Freemasonry: What is it?

Freemasonry--or stated more succinctly, Masonry--is a fraternity of gentlemen concerned with moral and spiritual values. Masonry bases itself on the leadership structure and          activities of the stonemasons who built the the cathedrals of Europe during medieval times and as far back as those who built King Solomon's Temple around 950 B.C.  

Most simply put, it is a philosophy and system of moral ethics organized  under the structure of the ancient stonemason guilds. Masonic Lodges are distinguished from other community organizations by teaching lessons derived from the symbols of working tools and language used by those men of the ancient trade of building vast structures.  Applied to modern day life, these basic principles serve as rules and guides for how Masons conduct themselves as 21st century men.

Masonry teaches its members to be tolerant of the belief of others and to regard each man as his equal, deserving of both their respect and assistance.

Masonry has long described its mission as making "good men better."  It does not seek to make "bad men good."

In the course of one lodge meeting, Masonry is a spiritual organization when the Chaplain leads the brethren in prayer and asks for the blessing of Deity.  It is a guild when the Master of the Lodge teaches the new Mason the symbolic uses of the stonemason's tools.  It becomes a school of instruction when the new brother learns about the importance of the seven liberal arts and sciences.  At other moments, it is an amateur theatre company when the three degrees of Masonry are performed.  The lodge becomes a men's social club when meeting for dinner and fellowship.  It becomes a charitable group when relief is provided to distressed brothers, their families, or the local community.  It is also a business association when members with similar interests share ideas.  The lodge resembles a family when fathers, sons, strangers, and friends bond as "brothers."  It becomes a community league when Masons roll up their sleeves to help with a local benevolent project.

As you can see, there is no short answer for what Masonry is.