How to Join Freemasonry

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http://www.wikihow.com/Join-Freemasonry
(Please don't get offended. This post is under Reference as a joke.)

How to Join Freemasonry

Thinking of becoming a Freemason? You'll have to figure out if you're ready.


Steps

1. Answer three questions in the affirmative. Note that not every Grand Lodge jurisdiction in the world requires that these three questions be asked, but they are common.
   • Do you believe in the existence of a Supreme Being?
     
   • Do you believe that that Being rewards virtue and punishes vice?
     
   • Do you believe that that Supreme Being has revealed His Will to mankind?
2. Ask a Mason you know about it. Don't generally expect a Mason to ask you. The general adage is "To Be One Ask One".
   
3. If you don't know any Masons, look in your phone book and call them or search online and send an email to a lodge in your area.
   
4. Merely contacting a Mason online and desiring membership does not automatically grant you the privilege to join. If you do not know any Masons, you will likely have to get to know some who can then vouch for your good character.
   
5. Don't be afraid to go to your local Masonic building (sometimes referred to as a "Hall", "Temple", or "Center"), knock on the door and ask someone there about it.
   

Tips

• Each lodge (the body of members) is different than the next, so be sure to take your time in finding one that's right for you.
  
• You must be good repute, moral, ethical and not engaged in illegal activities.
  
• There are no religious requirements, other than a belief in a Supreme Being (see above questions).
  
• You don't have to be rich to join. While initiation fees vary, annual dues usually range from about $40 to $300/year (North America).
  
• It takes up some of your time, so you'll need to invest one to a few nights a month.
  
• You have to be at least 21 years old. This is common in most Grand Lodge jurisdictions, but not all, where some, the age is 18.
  
• While the majority of Freemasons in the world are male, there are thousands of women Freemasons as well in some countries, but their lodges are not as common. There is also Co-Masonry (where both men and women can join). *Prince Hall Freemasonry historically traces its roots to most of the members being primarily African-American, although this is not a requirment. These Prince Hall Grand Lodges received official recognition from the United Grand Lodge of England and most Grand Lodges in North America now recognize Prince Hall Grand Lodges where members from either group can visit each other's lodges.

Warnings

• Depending on where you live, there could be one or more groups claiming to be part of Freemasonry, but may not be recognized by regular Grand Lodges, so intervisitation around the world may be difficult. Do your research.
  
• There are many myths regarding Freemasons and Freemasonry. Some of these myths go back one hundred years or more but are still espoused today by its detractors. Again, do your research, but know when to separate the fact from fiction.