Ideals of Freemasonry
Freemasonry is built upon the belief of improving and serving the community and upholding four main principles: integrity, friendship, respect, and service. Their intention is to build themselves, each other, and their community up regardless of any differences in race, religion, or class between them all.
​The origins of Freemasonry are unclear; officially, the organization started as fraternal meetings of stonemason guilds in the Middle Ages. Over time, this evolved into more spiritual and symbolic organizations that formed around the ideals and symbols of these original guilds. The first official lodges formed in London, with the practice spreading to America as it was colonized. Lodges spread quickly after this, especially in 1700s America supported by Enlightenment ideals of service spreading across the country.​
The main ideals and teachings of Freemasonry are centered around three Degrees, representative of the pillars of Solomons Temple. The three primary Degrees, Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason, symbolize three stages of learning and education on the ideals of Freemasonry, the use and meaning of its “tools”, and other tenants of a good person that the organization impresses on its members.​
Movies and other media often portray the Freemasons as a cult like organization, but this is factually untrue. Masons identify themselves often with jewlery, pins, and even tatttoos, and the religious aspects of the organization do not idolize a specific "higher power", just the idea of a creator whose love for people Masons emulate in their community work.