What is Masonry?

Question

What is Masonry about? Why are they so secretive?

Answer 1

You mean the Masons. Masonry is the art of building things out of stone. Masons are short for Freemasonry and here is an explanation:

Freemasonry is a fraternal organization whose membership is held together by shared moral and metaphysical ideals and—in most of its branches—by a constitutional declaration of belief in a Supreme Being.[1]

The fraternity uses the metaphor of operative stonemasonry, and the tools and implements of that craft, to convey these ideals.

Freemasonry is defined in the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica and the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia as: A peculiar (some say particular or beautiful) system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols.[2] This definition is illustrated in the 1991 English Emulation Ritual.[3]

It is an esoteric society, in that certain aspects are private;[4] Freemasons have stated that Freemasonry has, in the 21st century, become less a secret society and more of a "society with secrets."[5][6][7] Most modern Freemasons regard the traditional concern over secrecy as a demonstration of their ability to keep a promise[8] and a concern over the privacy of their own affairs.[9] "Lodge meetings, like meetings of many other social and professional associations, are private occasions open only to members."[10][11] The private aspects of modern Freemasonry deal with the modes of recognition amongst members and elements within the ritual.[3][7]

While there have been many disclosures and exposés dating as far back as the eighteenth century, they usually lack the proper context for true understanding, are soon outdated for various reasons, or are garnished with unfounded speculation on the part of the author.[10] In reality, Freemasons are proud of their true heritage and happy to share it, offering spokesmen, briefings for the media, and providing talks to interested groups upon request.

Answer 2

Free Mason is a secret fraternity, former Pres. Ford and the old Bush belonged, but Masonry is a guy who work with stone, brick etc. excpl he will build U a fireplace...

Answer 3

Masonry is a trade group like carpenters expect they work with rock, stone and concrete. The mason's are a secret group going back hundreds of years or more. It is a lot to get into here but your can find a lot of information online and a lot of good books are available.

Answer 4

i have just begun my own reseach on the subject, so i can't vouch for the validity of these statements...but here it goes: to my understanding from what i have been reading lately, it is a brotherhood that predated chrisitanity. they were master builders and were sought after by the jews to build babylonia and sodom. they worshiped the sun (you can see this in their emblem), and gave respect to the other planets as well. they kept the secrecy in order to protect themselves from the christian movements that would seek to destroy them. they were philosophers, intellectuals, liberal artists, poets, craftsmen, and the like. they taught within their society how to be moral and humane people. they respected that everyone would find their own spirituality, so they didn't use the bible in their meetings. some say that the druid masons (or celtic--i can't remember) shared the same religion as the ancient egyptians. what it has evolved into today i don't know for sure. i tend to think that it may have become diluted. there are lots of books on freemasonry that may offer some more information. i don't think they are too secretive anymore.

Answer 5

Neither Bush belong to the Freemasons. Freemasonry is a system of morality illustrated by symbols. Most of the instruction are given in degrees, which have lectures and sometimes dramas to highlight certain ethical principles.

Answer 6

It's an elite group of intellectuals who get together to discuss things. A long time ago there was a murder, from then on the Free Masons have been portrayed as the boogey man, evil and wanting to rule the world!

AAAHHHHHAAAAA

Answer 7

It's working with cement. I have never known any to be secretive.

Answer 8

its when you work with brick. Unless you are spelling it wrong.