Masonska Etika i Bonton

Masonic ethics and etiquette

Masonic etiquette is not a law and regulation adopted in the Constitution of the Lodge, but a generally desirable rule of good behavior inside and outside of it. Masonic etiquette is generally a good way to respect your Lodge, its members, its Worshipful Elder, and the laws of Freemasonry in general.

Few Masonic books contain a list of proper behavior in the Lodge, and Brothers and Sisters usually learn them after they have made a mistake and been kindly admonished by another Brother or Sister.

Rules of conduct

Delays

Try your best not to be late for Labor Day. Respect your Brother or Sister's time.

Secrecy of the work of the Lodge

Names of members, candidates, announcements of the Lodge, the place where the Lodge meets, with all the events that take place in it, and any other information about the affairs of the Lodge are never disclosed to the public or to anyone outside the Lodge.

Revealing the Brethren to the profane world

It is the exclusive and sovereign right of every Brother to present himself or not in public as a Mason. Revealing Brethren to the profane world without their consent is treated as a serious Masonic offence. This applies to all the profane world, including godfathers, friends, girlfriends, future candidates, that is. to all persons who are not part of the Brotherhood.

Wearing emblems and symbols

Freemasonry is no one's private property. No one can impose his private notions and rules on anything belonging to Ritual and Freemasonry.

It is not allowed to wear insignia, emblems and badges of other Lodges, Rites or other Grand Lodges on the suit and regalia, except for those approved by the Elder of the Lodge or the Grand Master. This does not apply to guests at the Work from other Lodges.

A Lodge shall not permit the name of any member to be engraved, embroidered or painted on the Altar coverings, regalia, seal or relief on the Book of the Sacred Law, nor otherwise displayed in the Lodge on anything forming part of the Ritual.

Preparation room

By entering the Masonic Lodge, you undertake to respect Masonic etiquette. The behavior towards other Brothers, whom you meet there, should be polite and with mutual respect.

This is especially important if candidates are present who are waiting for their call to the preparation room. They should be shown that vulgar behavior, levity, inappropriate jokes or other forms of disrespect are not accepted norms of behavior in the Lodge.

Always properly dressed

You are expected to be properly dressed when you pass the Dvernik (doorkeeper) and enter the Temple. The brothers do not enter the Temple without their apron, nor do they put on and tie the apron while walking.

Respecting the formalities of their Lodge, the Officers expect the Brethren to properly enter the Temple fully clothed and ready for Work. That is why it is advisable to check whether you have brought your apron, bow tie and gloves before going to work.

Any embroidery, sign, badge, emblem, or any other insignia of any individual or any other Grand Lodge or Order, other than your Lodge or your Grand Lodge, shall not be worn or displayed in a Lodge, nor on lapels and regalia.

Exempted from this are Masonic badges as general signs and symbols of Freemasonry or insignia approved by the Grand Master of the Lodge.

Inappropriate discussions

From the moment you arrive at Work and enter the Temple or auxiliary premises, all discussions or statements on any non-Masonic topic that may divide and quarrel the Brothers are prohibited.

All expressions of bitterness, ill will, anger, rude remarks, insults towards the Lodge, its Officers or the Brotherhood itself are condemned in advance by the principles of common ethics and disciplinary laws of the Craft. Also, speeches and discussions that have religious and political tones are avoided at the Works.

Religion

Freemasonry exists worldwide, is not a philosophy of religion, and is not subordinated to any specific religion. Freemasonry embraces and respects all religions.

A Mason should be aware and open to the fact that other Brethren do not have to be raised and educated in accordance with the religious beliefs that he personally accepts and that any discussion and debate about religion could unnecessarily disturb Fraternal harmony.

Politics

All conversations that have a political connotation or any allusion to it are prohibited at our meetings.

All political discussions, arguments or statements for or against the current government or any political party, the raising of racial issues or other non-Masonic topics that may quarrel the Brothers and lead to schism are indecent.

Turn off the phone

Before entering the Work, all mobile phones should be turned off so as not to disturb the flow of the Ritual or Conference work. Switching to vibration or working without sound is undesirable because it distracts. Only Doctor Brothers or other Brothers who are specially approved by the Elder can be exempted from this rule.

If the Brother sitting next to you forgets this rule, you should remind him with a gentle touch or look.

Work in the Lodge

When all the Brothers enter the Work, the Doorkeeper closes the door so that it cannot be opened from the outside. The door is closed for the duration of the Work and can only be opened if someone knocks properly, and with the approval of the Second Supervisor.

