First of all, we are a fraternal organization.  In fact the oldest still active in the world.  That meant something very special to me.

The Juxtaposition of ancient masonry and modern or speculative Freemasonry is incredibly interesting to me.

In the middle ages, the powers to be; royalty, nobility, and churches were the source of major building projects; Castles, Churches, and Holds were all projects that required the services of  Architects, Craftsman, Builders, Project Managers, and skilled labour.  Freemasons started as the source and control of these skills.  I think of it as a skilled middle class.  As the source of this special knowledge; the group became more than a trade organization.  It became moulders of men.  The Craft was responsible for bringing young men through the learning and moral teaching that was required to complete building projects that took special knowledge and years to complete.  

Thus Freemasons became the repository of the crafts knowledge and methods.

Modern Freemasonry uses symbols, rituals and ceremonies’ that outsiders often do not understand, but they are the tenants, tools, ceremonies, and symbols of the present Craft.  Our rituals are meant to honour our past and history and as teaching moments for new members as they pass through the stages of Freemasonry. We are still an organization with the goal of moulding young men into good moral sons, brothers, husbands and citizens.  That has been very important to me.

This is why I am and will stay a freemason.   William Kennedy