Who are the Free Mason?

Question

Please only serious answers. Thanks!

Answer 1

Simply put, we are a fraternal organization dedicated to improving ourselves and helping others.

If you know what a Mason is, you are familiar with some of the jobs that a Mason might have, as far as building with stone and brick. Masons use certain tools and concepts to do their work. These are called operative Masons.

Freemasonry is also referred to as speculative Masonry, and this is a fraternal organization that (to make things simple), assigns certain ideas or principles to the working tools of operative Masons, and uses these to teach certain moral lessons. Our group is a fraternity based on this concept of conveying intangible ideas through the use of symbolism derived from ancient Masonic teachings.

As an example, Masons use a square to make sure that structures adhere to perfect angles. We may use this to remember to square our actions with others (to deal with people squarely and fairly). Also, an operative Mason uses a level to make sure that something is evenly perpendicular to the ground. Speculative Masons use this to teach that we are all equal and on the level with others.

Those are just a few examples of how Freemasonry and operative masons are related. However, it in not required that Freemasons be operative masons. We are bankers and ditch diggers, waiters and software engineers, preachers and bartenders, and all other occupations.

While it was pretty common for men at the time of the founding of the United States to be Freemasons, not all of the Founding Fathers were brothers. Ben Franklin, George Washington, Paul Revere were members, but John Adams and and others were not. Thirteen signers of the Declaration of Independence were Masons. The reason that so many were members is because the Masons believe in freedom and equality, so it stands to reason that men of such belief would be involved in the creation of our country. It should be mentioned, however, that this political activity was not done as an act of the Masons. In fact, many Masons at the time were also loyal to England.

There are a lot of conspiracy theories about the Freemasons out there, and many outrageous claims that we are Satanists or that we rule the country. First, how could an organization that gives about $2 million dollars A DAY to charity be an evil organization. Second, we are forbidden to discuss politics in our lodge meetings, so it would be pretty difficult to run a country while not speaking of politics.

Also note that all of these crackpot accusations about the Masons are made by non-Masons, so they really wouldn't know what they are talking about, would they.

If I can answer any further questions, please feel free to contact me.

Answer 2

Masons outfitted each of the finished homes and church homes that we see to-day some were indentured or apprenticed and some were loose to do what ever artwork replaced into available. The catholic church did not like that as they needed them in undemanding words to artwork for the church so that they began to form loose lodges of loose Masons like a union of to-day. those days any guy over 21yrs can connect those loose lodges as loose Masons. And because it replaced into oftentimes in undemanding words adult men who were builders that they save the custom of in undemanding words having adult men of their craft (might want to i as a guy bypass to a nicely lady hospital or a woman's help look after i do not imagine so) as you will discover there is not any secret in the back of what they do (i might want to SAY a similar about lady'S help SHELTERS) and someone may have self assurance that they to are a secret society. To anybody who Say's all loose masons are wealthy attempt living on £80 3-50 per week and say you're wealthy, in happiness and relatives sure i'm wealthy, yet as for wealth take a stroke and live on on reward in Britain. To muktar replace Freedom with Anarchy, and regulation and order with terrorism, hasn't ever been portion of Freemasonry except on your terrorist wondering options. Your way of wondering creates suicide bombers and others to imagine the option of the actuality.

Answer 3

Since two masculine rite Freemasons waded in, I will add my bit of light.

Freemasonry in the Order to which I belong, American Co-Masonry (Freemasonry for women and men), is a beautiful system of morality, veiled in allegory, and illustrated by symbols. It teaches us how to live in harmony with all of mankind. It quickens the evolution of humanity. It works symbolically to rebuild Solomon's Temple.

Freemasonry, as it was and as it is now in Co-Masonry, is not about being a social club, not about being a fundraising organization. We are the heirs of the ancient mystery schools. We work toward the alchemical task of changing the lead in the heart into gold.

We take for our symbols those working tools of ancient stone masons. After all, isn't the nature of human beings such that it is easier to sculpt stone than it is human nature? We progress slowly from not understanding to more understanding. Each degree requires more work, more memorization, more understanding, more responsibility.

Into Co-Masonry, we admit women and men, over the age of 21, who believe in a Supreme Being (that is required, who that Supreme Being is or is called is up to the particular member), of all races, who are not felons, who are tolerant of all races and religions.

Our Grand Lodge is in Larkspur, CO, but we have Lodges that meet from Canada to Chile, from Florida to Seattle, from San Francisco to Minneapolis. I belong to two Blue Lodges (working in the 1st thru 3rd degree): one in Santa Cruz and one in LA, CA. I drive 800 miles a month to serve in both. I also belong to a Lodge of Research that requires me to do historical research and publish a yearly paper. I am also a Mark Mason, a side degree in Co-Masonry.

I must be getting something out of all this. I am Almoner for one Lodge (I check to make sure the Brothers are ok outside of Lodge and bring charities to the attention of the Brethren.) I am Secretary and Junior Deacon in my other Blue Lodge.

Freemasonry, no matter what the Order, gives back to the Brother what he or she puts into it. If you wish it to only be a dinner club, that is what you will get. If you wish it to be esoteric, there are those Lodges, too.

Hope this helps. You may contact me and I will give you a link to our information pages. No salesman will call. *GRIN*

A Master Mason
American Co-Masonry

Hiram Lodge No. 11 (Santa Cruz, CA)
Amon Ra Lodge No. 9 (Los Angeles, CA)
Sapientia Lodge of Research (Larkspur, CO)
Adamant Mark Lodge No. 3 (Santa Cruz, CA)

Answer 4

we a bunch of regular guys that meet eat dinner and plan charity

Answer 5

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemasons