The absolute requirements for becoming a Mason are:
- Be a man, [Note: there are other branches of Masonry that accept
both men and women, or women only].
- In Oklahoma, you must be at least 19 years old; in many other
jurisdictions the minimum age is 21.
- Have belief in a Supreme Being (of any faith. No particular religion or
faith is required or excluded. All are welcome.).
Also:
- you should be someone who does, or wants to learn, to enjoy the
company of other men from all different social classes, faiths, backgrounds,
countries, etc. Masonry is universal in its ideals.
- if you are a family man, Masonry considers that your family obligations
come FIRST, so you must be sure that:
- you have the time to participate (usually two or three evenings/month at
first for meetings and instruction, and then at least one evening
per month for meetings from then on -- often more if you get involved in
lodge activities.)
- you can afford the initiation fees and the annual dues without hardship
to yourself or your family.
- you should be coming to Masonry "of your own free will and accord", to
learn to improve yourself and to enjoy the company of other good people, not
because someone keeps pestering you to join or because you think it will help
you "get ahead" in business.
To join, all you have to do is ask a Mason:
- Preferably someone you know or at least who lives or works nearby,
or...
- If you think that don't know any Masons in your area, you could post to
the netnews group alt.freemasonry and ask that anyone who lives in your
general area reply to you, or...
- You can probably find nearby lodges listed in your phonebook. (White-pages
listings for lodges may be under "Masons", "Freemasons", "Masonic Apartments",
or "Masonic Temple", and the Grand Lodge would probably be under "Grand Lodge
of Masons"), or...
- Find your state's Grand Lodge in this
list of U.S.A.
Grand Lodges. Call them and ask to speak to someone in the office of the
Grand Secretary.