In the 17th & 18th Century England, Masons defined their fraternity as a system of mortality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols. Today we might define it as an organized society of men symbolically applying the principles of operative Masonry and architecture to the science of art of character building. What Freemasonry teaches is not at all a secret. It teaches its members to be better men. Freemasonry does teach, through ritual, these lessons, some of which are secret.

Masons are forbidden to ask others to join the Fraternity. Discussing Masonry is allowed, although, to directly ask someone to join is not allowed. Joining Masonry is making a permanent committment to live in certain ways - to live with honor and integrity, to be willing to share with care about others, to trust each other and to place ultimate trust in God. No one should be "talked" into making such a decision.