The
Fraternity of Freemasonry has members from every race and
every continent in the world. Brotherhood is a primary teaching
of Masonry--that each person must be judged as an individual,
on his own merits, and that such factors as race, national
origin, religious creed, social status or wealth are incidental
to the person's character.
The exact racial make-up of Freemasonry is impossible
to determine. No petition for membership in Masonry asks a
petitioner's race, and racial breakdown statistics are not
kept by any Grand Lodge because collecting such information
is considered as inappropriate as collecting information about
a Brother's financial standing.
When visiting Lodges in various parts of North
America, it is obvious that the racial mixture of the Brothers
varies within geographical areas and tends to reflect the
demographics of the general population.
No Lodge is permitted to exclude a candidate
on the basis of his race or national origin. To petition for
membership, the petitioner must be "a man of legal age,
good reputation, and possess a belief in God." While
election to membership in the fraternity is a matter for the
local Lodge to decide, the qualifications for membership are
standard and all Masons are required to observe them.
Freemasonry began in North America in the 1700's.
Unfortunately, this was a time in the newly created United
States when racial attitudes were very different than today.
As a result, and as happened in many churches, Freemasonry
for black men and white men developed independently from each
other. The original Black Lodges, called Prince Hall Grand
Lodges also trace their history back to the 1700's, and their
members are predominately African-American. Today, there is
now far more interchange between the two groups of Freemasons
and a strong trend toward mutual recognition is well underway.
The Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood
of God is a basic and essential teaching of Freemasonry. Every
effort is being made to make sure that it is not just a teaching
but a full reality!
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