Kankakee Freemasons

Would you like to become a Freemason? 

Read the following to learn more about joining the Freemasons and become a member of the largest and oldest fraternity in the world.

If you become a Freemason, you will:

• Join both the oldest and the largest fraternity in the world.
   
• Join a brotherhood of over 6,000,000 men from all races, religions and countries from all walks of life.

Why are so many men joining Freemasons?

Freemasonry is a voluntary, fraternal organization, composed of men of good will, good character and good reputation, whom it most jurisdictions around the world, believe in an Almighty Creator and practice the spirit of universal brotherhood to man.

They are loyal to their country and devote their time to the principles of friendship and fellowship.  Their focus is to be of service to all mankind.

For many men, Freemasonry fulfills a part of themselves that they intrinsically felt was missing.  Whether it be the social, the philosophical, the spiritual, the historical or simply a sense of community with others; you will find within Freemasonry that part of you which you seek.

If I become a Freemason, what is their Mission?

Freemasons help to build a better world through a unique and worthy process of building better men to live in it.  The Freemason Motto is:  "Better men make a better world."

What principles will I learn?

You will learn to practice brotherly love for all, charitable relief for those who may be in need, morality and good citizenship in every community.

What type of fraternal society is Freemasonry?

Freemasonry acts as a charitable, fraternal, educational, social and character-building society.

Masonic Fraternity:

Freemasonry's active ideal is the brotherhood of man under the Fatherhood of God.

Masonic Education:

Freemasonry supports public education and teaches its own members morality and brotherhood by means of ceremonies and symbols.

Social: 

The Masonic Fraternity furnishes opportunity and inducement formen to gather for group enjoyment and personal development.

Character Building: 

All Masonic activities stress the values of personal integrityand personal responsibility. 

Each member is encouraged to make efforts to improve his community in the interest of human welfare, inspire the members with feelings of charity and goodwill for all mankind as well as move them to translatethese learned principles and convictions into individual action.

What will I learn if I become a Free Mason?

 

You will learn biblical history from  the days of Solomon's Temple, throughout the Middle Ages  In Europe, Masonic Speculative Lodges and Grand Orient Lodges were being formed in each country. 

Many of the exact dates of which are sometimes difficult to discern, exactly, however it is generally believed that these lodges were formed in:  England in 1717, Ireland in 1725, France in 1728, the United States in 1730 and Scotland in 1736. 

If you wish to study and learn, the Bible will finally begin to come alive to you with its real people and their successes and failures.  You will learn biblical truths with the Supreme Architect of the Universe, as your Master.

 

If I contact someone to become a Free Mason, will I receive a continuous barrage of spam and junk mail?

No.

Why not?

In some jurisdictions (states), a man wishing to become a Free Mason must of his own free will, ask to become a Freemason.  In other jurisdictions, (a few U.S. states and in England), a man wishing to become a Freemason may be invited to join by a current member who feels that he would be an asset to the Fraternity. 

In either case, each and every man comes to Freemasonry of his own free will and accord. 

Every man who wishes to become a Freemason (whether he requests to be admitted as a member or whether he has been invited to be admitted to the fraternity) must be balloted upon by his prospective Lodge's Brethren.

If I join Freemasons, will I learn the Freemason's secrets and Masonic Lodge Secrets?

Yes.  But, if Freemason's secrets and Masonic Lodge secrets are your main reason for joining, your enthusiasm will soon diminish.  Here are the Freemason's secrets:  They are the grips, passwords, penal signs and ritual work. 

The remainder of the craft of Freemasonry is found in the Holy Books around the world, the Old Charges, which are old Manuscripts and Old Lodge Charters which date back to 1390, and in Freemason books. 

In fact, if you are considering becoming a Freemason, the easiest way to begin learning about Freemasonry is to begin right here on this website.

I hear and read about  Freemasons being satanic, taking part in pagan rites, attempting to create a New World Order (NWO), such as the New World Order (You Tube), and their plans to take over the world.  Is any of this true?

No.  In fact, let's consider this at greater length.  Entire civilizations have come, gone and changed in a period of 600 years throughout history.  

If Freemasons were, in fact, attempting to take over the world, (having over 600 years in which to accomplish such a feat), one could only come to the logical conclusion that these Masonic secrets are either tremendously well-kept (from both Freemasons and non-Freemasons) or... that after 600 years, Freemasons aren't very effective planners.   

Is Freemasonry a secret Masonic society?

Freemasonry's "secret" inheritance from the past is largely ceremonial.  The Masonic Freemason fraternity meets in Masonic halls and temples, whose addresses are in the telephone book. 

(However, it is difficult to call a specific lodge because most only meet a couple times a month, therefore, if you stop by, there probably won't be anyone there.)  Most Freemasons proudly wear their Masonic rings and Masonic lapel pins. 

Many of their vehicles sport Masonic emblems such as the Square and Compass, or the famous 2B1Ask1 (To Be One Ask One) bumper sticker. 

Newspapers and magazines record many of their activities and list their officers....and their charity work and events are not only very public, but very well attended. 

Notwithstanding, the National Treasure documentaries, which even Masons are amazed to watch, the everyday Freemason's secrets remain, (as they have for centuries) as the specific grips, penal signs, passwords and ancient rituals used within his lodge. 

These are carryovers from ancient ceremonies, which, if omitted, would remove some of Masonry's very proud history.

I read and hear a lot about the belief in Masonic pentagrams in the streets of Washington, D.C., secret Masonic conspiracies, Anti-Christian and anti-Bible beliefs, etc.   If I become a Freemason, will I learn more about these?

