what is freemasonry, what does it offer? - FOR THE GOOD OF MASONRY - PUBLIC - Access To This Area For All Members, New Posts for Hall Lodge Members Only

HALL LODGE MESSAGE CENTER > PUBLIC - Access To This Area For All Members, New Posts for Hall Lodge Members Only > FOR THE GOOD OF MASONRY > what is freemasonry, what does it offer?

You Are Not Logged In !

Unregistered Guests may View Certain Public Forums, But May Not Post Any Messages.

Registered Master Mason Visitors Who Are Logged In, May Post Replies to Messages Posted By Hall Lodge Members Only.

Only Hall Lodge Members Have Full Priveleges when Logged in.
To Log In, Go To The Left Column and Scroll Down To Main Menu, Click on Login

Moderated by: S.S.Keefer

New Topic

Printer Friendly

what is freemasonry, what does it offer? - FOR THE GOOD OF MASONRY - PUBLIC - Access To This Area For All Members, New Posts for Hall Lodge Members Only - HALL LODGE MESSAGE CENTER

Author

Post

Posted: Fri Mar 21st, 2008 03:47 PM

Quote

1^st Post

S.S.Keefer
Senior Moderator

Joined:	Thu Mar 13th, 2008
Location:	Maple, North Carolina USA
Posts:	29
York Rite:	Y
Scottish Rite:	N
Shriner:	Y
OES:	N
Present/Former Military:	US NAVY
Duration:	6
War Veteran:	post 'nam
Law Enforcement Or Public Service:	N
Type Service:
Length Service:
Status:	Offline

What is Freemasonry, what does it offer
( taken from http://www.oelodge.uklinux.net/freemasonry.htm )

The Formal Answer

Whenever we are asked What is Freemasonry? the formal answer includes much of the following:-

Freemasonry is one of the world's oldest secular fraternal societies. The essential qualification for admission is a belief in a Supreme Being and to be of good repute.

Freemasonry is open to men of many religions and it expects them to continue to follow their own faith. Freemasonry is a system of morality, not a system of faith or salvation and is complimentary to the belief of the individual. Indeed, lodge meetings, in order to ensure harmony, expressly forbid the discussion of either religion or politics.

Freemasonry asks that each of its members shows tolerance and respect for the opinions of others and behave with kindness and understanding to his fellow man. Its members, in varying degrees, are involved with numerous local, national and international charitable works, both by charitable giving and by voluntary efforts and works as individuals.

Freemasonry demands from its members a respect for the law of the country in which a man works and lives. Freemasonry does not override the individuals duty to one's self, one's family ones God or work.

Masonic meetings have a set structure and consistent content and although their organization and ceremonies have been shrouded in secrecy in the past, are now largely open to public scrutiny one way or another. While Masonic lodges are private, their members are happy to talk about any virtually any aspect of Freemasonry, except their modes of recognition.

A Freemason is encouraged to do his duty first to God (by whatever name he is known) and then, without detriment to his work or family, to his neighbor (in the broadest sense) through charity and service. None of these ideas are exclusively Masonic, but the setting in which they are practiced, the spirit of friendship which is prevalent among its members and the opportunity for a convivial dinner after such meetings surely is.

The More Casual Answer

The more casual answer would add that Freemasonry is a body of like-minded, responsible men, who in their own way, wish to progress as individuals and share a journey of personal development towards self enlightenment i.e. make good men better.

Freemasons will also enjoy the customs and theatrics and within the lodge room which, in an appropriate context, are used to explain symbolic meaning. There is also good humor, spirit of friendship and perhaps dinner afterwards and the potential to visit other lodges in the U.S. as well as abroad which all adds to the enjoyment.

In between lodge meetings, many freemasons will try to find opportunities to put something back into the community at large. They will also appreciate that humility and the conduct by which they run their lives outside the lodge room is important. Finally, they do not regard Freemasonry as a secret society, merely one that is private that would lose some of its special significance and meaning to newcomers should every aspect of lodge business become widely known or be taken out of context.

These days, any quick search on the internet will reveal all sorts of signs, signals or so called secrets and secret practices with rolled trouser legs ascribed to Freemasonry. Whilst some might reveal a germ of truth, none of them warrant the wild rantings from the conspiracy theorist or cult lobby in our society.

Quote

Current time is 04:09 AM
HALL LODGE MESSAGE CENTER > PUBLIC - Access To This Area For All Members, New Posts for Hall Lodge Members Only > FOR THE GOOD OF MASONRY > what is freemasonry, what does it offer?