Who, among you is a Free Mason? What do they do? What have they done?

Answer 1

I am a Freemason. We are a fraternal organization. The tenants of our fraternity are brotherly love, charity, and truth.

If you know what a stone 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

I am a Freemason of the esoteric branch, American Co-Masonry (Freemasonry for women and men). What we are about is pouring the esoteric waters into the vessel of Freemasonry.

We are inheritors of the alchemists, the mystery schools, and we are about changing the lead of the heart into gold. We seek to awaken within the breast of every Freemason that which is the spark of the Divinity. We are a moral society that tries its best to practice precepts such as acting on the level with prince and pauper, dealing on the square in all our undertakings, living an upright (on the plumb) life.

We believe we can take good people and help them make themselves better. I know that sounds strange but that is what we are about.

Freemasons have been the builders not of cathedrals and bridges but of whole societies where justice and virtue are valued. Some have been revolutionary leaders, some have been inventors, and some (like me) are teachers.

Thank you for asking. If I can be of further help, let me know.

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 3

There is great thought put forth to the degrees in hopes of each man being able to see the great knowledge sleeping at our feet.

Just thought I would add an important aspect.

Answer 4

Watch The History Channel once in a while.
Or,have You ever heard of ENCARTA?