Interested in Freemasonry, but were afraid to ask? Here's your chance.

Hi Citygirl, A freemason is simply a man who has joined the Masonic Order, which is a Fraternal Organization. The roots of Freemasonry isn't fully known, the only thing that we know for sure is that the first Grand Lodge was organized and met in 1717. Many believe that Freemasonry began originally as the guilds of stone masons who built the great cathedrals in Europe, while some believe it goes back even farther than that, all the way to the Celtic period and the Great Crusades. Freemasonry is in no way a "secret" organization, but rather it's an organization that has certain rituals that take place, which are meant to remain 'secret' to all except those who have gone through those rituals in order to become a Freemason. If you looked hard enough, these 'secrets' are on the internet, and before the internet, you could read books about them in any well furnished public library. There is nothing devious that ever takes place during these initiation ceremonies, and the idea of keeping what takes place is merely an act of remaining true and sincere in your every day life, for if you can keep these rituals a secret, then you can be trusted in any of your daily dealings in your God, your family, your vocations, and many other things that adults are supposed to do. Freemasonry is actual everywhere you look, you just don't see it. Our lodges are well marked, and there are many public events that anyone can come and get a glimpse of what we as Masons do, while at the same time, maintaining our integrity of keeping the secrets of the Order. If you have had a child or a loved one treated at a Shriner Hospital, then you have the Masons to thank, for a Shriner is first a Freemason, who has pursured additonal education and reached the 32nd degree in Freemasonry, and has chosen to join the Shriners, which is an appendant body of Freemasonry. The Shriners contribute millions of dollars every day to maintain these hospitals, that treat those who otherwise couldn't afford treatment anywhere else. One thing that many men aren't aware of, is that we cannot and do not solicit anyone to become members, a man has to ask to join. You may have seen bumper stickers that say "2B1-ASK1", which means exactly what it says. There is another appendant body of Freemasonry, that is intended for the wives, mothers, sisters and daughters of any Freemason, which is call the Eastern Star. Most of their meetings are held in the same building as where the Freemasons meet, and they have their own rituals and ceremonies as well. Although this is primarily a women's organization, Freemasons can also join the Eastern Star and serve as a "Patron" of the organization. There are also appendant bodies for young sons and daughters, which are the DeMolay for young men, the Priory Order of Knighthood for those a little older, and the Jobs Daughters for the older girls, and the Rainbow Girls for the young girls. There are two qualifications for a man to join the Fraternity, he must be at least 21 years old (18 in some states in the US) and they must believe in God, for no aethist can become a Mason. I hope this answers many of the questions you seek and I apologize in advance for my terrible spelling. :-)