Founded in South Africa in 1756, Freemasonry is South Africas oldest fraternal organisation - if not the oldest established organisation.
So much of Freemasonry is misunderstood and misinterpreted that when I began my journey as a Freemason I too was a little apprehensive. Guided however by the caliber of those whom I had come to know as Lodge members, I decided to seek self knowledge and joined. In fact, joining a lodge was easier than I had ever expected and I was welcomed and made to feel at home immediately. The days of Freemasonry being "elitist" are certainly gone and membership is open to all races and religions.
Let's be clear - Freemasonry has a few secrets. No Mason will share with you his secret Grip, Sign or Word. Similarly he will not tell you about what happens within a "degree". Now anything that has secrets is bound to attract conspiracy nuts, doomsday preppers and a few other interesting peoples opinions.
What I can tell you, is what I have found within Freemasonry.
I've found immediate acceptance among a group of tremendous people with a passion for improving themselves and leading lives based on strong moral, ethical and religious grounds. In a rather busy life where I'm a slave to my work (voluntarily I might add) I'm obliged and enjoy stoping twice a month for lodge meetings where I can socialise and meet with people whom I have literally come to respect and value as "brothers".
Once a month we have a "degree" working where we will induct a new member to our lodge or advance someone to another degree. What I can tell you about these degrees, is that there is nothing whatsoever in them that will embarrass you or ever contradict your religion, your politics or your morals. If I were to tell you what to expect within a degree - it would ruin the experience for you anyway.
Our lodge opens its doors regularly to new candidates wanting to learn more about of the oldest organisations in the world and to better themselves as individuals. Within Freemasonry, we use metaphorical tools to guide our actions, in fact you'd be surprised by how many daily use expressions have masonic origins, for example:
Treating people "fair and square", Giving someone the third degree, Being on the level, Blackballed - Refers to the masonic voting tradition using white or black balls to cast votes where a black ball denotes "no".
Within Freemasonry, I have found acceptance as someone who is imperfect - the proverbial "work in progress", I've met brothers who are plumbers, electricians, businessmen, politicians, doctors, salesmen, specialists and more - yet within the lodge, we are all equal irrespective of means, education, upbringing or social standing.
I've found an organisation that dedicates much of it's time and efforts to bettering the lives of others, supporting charities and helping each other.
I have found not a single thing that has been contrary to my religious beliefs, I've made no sacrifices of any form (except of course some time) and I've not started to plot the future of the world behind closed doors.
To those who still believe the world is ruled by Freemasons. All I can say is that yes, Freemasonry has included many world renowned figures and many more unknown figures. Any organisation as large and widespread and revered is bound to attract a few famous people within its ranks. I do believe however that you will find that their membership of this fraternal organisation has more to do with an 'escape to normality" and improving themselves as individuals than it does to do with planning the course and future of our societies.
I look forward to many more years of self discovery, of studying the practice of Freemasonry and enjoying the bonds of brotherhood I share with those whom I am privileged to call "brother"