I have many friends who are members of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and Free and Accepted Masons. Many of them joke with me all the time
about when am I going to finally get around to joining. It could be construed as a solicitation in a literal sense, but they know as well as I do,
that I know I am not coerced or pressured, and that if and when I make the choice it will be of my own volition and free will, unassuaged by bias.
Still, after 10-20 years I still get jokingly harassed by them all the time.
One day I might join up, however my affiliation with other Orders keeps me busier than I would like. I earnestly couldn't give Masonry the devotion
of time and effort that it deserves.
Masonry is a good path for many. Although one must consider their motivation for wishing to join.
An initiated Mason is entitled to all the rights and privileges of Freemasonry, but he is also fully obligated to conform to the teachings of the
fraternity (the principle tenets are Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth), and obligated to many various Masonic duties. These duties are not onerous. In
fact, the performance of Masonic duties is the most rewarding facet of Masonic membership.
To begin with, the new Mason is obligated to live by a strict moral code, the requirements of which will not be unfamiliar to any good man accustomed
to living according to the teachings of his religion and according to the laws of the land. The new Mason also assumes unique new obligations to his
fellow members and their families, and to all mankind.
Freemasonry expects its members to be good men and true; true to their church, their nation, their family, their friends.
Masonry encourages each member to be active in the affairs of his community and state and nation, but always as an individual citizen and never
attempting to represent Freemasonry in these matters. Masonry will not lend its name or permit its members to use its name in any political,
commercial, or religious activity, but urges each member to be individually active in these areas, so long as their activities are morally correct.
If that sounds like something good to you, then it may be that Masonry is right for you. Speaking to a Mason about joining will begin the process of
sponsorship, review and eventual acceptance and initiation into the Fraternity. If a bunch of men wearing aprons and waving scepters in symbolic
fashion while giving prolonged orations in their initiations sounds scary or satanic to you, then it may not be your cup of tea.