Freemasons Explained: The World's Oldest Fraternity (And Why It's Not What You Think)
Every day, thousands of people type the same simple question into Google: “What are Freemasons?”
If you are one of them, you have probably encountered a bewildering mix of information. Some sources describe Freemasons as a sinister secret society plotting global domination. Others present them as a harmless social club for elderly gentlemen. Still others claim they are a religious cult hiding in plain sight.
The truth—as is so often the case—lies somewhere in the middle, but closer to the “harmless social club” end of the spectrum than the conspiracy theorists would have you believe.
As an SEO expert with a focus on historical organizations and fraternal societies, I have researched the origins, beliefs, and activities of Freemasonry using authoritative sources including the United Grand Lodge of England, academic publications from Cambridge University Press, and historical records. In this comprehensive 2,000+ word guide, I will answer the question “What are Freemasons?” once and for all.
Part 1: The Simple Definition – What Is a Freemason?
At its most basic level, a Freemason is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, an international fraternal and charitable organization that traces its roots to the medieval stonemason guilds of Europe .
But that definition requires unpacking.
The word “Freemason” has two distinct historical meanings. In medieval times, a “freemason” was a skilled stonemason—a craftsman who worked in “freestone” (ornamental stone), as opposed to a rough mason who worked with ordinary building stone . These skilled masons were itinerant workers who traveled from one cathedral or castle construction site to another, and they developed secret signs and passwords to recognize each other and prove their qualifications .
The modern meaning of “Freemason” dates from June 24, 1717, when four London lodges gathered at the Goose and Gridiron tavern in St. Paul’s Churchyard and formed the first Grand Lodge of England . This marked the transition from “operative” (actual stone-working) Masonry to “speculative” (philosophical and moral) Masonry.
Today, a Freemason is a man (and in some branches, a woman) who has voluntarily joined a Masonic lodge, undergone initiation rituals, and committed to living by certain moral principles: Brotherly Love, Relief (charity), and Truth .
What is a Freemason definition – A member of the world’s oldest fraternal organization,起源于medieval stonemason guilds.
Part 2: A Brief History – From Cathedral Builders to Coffee House Philosophers
To understand what Freemasons are, you must understand where they came from.
The Operative Era (Before 1717)
Imagine you are a master mason in 1300 AD. You have spent years learning your craft. You know how to cut stone, how to build a vaulted ceiling, and most importantly, how to keep your trade secrets.
In an era before trade schools and licensing boards, traveling stonemasons needed a way to prove their skills when they arrived at a new building site. They developed a system of secret signs, hand grips (handshakes), and passwords that identified them as qualified professionals .
These early “operative” Masons were organized into lodges—temporary buildings erected near construction sites where masons ate, slept, and trained apprentices.
The Transition (1600s-1717)
As Gothic architecture declined and cathedral-building slowed, these lodges began accepting “gentlemen” who were not actual stonemasons. These honorary members were curious about the craft’s symbols, rituals, and philosophy. They had no interest in cutting stone, but they were very interested in the moral lessons the stonemasons had encoded in their tools and practices .
The Birth of Speculative Masonry (1717)
On June 24, 1717, four London lodges formed the first Grand Lodge of England at the Goose and Gridiron tavern. This was the birth of modern, “speculative” Freemasonry .
Within a few years, the new organization had written a “Book of Constitutions” (published in 1723) and formally established the three degrees of Freemasonry: Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason .
From London, Freemasonry spread across Europe, to the American colonies, and throughout the British Empire. Today, there are Grand Lodges in virtually every country in the world.
History of Freemasonry origin – Founded in London in 1717 from medieval stonemason guilds.
Part 3: Core Beliefs – What Do Freemasons Stand For?
Contrary to popular belief (and sensationalist movies), Freemasons do not worship Satan, plot to take over the world, or engage in bizarre rituals. Their core beliefs are remarkably simple and wholesome.
Belief in a Supreme Being
Every Freemason must believe in a Supreme Being . What you call that Being is up to you. In lodge meetings, Masons refer to God as the Great Architect of the Universe (GAOTU) —a neutral term that allows Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and others to pray together without sectarian conflict .
What Freemasonry is NOT: It is not a religion. Freemasonry has no sacraments, no doctrine of salvation, no clergy, and no exclusive path to heaven. It does not replace your church, synagogue, mosque, or temple .
The Three Great Tenets
Every Masonic lodge teaches three core principles :
1. Brotherly Love
Masons are taught to regard the whole human species as one family. Within the lodge, discussions of politics and religion are strictly forbidden to maintain harmony among men of different beliefs.
2. Relief (Charity)
Freemasonry is one of the largest charitable organizations in the world. Masons donate millions of pounds annually to hospices, disaster relief, medical research, and local community causes .
3. Truth
Masons are obligated to live with integrity, to “square” their actions with their conscience, and to pursue knowledge and self-improvement.
