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'''Freemasonry''' is a [[fraternity|fraternal]] organization, that is, an organisation for men, with a worldwide membership of around 3 million. Local branches are called 'lodges', and the members meet together and perform rituals teaching moral truths, similar to short plays, based on [[Bible|Biblical]] imagery mostly concerned with the building of [[Solomon]]'s temple in [[Jerusalem]].
'''Freemasonry''' is a [[fraternity|fraternal]] organization, that is, an organisation for men, with a worldwide membership of around 3 million. Local branches are called 'lodges', and the members meet together and perform rituals teaching moral truths, similar to short plays, based on [[Bible|Biblical]] imagery mostly concerned with the building of [[Solomon]]'s temple in [[Jerusalem]].
*Relief - relieving the necessities and destitution a man sees around him (charity);
*Relief - relieving the necessities and destitution a man sees around him (charity);
*Truth - being true to himself, his brother Masons, and others around him.
*Truth - being true to himself, his brother Masons, and others around him.
The most recognisable symbol of Freemasonry is the "Square and Compasses", which are used to teach respectively "square conduct towards others" and "keeping passions and prejudices within due bounds".
For most jurisdictions of Freemasonry there is a rule that the members must believe in a [[god]] or supreme being, who is sometime poetically called 'The Great [[Architect]] of the [[Universe]]'.
For most jurisdictions of Freemasonry there is a rule that the members must believe in a [[god]] or supreme being, who is sometime poetically called 'The Great [[Architect]] of the [[Universe]]'.
In 1717 four lodges met together at a public house (pub, or hotel) in [[London]] and formed the Grand Lodge of [[England]], and this later chartered grand lodges in other countries.
In 1717 four lodges met together at a public house (pub, or hotel) in [[London]] and formed the Grand Lodge of [[England]], and this later chartered grand lodges in other countries.
== Famous Freemasons ==
== Famous Freemasons ==