WHY or HOW Did you Become a Freemason ?

[postscript 0]

My late father was a Mason and although he never told me I should join, he spoke about Masonry quite a bit and it was quite obvious it meant a lot to him. When I was about ten he gave me a copy of his lodge's history which really fired my imagination, and about the same time took me to see inside the lodge room and its historic artefacts one afternoon.

Unfortunately in my early teens my interest caused me to read Stephen Knight's book "The Brotherhood" which rather put me off, particularly the suggestion that Freemasonry was incompatible with Christianity. I am not overly religious, but the thought there might be some occultist elements was worrying. Going into the Church of Scotland bookshop in Edinburgh in 1991 and buying Walton Hannah's "Darkness Visible" and the Kirk's own report on Freemasonry did nothing to encourage me. Yet my interest remained.

Four years ago I picked up a copy of Lomas's "Turning the Hiram Key" and although it soon strayed into the fanciful, it did give a rather appealing picture of Masonry which prompted me to enquire further. Thankfully there was now the internet and through it I heard of Christopher Haffner's "Workman Unashamed". This was a long overdue, utterly sincere and compelling Christian refutal of the allegations of Hannah and others. After that I read more and more and began to think that I would really like to become a member.

Two years ago I heard a series of programmes about Masonry on Radio Scotland by Billy Kay (now available on CD from the Grand Lodge of Scotland website) and was even more convinced I should join. By pure coincidence the next night I was in conversation with a man who had known my father in his lodge and asked it I'd ever joined. No, I said, but it was something I was interested in. This resulted in my initiation a couple of months ago. Since then I have been passed and raised and gone visiting a couple of times, and apart from an initial uneasy feeling of "what have I let myself in for?" which lasted no more than a day or two, I feel I have joined something really special.

[Alan Campbell 0]

My story is quite boring compared to most, I had read nothing, i had no previous interest and the only family member that was in the craft had stopped attending about 10 years before i was born( i didn't even know he was a member until after i joined).

I was playing in the pub pool team on a thursday night and a group of masons came in every second week with there little black cases and there dark suits. I approached one and asked him what it was all about and a year later i joined. He obviously gave me the right answers and sold it to me in the correct manner as i was only 28 and had loads of other interests.

Now looking back it was as life changing for me as when i joined the forces at 16 1/2.

[Mathew J. Smith 0]

My story is not so entertaining. Like one of the guys above, it was the anti-Masonry stuff that brought me in. That and the History channel shows on Knights Templar and things of that nature.



Then I went to AboveTopSecret.net to check out some links I found on Google related to other things and found out they had a conspiracy forum, checked that out and found a lot of outrageous things in there and a lot of intelligent Masons clarifying. One of them on there, Masonic Light was a real inspiration. Him an a few others were a really outstanding example for the Craft and they changed my opinion around completely.



I was interested in joining in 2004, but I have nobody in my family who has ever been a Mason that I am aware of, and know nobody. I got a recommendation to get a hold of a Lodge where I lived and they kind of offered to set me up witch Prince Hall Masonry which at the time I had no idea what it was, but then they stopped talking to me so I was kind of put off and didnt bother with it anymore.



Then in 2009 I looked up the Lodge in my current city and told them I don't know anyone and would like to find a way to join. I met with a few guys and not too long later I was initiated and I just recently was raised to MM.

[BroPhil 0]

I moved in with my Dad in 1998 and though he was a bit lonely he was very excited to be joining something called the Freemasons. I was intrigued watching him learn questions and answers but thought nothing more of it.



8 years later I discovered my Uncle was also a Mason and after discussing it with him and badgering my Dad I eventually joined my Dads lodge in 2004 (and was initiated by him) and my Uncles Chapter in 2005 - and have never looked back :)

[Kev 0]

This may sound a little corney but I just felt it was right for me, kind of like a calling ( I did warn it was corney).:D No regrets so far

[Mike Martin 143]

gsudron (23/10/2009)

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Similar to you really. My father is a Mason and I always knew I would be too. Enjoyed many Ladies nights and social events with the Lodge when I was growing up. My dad didn't force the issue of me joining at all, the first time he bought it up was my 21st birthday but I was in the UK at University (I grew up abroad and he was still out there) and I didn't feel ready. In hindsight I wasn't but that doesn't stop me wishing I'd joined earlier.

