what are its objectives?

"Masonry" or "Freemasonry" is the world's oldest and largest fraternity. It is not a religion. Now, this is a horrible oversimplification, but Freemasonry is essentially the last remaining Renaissance trade union. Members meet twice a month and follow Robert's Rules of Order to conduct ordinary business meetings. They participate in dozens of charities and organize fund raisers and public outreach events.

The earliest Masonic guild was the London Masons Company, founded in the early 14th century. From the 14th century to the 17th century, Masonic guilds flourished in the British Isles, and most of the ceremonies and rites of modern Masonry took shape during that time. Since the early 18th century, Masonry has been purely "speculative," meaning that they interpret the tools and crafts of masonry in a symbolic sense.

The rumor that Masonry is a cult, religion, or conspiracy are based partly on the obscure symbolism used in Masonic initiation rituals, partly on their oaths of secrecy and closed meetings, and partly on the writings of Victorian Masons who used Masonic symbolism as a pattern for the study of comparative religion.

EDITS -

1 - "Masonry" and "Freemasonry" are the same thing. Freemasons use both terms without distinction.

2 - @Uncle Sven - There are no "higher" or "lower" levels of Masonry - that is a common misconception.