Freemasons???

[TexasRifleman]

So if you want to become a Mason, do you just walk into the nearest lodge and say "Where do I sign up?"

Yes pretty much. I'd start with someone I knew was a Mason if you have someone like that. Heck, try a web page, read a little.

http://www.grandlodgeoftexas.org/

"If you want to be one, ask one".

Big secret huh.....

I asked my Father in Law and 3 days later I was there.

 

[seansean]

Blue Lodge (third degree) since 1964. Demolay prior. Not active.

TC

demolay...as in jacques demolay? leatherneck, are you a masonic templar by any chance?

 

[tegemu]

I am a Mason and a Shriner and was really impressed and proud of it's History - particularly with it's part in American History but I became inactive when I realized that Masonry, at least in this part of the world, was racist. If I am mistaken I will gladly accept correction from an African-American Mason in one of the old, formerly all white, lodges in this part of the world.

 

[Zundfolge]

Click Here

 

[TexasRifleman]

I am a Mason and a Shriner and was really impressed and proud of it's History - particularly with it's part in American History but I became inactive when I realized that Masonry, at least in this part of the world, was racist. If I am mistaken I will gladly accept correction from an African-American Mason in one of the old, formerly all white, lodges in this part of the world.

Dunno about Florida, but it isn't that way in Texas.

 

[Atticus]

I’m not …but probably should be. My Grandparents were big on The Freemasons.

Strange but true - When I lived in Florida (15 years ago) I went through a month-long bout of dreams/nightmares about the Freemasons. I was visited nightly by ghostly images of Freemasons, and woke up every morning feeling like I should run to join up. One night, I decided to go to a bar and get hammered so I could sleep. Sure enough, the couple sitting next to me brought up the subject of Freemasons. The guy’s grandfather was a big- wig in the masons in Columbus OH, and had lobbied for years to get his grandson to join. Needless to say, I was even more disturbed when trying to sleep that night. The next morning, I had to drive to central Florida for work. I was driving on a two-lane highway through the middle of nowhere, when I saw an old Seminole standing on the shoulder of the road. He stared me right in the eye as I passed. When I looked in the rearview mirror he was nowhere to be seen. There was not a building around for miles. I felt like I was going nuts. Oddly, three weeks later I learned that I would be moving to Columbus OH. It has bugged me ever since…especially when I drive by the local lodge. But no, I’ve never joined.

 

[Firehand]

Several friends who are members, thinking hard about joining; seems to be a good group

 

[ReadyontheRight]

From the little I know about Freemasons, their history appears to have supported the replacement of an aristocracy (you're important because of your family) with a meritocracy (you're important because of what you've done and what you can do) in western society. Pretty impressive.

 

[MadMercS55]

Mason and Shriner here.

 

[bermbuster]

My dad is a Mason and a shriner. I don't know if he broke any rules or not but he told me a good bit about it. Probably not the "top secret" stuff though.

My impression is that the Freemasons have been around a very long time. Local charities and group activites are up to the lodge. My dad has been in a long time. My mother was Eastern Star although it doesn't appeal to me. I am not much of a joiner.

I saw a bumper sticker that said (something like) "Masons. To be one ask one." My dad said a potential member must show interest and make the first move. Evidently they do not hold membership drives.

 

[DigitalWarrior]

I am

So if you want to become a Mason, do you just walk into the nearest lodge and say "Where do I sign up?"

- Yes, 2B1ASK1

I was asked by a dear friend once if I would be interested in joining.

Either you are a liar, or I need to "talk" to your dear friend about the importance of landmarks.

I will gladly accept correction from an African-American Mason in one of the old, formerly all white, lodges in this part of the world.

Recognition is complicated, but I can give you a pretty fair run-down as a Caucasian in a Prince Hall lodge.

First, there are traditionally black prince hall affiliated lodges in Florida http://www.mwuglflorida.org/ Caucasian members such as myself can and have joined.

History:
When the British Army left Boston in 1776, this Lodge, No 441, granted Prince Hall and his brethren authority to meet as African Lodge #1. This was subject to several limitations, however and needed correction. Finally on March 2, 1784, Prince Hall petitioned the Grand Lodge of England, through a Worshipful Master of a subordinate Lodge in London (William Moody of Brotherly Love Lodge No. 55) for a warrant or charter.

