The future of Freemasonry

The United Grand Lodge of England have published a ground-breaking, independently commissioned report that sheds new light

on Freemasonry, its role in society and its relevance today.

The Future of Freemasonry

The Future of Freemasonry report is the first ever independent study conducted by a non-Masonic body, and was commissioned as part of the build-up to the United Grand Lodge of England’s tercentenary in 2017. 

Produced by the highly respected Social Issues Research Centre (SIRC) in Oxford, the report suggests that, contrary to some misleading commentary, Freemasonry actually demonstrates genuine openness and transparency and it concludes that it is arguably more relevant today than ever before.

In particular, the report highlights that Freemasonry acts as a ‘constant’, providing members with a unique combination of friendship, belonging and structure, with many Masons saying they have made valuable lifelong friendships.  

The report also highlights the importance that Freemasonry places on charitable giving, the part that many Freemasons play in their local communities and the central role of the family.  As well as instilling in its members a moral and ethical approach to life – including  thoughtfulness for others, kindness in the community, honesty in business, courtesy in society and fairness in all things – Freemasons are the one of the largest charitable givers after the National Lottery, and also make major contributions to international disaster relief funds.

The role of ritual is shown to be an important part of Freemasonry for many members, with the report concluding that it provides both structure and familiarity, in just the same way as the normal rituals of daily life do for many people. 

Alongside the report, the United Grand Lodge of England also commissioned a quantitative survey among non-Masons, which revealed a significant level of interest in the organisation.

Nigel Brown, Grand Secretary of the United Grand Lodge of England.

Key findings include:

• While half of those questioned said they did not know what Freemasonry is all about, more than one in three (35%) were aware of its charitable role.
• Nearly half (49%) wanted to know more about Freemasonry, while a quarter of male respondents (26%) would consider joining. Of these, 68% were attracted to the idea of belonging to a group and making new friends and 58% would like to do more in the community.  
• Of those men who would not consider becoming a Mason, the single biggest response (given by 40%) was the misconception that “it’s not for people like me”. (Freemasonry is actually open to all men regardless of race, colour, religion, political views or social or economic standing.)
• More than a third (37%) of all respondents said that, if they met someone they knew to be a Freemason, they would be hesitant to raise the subject with them, while a further 20% would definitely say nothing, wrongly believing Masons are not allowed to talk about their membership. (In reality, members are actively encouraged to talk about the organisation and the important contribution it makes to society.

Nigel Brown, who has been the Grand Secretary of the United Grand Lodge of England since 2007 and is leading the plans for the tercentenary celebrations, says:

“The results of the research are encouraging, though we clearly still have some way to go to change people’s perceptions. This is just one step in our on-going efforts to demonstrate our openness and transparency, and to inform people about the role we play in society.

The tercentenary is a significant milestone for Freemasonry and while we’re keen to celebrate our first three hundred years, it’s also crucial that we look forward to ensure that we remain relevant and continue to grow our membership over the next three hundred.”

Peter Marsh, Co-director of SIRC, said: “The Future of Freemasonry report  provides an insightful commentary, not just on the organisation, but also on modern society. Despite the many changes taking place – or perhaps because of them – our desire to be part of something and to help other people is undimmed. It’s here that Freemasonry has an important part to play.”

Nigel Brown concluded: “This report will form an important part of our discussions as to how best to ensure that Freemasonry continues to evolve and adapt to meet the needs of its members and also of wider society, while at the same time retaining the distinctive character and intrinsic values that have attracted members for centuries and continue to appeal to people today.”

To read or download the full report click here