Freemasonry & Race
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!