As it was I ended up working in Germany where my parents were so did eventually join my dad's lodge at the age of 26. It just felt 'right' to join and I've never looked back or regretted it.

~Paul~ (23/10/2009)

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The phrase "takes a good man and makes him better" helped sell it to me in a strange way,

I looked back on my life with some interest and wounded if only i had some bigger brothers to steer me through the rough times I'v had, would my life be any better ? Yes is the truth, I'v made some terrible decisions that have cost me dearly, Now I hope to have older shoulders to lean on and learn from in my new future, by talking & listening rather than just acting without thinking.

[Mike Martin 143]

Mike Lawrence (23/10/2009)

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When I look back at the reason why I joined Freemasonry, I actually cannot pin point a specific reason.

My father had been a Freemason and as a young man I went to many a social function and Ladies night. My father was also not shy about showing his family his regalia nor discussing openly the good works carried out by his Lodge. Obviously, he never violated his Obligation, but shed what light he could upon the subject.

In the sixties, there was an even greater leaning towards secrecy than there is in today's relaxed atmosphere, and in London, Freemasonry was almost an elite club for the professional classes.

During the seventies, I turned done the opportunity to join and it wasn't until the early nineties that a good friend of mine that had known my father invited me again to join, and on this occasion I accepted.

At that point of entry, I became absolutely fascinated, as many of us do, by the discipline and have been enthralled ever since.

So I think it was a mixture of familiarity, fascination and the universal beneficence that captured me.

[Mike Martin 143]

I have now combined and "stickied" this particular topic.

To those who have been quoted into this version if you want to do a proper post please do so and let me know then I'll delete the "quoted" version. In fact as this is now going to remain at the top of the Forum for reference purposes some may wish top edit and bulk out their previous input.

ALSO, It would be lovely if new Forumites were to continue adding how they came to join their own Lodges

[Mosaic 0]

My father is a Mason, I've always met with friends (brethren) of his and been with him to social occasions. I had always wanted to join but wanted to settle down and ensure I had the time to commit.

Once I was married and got back from my honeymoon I spoke to my Dad about joining, he had always cultivated and encouraged my interest but never pushed me into it. He was very pleased at my wish to join and got all the paperwork in order. I was proposed at the first meeting after summer recess, balloted the next and then initiated in December (the WM asked my dad to take the chair to do the ceremony).

[BroDFB 0]

A friend joined and I started attending social events. The rest, as they say, is history.

[Cruixman 0]

FM has intrigued me for years.My grandfather is a PM and have cousins and uncles who are FMs. My father passed away three years ago in 2008. As time passed by I started thinking of FM. My father was a FM but never spoke a single word to me about it. Ever since I was a little boy my father’s Masonic bible with its leather binding and zip fascinated me. He kept my family's birth certs etc in it as well as newspaper cuttings of family deaths and births. It would have been the middle of 2009 that I got talking regularly to a work colleague who was a FM. I eventually asked him to get me a form. In March 2010 I was raised to the High and sublime degree of a master mason. Two days before the second anniversary of my father’s death. It has been one of the most important things I have ever done in my life. FM has helped me get through difficult times at work and my personal life. FM has already helped me in being a better person. I now take part it ritual which I really enjoy and have surprised myself in how much ritual I have learned already. I am loving every minute of my Masonic life and is something I know for sure I will partake in and enjoy for the rest of my life.My only regret is that my Father never knew I became a Mason

[H. 0]

My Great Grandfather, Grandfather, Father, three uncles and numerous cousins and cousins-in-law were and are all masons in GLOS lodges.

When we moved to England, in '78, aged 11, my Dad's activity ceased.

In those pre-internet days, and when secrecy was much greater than it is now, he couldn't find a local 'in'.

I recall his astonishment that English brethren didn't advertise lodge meetings in the local paper which was the custom back home, lol.

For my part, I was unable to join for many years as I felt I couldn't square ('scuse the pun) my views on religion with the those of the Craft and I was under the mistaken impression that Scottish freemasonry was somehow linked to the Orange Order and Irish prod bigotry which was massively at odds with my strongly held political convictions.

While this might seem incredible to some, all my kith and kin were 'old school' Freemasons. I was told absolutely nothing at all. Any and all questions were met with an enigmatic smile and that was that!

