You simply stop being a member. One can request a ‘demit’ from his Lodge by writing a simple letter to the Lodge Secretary. Someone with a demit will always be a Mason and in most jurisdictions maintains a few Masonic rights out of courtesy even if he never re-affiliates himself with a Lodge.

Comedian Richard Pryor tops our list. Pryor joined the Freemasons in 1981 by joining the Henry Brown Lodge No. 22 in Peoria, Illinois. Other notable Freemasons include funny man Don Rickles and actors like John Wayne, who are also members of this illustrious group.

They are all members of the Freemasons. In fact a list of the most notable Australian Freemasons reads like a who’s who of politics, military, sport, entertainment and innovation. Our Prime Minister Sir Edmund Barton was a member as well as the inventors of the Freddo Frog, Harry Melbourne, and Vegemite, Fred Walker.

MASONIC OFFENCES. Every violation of the laws of Masonry is an offense, for which the Mason committing it may be punished. Therefore, while it would cutoff a member who does not believe in God or who does not obey the moral law, it takes no notice of ecclesiastical offenses.

The reasons for removal vary from disobedience in the lodge to being convicted of a crime outside of the fraternity as well. So if you insult someone in the lodge, you could get kicked out. If you’re not good to your spouse, you can get kicked out.

These meetings typically take about two hours and include business and educational content. Typically there is a social hour before or after the meeting that may include dinner.

Excluding Sunday (in the U.S. at least), Freemasons meet any day of the week. The times are often at night, yet it’s entirely possible, even likely, that there are day and even morning meetings depending on the will of the lodge.