What is a freemason?

Question

I heard it is some secret club and everyone in it has rankings, but what is the purpose of it and what do you get out of being one? And also, I have this crazy friend who totally hates the government and says to be a politician you have to drink red wine out of a human skull and swear buy the devil, is this true (this guy who tells me this stuff really is losing his mind so i don't wether or not to believe him)?

Answer 1

Hi, well, you certainly have some weird answers! Care for an inside look? I am a Freemason of an esoteric Order, American Co-Masonry. We admit women and men of all races, who are over the age of 21, believe in a Supreme Being, who are tolerant of religions other than their own, who are tolerant of all races, who wish to better the world by bettering themselves. The bit about admitting women does put us at odds with the regular masculine rite Freemasons you may know about.

What we get out of Co-Masonry is a system of morals that helps us improve ourselves, makes us more fitting vessels for the Light of God. Told you we were esoteric. Although we are not a religion, we are the heirs of the ancient mystery schools of Greece and Egypt. We practice Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth in ways that help make us and the world better.

Ever wonder how this world still hangs in there when there is so much bad news? Freemasons are part of the hanging together. Even the masculine only Order does tremendous good. The Shriners are part of them and they operate the Shrine Hospitals for crippled and burned kids. The kids and their parents are never turned away because they cannot pay.

We do not swear by the Devil. Sounds pretty goth, though. I think you would find us pretty much vanilla, cream cheese if you met us on the street. I teach radiation protection, one of my Brothers runs a used bookstore, one is a lawyer, one a CPA, one grooms dogs... get the idea?

No, we do not run the government, either. Good thing. *grin* I would be horrible at it. There have been many presidents of the US who were Masons. Quite a few actors, entertainers, and astronauts. Hey, you get some fine folks who wish to put back into the community in Freemasonry.

Most of what is called secrets is findable on the Internet. The real secret is that of the alchemists: we change lead (of the heart) into gold.

So, if you are sometime of the age and mind to decide to change the world by changing yourself first, the Freemasons (and the Co-Masons) are around you. Just knock on the door.

A Master Mason
American Co-Masonry

Hiram Lodge (Santa Cruz, CA)
Amon Ra Lodge (Los Angeles, CA)
Sapientia Lodge of Research (Larkspur, CO)
Adamant Mark Lodge (Santa Cruz, CA)

Answer 2

The idea that Masons are secretive is a myth. A visit to the website of most Grand Lodges will tell you everything you ever want to know about it. Masonry is a fraternity tht teaches a philosophy of good moral behavior, and teaches you to put God at the center of everything you do. (no specifics are taught or discussed, so that any God fearing man of any religion may be a Mason.) these lessons are taught in "degrees" which are ceremonies that are designed to teach a bit at a time. Once you have proven that you have grasped the teachings of one degree, you are allowed to receive the next. These ceremonies are kept private so that the members can enjoy the experience, and not have it spoiled for him, the same way you dont want to know how a movie ends before you see it. The symbols of the fraternity are mostly the tools used by the ancient and midieval stone guilds. The allegory (like parables; stories told or enacted to make a point) is based upon events or characters in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible. Most of them revolve directly around the building of Solomon's temple. The only secrets are the passwords, signs, and handshakes. These are secret because they help to identify you to other Masons. Every fraternity has these. There is no such thing as "higher levels". The highest that a Mason can go is 3rd degree (Master Mason). A Master Mason may choose to join other Masonic organizations if he wishes, one of which is the Scottish Rite. The Scottish Rite has 29 more degrees (there is where 32nd degree Mason comes from) but they are not higher in rank. absolutely any Master Mason may receive the 32nd degree if he is willing to pay the fees and dues involved in joining. In most jurisdictions, all 29 degrees are conferred in 1 - 4 days, so that pretty much shoots down the theory of higher degree Masons knowing the real truth. There is a 33rd degree, which is an honorary degree bestowed upon 32nd degree Masons who have demonstrated an outstanding dedication to the fraternity. Their names are published and they are voted on, so there are no "secret" 33rd degree Masons as some like to claim. The idea of the fraternity being so secretive is an invention of somebody else...not us. In fact, many lodges hold open houses a couple times a year to allow the community to look around the inside of the building, see the lodge room, and ask questions. So, hopefully, this answers your question.

Answer 3

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.

The fraternity of Freemasonry uses the allegorical metaphors of operative stonemasons' tools and implements against the backdrop of the building of the Temple of King Solomon, to convey what is most generally defined as: A peculiar (some say particular or beautiful) system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols. This is illustrated in the 1991 English Emulation Ritual.

It is an esoteric society only in that certain aspects are private; Freemasons have stated that Freemasonry has, in the 21st century, become less a secret society and more of a "society with secrets."Dr. Dieter Anton Binder, a historian (and not a Freemason) who is a professor at the University of Graz (Austria) describes Freemasonry as a "confidential" society in contrast to a secret society in his book Die diskrete Gesellschaft. Most modern Freemasons regard the traditional concern over secrecy as a demonstration of their ability to keep a promise and a concern over the privacy of their own affairs. "Lodge meetings, like meetings of many other social and professional associations, are private occasions open only to members."The private aspects of modern Freemasonry deal with the modes of recognition amongst members and elements within the ritual.

While there have been many disclosures and exposés dating as far back as the eighteenth century, Freemasons caution that these often lack the proper context for true understanding, may be outdated for various reasons,[14] or could be outright hoaxes on the part of the author. Freemasons are proud of their heritage and are happy to share it, offering spokesmen, briefings for the media, and providing talks to interested groups upon request.

The Freemasons are often accused of all kinds of things from influencing international affairs to managing interplanetary alliances and treaties.

Answer 4

Besides from all the clutter you just gave us, a freemason is a freelancer expert who exploits the land to fulfill other people´s desires and aspirations for a living.
Differance with actual masons is he needs virtue and development to feel and enhance the outer perception he too has satisfaction and virtue in sorrow. Other masons will terrify at the idea of developing their virtue, such as growing daisies instead of a garden.
The next branch is the francmason, they boldly go where no man has gone before: they exploit art in sincerity amidst other features which just do hire them for the right and sincere reasons, they are pure, not just amiable.
There could be a fourth kind of masons, the kiramasons, in some years these folks will react to nothing and be the change, keeping passion and serving the good lord, whom they recognise to be a proper architect and whom they addore with no blemish or unpure assertiveness. God is great God is good.

Answer 5

go to the history channel website....thy had a program of the origins and so forth on TV recently about the Freemasons

Answer 6

part of this is true, they are kinda like a mob gang, trying to control local business and the like.

Answer 7

Part of it true and part of it rumours....lol