the dogma of any particular Church yet still feels a deeply spiritual connection with the Great Architect of the Universe.

Many of the founding fathers of the United States were also deists.

The Scientist and Engineer

Like the deist the scientist and engineer is awed by creation. He feels compelled to investigate the Universe with a deep and unabiding passion. The scientist or engineer wants to use all of the powers of science, logic, reason, mathematics, and rational thought to better understand creation.

This individual is not a dogmatist in any form, applying only the principles of the scientific method to his observations about life, the Universe, and everything.

Within Freemasonry, in particular in the Fellowcraft lecture, the initiate is exhorted to make use of these principles to better comprehend the Great Architect of the Universe.

Rather than feeding its members a particular dogma, creed, or set of rigid belief systems, Freemasonry exhorts its members to use their own minds, intellect, and free thought to investigate God. At no point is God, or would God, ever be opposed to any truth revealed through the use of our mind and intellect. The fact that the Universe has been been revealed through the laws of geometry which, combined with those of astronomy, is a deeply important truth.

We best know God not through books written long ago and far away. We know God through physics, cosmology, biology, mathematics, observation, and reason.

This is why, like myself, so many scientists and engineers feel comfortable joining this institution.

The Businessman

This used to be true much more so than it is today. At one time, if you were a leader in the business community, this implied you were also a member of the Freemasons, the Lions Club, and any number of other fraternal organizations dedicated to the social good.

It's hardly so automatic any more. As any businessman reaches a certain level of success one might hope he would feel a duty to give back to his community, sharing his knowledge and experience for the public good.

The Eagle Scout

I identify this individual as a man who spent a lot of his life trying to earn merit badges and awards. What happens when they stop giving those out? Why, just join the Freemasons. There is a certain aspect of Freemasonry which concerns itself with accumulating 'points' which translate into awards and ceremonies.

Personally, this isn't my cup of tea though, I have come to realize, that is you are going to give out any kind of award there does need to be some sort of objective way to measure performance.

Some few people involved in Freemasonry do seem to enjoy the awards, medals, titles, and ceremonies. Personally, a few of the guys I know who are actually entitled to some of this ceremony humbly decline it. It you want to wear a tuxedo and wrap some cool gold chains around you neck, Freemasonry might be fun for you to join for that reason alone. That said, expect to do a lot of work before you get your trinkets; they still don't hand them out for no reason at all.

The Politician

As in the case of the businessman this member is also in decline today as well. In theory a politician should be dedicated to promoting the public good. Many politicians have been inspired by their involvement in the Fraternity in the past and some still are today. Within the Masonic youth group DeMolay we find an organization which excels at introducing young men with the kind of skills necessary to move on into public service as they grow older.

In these days of sound bites and gotcha politics I don't know how many politicians will be advertising their involvement with the lodge these days.

The Philanthropist

So, you finally hit the lotto? Sold your Internet start up just in time? You find yourself with too much money, too much time, and now you want to do something productive with it. I earnestly urge you to join a Freemason lodge. That is, if you want to do quiet charity that affects people directly in your community. That is, if you want to make a difference without making a big deal about it.

I have seen a number of philanthropists find their calling in a Freemason lodge and I have been incredibly impressed by the unbelievable generosity and humility each time.

The Used Car Salesman

You see this kind of guy join a Freemason lodge from time to time. He has somehow gotten the idea in his head that joining a Freemason lodge is a great way to 'network' and take advantage of special contacts. Now, to be fair, I don't mean literally a 'used car salesman' but instead I am referring to the type of individual who joins honestly thinking he will gain an advantage in business based on the contacts he develops.

This is a very naive point of view. It may have been the case a bit more at one time, but it certainly is not today. Obviously people in general are more comfortable doing business with friends they trust rather than strangers. Nevertheless, I think you will develop more leads hanging out in a local bar rather than the local lodge. The lodge will just put you to work without pay anyway.

The Soldier

Last, but most certainly not least. The soldier has a long tradition of being a member of our institution. Going all of the way back to the many travelling military lodges where members would hold meetings and initiate new members right on the battlefield.

