The necessary qualifications for membership
Qualifications for membership are straightforward and are shown below. They apply to membership of Lodges under the United Grand Lodge of England. To be admitted as a member of a Lodge you must:
- be male
- be over the age of 21 (although you may be as young as 18)
- believe in the existence of a Supreme Being
- apply for membership voluntarily, not being under any duress
- neither expect, anticipate nor seek any preferment or financial benefit as a consequence of membership
- never have been convicted by a court of any offence
- never have been the subject of a finding of dishonest or disgraceful conduct
- never have been disciplined by any professional, trade or other tribunal
- not be awaiting the outcome of proceedings before a criminal, professional, trade or other investigation
- never have been connected in any way with any organisation which is quasi-Masonic, imitative of Masonry, or regarded by the Grand Lodge as irregular or incompatible with membership
Because of the commitments of time and of the costs of membership it is also essential that you should have the full support of any close family or dependants before you join. Masonry gives priority to the indivdual's duties and responsibilities at work and towards his family, however that family may be constituted. Most Lodges will require evidence of family support and will be reluctant to admit a new member without it.
High standards are expected of members and those transgressing them may make themselves liable to masonic sanctions or expulsion from the organisation.
High standards are expected of members and those transgressing them may make themselves liable to masonic sanctions or expulsion from the organisation.