Leadbutt
Member
Been a memeber now better than 25 years,,
Freemasons???
- Thread starter telcontar
- Start date
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magnumcarry said:
The only requirements are that you be a male, 21 (or 18 in some states), and believe in a Supreme Being. Religion doesn't factor into it. You will not (or should not) be asked about what religion you are. There is no religion discussed in a Lodge. Your belief in a Supreme Being is only necessary so that you may properly affirm your assent when you join and take part in the three degrees.
We make no demands on you concerning religion, or anything else. Anything you are asked to do will in no way affect your duty to your family, state or nation and will not cause any injury (financial or any other kind) to yourself or family.
In fact, if the group that processes your application thinks you cannot afford to join or would otherwise harm your relationship with your family, you will not be accepted.
It is a very benificent organization that cares for its members and communities.
zealot
Member
I'm not a Mason but I plan on joining them real soon. My family has ALOT of Mason and Shriner history, dating way back hundreds of years. Funny, if they rule the world, why don't we, or anybody else in my family for that matter, live in a mansion? LOL, good to see so many Masons here!
Texfire
Member
scubie02 said:
Ah sorry, didn't catch the sarcasm, I might be a little too sensitive to that form of it. I dislike any attempt to demonize a fringe group. Too often people dismiss what they don't understand, rather than attempt to understand them or accept differences from their values or prejudices, and it's easy to dismiss a group with slander when they don't defend themselves. It's a story as old as Ceasar and the Gauls, and I'm sure further back.
I'll accept your apology if you'll accept mine.
Tex
tailgunner
Member In Memoriam
I was late to join, I kept waiting for one of my relatives to ask me. I been a mason for 25 years and met brothers who treated me as a brother in every foreign country I was stationed at or TDY to.
bermbuster
Member
magnumcarry said:
My father is a born again Christian and a mason.
cliffstanc
Member
DF357 said:
Er, it looks like religion does factor into it, unless atheists can also join - but I gather from the rest of your post that can't happen (ie you have to have some sort of religious belief). - Cliff
TexasRifleman
Moderator Emeritus
zealot said:
I can't tell you how many times I've wished all those stories were true, especially around April 15th
And no, atheists may not join.
cliffstanc said:
- Cliff
Believing in a Supreme Being does not necessarily mean you are religious or have any religious affliation. You just can't be an atheist. Therefore no 'religion' is required and none is practiced or discussed.
1 old 0311
member
I was going to join but I am too big to fit in those little cars
............Just kidding. They do LOTS of great charity work, and I help when I can contribute.
Kevin
............Just kidding. They do LOTS of great charity work, and I help when I can contribute.Kevin
Joined after my 21rst birthday. All my friends at the time were Masons so it seemed like the thing to do. I am not active anymore. Reason being as my lodge was in one the "Southern" states some of the lodges I attended were nothing more than thinly veiled hate groups. Not all the members mind you, but the fact that they were tolerated as well as they were was sickening at times. That being said the Shrine and some lodges have done tremendous work for their communities, so please dont think I am down on all my brethren.
HUMONGO
Member
I'm a Past Master. Been a Mason for 8 years. All of us younger guys go shooting all the time. I just gave my best friend an NRA membership as a gift for being made a Master Mason.
carnaby
Member
My mother in law, a very nice person, who is also a born again Christian of the charismatic persuasion, was going on and on last time she was here about how Freemasonry is basically the work of the devil. I just rolled my eyes. I guess her church or some other organization she was attending were feeding that to her.
I don't know anything about the Freemasons, except what I learned from that Simpsons episode about the Stonecutters, heh, but I take most things my mother in law says with a grain of salt.
Nothing against Born again Christians, btw, being one myself. I'm a little lower key on the fire and brimstone meter than my M-I-L.
I don't know anything about the Freemasons, except what I learned from that Simpsons episode about the Stonecutters, heh, but I take most things my mother in law says with a grain of salt.
