Editing Masonic lodge (section)

==Membership==
[[File:Werkplaats vrijmetselaars De Achterhoek.jpg|thumb|Masonic lodge room in [[Winterswijk]], [[Netherlands]]]]
[[File:Cedar Bayou Masonic Lodge No. 321, A. F. & A. M.jpg|200px|thumb|Cedar Bayou Masonic Lodge No. 321, A. F. & A. M. in [[Baytown, Texas]]]]
Membership requirements in Freemasonry have evolved over time and vary depending on the jurisdiction and the specific Masonic style or branch. However, there are certain common requirements that have remained relatively consistent throughout the history of the fraternity.

===Regular Freemasonry===
In [[Anglo-American Freemasonry|Regular Freemasonry]], which follows the Anglo-American style, a candidate for initiation must generally meet the following criteria:

*Be a [[man]]<ref>{{cite book |last=Mackey |first=Albert G. |title=The History of Freemasonry |year=1898 |publisher=The Masonic History Company |location=New York |page=195}}</ref>
*Come of his own [[free will]], either by his own initiative or by invitation in some jurisdictions<ref name="LodgeOfEducation">{{Cite web |title=How To Become A Freemason |url=http://www.masonic-lodge-of-education.com/become-a-free-mason.html |access-date=November 10, 2013 |website=Masonic Lodge of Education}}</ref>
*Believe in a [[Creator deity|Supreme Being]], although any specific religion is not specified and not required<ref name="LodgeOfEducation" />
*Be of good morals, reputation, and financially capable of supporting himself and his family<ref name="LodgeOfEducation" />
*Be at least 21 years old (with some jurisdictions allowing candidates as young as 18 or as old as 25)<ref name="LodgeOfEducation" />
*Live within the jurisdiction of the lodge (a requirement in some U.S. Grand Lodges and United Grand Lodge of England)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Become a Mason: Requirements |url=http://www.ilmason.org/requirements.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070806171141/http://ilmason.org/requirements.html |archive-date=6 August 2007 |access-date=2007-05-08 |publisher=Grand Lodge of Illinois, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons}}</ref>
*Before petitioning, pass an initial qualification interview. Most of the time, this is done with the Master of the Lodge or another elected officer. In some areas of the world, this may also include a legal [[background check]]
*[[File:Florence Masonic Lodge, Highway 156, 2005 (Florence, Ind.) - DPLA - 9b5694beded30f4ea5351600a4ec6086.jpg|thumb|Florence Masonic Lodge in [[Florence, Indiana]]]]After [[Petition|petitioning]], pass a number of separate interviews and inquiries conducted by the lodge's Investigation Committee, which may take up to two years<ref name="LodgeOfEducation" />
*Be of "[[Sanity|sound mind]] and body" (not a universal requirement)<ref name="FreemasonNetwork">{{Cite web |title=Would you like to become part of history |url=http://www.freemasonnetwork.org/become-freemason/ |access-date=November 10, 2013 |website=Freemason Network}}</ref><ref name="LodgeOfEducation" />
*Be a "Free Man," meaning not bound by [[Indentured servitude|servitude]] or [[slavery]]<ref>{{cite book |last=Cooper |first=Robert L. D. |title=Cracking the Freemason's Code |year=2009 |publisher=Rider |location=London |page=197}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Cryer |first=Neville Barker |title=What do you know about Ritual |year=2008 |publisher=Lewis Masonic |location=London |pages=7–8}}</ref>
*Receive a favorable [[Blackballing|vote]] from the lodge members<ref name="LodgeOfEducation" />

===Continental Freemasonry===
In [[Continental Freemasonry]], which is prevalent in Europe and Latin America, the requirements may differ slightly and can take from one to three years:<ref>{{cite web | url=https://godf.org/rejoindre-le-godf/ | title=Rejoindre le Grand Orient de France }}</ref>

*Minimum age of 18 in most cases
*Good moral character
*Free man, not bound by obligations that would conflict with Masonic duties
*Recommendation or background check
*Pass initial interview with the Master of the Lodge.
*Being invited by a member (sometimes called a "godfather"). 

===[[Prince Hall Freemasonry]]===
[[Prince Hall Freemasonry]], which predominantly serves [[African Americans|African American]] communities, generally follows similar requirements to [[Anglo-American Freemasonry|Regular Freemasonry]], with a few additional criteria:<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ilprincehall.com/how-to-join-prince-hall-masonry/ | title=How to Join Prince Hall Masonry - IL Prince Hall Grand Lodge | date=22 January 2022 }}</ref>

*Be a man 18 years of age or older
*Believe in a Supreme Being regardless of religion
*Believe in the [[Soul|immortality of the soul]]
*Possess a desire to help others through community service and [[Charity (practice)|universal benevolence]]
*African descent (in somecases)
*Recommended by existing members
*Pass a background check