The Warrant to African Lodge No. 459 of Boston is the most significant and highly prized document known to the Prince Hall Mason Fraternity. Through it our legitimacy is traced, and on it more than any other factor, our case rests. It was granted on September 29, 1784, delivered in Boston on April 29, 1787 by Captain James Scott, brother-in-law of John Hancock and master of the Neptune, under its authority African Lodge No. 459 was organized one week later, May 6, 1787.

We still have it.

Modern Day:
Prince Hall Masonry is not recognised as legitimate by the caucasian grand lodges in the rebel south, but is by the union north. There are several assertions which are used by these jurisdictions to question the legitimacy of Prince Hall Masonry, including a supposed violation of the uniquely American and unevenly enforced innovation of Jurisdictional Exclusivity and the fact that Prince Hall was dropped from the roles of the UGLE for a time, but which now recognizes our legitamacy.

My personal feeling on this matter is that Freemasonry as an institution is beautiful. Some individuals in those southern jurisdictions may be allowing their predjudices to color the evidence of our legitamacy. But those individuals are going to die soon, and will not be there to fight the young men who know that Truth, Relief, and Brotherly Love have nothing to do with skin color.

If you have more desire to talk about this we should do it off-line.

Bro. Senior Deacon William Albenzi
[email protected]

 

[Husker1911]

Father and Grandfather were Masons. In high school, I was DeMolay, but I didn't aspire onto the Masons. I respect the organization, they're a positive force in society. Is there anything to the legends? I speak of "Man Who Would Be King" and other tales.

 

[DigitalWarrior]

I am a Mason and a Shriner and was really impressed and proud of it's History - particularly with it's part in American History but I became inactive when I realized that Masonry, at least in this part of the world, was racist. If I am mistaken I will gladly accept correction from an African-American Mason in one of the old, formerly all white, lodges in this part of the world.

BTW, if you are a Past Master, you can help to change it at your grandlodge.

If they are not a closed group, will someone give us a paragraph about them and what they stand for in today's society. My deceased brother was a Mason, and wouldn't tell me squat. Said it was "secret" .........

Most of the time I don't talk about it but since you asked...

We make good men better by using allegory and symbolism to impart wise and serious truths upon the heart and mind.

If it sounds vague, it is because there are so many lessons, which are like clay bricks. Taken alone they mean little. Brought together they are impressive.

The changes I have undergone in my own life are subtle but real.

 

[scubie02]

Either you are a liar, or I need to "talk" to your dear friend about the importance of landmarks.

so, being a Freemason means you call random people who made innocuous statements a "liar"? Interesting. Not really the image I had...

 

[DigitalWarrior]

so, being a Freemason means you call random people who made innocuous statements a "liar"? Interesting. Not really the image I had...

To be clear, I said
"Either you are a liar, OR I need to "talk" to your dear friend about the importance of landmarks."

I do not know the person well enough to call the person a liar. But I do know that one or the other thing I said is true.

If someone said they saw a catholic priest eat a baby you might say ""Either you are a liar, or I need to "talk" to the priest about the importance of not eating babies."

BTW I am a browncoat too.

 

[TexasRifleman]

so, being a Freemason means you call random people who made innocuous statements a "liar"? Interesting. Not really the image I had...

No, being a Freemason means you never INVITE someone else to join.

A Mason only responds if asked, therefore your statement made no sense to us.

So when someone says they were asked, we wonder. If someone DID ask you, we wonder if that person understands what he's done.

 

[PvtPyle]

Digital warrior, FYI some Grand Lodges have lifted the prohibition on recruiting. As long as it is not overt and you dont go out knocking on doors, it is acceptable to ask people that you know and think would be a good Mason if they had any interest in joining.

 

[Colt]

Finding information about Freemasons is actually impossible!

If you google "freemason" you will find absolutely zero web pages.

They really do control the world, the web and the weather.

Not really.

http://users.1st.net/fischer/FREEMAS.HTM

This seems to give an idea, without "spilling the beans"

 

[DigitalWarrior]

Digital warrior, FYI some Grand Lodges have lifted the prohibition on recruiting. As long as it is not overt and you dont go out knocking on doors, it is acceptable to ask people that you know and think would be a good Mason if they had any interest in joining.