Eventually, via a good friend, of a younger generation, and more disposed towards openness, I learned that not only was there nothing in my views incompatible with the Craft, indeed quite the reverse was actually the case.

To cut a long story short, in I went and have never looked back or regretted it for a single moment. I'm a member of two lodges, am taking the Mark (like all my family before me, conferred, as you'll know in Craft lodges, under the GLOS constitution) and joining Chapter and my Dad's freemasonry has been revitalized as a result.

My uncles are all chuffed to bits and I'm proud indeed to be a freemason.

I'm also looking forward very much to visiting my Dad's Mother Lodge, St Servanus 771, later on this year when I'll be back home on business.



S&F, H.

Norman Lodge 3502, Province of East Kent, UGLE

Harrington Lodge 5098, Province of Derbyshire, UGLE

[Descendant 0]

I am, as my signature states, not yet a brother. However, today I was informed by my Proposer that I most likely will be initiated in the beginning of 2012, and I can't stop smiling.



I have neither friends nor living family who are masons, and I was never approached by anyone suggesting the idea of joining. Still, ever since I was a child, I've been fascinated with freemasonry. At first because of the secrecy, then because of the rituals, tradition, and dignity. As a teenager I read a whole lot of tinfoil hat conspiracy theories and grew skeptical. I had to mature, and dare to let go of a lot of self-righteous and overly simplified "truths" in order to face reality and accept responsibility for my own life. In turn, this lead me to consciously work to develop myself into a better human being, and to my surprise it also led me back to church. Again freemasonry caught my attention, but now because I wanted to grow and better myself in a traditional and dignified environment.



I got in touch with the Norwegian Grand Lodge, and coincidentally was referred to a lodge I later found I have family ties to, several generations back. The lodge secretary met with me several times, and I grew convinced that this is the next natural step on my way to self-realizationam currently reading up on the proud history of my lodge to be (the oldest one in the country), and counting days until the new year.

[cemab4y 0]

I joined Freemasonry, for one reason. Men I respected and admired were Freemasons. We often lose sight, that we are our own best advertisement.

[Sentience 64]

I'm the only and first member of my family to enter freemasonry just as I was the first and only one to make a career out of the military and emergency services. What I do know is my family are proud of my membership and have enjoyed the occasions when they have been shown around the halls and museum.

I came into freemasonry late in life having always believed you had to be approached to join rather than apply. I was told some quite frankly pathetic stories about what freemasonry is about by one or two brethren that were open about their membership, but thankfully, I took what they said with a pinch of salt. I was finally approached by a member of a lodge to go to a WT event and thoroughly enjoyed the company of the people around me. By the end of the evening several of them had asked me if I was interested so I took the plunge. I haven't regretted the decision once. Membership has given me a safe environment to relax at social events and the FBs, the chance to develop myself morally and spiritually, improve my knowledge and to see the world in a completely different light.

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[BootleBuck 0]

I also joined Freemasonry later than I had hoped to, but with a disabled Son, I needed to put all my efforts into helping him, as well as my work and the rest of my family. He is now in his early twenties and I am proud of how he has turned out, so I am now here.

Through my work I knew Freemasons but didn't get some of rancour, thrown at them by some other colleagues. The burning issue was that my Masonic colleagues were better colleagues, with a much more positive outlook in life.

My wife is incredibly supportive and encouraged me to follow my nose, and I am really pleased I have joined a wonderful fraternity of Brethren. My journey has only just begun, but I just know that I am going to give so much, and receive so much from Freemasonry.

[Traveling Man 0]

Making Good Men Better... Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth... Brotherhood of Man... Fatherhood of God... Perfection of Humanity... That just about sums up My reasons. Add to that the fact that growing up knowing Masons I saw these principles put to work with my own eyes and knew that this was a fraternity I wanted to be apart of . I had been prepared 1st in my heart many years before I joined.

[humbleseeker1010 0]

I became a Mason, because I have always been interested in fraternity. I have no members in my family I sort of was just lead into it by an friend at church. We got to know each other through church activities and bible studies and I always noticed he had a Masonic ring on. After some research on the internet and asking him some questions I told him point blank that I wanted to join. He gave me a petition and about a month later the process began. of course going through the investigation committee, then being voted in and then the 3 degrees. I enjoy and practice esotoric philosophy and Mystic Christianity Freemasonry is a great way to be apart of a tradition that holds alot of what I enjoy. I have been a mason for almost 2 years now and have learned a lot.

