"MASONIC-FAQ" - читать интересную книгу автора (McIntyre Vonda N)

II. WHO/WHAT ARE MASONS?
(1) What is Freemasonry?
(2) What is the Scottish Rite?
(3) What is the York Rite?
(4) What is the Shrine?
*(5)* Are there other appendant bodies?
(6) What is the Eastern Star?
*(7)* What is DeMolay/Rainbow?
*(8)* What is Co-Masonry?
*(9)* What is Prince Hall Masonry?
(10) What is a 33rd degree Mason?
(11) Are there any Masonic functions that I can attend as a
non-Mason?
(12) Who is the head of the Masons?
(13) Are there dues, fees, etc. associated with being a Mason?
(14) I hear Masons refer to an "apron". What is that?
(15) What is a "Masonic Funeral"?


(1) What is Freemasonry?

Freemasonry (or simply, Masonry) is a fraternal order whose basic tenants
are brotherly love, relief (philanthropy), and truth. We strive to enjoy
the company of our brother Masons, assist them in times of personal
trouble, and reinforce essential moral values. There is an old adage
that Masonry "takes good men and makes them better", which is our goal.

It has often been observed that men are the products of everything they
come into contact with during their lifetime. Masonry offers a man an
opportunity to come into regular, enjoyable contact with men of good
character, thus reinforcing his own personal moral development. Of
course, Masonry is also meant to be enjoyed by its membership, so the
order should not be viewed simply as a philosophical club, but rather a
vibrant fellowship of men who seek to enjoy each other's company, a
fraternity.

To maintain this fraternity, discussion of religion and politics within
the Lodge is forbidden, as these subjects are those that have often
divided men in the past. Masons cover the spectrum of both religious
and political beliefs and encourages a man to be religious without
advocating a particular religion, and to be active in his community
without advocating a particular medium of political expression.

While there probably are some actual stone-workers who are Masons,
Masonry does not teach is membership the literal techniques of stonework.
Rather, it takes the actual "operative" work of Medieval Masons and uses
it as an allegory for moral development. Thus, the symbols of Masonry
are the common tools that were used by medieval stonemasons: the gavel,