I am amazed. I would be interested in a lengthy conversation about such a Grand Lodge action... It would mess with my candidates lesson plan.

I know of one man who nearly died without a goat ride because he was waiting to be asked... He finally became desperate after doing so much community work, and giving away so much money. He said to his friend "WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO GET AN INVITATION". The response as I understand it was "The hardest thing in the world... ask for it".

 

[PvtPyle]

The reason is simple. Declining membership, lots of mis-understanding of the Craft (something we have seen here) and the fact that the old guard is dying off and not passing on the Masonic legacy to their kids (and I have seen plenty of the old guard who are too wrapped up in the secrecy and mystique and forget the brotherhood aspects) have led to the decision in many places to allow you to ask people you think would be a good Mason to petition THEM.

 

[wqbang]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemasonry

A good start on a history of freemasonry.

I am not a mason.

 

[R.H. Lee]

I am not a Mason, but many of my ancestors were. My ggggg grandfather discovered the 'Money Pit' on Oak Island, Nova Scotia in 1795, and there is still a strong Freemason connection, maybe even to the Holy Grail. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oak_Island

 

[RyanM]

I'm not, but a ton of relatives are, and my great grandfather was a Knight Templar. Freemasons are Good People from what I know of them.

 

[scubie02]

No, being a Freemason means you never INVITE someone else to join.

A Mason only responds if asked, therefore your statement made no sense to us.

So when someone says they were asked, we wonder. If someone DID ask you, we wonder if that person understands what he's done.

Actually, I wasn't the one who made the statement, I was just thinking the answer to the person who did (who I don't know, btw) was a bit harsh. Calling someone a liar not being something done lightly once upon a time, falling under the "them's fightin words" sort of category.

Anyway, coincidentally, though, I once had the grandfather of a girl I was dating ask me if I'd be interested in being a Mason, so apparently it does happen, which is why I didn't find his comment shocking I guess. Since I had no idea up to that point he was a mason, I certainly wouldn't have had any reason to ask him about it, just sort of came out of the blue.

Hope I'm not going to be hunted down now...

 

[Ares45]

Finding information about Freemasons is actually impossible!

If you google "freemason" you will find absolutely zero web pages.

They really do control the world, the web and the weather.

Try it for yourself!

Your Googling skills must be deficient . My first attempt yielded "Results 1 - 10 of about 2,140,000..." Yes, that's over 2 million hits. Try searching for Mason or Masonic.

3rd generation Traveling Man and Shriner here. Just got back from the Greenville Children's hospital a few weeks ago. Very impressive and emotional to see the work that goes on in these places. Truly a worthy cause.

Here's a link to my state's Grand Lodge. http://www.grandlodge-nc.org/
It has a nice write up entitled "freemasonry revealed" for any who are interesting in getting an accurate portrail of the organization.

More information on the Children's Hospitals here: http://www.shrinershq.org/

Lite reading on the children's hospitals:
" For over 80 years, Shriners Hospitals for Children have provided some of the best medical care in the world, totally free of charge, to approximately 770,000 children with orthopedic problems, severe burns and spinal cord injuries. Founded in 1922, and today supported by the more than 434,000 members of the international Shriners fraternity, this network of pediatric specialty hospitals is located across the U.S., Canada and Mexico."

" Shriners Hospitals’ total budget for 2005 is $625 million, of which $580 million is targeted for operating expenses (including $28 million for research) and 45 million for buildings and equipment expenditures. During the 83-year history of Shriners Hospitals, approximately $7 billion has been spent to operate Shriners Hospitals, and over $1.7 billion has been spent on construction and renovation."

Keep in mind this is a volunteer non-profit organization with very few paid full time employees. The entire $625 million mentioned above comes entirely from fund raisers and donations by local members and clubs. Together the Masonic Order and its affiliated clubs infuse charitable programs with more pennies per donated dollar than the Red Cross or the United Way, or any other charitable organization in the country. Last year alone my club (less than 100 members) donated more than $35,000 to the Shriner's Childrens Hospitals. It's all done one dollar at a time. If you want to help find a Mason and ask questions.