Note: in some Lodges the Doorman stands in front of the Temple door, while in the Lodge there is an Inner Guard.

If one of the Brethren comes after the opening of the Work, he knocks on the door and waits for permission to enter the Temple. During the ritual opening of the Work, no one is allowed to enter the Temple.

During the Work there is complete peace in the Lodge. No one is allowed to leave his place without reason, nor is he allowed to talk to another.

If anyone offends against this rule, the Elder or his Overseer admonishes him with a short blow of the gavel, followed by a loud admonition.

There are no jokes and casual stories in the Temple

The great lessons of Freemasonry taught by our Ritual should never be debased by frivolity or jokes. Side conversations, murmuring and whispering in the Temple are considered bad behavior during the Ritual.

You must not hold private or separate conversations without the Elder's permission, nor interrupt the Elder, the Overseers, or any Brother who is speaking.

The Lodge Room is the Temple of the Great Architect of the Universe. Just as it is inappropriate to speak during a service in a church, synagogue or mosque, it is inappropriate to disturb the Officers or the candidate at Work.

Sitting in the east

To the east sits the Elder and certain Officers of the Lodge. In addition to himself, the elder invites special guests whom he wishes to honor. The seat to the east next to the Elder is never taken without his invitation.

Decent seating

You need to sit properly while in the Lodge. Avoid reclining, bending and leaning. In the Temple, one sits upright, with hands on knees and feet together at the heels at an angle of 45
degrees.

Grand Lodge Officers

The Most Worshipful Grand Master is the Grand Chairman of the Grand Lodge. He leads the Grand Lodge in all proceedings and ceremonies. The rules for the selection and reception of all Grand Officers are determined by the Constitution.

Respect for the Honorable Elder

The position of the Venerable Elder in the east occupies the highest position in the Lodge. A Lodge must respect its Elder, regardless of personal views.

Greetings to the Elder

Every time you enter and leave the Temple, greet the Venerable Elder. Saluting the Elder is a renewal of the Oath of Allegiance and Service.

A grumpy, incomplete and inappropriate greeting is rude and is treated as unbecoming Masonic behavior.

Authority of the Lodge Elder

The Brother who is elected Elder bears the greatest responsibility for the Lodge and has complete control over the debates in the Lodge. He determines who can speak and when.

If a Brother insists on speaking even after the Elder has ruled that it is outside of protocol, he commits a Masonic offense that can have consequences.

Listen to the Elder's hammer

In the Lodge, the Elder's Master's Hammer is the supreme symbol of his authority. When the Elder knocks with his gavel, everyone should obey immediately without further discussion.

Correct Masonic addressing

Masonic etiquette implies that Elders, Officers and Brethren who are guests are addressed by their full name and Masonic title.

Brother or Sister is a title

In the customs of Freemasonry, "Brother" is not a sentimental phrase, but a title that carries love and respect.

Addressing in an open Lodge should be in accordance with Masonic rules and titles.

Ritual

The ritual is dedicated to the inner life of the Mason. It is a moral and spiritual experience and must not be reduced to an empty ceremony without meaning.

During the Ritual there is no room for frivolity, side comments or applause. Any disruption of the Ritual destroys its symbolism and meaning.

It is indecent to publicly discuss the Ritual, post pictures of it on social media, or in any way reveal the secrets of Freemasonry to the profane world.

When to stand up and when to sit down at the sound of the hammer

When the hammer sounds once in the east, it is a call to order in the Lodge and the Brethren must stop talking. In some Lodges, two taps call the Officers to stand, and three taps mean that all stand. When everyone is standing, one hit means everyone is sitting down.

If you want to speak, raise your hand and wait for the Overseer or Elder to spot you and call you.

Getting up from a chair whenever spoken to

No one sits while speaking in the Lodge. Addressing in a standing posture and sign of degree is a form of respect.

Speak clearly and concisely. The answer-to-speak rule prevents speaker interruption and intrusion.

Accepting tasks

Requests made in the name and for the benefit of the Lodge should be accepted if they are within your abilities. By doing so, you show responsibility and belonging to the Brotherhood.

Voting is mandatory

According to Masonic etiquette, all Brethren are expected to vote when asked to do so. By not voting, one misses the duty and violates the value of the right to vote.

Masonic propriety and advancement

Ascension to the next degree should not be demanded, but should be earned by proven work, knowledge and interest in the Works of the Lodge.

Summary

Good behavior implies compliance with formal requirements that regulate the behavior of a person