[piginthepoke 0]

Interesting thread this :)

I, like many, was scouted by a friend - my best friend as it turned out - at a village BBQ in my council ward which he had organised to raise funds. He was was chairman of the village hall committee at that time and I was the local ward councillor.

Unbeknown to me he asked my wife if I would be open to becoming a Mason. I was chatting to some other people when I suddenly felt her hand squeeze my knee beneath the table. It wasn't until later she had the chance to explain - I just put it down to *cough* ahem... Moving on ;) After she gave him her blessing he approached me for a chat later that evening. Later I came to understand that other members of the Lodge were also there, each took the opportunity to assess me and I (unknowingly) them.

When my wife and I were chatting on the way home she was cock-a-hoop. Turns out her Dad was a Freemason of long standing. I don't think ever I have seen her so excited, with the exception of when we purchased her engagement ring that is ;) Being the cool head and laid back kind of bloke I am, I took the time to assess the idea. My wife knowing the benefit it had brought to her Dad's personal development over the years was adamant I should join. The 'outlaws,' as I have affectionately call my in-laws, were equally enthusiastic. So, with four of the most important people in the world to me recommending me to join, I joined without really knowing what was in-store for me. I just trusted the judgement of those around me... The people that I cared the most about.

Sadly, 1 month later my wife died during emergency surgery for a heart problem nobody knew she had, a mere 1 month before our first wedding anniversary! For me this is where my friend became my best friend. He was a rock for me whilst all around me my life turned to ashes.

I attended the interview and began my progress into Freemasonry the following Autumn. Sadly (repeating myself again I know ;) ) my best friend passed away before I became a MM. So I endeavour to honour my late wife and my best friend in all my undertakings - Masonic or otherwise.

Whilst I have been a Freemason these last four years I have never failed to be impressed by the warm welcome the fraternity has show me.

Regards S&F,

Dave.

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[bod 25]

I return to this thread to re-read the stories every so often, as well as new posts because I find them quite inspirational and they also remind me of why I was interested and joined myself.

P-I-P - thank you for your story - sounds like you have had a really tough time of things recently - I am glad to hear that you have found your bretheren in freemasonry and freemasonry itself to be a comfort to you, thank you for sharing

[MERRYMASON 0]

My family stayed six or seven doors from the lodge and my dad was a member before i was born.He joined in 1957 when his good friend was master of the lodge.The first memory of the lodge was as a little boy going to the chirstmas party with all the other kids of the members,i would be about 5 or 6 at the time. Ever since then i remember my dad going to meetings ect indeed my mum joined the O E S and my sister and several aunts followed them. Alot of my dads friends were members of the craft so masonry was never far from my life as i grew up.So as i grew older my intrest incresed on what was going on in that building not far from home. Years later my dad proposed me and his good friend the past master was my seconder and i entered the craft as a lewis in 1978.Since then alot of water has passed under the bridge as they say,then it was the norm for five candateds to go through at every degree, now we are luckie if we have one,I am glad to say my son has followed me into the craft and it was a great night for me when i was allowed to invest him with his apron on his first degree, indeed his entrence to the craft has boosted my intrest that i am now the W S W of my lodge. The only regret i have is my dad never got to see this as he passed to the grand lodge above several years before my son joined.Ihave been a member of our wonderful craft for over 33 years now and the people i have met through it have been some of the best people anyone could ask to meet .Iam 52 years old now and hope i have alot of years left to enjoy our craft and meet many more good friends. Iam sorry for any spelling or grammer mistakes as i have no typing skills what so ever . thank you for reading my post brethern

[Andywan 0]

When I was much younger, 18 in fact, I worked as a care assistant at a nursing home. It was RMBI Cornwallis Court, although at the time I had no knowledge of the RMBI, nor Freemasonry. I was told upon starting that one must be a freemason, the wife of a freemason or an unmarried daughter of a freemason to live there which immediately sparked my interest.

