Hello all,
My name is Steve and I'm new to askmehelpdesk and came across this thread about Freemasonry and figured I'd make myself available to answer any and all questions since I am a Freemason and have been for 7 years now. Since Freemasonry is not something I can just go into I will just say some general things in response to some of the comments I saw on this thread. First off, YES we are a secret society. And what that means is that we have secrets just like every other organization, business, or person. Do you really think if you just walked into APPLE that Steve Jobs and the crew would just tell you everything they are planning or working on for their business and the release of new technology and products? OF COURSE NOT! Because it's their business and concerns them and they have every right to their privacy. It's the same reason you lock your door at night, because you want privacy. Not because you are a devil worshipper plotting to take over the world. And trust me Masons are some of the most incompetent people I know when they are together because they can't even organize a ritual rehearsal or a dinner dance without a million things going wrong. So, yes we have secrets, but none of them concern non-Masons because we aren't not planning to take over the world, we are only planning our own meetings and rehearsals. Next. The reason we don't allow religion and politics to be discussed in our lodge meetings is because they are two topics that, since time immemorial, have done nothing but separate people, and our goal is to bring people together. The "goal" of Freemasonry is to "take good men and make them better". This is our goal. That doesn't mean that it always works or that every man that is a Freemason is an outstanding human being, or becomes one. Quite the contrary. A lot of people join Freemasonry because they think they are going to get large sums of money deposited into their accounts, or that they will never have to pay parking tickets again(someone actually told me this is the reason why he wanted to join when I went to interview him), or that they will learn secrets that will help them control the universe. All not true! All we do is give men the opportunity to surround themselves with like minded individuals that want to get together and make this world a little better while they are here, and also improve themselves and become an example for those around them in their homes and communities. Freemasonry(only in the U.S.) donates over $2,000,000 a day in money and services. Did you know that if you have a child that is born without a limb or loses a limb growing up that we hospitals that will treat that child COST FREE until the age of 18. And "NO" you don't have to be a Mason or even know a Mason. We also have some of the best burn hospitals in the world. In N.Y. we have one of the leading medical research laboratories in the world that deal with cardiology.
Welcome to the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory Take a look.
Anyway, it would be a lot easier if you all just asked question because I could write about Freemasonry for days.
Also, a great place to ask questions is the Grand Lodges of your states. Each state is run by a governing body called a Grand Lodge and each state has a building where they would be more than happy to give you a tour and answer all your questions. The three most impressive Masonic buildings are the Grand Lodge building of New York (
http://www.nymasons.org/cms/virtualtour), the Grand Lodge of England, and also The Scottish Rite Building in Washington D.C. My lodge is in New York in case you are wondering.
Anyway, it's late and I'm getting sleepy....
Steve
Linear Mode
