About Masonry
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On this page you’ll find a short, very short introduction to Freemasonry. This introduction is intended to get you started, to get you interested so that you can find out more about the meaning and goals of Freemasonry hopefully deciding to join. Please remember that Freemasonry does not solicit new members, you have to ask to be admitted and it has to be of your own free will and accord. The good starting point in your quest to understand what Freemasonry is would be to contact the Grand Lodge of North Carolina for further information about Freemasonry and about all local Lodges in North Carolina and then contact the closest Lodge. Links section of this website provides additional sources of information as well.
Freemasonry is without a doubt one of, or as some would argue the world's oldest and largest Fraternity. Some trace its traditions to earliest history man. While not much is documented before eighteenth century, in its current form, Freemasonry appeared in London, England in 1717. While some claim Freemasonry to be a “secret” society full of secrets and “secret” rituals, it is actually very open society which and just like any other organization, maintains some levels of privacy for itself and its members.
The earliest recorded history of Freemasonry is tied to the “operative” guild of freemasons. Those were the brethren that build Europe’s cathedrals, churches and castles. As time went by and less and less of those structures were being constructed, Freemasonry slowly evolved from its original “operative” form to a “speculative” where new brethren were attracted by the moral and ethical values and not by the “operative” side of the fraternity. With time, Freemasonry transformed itself completely from the “operative” guild of Freemasons, to a speculative fraternity of “speculative” Freemasons.
Its goal and purpose is to make good men better, it will not teach you how to be good, but it will teach you its morality and ethics hopping to make you a better man. Its teachings of friendship, compassion and brotherly love have survived centuries of political, military and religious strife. Freemasonry has always attracted men of high moral character who support the tenets of temperance, fortitude, prudence and justice.
Some claim Freemasonry to be a religion, it is not, while it requires that you believe in God, it does not intrude into your personal beliefs or how you practice your particular belief.
There are more than 1.5 million Freemasons in United States, and more than 4 million around the world. You will find them in very state of the union, in most counties and cities. Its membership is very diverse and includes virtually every occupation and every profession found around you. It matters not who you are, a laborer or a CEO of a fortune 500 company, in Freemasonry, we are all equal, we have the same voice as anybody else and no one rises above anyone in any way.
All members are taught to obey civil as well as moral laws of the society in which they live. They are man of good moral character, charity and good works always willing to extend a helping hand to those in need. There are many Masonic charities that you may be familiar with not even knowing that they are Masonic in their foundation and philosophy for Freemasonry always works quietly to help those in need.
We encourage you to seek additional information by your own research, speaking to a Brother Mason that you know or contacting your local Lodge. Should you choose to become a Mason, please give us a call.