===Co-Freemasonry and Women's Freemasonry===
[[Co-Freemasonry]] and Women's Freemasonry admit both men and women, or women only, respectively. Their requirements are similar to Regular and Continental Freemasonry, with some variations:<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.freemasonryformenandwomen.org/membership.html | title=Membership &#124; Freemasonry for Men and Women &#124; LE DROIT HUMAIN }}</ref>

*Be at least 18 years old.
*Be “Free” (free from dogmatic principles; open to growing and learning; have time to participate regularly; have the ability to pay annual dues).
*Be “of Good Report” (law abiding; striving toward self-improvement and service to humanity; accepting and tolerant). 
*Belief in a Supreme Being or higher power (in some cases)
*Recommendation from existing members may be required (Women's Freemasonry)

===History and evolution of requirements===
The membership requirements in Freemasonry have evolved over time, reflecting changes in societal norms and the fraternity's internal guidelines. Some notable developments include:

In the early days of speculative Freemasonry (18th century), the requirement of being a "Free Man" may have stemmed from the refusal of operative masons to share their secrets with slaves, who could be ordered to divulge them.<ref>{{cite book |last=Cooper |first=Robert L. D. |title=Cracking the Freemason's Code |year=2009 |publisher=Rider |location=London |page=197}}</ref>
The "Free Man" requirement may have also been related to the necessity of having a license to trade and employ others, making the candidate a free man of the city or borough where the lodge was located.<ref>{{cite book |last=Cryer |first=Neville Barker |title=What do you know about Ritual |year=2008 |publisher=Lewis Masonic |location=London |pages=7–8}}</ref>
The minimum age requirement has varied over time and across jurisdictions, with some allowing candidates as young as 18 and others setting the limit at 25. The belief in a Supreme Being has been a consistent requirement, although the specific religious affiliation has not been prescribed, reflecting Freemasonry's openness to men of various faiths.

===Landmarks and reasons behind requirements===
The membership requirements in Freemasonry are guided by the fraternity's Landmarks, which are the fundamental principles that define the essence of the Craft. Some of the Landmarks related to membership include:

*The belief in a Supreme Being
*The necessity of being a free man and of mature age
*The prohibition of women as members (in Regular Freemasonry)

These Landmarks and requirements serve several purposes:

Ensuring that candidates share common values and are committed to personal growth and moral character
Maintaining the integrity and harmony of the lodge by admitting members who are compatible with Masonic principles
Preserving the traditions and symbolic teachings of the fraternity
Fostering a sense of brotherhood and trust among members

===Progression through degrees===
Once a candidate is elected and initiated into a lodge, he progresses through the three degrees of Freemasonry: Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason. The Lodge decides whether to confer each degree based on the candidate's proficiency and readiness.

In Regular Freemasonry under the [[United Grand Lodge of England]] (UGLE), a Master Mason receives a Grand Lodge certificate, which may be required for visiting other lodges. A Master Mason is considered a full, lifetime member of the lodge where he received his degrees, with the right to demit (resign) if he is in good standing and has paid his dues.

After demitting, a Mason is still regarded as a member in absentia and may rejoin through a new application. However, he and his family have no rights, privileges, or claims on Freemasonry during his absence. Some Masonic scholars, such as [[Albert Mackey]], argue that leaving the lodge does not exempt a Mason from his obligations or the moral conduct expected by the fraternity.

A Master Mason may be expelled from his lodge and Freemasonry if convicted of serious violations of civil or Masonic law. Expulsion from all of Freemasonry can only be implemented by a Grand Lodge, while individual lodges may expel members from their specific lodges.

===Affiliation and plural membership===
A Master Mason in good standing may join another regular lodge without taking the degrees again, although he may be expected to serve in office. If a Master Mason is dropped from the rolls for non-payment of dues, he may be reinstated in good standing by paying his current and back dues, with some jurisdictions requiring a ballot for re-admission.
Many Grand Lodges allow Master Masons to be "plural affiliates," or members of more than one lodge simultaneously. However, some jurisdictions prohibit plural affiliates from serving as elected officers in multiple lodges at the same time.

The rules for affiliation and plural membership differ for Freemasons of the Entered Apprentice and Fellowcraft degrees. Some Grand Lodges do not allow Entered Apprentices or Fellowcrafts to demit but may permit them to join another lodge to earn the Master Mason degree with the consent of their original lodge.
[[File:Kimbolton Lodge 123.JPG|thumb|left|Masonic Lodge No. 123 in [[Kimbolton, New Zealand]]]]
[[File:House of the Masonic Lodge in Szprotawa Poland.jpg|thumb|left|Former house of the Masonic lodge in [[Szprotawa]], [[Poland]]]]
The membership requirements, progression through degrees, and affiliation rules in Freemasonry are designed to ensure the integrity, harmony, and continuity of the fraternity while allowing for personal growth and brotherhood among its members. These guidelines have evolved over time, reflecting the changing needs and values of the Craft and society at large.