2006-06-22 14:58:17 · 5 answers · asked by **BLu Tinkerbell** 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
It's a secret society that has been around for several hundred years. It started with actual masons and eventually it evolved into having affluent members of society as it members. Several presidents of the U.S. have been members. Not whole lot else is known about them.
2006-06-22 15:06:45 · answer #1 · answered by scott 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Freemasonry has a few different branches. I will speak only about the one I belong to: American Co-Masonry.
The general aims of this society is for women and men (here we differ from what might be called mainstream or masculine Masonry in that we admit women) to improve the world by improving ourselves.
It is a system of morality wherein we prize standards like the Golden Rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I know that sounds easy and old fashioned, but wouldn't that be nice to know that everyone in your group (whatever that group was) actually tried to practice that?
We are not a religion. We do insist that our candidate believe in a Supreme Being but how they worship God is totally up to them. Thus we admit Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, etc. Not our business to talk about what happens after death, we just try to figure out how best to live life and get along.
We learn by allegories. Allegories are stories. You probably already know stories that are used as teaching tools. An example might be "The Little Boy Who Cried Wolf." The Christian Bible is filled with allegories as is the Hebrew Torah.
We use the tools of actual stone masons (people who built buildings) as symbols for meditation and instruction. You probably have heard people say "Come on, level with me" when they wanted someone to tell them the truth. A level is a stone mason's tool.
To become a Freemason one has to ask. You have to be of age (usually 21), of good character and believe in a Supreme Being. After you fill out an application, you get interviewed to see if you fit in with Freemasonry and Freemasonry fits in with you. You do not have to have a PhD or be wealthy or be well-connected. You have to want to work to make yourself better.
I have been an American Co-Mason for two years now. I am a Master Mason (3rd degree). It has changed me; my 22 year old daughter says it is for the better. I hope some day she will want to become a Co-Mason, too. Of course, that is up to her.
Feel free to click on the link below to learn more or to write me if I can be of service.
2006-06-24 13:50:43 · answer #2 · answered by NeoArt 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Freemasons are kooks.
2006-06-22 15:06:07 · answer #3 · answered by Leifr Eiríksson 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A mason not behind bars.
2006-06-22 15:43:01 · answer #4 · answered by B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a man who has been set "Free" from the man club the "Masons"....ha
2006-06-22 15:05:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