Freemasonry: Definition, history, and present activities

Posted on November 1, 2008
Filed Under Education | 1 Comment

Masonic symbol square and compassesFreemasonry is unique. It cannot be likened to any institution in that it offers experiences not found anywhere else.

Freemasons are ordinary men in the community, 18 years and over, of all religions and backgrounds, who share a concern for humans values, moral standards and the rights of individuals.

It offers members with an insight and knowledge of history and philosophy, an appreciation for ancient ritual and symbolism, personal development, public service and hands-on involvement in charitable activities and community issues. Freemasonry also provides opportunities to socialize with men from all walks of life, without religious and political barriers.

Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest and largest fraternal societies. There are approximately 5 million Freemasons worldwide.

Freemasonry provides a code of conduct, based on moral and ethical standards, for living in today;s society. Freemasonry is an organization of men who strive to live by the fundamental principles of integrity, goodwill and charity. It is a non-profit organization that is heavily involved in supporting charity and community service.

One of the greatest things about Freemasonry is that men from all walks of life regardless of their race, creed, color and social status can come together as equals and share a common bond of friendship and fraternity as Freemasons.

The members are banned from any political or religious discussion whilst at Lodge, to endure peace and harmony is constant. This principle was expressed in the American civil war, where ?Yankee and Confederate soldiers would come together at Lodge, under the banner of Freemasonry, in peace and harmony, to practice the ideals of friendship and fraternity.

After the ritual of the Lodge is completed, members come together and share a meal and family and friends are often invited to participate. Freemasons often refer to the term “Meeting on the level and parting on the square”, which means they meet as equals and part as friends.

Freemasonry, can provide men and their families a fun and active social life with like-minded people from all walks of life. Family and family values are an important part of a Freemason’s life and families are frequently invited to take part in Masonic activities such as charity balls, family picnic days and other social get togethers.

It must be noted that as a Freemason, a member’s family is to be valued above all else and should at all times take precedence over his Masonic membership. However, it is important that a member’s family understands his Masonic association and supports him in his development.

Freemasonry offers men an opportunity to develop insights into philosophical ideals, which espouse the core values of prudence, temperature, fortitude and justice.

Prudence is to help us make the right decision; temperance keeps us on the straight and narrow; fortitude promotes self-confidence and strong self-esteem; and justice provides us with guidance in life.

Members are also provided with training in self-development, which includes public speaking, mentoring, tolerance, communication skills and self-confidence.

What is the history of Freemasonry?

The precise origins of Freemasonry have been lost in time, however, its traditions date back to the Middle Ages and to the stone masons who built the cathedrals and castles of Europe. To construct them, it was necessary for men to have considerable knowledge of geometry, arithmetic and engineering. These highly skilled masons formed themselves into Lodges to protect the skills and secrets of their trade and to pass on their knowledge to worthy apprentices.

Ask any member about Masonic ritual and he is likely to explain it as a unique and inspiring experience. Ritual is core in Freemasonry. This ritual is unique in that it uses a range of objects, symbols and scenarios to disseminate the values, traditions and philosophical precepts of Freemasonry. These ritual are centuries old and have used in Freemasonry for hundreds of years. An example of such symbolism is the use of medieval stonemason working tools as a vehicle of instruction.

Symbols in the Lodge room are used to define the rank of a Freemason. The most widely recognized symbol of Freemasonry is the Square and Compasses. The square teaches us to conduct ourselves properly-as in ’square conduct’, and the compasses teach us to keep our passions and prejudices withing due bounds.

Old Boston Grand Lodge

Members wear the symbol to remind themselves of their obligation to the lessons learned in their lodges and to identify their membership to other Freemasons and all people. Masonic symbols have wide meanings – some directly relate tot he tools used by operative Masons and some represent the need for order and direction in life.

The question naturally arises, “is Freemasonry a secret society?” Freemasonry is certainly not a secret society but in common with most organizations it does regard some aspects of its activities as confidential. The policy until recently was for members to be self effacing and avoid publicity about the fraternity and its community work. This has been counter productive.

In the Middle Ages, people were predominantly illiterate. Therefore, symbols such as the square and compasses, models of dress, hand shakes and signs were used to distinguish a Mason from a non-mason, and thus protect the highly prized technical know how of their trade.

Developed long before our modern day models of communication, these secret signs and passwords were later used by Freemasons to identify one another and to establish their degree of level of attainments in Freemasonry. These days, these models of recognition are used solely as a ceremonial means of demonstrating that one is a Freemason when in Lodge meetings.

That a Freemason does not reveal these so-called ’secrets’ is basically a dramatic way of testing the good character of those who join. To become a Freemason requires a person to continually observe, with total sincerity, the high ideals of integrity and confidentiality.

So, is Freemasonry a religion? Once again, the answer is a definite ‘No’. That Freemasonry is a religion is in fact a common misconception. Freemasonry does not have any theological doctrines, offers no sacraments and does not claims to lead to salvation. It is not a substitute for religion, nor is it a forum for religious discussion. To be a Freemason you must, however, have a belief in a Supreme Being.

Freemasonry is made up of men who come from many different religions. There is nothing whatsoever in being a Freemason that conflicts with a member’s religious beliefs or practices.

Freemasonry promotes unity and tolerance amongst all men and does not discriminate against any religion. The principles and practices of Freemasonry are compatible with all compassionate religions that teach respect for the deity and tolerance towards one’s fellow man. If anything, Freemasonry complements the philosophies of these faiths.

Charity and benevolence are a basic teaching of Freemasonry. Member have been involved in charitable activities in this country since European settlement. There are a number of Masonic charities actively involved in the community for the care of young people, orphans, the sick, the aged, medical research and services and those affected by natural disaster. Money is raised through initiatives at Lodge meetings, dinners and other social events. In any one year, Freemasons across the world give generously and significantly to charities and not-for-profit organizations on a community and national level.

Comments

One Response to “Freemasonry: Definition, history, and present activities”

  1. Alan Fowler on July 9th, 2009 6:37 pm

    It would seem to me that in order to appear legitimate in the eyes of the public, we have forgotten that Freemasonary very much entails the caring of each of our Brothers, and their families.

    In the First Degree, it is all about ‘being poor and penniless’ ‘meeting a mason in distressed circumstances, and how we are to treat such a Brother.

    It would seem in order to make our Society more PC we are giving up the view that we are there to look after each other, and to help each other in times of need.

    Charitable organisations exist in abundance, as do Social membership societies. What makes us different? Because different we most certainly are! That difference should be our protection and caring for our Brotherhood, and if necessary the CHARITY that SHOULD be awarded to that need!! The Charity to others should come as a Bi-product of our Brotherhood, NOT as our sole aim or else we are just on the same level as ‘the Rotarians, the Lions, the Round Table’ etc, etc! Not that I in any way decry these organisations, they do great work.

    Let us be a proud organisation that states quite clearly, that we are there to help and assist one another. This does not have to be done in way that prejudices others. But that gives preference of aid to our Membership and their relatives.

    I believe that the First Degree makes clearly the things I have said, but feel, all too often, we forget the Charity we owe to each other. What is it we are supposed to do for a ‘poor and distressed Freemason’ give him 50p and tell him to buy himself a cup of tea?

    In order to make us more appealing to new membership, we should be able to demonstrate clearly, what we have to offer them, or else we are just allowing to become another charitable institution, or club of old gentleman!!!

    Yours fraternally, Alan J Fowler, Esq

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