Nothing against Born again Christians, btw, being one myself. I'm a little lower key on the fire and brimstone meter than my M-I-L.
Prince Yamato
Member
So here's the question then... which one of you Masons is responsible for all the ugly modern architecture? Come on guys, can't we go back to the Gothic Revival that I love so much?
Come on guys, can't we go back to the Gothic Revival that I love so much?Inverness11
Member
Back in the day my buddy and I were in DeMolay (aka Freemasonry Jr.). We referred to it as 'Cult' (i.e., "Goin to cult tonight?"). It's a pretty benign organization. It was mildly nifty but memorization and service projects got old. We did get to wear capes though. I concluded that freemasons are generally good people but it doesn't float my boat. Neither of us petitioned the lodge.
I've always wanted to join the Masons, as a kind of tribute to my maternal Grandfather whose sons are a waste of oxygen.
I never seemed to be able to fulfill the requirements though. It is my understanding that you must have resided in the community for three years and have at least three adult males vouch for your character.
The character references are easy, but my life has led to many adventures and I never seem to be anywhere for as long as three years. Upsets me a little let me tell you.
BTW when my Grandfather died nobody would collect his books and paraphernalia. I devoured them when I wasn't being watched, I hope that is okay.
Let there be Light
Jefferson
I never seemed to be able to fulfill the requirements though. It is my understanding that you must have resided in the community for three years and have at least three adult males vouch for your character.
The character references are easy, but my life has led to many adventures and I never seem to be anywhere for as long as three years. Upsets me a little let me tell you.
BTW when my Grandfather died nobody would collect his books and paraphernalia. I devoured them when I wasn't being watched, I hope that is okay.
Let there be Light
Jefferson
Elza
Member
Past Master, Lone Star 403, Denison, TX
Past MEHP, Denison Chapter #138
Past TIM, Denison Council # 83
Past Commander, Denison Commandery #24
KYCH
Past MEHP, Denison Chapter #138
Past TIM, Denison Council # 83
Past Commander, Denison Commandery #24
KYCH
Last edited:
I'd love to be a Freemason, and have been asked by a friend who was trying to join to join with him. The only problem is the whole belief in a higher power thing.
I've done a lot of thinking about religion and decided I'm OK with not knowing, so I don't have a belief or disbelief. Too bad, because I'm a genuinely good person and would thrive in that sort of fraternity.
I've done a lot of thinking about religion and decided I'm OK with not knowing, so I don't have a belief or disbelief. Too bad, because I'm a genuinely good person and would thrive in that sort of fraternity.
HUMONGO
Member
You need to find the website for your state's Grand Lodge. Im MD, you only need to live here for 1 year, and even this can be waived by the Grand Master. As also, you only need to be recommended by 2 Master Masons. We have guys in our Lodge to this day that just showed up on our doorstep and after a long conversation, petitioned the Lodge after only having just met their recommenders that evening.
theleveloftime
Member
- Joined
- Dec 9, 2006
- Messages
- 66
I am
Mason, Scotish Rite (KCCH), York Rite, Shriner, Templar
Being a Mason is the greatest honor in my life.
Christian
If you can take the oath of an American fighting man, you can take the obligation of a freemason.
Mason, Scotish Rite (KCCH), York Rite, Shriner, Templar
Being a Mason is the greatest honor in my life.
Christian
If you can take the oath of an American fighting man, you can take the obligation of a freemason.
ArfinGreebly
Moderator Emeritus
"Secrets"
I have some exposure to the concept of "secrets" that really aren't.
Disclaimer: not a Freemason.
I have worked in contexts where the work and its benefits required understandings which really could not be grasped all in one "chunk" but really had to be accrued over time because actual understanding often requires real world application for it to "bite."
The result of this was that "advanced" stuff wasn't taught until "beginning" and "intermediate" stuff was understood and "internalized."
