Is Alpha Phi Omega Masonic?

No, Alpha Phi Omega (APO) is not a Masonic organization, but it's a co-ed service fraternity with roots inspired by Scouting and Freemasonry, sharing principles like leadership and service, with some APO members also being Masons, but they are separate entities. APO focuses on community, campus, and country service, while Freemasonry is a distinct fraternal order for moral and personal growth.

What kind of fraternity is Alpha Phi Omega?

Alpha Phi Omega is a co-ed service fraternity that strives to provide service in the 4 Cs: Chapter, Campus, Community, and Country.

What is the Masonic fraternity?

Freemasonry is fundamentally a self-improvement, volunteer association that teaches moral, intellectual, and spiritual lessons through three initiation ceremonies. Freemasonry's three degree are modeled after a craftsman's progress: Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason.

What does 3-5-7 mean in Masonry?

In Freemasonry, "357" refers to key symbolic numbers representing moral and intellectual growth, particularly in the Fellow Craft degree, symbolizing steps on the winding stair: 3 for the three principal officers/degrees, 5 for the Five Orders of Architecture/senses, and 7 for the Seven Liberal Arts/Sciences, all leading to wisdom, while "Mason 357" can also denote a specific ritualistic lecture system (Preston-Webb) or a modern membership goal (raising 3%, reinstating 5%, losing < 7%). 

Is President Biden a Mason?

The most recent president to have undisputed membership is Gerald Ford. Ronald Reagan was granted an honorary membership in 1988, and Joe Biden was declared a "Mason at Sight" by the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of South Carolina in 2025, although it is disputed whether he accepted membership.

ALPHA PHI OMEGA and FREEMASONRY

What do Masons say instead of amen?

Instead of "Amen," Freemasons often say "So mote it be" at the end of prayers or rituals, a phrase meaning "so may it be" or "so be it," signifying agreement and assent, similar to "Amen" but with roots in Old English Masonic manuscripts. This phrase, sometimes abbreviated as SMIB, is a traditional affirmation that the words spoken are binding and upheld. 

Is Shaquille O'Neal a Freemason?

Yes, Shaquille O'Neal is a Freemason, initiated into the Prince Hall African-American Freemasonry in Boston, Massachusetts, and is also a Shriner, involved with the Shriners Hospitals for Children, having received the rare honor of being made a Master Mason "at sight" due to his charitable work and achievements. 

What is the Masons golden rule?

Masons are explicitly charged to practice the Golden Rule, to “do unto him as you wish he should do unto you.” This principle is a key reason why Freemasonry is not a religion but a fraternity that respects all of them, requiring only that its members believe in a Supreme Being.

What do Masons refer to God as?

Freemasons don't have a single "God name"; they use "The Great Architect of the Universe" (G.A.O.T.U.) as a universal term for the Supreme Being, allowing members of any faith (Christian, Muslim, Jewish, etc.) to recognize God through their own religion's understanding, though some esoteric traditions use terms like "Jahbulon" (a composite word from Yahweh, Baal, and On). 

Is 47 a Masonic number?

The 47th problem of Euclid is a perfect Freemasonry symbol. It teaches us to bow our head in respect to how the arts and the sciences work with religion. The 47th problem of Euclid teaches man to stand in awe of God's given knowledge to man and how the sciences and the arts work.

Why do Christians not like Freemasons?

Christians dislike Freemasons due to perceived conflicts in core beliefs, such as Freemasonry's universalism (accepting all faiths) clashing with Christianity's exclusive claim of Jesus as the only way, its use of secret oaths (which some view as unscriptural), and its non-Trinitarian, Deistic, or syncretistic terms for God (like "Supreme Architect of the Universe") conflicting with the Christian concept of God, alongside concerns about pagan/occultic rituals and secrecy. Many denominations, including Catholic, Orthodox, and various Protestant groups, formally discourage or forbid membership, seeing it as incompatible with faith in Christ. 

What is a Masonic secret?

Freemasons often say that they "are not a secret society, but rather a society with secrets". The secrets of Freemasonry are the various modes of recognition – grips (handshakes), words (akin to modern passwords), and signs (hand gestures) that indicate one is a Freemason.

