Orinda Lodge #122 | Orinda, California, USA

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Three candles burn in darkened room,
Three candles lighting the Sacred Book
The square and compasses, the level and the plum.
While round about the neophyte,
The brethren stand and vow to keep
Him company upon the journey East
In quest of wisdom and a caring heart.
For the call is out for builders by the line and rule,
To build on earth a house of light
Adorned with love and human dignity.

M\W\ Walter MacDougall
Past Grand Master of Maine

Part One: Definitions
Freemasonry The Scottish Rite The York Rite The Shrine The Eastern Star DeMolay Rainbow for Girls Other Masonic organizations	Co-Masonry Prince Hall Masonry What is a 33rd degree Mason? Who is the head of the Masons? Are there dues, fees, etc.? What is a Masonic apron? What is a Masonic funeral?

Part Two: Myths and Misperceptions
Is Masonry dying out? Are Masons racist/elitist? Is this just a place where businessmen make deals? Is this some kind of cult? Isn't Masonry a secret society? Is Masonry is a religion?	Are Masons really controlling the world? Are Masons anti-Catholic? Are Masonic rituals demeaning? Do Masons have their own Bible? Why are there Masonic Temples?

Part Three: Becoming a Mason
Membership requirements What may I attend as a non-Mason? Are there ethnic barriers? ...religious barriers? What if my religion forbids an oath?	I have a physical disability. Can I be a Mason? Must I be related to a Mason? Do I have to be invited? What do I do if I'm interested?

Part Four: History and Culture
Where did Masons come from? Were the Founding Fathers Masons? What US Presidents have been Masons? What famous people have been Masons?	What famous buildings in the US have been laid Masonically? What is the oldest Lodge Room in the world? In the US? What about Masonry in fiction and film? What books would be good introductions?

The basis for this document was the Usenet Masonry FAQ ver 1.3 by Andrew Fabbro and Charles Plater, with contributions by countless Masons over the years. It has been trimmed, clarified, illustrated and expanded by Shawn Eyer of Orinda Lodge, and is no longer maintained in parallel with the Usenet FAQ. No individual represents Masonry as a whole and the statements found here merely represent the many authors' best attempts to answer certain questions. Our version of About Freemasonry was last updated 23 March 2002 e.v.

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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