what are the freemasons? what is their purpose?
472340
2B1ASK1\n\nor at least that's what their bumperstickers say...
680991
Yes I'm a Freemason.Look for your state's grand lodge on the first source below.Contact them telling them your city and they should be able to get you in contact with a member of your cities local lodge.
1041325
I enjoy reading information about secret societies.  If you want to learn more about another interesting group read about the Bilderberg group.\nAs far as my opinion for this society, I believe that they exist.  This country was formed by a group of men, most belonging to a secret society-free masons.  Seems like it is tradition maybe even American culture.
651891
Hi, I am a Master Freemason,\n\nFreemasonry is still around and I think undergoing quite a renaissance. What may be reviving Freemasonry is the search for meaning and a little feeling of loss of identity. \n\nPlus, women are now finding out that some Freemasonry (American Co-Masonry) admits women fully to their rites and practices. I have been to quite a few Initiations, Passings and Raisings in the last year. New Lodges in Co-Masonry seem to be forming yearly. I think it speaks well for the youth of this world that they are searching so diligently.
1112225
whoo hoo what a great question. No one can give you the 'inside' info bacuse they are secret societies. There are wonderful resources to research them. Worldnetdaily.com has a great book on sale now about them. Very well researched as they all have the same agenda. The agenda is not new, it is ancient in fact. Elites ruling the populace for their own good, peace through unity, power to the truly worthy with spiritualism thrown in just for good measure. Since we are not smart enough to think for ourselves we need them. Illuminati, Bildebergers, Tri Lateral Commission, CFR and last but not least the UN. Great quesion and God's speed on your search.
999143
One of the mysteries of Freemasonry is that to be one you must ASK to be one.  Freemasons never ask anyone to join.  Every member is a member because he asked to be a member.\n\nThe Great Temple at 160 Great Queen Street is open 5 days a week.  Take a tour, research in the library meet a lot of Freemasons.  Or you may want to go to Mark Master Mason's Hall at 86 St James Street for further answers.\n\nThere are a great many books written about the membership of Freemasonry.  I hope you read several and compare your findings with those of authors throughout the ages.\n\nThe answers above allude to the error that Freemasonry is somehow a cult or a religion.  Nothing can be further from the truth.  While Freemasons only admit to their membership those who profess a belief in God; the discussion of religion is prohibited from its meetings.  Freemasons believe that everyone should worship God as their consciences require.
1109579
DUDE!!! The freemasons are the world's largest SATANIC organization.  Nothing about their "club" is christian or godly in any way, shape, or form.  The masons were founded in ancient Egypt during the time of the Hebrew enslavement... their purpose for being created was to haunt the children of the Father (Hebrews/Jews/believers in Messiah) throughout history and do all that they can to corrupt and destroy them.  Freemasons working for out US government's top-secret branches are responsible for the World Trade Center bombing as well as the Twin Tower airplane attack.  The freemasons are a satanic group... they are not Christian in any way.  The reason their guild is so secretive is because they do not want people to know about the animal, child, and human sacrifices they perform, they don't want people to know about their ritual sex orgies, they don't want the world to know that they are worshipping the devil and not the Father/Creator.  There are 26, 33, or 36 levels in the freemasons guild, can't remember precisely... anyhow, the first 3 levels are the "club" levels, where a bunch of wealthy fools sit around a men's/gentlemen's club talking about business, life, whatever comes to mind.  Mason recruiters browse the gatherings of the 3 entry levels into the guild and when they come across a man they believe to be corruptable or of evil-heart they will propose an offer that will begin moving that individual up through the higher ranks of the masons.  By the time an individual has reached the 16th rank of being a mason, that man will be required to perform his first animal sacrifice to Satan.  By the time an individual has progressed through the ranks and reached the HIGHEST 3 levels of masonry, they are at this time required to begin performing human sacrifices, participating in many satanic rituals, etc.  92% of all masons never make it past the first 3 levels, only 4% make it to level 16, only 2% make it past level 16, and only another 2% ever make it into the top 3 rankings of the masons... I know a man who was on the Freemasons' Council of the Thirteen... This is a 13 member council that runs most all of the western world... This man that I knew was a 26 year mason and had reached and surpassed the TOP 3 levels of ranking in his last 4 years as a mason.  This man in his last year of masonry was offered a seat as a council member.  He accepted the position and 5 months into being a council member, Satan or a high ranked demon appeared to the 13 men at a meeting they were having to discuss many things about the world economy and some wars that were going on... the dark spirit began attacking one of the council members after he made a "bad" suggestion about a situation that needed taking care of.  My friend began packing up his belongings in his house after that meeting that night so he could leave and escape the evil he had gotten himself into... he went back to 2 more council meetings, after which he planned on disappearing from any contacts he ever had.  At his second meeting, the one he planned to make his last, he was confronted by 3 council members who began accusing him of being a traitor and planning to expose the council.  I don't know how he talked his way out of it, and to this day he doesn't know how he did either, but after convincing the council he was dedicated to Satan and to the destruction of the world and to the masons guild, he left for the day and snuck his things out his house and has been a hunted man ever since.  He has several writings about the atrosities that the freemasons are commiting amongst the higher ranks, he has 1 book about the council of the 13 and how they run the western world and a small portion of 3rd world countries.  This man's wife and son were murdered the day after he snuck his belongings out his back door and snuck off to go into hiding.  He went back to his house the next day, cause his wife and son were asl
506769
Without Freemasonry there would be no United States of America.  Without the ability of men to keep certain things secret, the Continental Army would have been soundly defeated and we would have remained under Brittish rule.\n\nSecrets and the men who keep them are often the differance between victory and defeat.