I was quickly struck with how pleasant the home and people were in contrast to other homes I had been to. I also noted that almost everyone had the most incredible and inspirational stories about their lives, far more so that any group I had been in contact with. As I became better known within the home, people started to talk to me about Freemasonry and the influences it had on their lives. To a man, they all swore that it was the best thing they had ever done. When one considers some of the other achievements that been made by these people, I thought it high praise indeed and was determined at age 18 to join as soon as I was able.

I made good friends, 40 men fighting over who would propose me when the time came and I reached 21, I was flattered to be sure. However, a lot changed in the 4 years I was at university and sadly, all these fine men had died. I joined the Army as an officer, and while I enjoyed the brotherhood of being in the infantry, I was never in the same place long enough to get proposed and initiated into the Craft, however, I never forgot the closeness, intimacy and feeling of peace I had experienced at the nursing home with the brethren.

In my last Army posting I met a 90 year old man, Ken, who volunteered at the local hospital since losing his wife. A freemason, and again a wonderful and inspirational man. It could be no coincidence that all the Freemasons I had met were people I could look up to (whether this hold true stil is another matter - I'm glad to say for the best part, it does). Ken spoke to me about Freemasonry and asked me to consider joining as it would be the best thing I ever did. Sometime later, having left the Army and moved South, I received the most terribly typed and difficult to understand letter, address to the PGS of Sussex. It was from Ken, who had taken it upon himself to write a letter of introduction for me, to make it easier to approach a lodge. When he typed it, it was because he could hardly move, couldn’t really talk and had dementia, but still he considered the Craft important enough to battle all odds and make this introduction. I was touched and shortly afterwards, Ken died. I used the letter, and was introduced to and initiated into our wonderful lodge shortly afterwards, fulfilling a 13 year ambition. Everyone was right - it's fantastic and I find that Freemasonry is the only real way to recreate the fraternal feelings I experienced with my brothers in the military, and the closeness that I experienced in the officers mess. Its principals are something that I could really relate to, and so I knew as soon as I met my proposer that I was hooked.

[bod 25]

Thats a great story Andy - made a really pleasant start to my day, thank you!

[George P 0]

Fascinating stories... Here's mine.

I was never aware, as a child, of any freemasonry, though I do remember my Grandmother speaking about my Granddad "going off to the Buffaloes"..

At School I became aware of the masons, vaguely, and I remember each year, there would be a one-liner in the School yearbook; "The Cantuarian Lodge is the Masonic Lodge of the King's School, Anyone having an interest should contact the Secretary XXXXXXX"
But I thought little more about it, except that it was slightly intriguing and mysterious.

I joined the Army, was Commissioned, and spent 20 years in a fantastic "family atmosphere" with likeminded people.

I was aware of some masonic activity in the Army, but was plenty busy and fulfilled enough to not really bother with it. (and also wondered if it would be at odds with my sworn oath to Queen and Country)

Towards the end of my Army service I was getting married (2nd Time!) and my father-in law was one of the nicest people I had ever met. Gradually he spoke about freemasonry, and, without pushing it, introduced me to the idea, and I started to investigate it some more.

One day, he gave me a sheet of paper with a speech on it, and said, "if your are interested, everything that is masonry is in there" I read it, and it was an excellent description of what a good man and citizen would be (and mirrored the standards expected of me as an Army Officer) At that point, I thought that I would one day perhaps become a Mason

Then I left the Army, (and those who are ex-military will understand) I suddenly realised that I had left the company of like minded people (Band of Brothers, and all that?), so started to look at it more seriously.

Then one day, I was taking a lift to a shoot with a chap I had known for years, when he suddenly said "Are you on the Square?" To which I was able to reply "No I am not, but I know what you mean, and I am interested in joining, so I assume you are" We chatted about it for the next hour of the drive, and by the end of it, I had asked if he would sponsor me, and he agreed. When we arrived, he said "just in case you are in doubt, have word with Bill, Fred, Gus, Jim, Joe and Pete" All members of the shoot that I had known for several years!

Of course, I did, to which they all said "At last! we have been waiting for ages for you to ask us - we know you would eventually!"

And the rest, as they say is History!

