What is Freemasonry?, page 1

The links, while execellant web sites, are not what I'd interprate from your question, to be your answer. All assume a sertain leval of knowledge to already be present.

If you'al can bare with me just a bit I'll try and lay enough foundation to make the links a bit more beneficial.

Freemasonry today is basicily a group of men who have gotten together with the sole purpose of helping each other become the best person that they can become. To achieve this we use the tools (philosophical) that masonry provides. While these philosophical tools are readily avalable in many other places, the manor of their use is unique to masonry. There is no mystery in the fact that if a man associates with other men, trying to improve themselves, it is easier to do good (there is nothing new about peer pressure, we just use it passively as a force to improve). This is not done by any other means than that of, if a man did not want to improve himself he would not have joined in the first place. Masonry is strictly conserned with the internal aspects of man, not the external. While there is most definatly a social aspect to freemasonry that is not our purpose in being.

Like any group there are base requirements to join; Firstly you have to believe in a God, what you call Him/Her/It, is of no business to anyone in masonry, nor are we ever allowed to question or even discuss it. But that basic belief MUST be there. Secondly, you must be a Man above a certain age. (varies by local) Thirdly, you must express an intrest first. In most locals we cannot invite you, you must ask us to join. Fourthly, you must be of good moral character to start with, and wish to improve.

As with all groups there is a set of steps, or procedures to to join. Some of ours can seem a bit strange at first, but as masonry is at least 300 years old this is understandable. And most of them are kept only out of tradition and respect for those who came before. Though they do help teach the lessons of Freemasonry.

What Freemasonry is NOT: 1) A relieion. 2) A Civic club. 3) A method for social or business advancement. 5) An underground recruting place for "the new world order.

Both as an orginaization and espcially as individuals we do cheritable works and promote cheritable foundations. This is more an outgrowth of the teaching, than a primary function of Masonry. Masons are incouraged to "Lead by example", thus there have been many of leaders who "happened" to be masons, but by and large most leaders are NOT Masons. Masons are tought to be the best man they can be and to do their best to do good to all men at all times, when this is applied it cannot help but affect society in a possitve manor.

While it is true that may of our philisophies have been incorporated into society over the years, this is not due to any conspericy on our part, but through the efforts of indiduals who believe in those ideals. There have never been enough Masons in any one place to be conidered a majority, if our ideals were not acceptable to the majority of people there is no way we could have force them on society.

This is just a short beginning to what is Free Masonry. But hopefully it will help get you started on the right path. While this is not the ideal forum for this post, it is my duty to try and answer any honest question about freemasonry as to the best of my ablity.