595357
the Masons are not a  religious organization or a religious cult. No matter what the uneducated 'bible thumpers' will say. the ceremonies and rituals are religious in nature but the Masons accept all religions with the exception of an atheist. you must believe in a supreme being. This is why the Christians don't like the Masons.\noriginally the Masons were like a gentleman's club with the most powerful and influential men in the town, or city belonging. \nif you want more information talk to a Mason.
265113
Freemasons?\nI have known many men, some from my church who were masons. Some from the Gideon organization I belong to, some from my own family, they all are very active in the faith and most are pillars of the church.\nI've since been provided with a great deal of information which as far as I can test, seems to suggest that freemasonry is anything but Christian, if others answer this question I would like to hear comments.
816909
Masons do not solicit for members.\n\nIf you are seeking Membership YOU MUST ASK a Mason or a Masonic Lodge for an application.\n\nYou must be a man at least 21 (18 in some jurisdictions).\n\nYou must be of good moral character\n\nYou must have a personal belief in a Supreme Being (the definition of a Supreme Being is up to you)\n\nYou must be a Resident of your state for 12 months\n\nYou must decide to become a Mason of "your own free will and accord"\n\nYou will need to express your personal interest in joining the Fraternity.\n\nYou must be loyal to your country.\n\nYou must be dedicated to providing for your own family\n\nYou must have a sincere determination to conduct yourself in a manner that will earn the respect and trust of others and possess a desire to help others through community service and universal benevolence.\n\nYou must sign a Petition, stating your age, occupation and place of residence.\n\nThere are NO religious, political or racial restrictions for Masonic membership other than the aforementioned belief in a Supreme Being. Any discussion of religion or politics is strictly forbidden in a Masonic Lodge.\n\nMembers of the Lodge vote by secret ballot. To be accepted, the ballot must be unanimous.\n\nIt varies state to state, but this is essentially how it happens.
863835
Okay, you can't just join up and find out.  That's not even how it works.  You have to be sponsored and voted in by the elder members.\n\nSome of our Nation's most respected President's were Freemasons.  They believe first in God, Country and Family and then their beliefs.  I am a girl so I don't know a whole lot, except that they have some pretty strong beliefs that are pretty secretive. \n\nPeople are nosy and make up things about everyone who has secrets, and say that they are automatically a cult or something.  This is absolutely not the case.   You could learn alot by reading a book sold at the book store, called Freemasons for dummies. \n\nThey are grouped with the shriners and do many many fine works for the public and for the children in our communities.  They have hospitals and burn units all over the country, always non-profit, and usually at no cost to the patients.  \n\nFrom what I understand, they are all (Masons, Shriners etc.) an offspring of the Knights Templers.  They, in ancient times were the Knights who were put in power by the Pope to protect Jerusalem at all costs.  Later they recieved special permission from the Pope to take charge of Banking.  They had the Great International Bank of the middle ages.  They were executed by the King of France (Phillip IV), who luckily was unable to kill them all before all the KING's HELPERS kidnapped the Pope.\n\nI think they have a fascinating and outstanding history.  Many freemasons were involved in the signing of our Declaration of Independence.  That was not a joke made for Hollywood. There were actually several who signed it.
598292
Rebeka Lodge etc. are NOT CHRISTIAN at all! They are part of the Masonic Faith.  YES! Masons are a definite religion!
1022093
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemasons\nRead. Learn.\n\nI have to ask, rocker, if not even the freemasons know, just a few top people, then how the hell would you know? Are you a hermit who's spend his entire life researching them and infiltrating their ranks? If you find a "big secret conspriracy" without looking for it, that it can't possibly be a "big secret conspiracy" now can it?
348858
It is a square and compass. The sqaure teaches and reminds masons to sqaure thier actions in all thier dealing with mankind. The compass teachs to circumscribe you desires and keep your passions within due bonds. The G represnts geometrry and God. There is nothing sexual as the other answer states. \n\n    The basic piont of freemasonary is to teach people to act morally, honest and to give a great deal to charity. They use the tools of operative masons to represate other ideas. There are meanings behind many other tools and symbols.\n I am a mason
170365
A Freemason is simply a man who has chosen to strengthen his life by living it according to his own personal Volume of Sacred Law (Holy Bible, Holy Quran, or Torah, et cetera) as your personal beliefs dictate.  It changed my life by giving me constant reminders of the importance of following my moral code as I set it based on my personal beliefs.  It affects each man differently.\n\nTo become a Freemason, find a Local lodge and ask someone there.  You can start with the liost of Grand Lodges below, and search in the proper one for your locality.
83385
Here's a website outlining the Masonic degree system.\n\nhttp://freemasonry.bcy.ca/texts/masonic_degrees.html