The Volume of the Sacred Law
On the altar of every Masonic lodge rests the Volume of the Sacred Law (VSL) —a holy book appropriate to the members of that lodge. In most English lodges, this is the Bible. But a lodge with Jewish members may include the Torah, or a lodge with Muslim members may include the Koran . The presence of multiple holy books on the same altar is not religious relativism—it is religious respect.
Core beliefs of Freemasonry – Brotherly Love, Charity, Truth, and belief in a Supreme Being.
Part 4: What Freemasons Actually Do – Charities and Community Service
If you ask a Freemason what he does, the answer will almost certainly involve charity.
The Three Pillars Charity
In Northamptonshire, England, a Freemason named Ged Dempsey launched the Three Pillars Charity, which provides meals, clothing, and essential support to vulnerable and homeless people across the region . Volunteers gather regularly in a local car park to distribute food to those who need it.
The Scale of Masonic Giving
While specific figures vary by jurisdiction, Masonic charitable foundations consistently award millions in grants annually to hospices, disaster relief operations, medical research, and local community organizations .
Community Engagement
Beyond direct charity, Freemasons engage with their communities in practical ways. Lodges support Scout troops, host community blood drives, organize food banks, and provide medical equipment to those in need—all without requiring recipients to know anything about Freemasonry.
What do Freemasons do for charity – Feed the homeless, support hospices, and provide disaster relief.
Part 5: Famous Freemasons – The Surprising List
Perhaps the best way to understand “what are Freemasons” is to look at who has been one. The list of notable Freemasons includes some of the most influential figures in Western history :
Royalty:
King Edward VII, King Edward VIII, King George VI
Political Leaders:
Winston Churchill (initiated in 1901)
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Harry S. Truman
Military Heroes:
The Duke of Wellington
Lord Kitchener
Literary Giants:
Rudyard Kipling (initiated in Lahore, 1886)
Oscar Wilde (initiated at Cambridge, 1875)
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Jonathan Swift
Mark Twain
Scientists and Inventors:
Sir Alexander Fleming (discoverer of penicillin)
Henry Wellcome (pharmaceutical magnate)
Explorers:
Ernest Shackleton
Captain Robert Scott
Entertainers:
Peter Sellers
Louis Armstrong
Irving Berlin
Business Leaders:
Harry Selfridge (founder of Selfridges department store)
Thomas Barnardo (social reformer)
The records of two million Freemasons from 1733 to 1923 were digitized and published online by Ancestry in 2015, revealing the extraordinary reach of Freemasonry throughout British society .
Famous Freemasons list – Winston Churchill, Rudyard Kipling, Oscar Wilde, Duke of Wellington.
Part 6: What Freemasons Are NOT – Debunking the Myths
Given the fraternity’s secretive nature (more on that below), it is no surprise that Freemasonry has attracted conspiracy theories for nearly 300 years. Let’s address the most common ones.
Myth #1: Freemasons Are the Illuminati
. The Illuminati was a short-lived Bavarian secret society founded in 1776 and suppressed by 1785. There is historical connection between the Illuminati and English Freemasonry . Dan Brown’s novels, while entertaining, are fiction. As a Filipino Muslim Freemason wrote in a public letter: “There is no such thing as Illuminati kind of agenda” .
Myth #2: Freemasons Worship Satan
A belief in a Supreme Being is required for membership . Satanists (who do not believe in a single Supreme Being in the Masonic sense) cannot become Masons. The Masonic “Great Architect of the Universe” is the God of monotheistic faiths.
Myth #3: Freemasons Are Trying to Take Over the World
Freemasons are more interested in charity bake sales and lodge dinners than world domination. The fraternity explicitly forbids discussion of politics in lodge meetings .
Myth #4: Freemasonry Is a Religion
False. The Cambridge Handbook of Western Mysticism and Esotericism states clearly: Freemasonry is “not a religion, at least not in the Western sense of the concept. One neither converts to Freemasonry, nor does it have any teachings or dogmas” .
Myth #5: Freemasons Are All White Protestants
False. While historically Freemasonry has been predominantly white and male in Anglo-American countries , the fraternity today includes men of all races and religions. There are Muslim Freemasons, Jewish Freemasons, Hindu Freemasons, and Christian Freemasons . There are also separate Masonic organizations for women .
Freemason conspiracy theories debunked – False. Masons are not Illuminati, do not worship Satan, and do not plot world domination.
Part 7: Secrecy vs. Privacy – An Important Distinction
Many people call Freemasonry a “secret society.” Freemasons themselves prefer the term “society with secrets.”
Here is the distinction:
A secret society hides its very existence. You do not know who its members are, where it meets, or what it does.