What's higher than a Freemason?

Whilst there is no degree in Freemasonry higher than that of Master Mason, there are additional degrees that are offered only to those who are Master Masons. Most of these are supervised by their own "Grand" bodies (independent from the Grand Lodge).

Is Michelle Obama a member of Alpha Phi Omega?

Yes, Michelle Obama is listed as a prominent alumna and even an advisor for Alpha Phi Omega (APO), the national co-ed service fraternity, associated with her time at the University of Chicago. She's often mentioned alongside other notable members like former Presidents Clinton and Bush, highlighting her involvement with APO's focus on leadership, friendship, and service. 

Is Jada Pinkett Smith an aka?

Yes, Jada Pinkett Smith is an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA), one of the Divine Nine historically Black Greek letter organizations, recognized for her significant contributions and accomplishments in her career and community. She joins other prominent figures like Alicia Keys, Maya Angelou, and Rosa Parks as an honorary member.
 

What is the nickname for Alpha Phi Omega?

Alpha Phi Omega (ΑΦΩ), commonly known as APO, but also A-Phi-O and A-Phi-Q, is a national coeducational service fraternity. It is the largest collegiate fraternity in the United States, with chapters at over 786 campuses, an active membership of over 25,000 students, and over 500,000 alumni members.

Which Bible do Masons use?

In the Grand Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Minnesota, the VSL is the Holy Bible; specifically, the Authorized, also known as “King James” version. Why is that? First, it's Tradition to use the King James Bible (KJB) in Lodges.

What religion do Masons follow?

According to Leo, Freemasonry adheres to naturalism, which he says is the idea that “human nature and human reason ought in all things to be mistress and guide.” He adds that “they deny that anything has been taught by God; they allow no dogma of religion or truth which cannot be understood by the human intelligence, ...

What disqualifies you from being a Freemason?

Freemason disqualifications center on character, belief, and intent: you must be a man (in traditional Freemasonry) of good moral character, believe in a Supreme Being (atheists are excluded), be of legal age, and apply for genuine self-improvement, not personal gain, with reasons like a significant criminal history (especially of "moral turpitude") or dishonesty about your past being major barriers, though minor offenses with full disclosure are often manageable. 

Why do masons use 33?

The number 33 is significant in Freemasonry primarily because it's the highest degree (Sovereign Grand Inspector General) in the Scottish Rite, an honorary title for exceptional service, symbolizing spiritual perfection, wisdom, and leadership. It also holds esoteric meaning, connecting to the 33 vertebrae in the human spine as a path for spiritual awakening, and represents a pinnacle of dedication within the Craft.
 

Can masons tell people they are masons?

Yes, Freemasons can tell people they are members, as it's not a secret society in the traditional sense, but they generally won't reveal another Mason's membership without consent, and many prefer discretion due to misunderstanding or privacy, although wearing pins or discussing community involvement are common ways to show affiliation. While the specific words and grips of their rituals are kept private as a matter of trust, the organization itself is open about its existence and charitable work, with members free to disclose their own status. 

Why is being a Freemason so secretive?

It's more like a baseline of trust. A brother who is caught revealing the trivial secrets could be suspended or expelled from the order for violating their obligation to the craft and their brethren. Thus losing the title of brother.

What religion is Kobe Bryant?

Kobe Bryant was a devout, lifelong Roman Catholic, raised in the faith by his family and remaining a committed member who attended Mass, received Catholic education, and discussed his spiritual beliefs openly, often attributing his success and guidance to God. He was known for his quiet faith, frequently attending services at his local Orange County parish and expressing his reliance on God, even mentioning his desire to receive the sacrament of confirmation before his death, according to his priest. 

What celebs are Freemasons?

List of Famous Freemasons

• Cometan. Producer. Director. ...
• George Washington. Writer In the Words of the Framers: The Creation of the Constitution. ...
• Richard Pryor. Actor. ...
• Clark Gable. Actor. ...
• Don Rickles. Actor. ...
• Benjamin Franklin. Writer. ...
• Jesse Jackson. Actor. ...
• Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Who is the head of all Freemasons?

Grand Master (Freemasonry)