This faq is based on the USENET Masonry Faq compiled by Roger Ingersoll

1. WHO-WHAT ARE MASONS
   • What is Freemasonry?
   • What is the Scottish Rite?
   • What is the York Rite?
   • What is the Shrine?
   • What is the Eastern Star?
   • What is DeMolay?
   • What is Rainbow?
   • What are some other Masonic organizations?
   • What is Co-Masonry?
   • What is Prince Hall Masonry?
   • What is a 33rd degree Mason?
   • Are there any Masonic functions that I can attend as a non-Mason?
   • Who is the head of the Masons?
   • Are there dues, fees, etc. associated with being a Mason?
   • I hear Masons refer to an "apron". What is that?
   • What is a "Masonic Funeral"?
2. PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS AND MYTHS
   • Are Masons just a bunch of old men? Isn't Masonry dying out?
   • Aren't Masons racist/elitist?
   • Isn't Masonry just a place where businessmen make deals?
   • I see titles like "Worshipful Master" and "Senior Deacon"-- is this some kind of cult?
   • Masonry is a secret society, right?
   • Masonry is a religion, right?
   • Are Masons really controlling the world/meeting with the Bavarian Illuminati/members of the Trilateralist Commission/etc?
   • Masons are anti-Catholic, right?
   • Masonic rituals are demeaning or embarrassing to the candidate, right?
   • I heard/read a Mason talking about a "Masonic Bible". Do Masons have their own Bible?
   • I see that Masonic buildings are called Temples. Does that mean that Masons worship there?
3. HOW DO I BECOME A MASON
   • What are the requirements for becoming a Mason?
   • Can ? be Masons?
   • Can homosexuals be Masons?
   • I have a physical disability. Can I be a Mason?
   • Can [your religion] be a Mason?
   • Do Masons accept Catholics?
   • Can Wiccans be Masons?
   • What if my religion does not allow the swearing of oaths?
   • Do I have to be invited?
   • OK, I'm interested-- how do I proceed?
4. HISTORY
   • Where did Masons come from?
   • What US Presidents have been Masons?
   • Was Thomas Jefferson a Mason? Patrick Henry? Abraham Lincoln?
   • What famous people have been Masons?
   • What famous buildings in the US have been laid Masonically?
   • What's the difference between AF&AM and F&AM?
   • Was Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Church, a Mason?
   • What is the oldest Lodge Room in the world? In the US?
   • Is it true that all of George Washington's generals during the Revolutionary War were Masons?
   • Is it true that all the signers of the Declaration of Independence were Masons? The Articles of Confederation? The Constitution?
   • George Washington turned down the title of "Grand Master of the United States"-- true?
   • Why do some Lodges meet on a certain day of the week "following the full moon"? Are Masons some kind of moon worshippers?
   • Did Masons suffer at the hands of the Nazis?
   • I want information on Masonic history. What books would be good introductions?
   • My local Library doesn't have any books on Freemasonry, where can I find them?
   • What movies/books feature Masonry?