Freemasonry does the opposite. Masonic temples are clearly marked buildings with public signage. Masonic charity events are advertised in local newspapers. Masonic websites (like ugle.org.uk) provide extensive information about the organization.
What Freemasons do keep private are their modes of recognition—the handshakes, signs, and passwords that allow Masons to identify each other . These are not sinister secrets; they are traditional practices inherited from the medieval stonemasons who needed to prove their qualifications to employers .
As the Cambridge Handbook explains, the only real “secret” of Freemasonry is “what it is like to experience these rituals as a candidate” . You can read about riding a roller coaster, but you do not actually know what it feels like until you do it.
Is Freemasonry a secret society – No. It is a private society with traditional secrets of recognition.
Part 8: How to Become a Freemason – The Path to Membership
If after reading this, you are curious about becoming a Freemason, here is what you need to know.
The Basic Requirements
According to traditional Masonic landmarks :
You must be a man (in regular Freemasonry). Female-only and mixed-gender Masonic orders also exist.
You must be at least 18 or 21 (depending on jurisdiction).
You must believe in a Supreme Being.
You must come of your own free will (no coercion or family pressure).
You must be of good moral character.
The Process
The most important rule of Masonic membership is that you must ask a Mason. Freemasons do not recruit. If you know a Mason, you can ask him about joining. If you do not know a Mason, most Grand Lodge websites have a “Find a Lodge” feature that can connect you with a local lodge secretary.
The Degrees
If accepted, you will go through three degree ceremonies :
Entered Apprentice – Learning the basics
Fellow Craft – Intellectual development
Master Mason – Full membership
Each degree involves a ritual initiation that teaches moral lessons through allegory and symbolism.
How to join Freemasons requirements – Belief in God, good character, and asking a Mason to join.
Conclusion: Who Are the Freemasons?
After examining the historical records, the academic research, and the words of Freemasons themselves, we can answer our original question with confidence.
Who are the Freemasons?
They are a global fraternity of men (and women, in separate orders) who believe in a Supreme Being and commit to living by the principles of Brotherly Love, Charity, and Truth.
They are a charitable organization that feeds the homeless, supports hospices, provides disaster relief, and strengthens local communities—often without any public recognition.
They are a historical institution that has counted kings, prime ministers, literary giants, and scientific pioneers among its members for nearly three centuries.
They are NOT a sinister cabal, a religious cult, or a shadow government. They are not the Illuminati. They do not worship Satan. They are not trying to take over the world.
The next time you drive past a Masonic temple, do not imagine secret rituals and conspiracies. Imagine a group of men who meet to improve themselves, support each other, and give back to their communities. Imagine a charity volunteer handing out meals to the homeless. Imagine a Scoutmaster mentoring young people. Imagine a tradition that has endured for 300 years not because of secrets, but because of its commitment to making good men better.
That is what Freemasons are.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a Freemason in simple terms?
A: A Freemason is a member of a fraternal organization that teaches moral lessons through symbols and rituals borrowed from medieval stonemasonry. Members believe in a Supreme Being and commit to charity, brotherly love, and truth.
Q: What do Freemasons believe?
A: Freemasons believe in a Supreme Being (referred to as the Great Architect of the Universe) and in the immortality of the soul. They practice the three core tenets of Brotherly Love, Relief (charity), and Truth. Freemasonry is not a religion and has no specific dogma .
Q: Are Freemasons a secret society?
A: No. Masonic buildings are clearly marked, members openly identify themselves, and the organization’s charitable activities are public. What is private are the traditional “modes of recognition” (handshakes, signs, passwords) inherited from medieval stonemasons .
Q: Can women be Freemasons?
A: In regular (UGLE-affiliated) Freemasonry, only men are admitted. However, there are separate Masonic organizations for women, including the Order of Women Freemasons, as well as mixed-gender orders like Le Droit Humain .
Q: Can Catholics become Freemasons?
A: The Roman Catholic Church has prohibited its members from joining Freemasonry since 1738, calling Masonic principles “irreconcilable with the doctrine of the Church” . However, some Catholics have chosen to become Masons despite this prohibition.
Q: How many Freemasons are there?
A: There are approximately 5 to 6 million Freemasons worldwide, with significant populations in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia . In England alone, there are over 200,000 Masons .
External References & High-Authority Linkings
For those who wish to verify the claims in this article or dive deeper into Masonic history and practice, please consult these authoritative sources:
United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE): The governing body for regular Freemasonry in England and Wales. (Source: ugle.org.uk)
Encyclopaedia Britannica: Authoritative overview of Masonic beliefs and practices. (Source: britannica.com)
New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia: Detailed historical analysis of Freemasonry’s origins. (Source: newadvent.org)
Cambridge University Press: Academic analysis of Freemasonry in Western mysticism. (Source: cambridge.org/core)
Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon: Masonic information and myth-busting resources. (Source: freemasonry.bcy.ca)
