We are a local Lodge of the world's oldest and largest fraternity.
What is Freemasonry? Scholars have suggested many definitions.
Freemasonry is a brotherhood whose great aim is to try to make good men better men; that this is done through symbolic instruction, applying the principles of operative Masonry and architecture to the science and art of character
building.
“What’s it like in a Masonic Lodge? What do
you do?”
First, Freemasonry asks no man to join its
ranks. Someone interested in joining must first ask a member.
Also, that membership in a Masonic Lodge in Ohio is open to men without regard to national origin, race, color, or creed, who are of good
character and reputation.
Then it can be said that Masonic Lodges take great pains to avoid subjects and actions that are controversial, remembering that our grand aim is to unite men, not divide them. For this reason Lodges permit no discussion of partisan
politics or sectarian religions.
Every Lodge has an altar occupying a central position in the room in which the Brethren meet. It is a place on which rests the Volume of the Sacred Law, which in countries largely Judeo-Christian in composition, will be the Holy Bible.
Freemasonry teaches monotheism; reverence for the Deity is ever present in its ceremonies, and the Brethren are constantly presented lessons of morality.
Every meeting of a Masonic Lodge begins and concludes with prayer.
A good Mason is often a better member of his church, synagogue, or mosque; and a regular attendant at divine worship makes a better Mason.
A Freemason is admonished invariably to be loyal to the country in which he resides, true to its government, and obedient to its laws. In the United States, the American flag is given a position of honor in the Lodge room.
Masonic teachings consist of lessons illustrated graphically by the tools of the builder and by legends of the builders’ trade, many of which are adapted from the Bible’s Old Testament.
There is a certain mystery about its degrees, ceremonies and teachings, though nothing of a light or frivolous nature, and the experience of every Mason in being admitted to the Craft is something priceless that he may share with other Freemasons to the end of his days.
What a man is socially, politically, economically, commercially, or in other walks of life does not count in Masonry. Each man is regarded on the
standard of his worth as a man. Hence, the organization provides the opportunity to know men of all ranks and opinions.
The entire structure of Freemasonry is built upon the “Lodge.” A Lodge, the basic unit of the fraternity, is a place where Freemasons gather for Lodge business, for ceremonies, and for fellowship. -- That such titles as "Worshipful” Master and “Grand” Master refer to the antiquity of a Craft that comes to us from medieval times when “worshipful” meant honorable and
highly respected, and when “grand” meant higher in rank, such as a grandfather.
Masonry offers a member the opportunity to visit Lodges in other parts of his own country and in other countries.
Masonic charity is a by-product and not the sole reason for the existence of the Craft -- in other words, the fruit of its teachings.
That membership in a Masonic Lodge brings as many duties and responsibilities as it does pleasures and rewards; hence, a Freemason must be prepared to accept those responsibilities.
(paraphrased and edited from an article found on freemason.com)
