Freemasonry is a fraternal organization that traces its origins to the local guilds of stonemasons that regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities and clients from the end of the 14th century. It is a philosophy and a system of morality and ethics, but these are the main points that make Freemasonry different from any other organization:
- Freemasonry is a fraternity of men, bound together by oaths, based on the medieval stonemason craft guilds.
- Masonic laws, rules, legends, and customs are based on the Ancient Charges, the rules of those craft guilds.
- Freemasonry teaches lessons of social and moral virtues based on symbolism of the tools and language of the ancient building trade, using the building of a structure as a symbol for the building of character in men.
- Masons are obliged to practice brotherly love, mutual assistance, equality, secrecy, and trust between each other.
- Masons have secret methods of recognizing each other, such as handshakes, signs, and passwords.
- Masons meet in lodges that are governed by a Master and assisted by Wardens.
Freemasonry is not a religion, but it requires its members to have a belief in a Supreme Being. The organization has been around for centuries and has millions of members worldwide.
