What is Freemasonry?
A Freemason is a man who has taken an obligation to make of himself the best that he can, for himself, his family, and his community—a man who feels and adores the higher destiny of man; to whom faith, hope and charity are not mere words without any meaning.
What is Freemasonry? A fraternity designed to teach morality and ethics, and train good men to make themselves of service to themselves, their families and their communities.
Freemasonry is not a religion, but it teaches its members to be active in their chosen faith. Freemasonry has no politics, but it teaches its members to be active in civic concerns.
What attracts a man to Freemasonry? Every man comes, of his own free will and accord, with his own individual needs and interests. One man may join so that he can associate with other men who believe that only by improving themselves can they hope to improve their world. Another man may join because he is looking for a focus for his charitable inclinations. And yet another may be attracted by a strong sense of history and tradition. Many join simply because they knew a friend or relative who was a freemason and they admired that man’s way of living his life. All who join and become active, discover a bond of brotherly affection and a community of mutual support; a practical extension of their own religious and philosophical beliefs.
Freemasonry is not a charity, although it promotes charity in its members—in North America alone, freemasons contribute some three million dollars a day to operate children’s hospitals, cancer clinics, burn wards, seniors’ homes and other such facilities.
There are some 200 recognized masonic jurisdictions around the world and no central authority. They operate under a system of mutual recognition, working within a set of Landmarks of what qualifies as recognized Freemasonry.