I found myself asking "how come I can't get answers to [blahblahblah]?"
To which the reply was, in essence, that there was foundation stuff to master first.
I imagine there are many endeavors where you don't teach the advanced stuff before the "student" is ready for it.
This can have the seeming aspect of "secrecy" when, in reality, it's just the business of making sure new knowledge is built on solid foundations.
So I really have no problem with an organization dedicated to the improvement of its members, which withholds knowledge until the seeker is ready.
Imagine that you are, for example, an aspiring Buddhist, and that you're talking to an older and much more enlightened chap, and he says to you, "clarity is in the withdrawal from the conflict." (This is gibberish, by the way, so lighten up.) Here you are, just getting past the "sorrow in life comes from desire" thing, and he lays this on you. And there you hang, trying to get your head around something which completely lacks the needed context.
Something that served me well when I was teaching computer languages: only teach that which the student can [is ready to] learn. No one is served by the teacher's flaunting his knowledge. One needs not look far to grasp what's wrong with our current system of education.
Anyway, the point is that, just because one isn't waving the entirety of his knowledge and wisdom about, doesn't mean "OMG, it's so secret!"
Which may or may not be accurate.
I have some exposure to the concept of "secrets" that really aren't.
Disclaimer: not a Freemason.
I have worked in contexts where the work and its benefits required understandings which really could not be grasped all in one "chunk" but really had to be accrued over time because actual understanding often requires real world application for it to "bite."
The result of this was that "advanced" stuff wasn't taught until "beginning" and "intermediate" stuff was understood and "internalized."
I found myself asking "how come I can't get answers to [blahblahblah]?"
To which the reply was, in essence, that there was foundation stuff to master first.
I imagine there are many endeavors where you don't teach the advanced stuff before the "student" is ready for it.
This can have the seeming aspect of "secrecy" when, in reality, it's just the business of making sure new knowledge is built on solid foundations.
So I really have no problem with an organization dedicated to the improvement of its members, which withholds knowledge until the seeker is ready.
Imagine that you are, for example, an aspiring Buddhist, and that you're talking to an older and much more enlightened chap, and he says to you, "clarity is in the withdrawal from the conflict." (This is gibberish, by the way, so lighten up.) Here you are, just getting past the "sorrow in life comes from desire" thing, and he lays this on you. And there you hang, trying to get your head around something which completely lacks the needed context.
Something that served me well when I was teaching computer languages: only teach that which the student can [is ready to] learn. No one is served by the teacher's flaunting his knowledge. One needs not look far to grasp what's wrong with our current system of education.
Anyway, the point is that, just because one isn't waving the entirety of his knowledge and wisdom about, doesn't mean "OMG, it's so secret!"
yhtomit
Member
One of my favorite people, a friend of my dad's from the University of Tennessee (slightly older than my dad, did college a few years "behind schedule" I think because of the Korean war) is a high Mason. He and I have had some long talks about it, and I think I'd be interested, barring two factors, one of which is fatal and one of which might as well be:
1) The Higher Power stuff. I wonder (and in fact, was having a conversation with a fellow law student about this just a couple ofd days ago) whether this is winked-and-nodded at. After all, what does a (technical but not dogmatic) Atheist [EDIT: please read in here "or agnostic" -- Tim ] have to lose exactly in disingenuously claiming otherwise? For some, I could see it being a problem of conscience; for others, I could see them thinking of such a claim as something more like part of the pageantry of the world which they may find false or illusory, but nonetheless useful and perhaps even a moral neutral.
(If that sounds like I'm painting atheists either as anal-retentive prigs or cowardly liars, think of it this way: I suspect -- no, I *know* -- that a lot of Christians don't believe in transubstantiation, and yet consider themselves good Christians, and as far as I know, are perfectly devout and sincere.)