Once a soldier leaves the military and goes back into the 'real-world' he will immediately feel disconnected from the brotherhood he was a member of. Joining a Freemason lodge will make him feel right at home and surrounded by the kind of good quality men he has learned to know and trust.

Many members of the lodges I belong to are veterans and their character shows it in everything they do.

From the list above I would fit the following types of Freemason:

The Patriot, The Scholar, The Engineer, The Deist

Joining Freemasonry

Lots and lots of people join the Freemasons. It is really no big deal. It is fairly easy to join these days, and they keep trying to make it easier all of the time.

Back in the old days, and still in some jurisdictions, it actually took a lot of work to join the Freemasons. This was actually kind of a good thing because it required the candidate take it seriously and make a real investment in becoming a member. By the time they had finally been raised to the degree of Master Mason they may have spent six or nine months of preparation for their various examinations. This is not the kind of individual who just never shows up to a meeting again. After all, he has made a significant investment of time and energy and, in that time, formed strong bonds of friendship and forged ties to the ritual and ceremony.

In many jurisdictions in the country it is now so easy to become a Freemason all you have to do is show up on a Saturday with maybe $100 for an initiation fee and when you leave in the afternoon you can go by yourself a ring with a square and compass or maybe slap a logo on your car. You might even head over the Shrine in the afternoon and become a Shriner on the very same day.

So, we have taken something that usually took almost a year to accomplish and allowed someone to join in just a single day with virtually no commitment on their part other than paying dues.

Is that all we are any more? So desperate for membership all we worry about is collecting dues so guys can wear a ring and act mysterious around their buddies?

All of the 'types' of people listed above can 'join' as well as can pretty much anyone else. To join you need to have maybe $100 or so for the initiation fee and not be a complete and total asshole. Someone still needs to say that you are an 'ok guy', but it is doubtful your investigation will be more rigorous than that.

In some states you must still demonstrate proficiency before you can receive your degrees. What this means is that you are required to memorize a decent amount of material and be able to recite it in lodge before you can move onto the next degree.

I can't really explain why 'memorizing' is or is not important to be a Freemason. All I know is that I have found learning ritual to be a much more gratifying and rewarding experience than I ever would have expected to begin with. Regardless, this process of memorizing the proficiency test was a tradition for many years and has only recently been set aside by a number of grand lodges to make it easier for new members to join.

Being Active in Freemasonry

As you have read, it is very easy to join the Freemasons. In fact, it has become so easy that we have a hard time getting many people who joined to ever show up at a meeting afterwards. Again, this is largely because we are no longer doing the proficiencies.

If you make something so easy that it no longer requires any effort than the individual will also perceive it has no great value.

Only about 10% of the Freemasons in the country, those that have joined and still pay dues annually, are 'active'. That is not a very high percentage.

To be 'active' means that you show up for most of the meeting and are willing to hold office if asked. I am a member of two lodges and I am an officer in both.

To be 'active' in a lodge can mean something quite different depending on the particular lodge you belong to.

Some lodges have a very large endowment and do an enormous amount of charity work. Each of their meetings are filled with the myriad of details involved in dispensing and managing those charitable activities. Other lodges have less financial means but still devote the bulk of their time to community events and charitable activities.

Many lodges are just 'going through the motions'. They aren't really doing much of anything but opening and closing the lodge and keeping the thing alive.

Many lodges, especially today, host an excellent armature theatre group. To become a Freemason requires that you receive three 'degrees'. A 'degree' is simply a dramatic play that we perform. The candidate is a character in the play as are a number of members of the lodge. Each member performs their part, striving for perfection, reciting each word and executing each movement with precise clarity from rote memory.

It takes a lot of work to memorize and perform these plays and, in some lodges, it seems like that is the only thing we do.

I have since found the experience of performing these ceremonies deeply and personally gratifying. It is the kind of thing you only learn over time, not in a one day class with thirty other guys who've invested no time and energy in the process.