Becoming a Mason

How to become a Mason in California... or anywhere in the world!

• You must be a man of at least the minimum age
• You must believe in a supreme being
• You must be known to be of good character

Age
In California, the minimum age to apply for membership is 18. In most areas of the United States, the minimum age is only 18 or 19. There is a national trend to drop the older requirement of 21 years. Bro\ Paul Bessel maintains a chart of various Grand Lodge age policies, so if you are outside California you can find your local age requirements there.

Supreme Being
Masonry is open to members of every religion who can honestly say "yes" when asked if they believe in some kind of surpeme being. No atheist can become a Mason. However, beyond this singular restriction, the fraternity does not pry into your individual faith. Masonry insists on toleration -- on the right of each person to think for himself in religious, social and political matters. Are you willing to allow others the same right to their beliefs that you insist on yourself? Our rulebook for the consideration of applicants is clear: "Freemasonry is opposed to no man's religion."¹

To illustrate, a Bible is on the altar in every meeting of our lodges, because most of the brethren in the USA are from one of the many religions drawn from that great scripture. However, when you take the degrees of Masonry in California, you have the right to have your own religion's sacred writing on the altar. Bro\ Paul Bessel maintains an index of various religions which might be represented in a lodge of Masons.

Character
When you apply for a job, the employer asks for professional references. When you apply to Freemasonry, we ask for character references. Masonry only accepts candidates who are generally known to be good people. This is important for maintaining the integrity of our society, which frowns on petty politics and dishonest behavior. Masonry doesn't expect perfection from any man... but we have a responsibility to keep watch over the door to ensure that quality applicants find themselves welcomed into a lodge which is comprised of men of similar caliber.

The fact is, most men pass this test with flying colors.

Masonry is not concerned with and does not discriminate based on ethnicity, nationality, class, or political views.

For more information on Freemasonry, please call, write or email us:

Orinda Lodge no. 122
9 Altarinda Road
Orinda, CA 94563
925-254-5211
shawn@orindalodge.org

Notes

1 Grand Lodge F. & A.M, of California. (1993). Investigation of Applicants.. p. 7.

PIEDMONT no. 521 - PLYMOUTH no. 560 - ORINDA no. 704 - ACORN no. 494
ALAMO no. 122 - EAST BAY no. 489 - HILLCREST no. 573

© 1998-2007 Orinda Lodge
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