What is Freemasonry?

First proper post off the bat and I’ve picked a big topic – I can only hope to do it justice. However, I will note that as I learn, grow, and progress through the Degrees (as of this date, I am a humble Entered Apprentice), my opinion may change – and I reserve the right to update or write a new post.

There are a lot of websites, blogs and individuals who will give you their opinion and there are a couple of well used phrases that are commonly used like “a way to make good men better” – is a well worn phrase that sees a lot of use. The problem with well worn phrases is they become like corporate buzzwords and the outsider struggles to get the meaning when everyone utters the same words, but doesn’t follow through explaining the meaning.

From what I’ve seen, read and experienced so far, here’s my take:

Freemasonry is unnatural.

I’ll say that again, Freemasonry is unnatural. Now, in this society of gluten intolerance and all organic everything, the word unnatural has almost become a slur, but I assure you it’s not. Freemasonry is unnatural like Civilization is unnatural. It’s the harder, conscious choice as opposed to wallowing in our base instincts. Some of the other hallmarks of Civilization are unnatural, from Irrigation to Farming, to Specialization of Industry – these are all unnatural things but they were all essential to uplifting us as a species from hunter/gatherers.

When we apply this to Freemasonry, we look at things like Truth, Honour, and Love. It can be easy and natural to be comfortable speaking the Truth when it is convenient to us, but it is Masonic to be Honest in our dealings, even when it is uncomfortable to us. Honour is a topic that rarely is applied to our modern world, but one of it’s hallmarks is to do the right thing, as you believe it, at all times. This sounds lofty and wonderful, but in general it’s easier to bury your head in the sand than always stand up for your beliefs. Finally Love is a natural feeling and state of being, but the ability to show love to our neighbors, strangers and even our enemies is a very unnatural thing.

I see Freemasonry as an attempt to assist men in making conscious choices, these unnatural choices, these harder choices, to better help preserve and protect our society. It does so in simple (and not so simple) lessons and requests of it’s members and over a lifetime will hopefully have created many opportunities for improvement. But that’s all it can be – opportunities. Nothing forced upon another will resonate as much as a choice, nothing given freely will be valued. Freemasonry provides an opportunity for men to better themselves and the world around them, but the reaching and taking of the opportunity is theirs.

Freemasonry in my eyes, is comprised of many elements, owning none exclusively, but is greater than the sum of it’s parts. From moral teachings, to service, to charity, and social bonding, there are many other groups and places that offer one of these, but Freemasonry has a unique combination of these elements that allows it to rise up in this unique configuration that creates men of breadth and depth.

This is the Fraternity I chose to reach out to and I’m glad I did.

Will my views and answer change in the next year? Five? Ten? I hope my understanding grows. I hope my joy remains.