Becoming a Freemason

People become Freemasons for a variety of reasons, some as a result of family tradition, others through the introduction of a friend or out of a curiosity to know what it's all about. However, you don't have to wait to be invited to join, we welcome enquiries from anyone who is genuinely interested in becoming a Freemason.

Those men who join Freemasonry do so principally because they enjoy it. They enjoy the company of like minded individuals and like many, they relish the opportunity to 'down' a pint while planning a visit to a friend's Masonic Lodge meeting. There is however much more to Freemasonry than just enjoyment.

Freemasonry is an organisation of men who acknowledge and seek to live by the important principles of integrity, goodwill and charity. There are approximately five million Freemasons worldwide and approaching 300,000 in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Freemasons are ordinary men in ordinary communities. What sets them aside is the extraordinary things they do; Freemasons support charitable causes and are actively involved in community based service, giving of both their time and talents to help those less fortunate than themselves or their families. It is often said that the mark of true society is the way in which we treat those less able and the disadvantaged members of our society. Freemasons are encouraged to always consider the feelings of those in need and to seek ways to relieve genuine distress.

Freemasons share such characteristics as a concern for human values, high moral standards, respect for the laws of society and a recognition of the rights of the individual. These beliefs underpin much of what motivates the activities of Freemasons and plays a part in developing a sense of enabling 'good men to become better men'.

Just as it is important to tell you what Freemasonry is and what Freemasons do, it is also important to tell you what Freemasonry isn't. Firstly and very importantly, it is not a religion. Whilst every Freemason must hold a personal belief in a God as a Supreme Being, there is no theology in Freemasonry. Any man, whatever his faith, will be comfortable with all that Freemasonry is, does and teaches. In fact, Freemasonry is possibly the most inclusive and diverse organisation in the world, in that its membership extends to all people regardless of race, creed, colour, faith or nationality.

If you wish to know more about Freemasonry and its activities in Wiltshire, please feel free to contact the Provincial Secretary (see Contacts page) he will be pleased to send you further information and to arrange an informal meeting, where you can discuss with and ask questions of Freemasons - any meeting can be at your home or even the local pub. If Freemasonry is not for you - that's fine, but please don't dismiss it out of hand.