Ten red flags every Mason should recognize before handing over a petition
Guarding the West Gate
Freemasonry does not thrive on headcount. It thrives on men who sincerely seek Light, who wish to improve themselves and serve others. From time to time, someone knocks for reasons that do not align with that purpose. Discernment protects both the candidate and the Lodge. These red flags in Freemasonry often appear during petitions.
1. They think it is a secret club
Popular myths promise hidden powers and backstage influence. Reality is more practical: minutes, dues, mentoring, charity, and sometimes a broom. The real “secrets” are allegorical lessons that train the conscience. Power over self is the aim, not power over others.
The curious seek secrets. The sincere seek Light.
2. They expect instant enlightenment
Freemasonry is not a shortcut to wisdom. It is a steady apprenticeship built on reflection, memorization, service, and fellowship. Light arrives by degrees; patience and participation unlock understanding.
3. They cannot keep a schedule
Character is visible in the calendar. Meetings, degrees, service projects, and study create a rhythm that shapes a Mason. If a man cannot make time for Lodge work, the Lodge will soon be another neglected commitment.
4. They are hooked on conspiracy videos
Those who arrive chasing “Illuminati secrets” seek spectacle, not substance. The Craft is grounded in reason, fraternity, and moral science. Conspiracy thinking disrupts harmony and distracts from the work.
5. They think it is a business network
Masonry is not LinkedIn with aprons. Brotherhood is the reward; character is the currency. Professional relationships may grow out of trust, yet they are never the point and never a promise.
If you come seeking clients, you will miss the brothers.
6. They gossip about others
A Lodge is held together by trust. Gossip fractures that trust quickly. Masonic silence is not secrecy; it is discipline. The brother who guards his tongue safeguards harmony.
7. They treat ritual as performance
Ritual calls for skill and care, but applause is not the goal. It is a sacred teaching tool that forms the heart through symbol and story. The lesson matters more than the spotlight.
8. They are chasing titles
Office exists for service. Rank without inner work is decoration without depth. Ambition must be tempered by humility, or the apron becomes a costume instead of a calling.
9. They bring politics or religion into Lodge
The Lodge is a sanctuary from partisan and sectarian debate. Unity requires restraint. We meet on the level as equals, setting aside topics that divide outside so that friendship may grow inside.
10. They say, “I already know what it is about”
Certainty ends inquiry. Masonry begins in humility and continues through lifelong seeking. A man who believes he has already arrived is not ready to begin.
Guard the West Gate with care.
To recommend a man is to vouch for his heart. The Craft does not need more members; it needs more Masons. Invite the worthy to knock for the right reasons, and the Light they discover will endure. Masonic leaders should be aware of Freemasonry red flags before recommending a candidate.
