Depending on how active the Masons are that live within your area will most likely determine how familiar you are with them. They are sometimes called Masons or Freemasons. Their fraternity as they like to call it is called the Masonry or Freemasonry.
It is not a new organization and its known roots go back to the 1700's and probably beyond that. There has also been said that the Masons are a very secretive organization and it would seem that there are never two identical explanations about exactly whom they are, or what they stand for. In their short-term explanation, they will tell you that they adhere to rigid moral values and standards. They constantly strive for the betterment of themselves as a group of men who simply formed an organization. They strengthen each other in their beliefs by fellowship, which is what their meetings are for.
So if Freemasonry seems to be something that many people are familiar with why is it dubbed a secret society? It's true they don't hide the fact that they exist. In fact, they have temples or Lodges as they are most often called around most of the world. In addition, they are very active within their communities by way of charities. The secrecy they are accredited with is in regards to what goes on behind closed doors at their meetings. They would appear for the most appear to almost be sworn to an oath of secrecy and no member is allowed to discuss the specifics of what takes place at their meeting.
The members will admit that they are some things that are kept secret like what goes on at their meeting and their secret handshakes. Then there is a secret password one has to use to gain entrance. The masons don't find this unusual as they say that many facilities have codes that must be used to gain entrance. While this is true, that's normally applied to places for top security reasons. Therefore, what goes on at the Masons meetings that require security by way of password? Perhaps nothing, but this is where people have built their beliefs on the Masons being a secret society.
As mentioned there are organized Masons in many parts of the world. It is apparent that there are variations according the Lodges but it is said they all stand for the basic concept or charter of the society. This could explain why different Masons will tell you different things about what goes on in their meetings.
The basics of the Freemasons must remain the same. They are all subject to the same oaths, which are universal as well as the rituals. The entire structure is based on the rules dating back to the time of the stone Masons who had their own groups or guilds as they were called them. These rules have withstood the passage of time for the most part and are called the Ancient Charges. It is believed that the duty of the stonemasons was to literally build foundations and this concept is that the Freemasons are now building the foundation of their members through teachings and expectations. They use the tools that the stonemasons did for their building as teaching aids in their present day meetings. This is done by way of various rituals that are carried out at specific times.
The expectations that the Masons put upon their members is that they must display brotherly love and respect towards their fellow members. They must all be treated equally and their must be strong trust amongst which resorts back to the secrecy issues.
One interpretation of the structure of the free masons is that their Lodges are headed by a Master Mason who utilizes assistants called warden. The criteria of becoming a Master consists of having high morals and possess the mental capabilities that the position demands. On his way to achieving this title, he must participate in various rituals.
All Masons must acknowledge a supreme being but remembering the Freemasons emphatically state they are not a religious organization. Every member may choose to practice any religion they so choose.
As mentioned depending on the Lodge some of their structure may change but the basics must remain the same.
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