But, for me, I don't like it, and can't image being content to mouth such a belief knowing that I didn't truly hold it, UNLESS I was well convinced that the other members were content with that possibility; I would not want to disrespect their sincere belief therefore. That's the "fatal" one
(In speaking w/ my dad's friend, a truly accomplished, multitalented, erudite, honorable person -- the kind of person who would make an atheist even think about being in such an organization! -- I get the strong feeling that this view is appropriate; he knows and respects my thoughts on religion, and in his (very informative) description of Masonry has never hinted that a "wink and nudge" assertion of belief would suffice or be appropriate.)
2) The whole problem of group identities and loyalties. Maybe those who tell lodge secrets aren't really disemboweled at midnight with their entrails burned and scattered to the winds etc, but that's another thing I wouldn't want to either pledge to enforce or be subject to unless I was well convinced that it wasn't really going to happen. Swearing allegiance to a group of people fraternity style is troublesome; what if you find out that your lodge brother treats his wife badly, or cheats customers at his store? (I don't represent myself as knowing the scope of such obligations within Freemasonry, just speaking in general terms about group loyalties.)
There's ambiguity, I'll admit; there's also something attractive and (at least sometimes) noble about keeping secrets in common in pursuit of lofty goals -- whatever my thoughts on religion etc. Freemasonry was certainly an organizing force among the American founding fathers, and for that I feel grateful for its positive influence. (I bet it certainly colored the choice of a specific provision guaranteeing freedom of assembly.)
I'm curious, and have a question for any of you Masons out there: does your lodge have a shooting range either attached or used by so many members that it may as well be?
timothy
1) The Higher Power stuff. I wonder (and in fact, was having a conversation with a fellow law student about this just a couple ofd days ago) whether this is winked-and-nodded at. After all, what does a (technical but not dogmatic) Atheist [EDIT: please read in here "or agnostic" -- Tim ] have to lose exactly in disingenuously claiming otherwise? For some, I could see it being a problem of conscience; for others, I could see them thinking of such a claim as something more like part of the pageantry of the world which they may find false or illusory, but nonetheless useful and perhaps even a moral neutral.
(If that sounds like I'm painting atheists either as anal-retentive prigs or cowardly liars, think of it this way: I suspect -- no, I *know* -- that a lot of Christians don't believe in transubstantiation, and yet consider themselves good Christians, and as far as I know, are perfectly devout and sincere.)
But, for me, I don't like it, and can't image being content to mouth such a belief knowing that I didn't truly hold it, UNLESS I was well convinced that the other members were content with that possibility; I would not want to disrespect their sincere belief therefore. That's the "fatal" one
(In speaking w/ my dad's friend, a truly accomplished, multitalented, erudite, honorable person -- the kind of person who would make an atheist even think about being in such an organization! -- I get the strong feeling that this view is appropriate; he knows and respects my thoughts on religion, and in his (very informative) description of Masonry has never hinted that a "wink and nudge" assertion of belief would suffice or be appropriate.)
2) The whole problem of group identities and loyalties. Maybe those who tell lodge secrets aren't really disemboweled at midnight with their entrails burned and scattered to the winds etc, but that's another thing I wouldn't want to either pledge to enforce or be subject to unless I was well convinced that it wasn't really going to happen. Swearing allegiance to a group of people fraternity style is troublesome; what if you find out that your lodge brother treats his wife badly, or cheats customers at his store? (I don't represent myself as knowing the scope of such obligations within Freemasonry, just speaking in general terms about group loyalties.)
There's ambiguity, I'll admit; there's also something attractive and (at least sometimes) noble about keeping secrets in common in pursuit of lofty goals -- whatever my thoughts on religion etc. Freemasonry was certainly an organizing force among the American founding fathers, and for that I feel grateful for its positive influence. (I bet it certainly colored the choice of a specific provision guaranteeing freedom of assembly.)
I'm curious, and have a question for any of you Masons out there: does your lodge have a shooting range either attached or used by so many members that it may as well be?
timothy
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