So that was how, but why?
1. When I left the army, I knew that I needed to "belong" to something of a brotherhood/like-minded people.
2. Masonry offered some fulfillment of altruistic and charity fulfillment.
3. It offered me something outside my new civilian life , something to belong to, something to learn about, something to achieve in
4. It was totally egalitarian (yes, I am an ex-officer, but always had an egalitarian element in me (again, ex-military guys will understand what I mean)

And why do I stay?
for those reasons above, and I love it, I have met all sorts of people, I love the ethos, the camaraderie, I love the ceremonies, I love the somewhat "romanticized" history that underpins our ritual, learning something new all the time, teaching new masons new things......

And my brethren have helped me through a couple of problems (not with money, or by privilege or preference, but just by "being there" when I needed it.)
And now I know, until the day I die, my Brethren will be there for me if I need them (and in return, I for them)
I have been in 12 years now, it seems like 5 minutes.

Sometimes I wish I had joined much earlier, but actually I realise that I joined at exactly the right time for me. By luck I have already been master of 2 lodges, Z in HRA, and joined Rose Croix and Mark.

Foot note: The circle completes--- I sought out and joined my Old School Lodge (the one I mentioned at the top of this post) and when I joined I discovered that 5 of the 6 school teachers that most inspired me in life, had been masons, and members of that School Lodge!

oh, and the other footnote is that the speech on the bit of paper that my Father in Law gave me to read, and which inspired me to take masonry seriously, was, of course the Charge to the Initiate.

Apologies.. a long post, but I hope these stories interest others, and perhaps inspire others to join us.

[Sontaran 91]

George P (19/12/2011)

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oh, and the other footnote is that the speech on the bit of paper that my Father in Law gave me to read, and which inspired me to take masonry seriously, was, of course the Charge to the Initiate.

Somehow that doesn't surprise me!.

My journey ...

My father was a mason (how he joined is another story). The lodge used to meet at one of the local village colleges with the wifes doing the cooking and the stewards waiting on tables (before my time ...). I used to help my father load the organ into the back of the van and unload it the following day. Needless to say I knew a number of the members as they used to pop round now and again.

When I was about 21, my father said that if I wanted to join, I only needed to say and he'd take care of the rest, but that would be the only time he mentioned it. At 21, my response was uninterested to say the least - a perception that he was never in didn't help at that time. 10 years passed before I for some reason, I don't know what sparked it, suddenly decided that I wanted to join. I told my father and he said 'leave it with me'. I then never heard anything until he told me I was to be initiated in Jan 1989 - no interview or anything - and that someone I'd known for some time (as a football referee) was seconding me. That turned out to be one Dick Rogers - the then secretary of Cambs F.A. ... and someone who had met the Duke of Kent in his capacity as President of the F.A.
Curiously, the guy I shared an office with (just the 2 of us) at Marconi Radar in Chelmsford, also turned out to be a mason. It was something I said - picked up from my father - that made him ask if I was on the square. He ended up coming to my initiation ... that in itself said something ... we meet on Saturdays, and he was (is) a Jew - so he left home as soon as the Sabbath observance was complete and hurtled up the motorway to get there just as the lodge tyled. My father and I visited his lodge (Maida Vale) every meeting for the year he was in the chair. Lost touch now sadly.

Anyway, I went through the 3 degrees at consecutive meetings.
My third would have been one to remember (as it turned out it was my friend's ...).

Date: 3rd Saturday in July 1989. Venue: Newmarket Masonic Hall. Ceremony: Third. Weather ... torrential downpour. Result? Flooded temple, pack up temple and physically move it to the dining room!
My father was acting as tyler for the evening. Jan (the candidate) was standing to attention for the opening of the lodge when he noticed people opposite nudging each other and nodding in his direction. He wondered if he was standing right, looked down to see water flooding in round his feet. My father knocks on the door, opens it and stands there in bare feet, trouser legs rolled up saying "I think we've got a problem ..."!

Cue frantic activity to roll up the carpet and lift everything up and lot of head scratching as to what to do.

We spoke to our Grand Officer asking if it would be acceptable to hold the lodge in the dining room and got a "don't see why not ...", so we packed up the dining room, moved and set up the temple, held the meeting, then reinstated the dining room for the festive board! The general consensus was that it "was just like old times".

Regrettably my father died the year my first son (his second grandson) was born. He died a fortnight after we told him my wife was pregnant. I've now got another son; just hoping they will both following our footsteps.