No.

Why not?

There aren't any....which is why none can be "uncovered".  If your sole reason to join Freemasons is to learn more about these types of Masonic myths, media hype and supposed Masonic secrets, you will be deeply disappointed.  The only secrets in Freemasonry, as I noted previously, are the grips, passwords, penal signs and ritual.

Is Freemasonry Anti-Christian?

No.

Is Freemasonry a religion?

No. Freemasonry encompasses and welcomes members from all religions.

If I become a Freemason, will I be expected to change my religion?

No.  The foundation of Freemasonry is the brotherhood of man under the Fatherhood of God.  Only those who are truly religious can fully understand the meaning of "universal brotherhood". 

Except in a few jurisdictions around the world, only those who believe in a Supreme Being can be members of the Masonic Fraternity.  There are no specific religions mentioned in Masonic ceremonies nor in Masonic prayers.

Freemasonry is not a church, a tabernacle, a mosque nor a synagogue, nor is it a substitute for any of them or for any religious observance. 

Freemasonry is non-sectarian, which means it is not affiliated with nor restricted to any particular religious denomination.  The form of a man's belief is his own business.  In fact, many active Masons are active religious laymen. 

Also, while in the United States most lodges use the Holy Bible, if you are of another religion, you may request that your sacred book (Torah, Veda, Koran, etc.) be placed beside the Bible during lodge meetings.  Some lodges have several sacred books to accommodate the different religions of its members. 

Lodges whose members are wholly of a specific religion may choose to use their sacred books only.

Is a Masonic Bible different than any other Bible on the market, today?

No.  (Although many Masonic bibles have preface pages which may be filled in to record the dates of its owner having receiving their degrees, as well as possibly a Study Guide or Biblical Index, to assist its owner to understand certain phrases, symbols and the biblical verses used within Freemasonry.) 

Is Freemasonry a political group?

No.  In fact, politics are discouraged from being mentioned in lodge because to do so may negate its collective peace and harmony.

What do Freemasons do?

Freemasons are a fraternity of brothers who attempt to follow our Creator's plan for us and to help each man be the best man that he can be.  In different languages, the Creator is known by different names.  He may be called God, Allah, Jehovah, YHWH, I Am That I Am and others. 

Can I quit being a Freemason if I want to?

Any Mason in good standing (whose annual dues are paid) may withdraw from membership at any time.

What are the requirements to become a Freemason?

The requirements to join Freemasons, are:

•   You must be a man of good repute.
•   In most U.S. states, you must be over the age of 21.  Some states vary, so you will need to ask.
•   You must believe in a Supreme Being.  (This is a requirement in the majority of jurisdictions around
  the world.)
•   You must be able to support yourself and your family. 
•   You must live a moral and ethical life. 
•   You must have a strong desire to want to make a difference in the world.  By your actions, you want to make yourself a better man, and make your community and the world a better place to live.  

  

Are Lodge dues expensive if I become a Freemason?

Typically, lodge dues are a nominal sum in the United States, however each Lodge varies somewhat.  Lodge dues in other countries vary.  Some are nominal sums and some can be more expensive.  Inquiries as to the annual dues in your area should be made to your individual lodge.

What will I gain if I become a Freemason?

•     You will never again be truly alone, because you are a
      part of a brotherhood of men who want to see you
      prosper in all ways possible and if it is within their
      ability, they will help you to do so.
   
•     You will learn to focus your energies upon an upright
      and truthful life, and remove the more negative excesses
      which all of mankind must continually resist.
   
•     You will become a better man, if you truly wish to study
      and learn.

How do I begin the process to become a Free Mason?

•      You may look in the telephone book for the phone number
      of a Masonic lodge near you, however, it is highly probable
      no one will be there to answer your call because lodges usually
      only meet twice a month, during a week day, in the evening. 
   
•      If you find a man who has a bumper sticker that says: 
       2B1Ask1, you may ask him to provide you a petition.  He
      probably won't have a petition for Masonic admission with
      him, but if you give him your name and phone number, he
      will contact a member of his lodge, who will contact you.
   
•     However, the easiest way to begin the process is to contact
     your state or country's Grand Lodge. You may call them or fill
     out their website form and request that they have someone
     contact you.  

Then what happens? 

•      Arrangements will be made to meet you, personally, to
      discuss Freemasonry.
   
•      A committee of members from the Lodge, which are called
      the Investigative Committee, will contact you to arrange a
      meeting.
  
      They will answer any questions you may have.  If the meeting
      is mutually satisfactory; you will be asked if you wish to fill out
      a petition form.
   
•      The Investigative Committee performs inquiries of others
      as to your character.
    
•      Your request for membership will be balloted upon by the
      lodge's members.
   
•      You will be advised of the date of your admission.    

                                                                                   

____________________
 

Becoming a Freemason is perhaps best summed up by Freemason and stone sculptor, Gutzon Borglum, who with his son, Lincoln Borglum, sculpted the faces of 4 U.S. presidents into Mount Rushmore's sheer stone peak near Keystone, South Dakota.

Begun in October, 1927 and completed in October 1941, (14 years later), over 400 workers worked on it during the carving process....with no lives lost.  

When he was asked how he carved stone into such beautiful statues, Gutzon Borglum replied:

"It is very simple.  I merely knock away with hammer and chisel the stone I do not need and the statue is there ...... it was there all the time!"

____________________

...And so it is with each of us.