Freemasonry is a fraternal organization, with a membership of well over a million in the United States alone.  Freemasonry exists in many different countries and in a variety of forms.  One of the chief guiding principles of freemasonry is a shared moral center, and joining requires a declaration of a belief in some sort of supreme being (based on your religion).

 

Freemasons are not allowed to solict for membership to their fraternal organization.  If you are interested in joining the freemason fraternity, you must ask a Freemason to join.  (thus the saying - "To be one, ask one." or 2B1 Ask1)  

We also have a catch phrase - "Making good men better."  So, like the Marines, we are looking for a "few good men".  If you believe you are one of the "few good men" and are like-minded, we encourage you to contact us and start the process of becoming a Freemason.  Our moral philosophy, and what we stand for is on the "About us" page.  Our role in society and our qualifications to join are found on left of the same page.

Freemasonry is organized into a series of Grand Lodges.  Each of these Grand Lodges governs a particular jurisdiction (in the US, it is by State), with the jurisdiction comprised of a number of constituent lodges.  Freemasonry also includes a number of other bodies, in essence organizations that maintain their own independence (known as appendant bodies).  Examples of appendant bodies include "the Shriners", Royal Arch, Knights Templar, York Rite, Scottish Rite, and others.  There are also a number of youth organizations.  Every day, Freemasons and their appendant bodies contribute over $3 million to charity.  (See the Community Involvement tab)

 

When Freemasons are asked to define their organization, they are likely to define it as a fraternity with a shared morality.  Freemasons often compare the structure and moral center of their organization to the tools and implements of the stonemason - as these are used as symbols in their teaching. 

 

Even though freemasonry is often referred to as a secret society, in reality this is not the case.  Indeed, it is not a secret society at all, simply a fraternity - with some secrets.  

 

While certain aspects of the organization remain a closely guarded secret, the freemasons of the modern age have become less secret than their reputation would suggest.  In fact, many of the private rituals and aspects of the freemasons that remain secret are used primarily to allow members of different lodges to recognize one another so that impersonators or impostors cannot infiltrate their lodges and so that the lessons that are taught remain a special experience for new members.