Any Masons here?

[SJshooter]

Are there any members of a Masonic Lodge here?

If so, can you shed some light on what it means to you to be a Mason? Why did you want to join? What do you get from it?

And most importantly - what do you do? I know there are a lot of secrets, and some many feel disinclined to share their thoughts. I certainly hope no one is offended by my asking.

The reason I ask is that I've done a lot of reading about joining, and I just cannot get a handle on what happens. For example, I know there are monthly meetings, but I have read that the meetings deal with a lot of lodge business and are not for fraternizing. I've also read that they don't particularly organize outings with the intent of fraternizing (that's the Elks, I've read). I know there are allegorical stories from which the lodge draws life lessons, but not a lot of what I've read emphasizes this.

I guess what I'm asking is, without any disrespect intended - just what is the appeal? And what goes on? Maybe it's the secretive nature of the group, but I have read a lot that makes it sound like you join a club and then go to meetings about running the club, and then new members join the club, and then they also attend meetings about the club wherein the club itself is discussed.

Help me understand, because I am fascinated and curious, yet unable to find much info.

 

[rwsmith]

Good question....

Besides rituals and meetings and secret stuff, what is the attraction? Is it like a fraternity? Community service? I just acquired my Dad's Masonic Bible. I've been asked to join but just don't align myself with groups as I'm more of a lone ranger. Church and the NRA are among my only affiliations where principles are involved.

I could maybe join the Odd Fellows, which I used to snicker at until I found out that they were considered 'odd' because of their freedom with charity,

 

[legelegel]

I am a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Freemason and Shriner.

Freemasonry has the look of a religion but is not a religion. But there are no priests, there are no ministers, there are no rabbis, there's no system of clergy of any sort. Everybody's their own thinker.

Freemasonry is not a religion per se, but agnostics or atheists cannot belong. It is a group of men that agree that God is central in their lives, they can even agree that God compels them to do good in the community, then they can shut up after that. One has to have a belief in a supreme being, because Masons take a certain obligation to be a good man, to support the fraternity. If you didn't have a belief in a supreme being, the obligation would mean nothing.

Shriners (Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine) are Freemasons. They run 22 children's hospitals where patients don't pay a cent.

The only secrets in Freemasonry are those that a Freemason can use to identify himself as such.

There is no obligation to attend meetings or give your time to the causes of the lodge. You give whatever time you can give.

The Grand Lodge of Oklahoma ? FAQ Page

The Grand Lodge of Oklahoma

Freemasonry and the Philalethes Society, publisher of the Philalethes Magazine

 

[SJshooter]

Can you give us an idea of what a typical run-of-the mill monthly meeting is like? Is there socializing? How much lodge business takes up a meeting? Beyond the functions of maintaining the club, what does the club offer to members?

 

[legelegel]

Can you give us an idea of what a typical run-of-the mill monthly meeting is like? Is there socializing? How much lodge business takes up a meeting? Beyond the functions of maintaining the club, what does the club offer to members?

Do you know a Freemason? If you do, ask him to take you to his lodge and meet the members.

You will not get an invitation to join. You may be told that you would make a good Freemason, but you have to ask to become one.

My father and his father were Freemasons. My father never asked me to become a Freemason. I asked to become a Freemason, because of who my father was. He was the best of all of us. I believe Freemasonry made him a better man. It certainly has taught me to be a better man.

In your church you make promises to God. In Freemasonry you make promises to God and your fellowman.

Reliable statistics state that modern Masonry contributes in excess of one MILLION dollars per day to charitable programs worldwide.

http://www.masonic-lodges.com/masons.html

 

[Malpasowildlifer]

Legelegle said it all. Other than the identifying things members have, there are no secrets.

It is amazing the amount of lies put out in fiction and "documentaries." They are beyond ridiculous and the masses believe them too.

I became a Freemason last year. I just made Fellowcraft and am awaiting to do master.

Speaking of Odd Fellows, the Odd Fellows lodge is still standing at Bodie and my lodge absorbed the Masonic lodge from Bodie as the town dwindled.

It has been a goal of mine for some time to be a Freemason as I like all of the history involved, from the beginnings, to Europe, the founding fathers, and the large amount of LE members.

It is a great thing for men to be a part of. You make new friends, learn a lot about a lot of different things, do things for your community and it "makes good men better"!

 

[legelegel]

legelegel said it all. Other than the identifying things members have, there are no secrets.

It is amazing the amount of lies put out in fiction and "documentaries." They are beyond ridiculous and the masses believe them too.

I became a Freemason last year. I just made Fellowcraft and am awaiting to do master.

Speaking of Odd Fellows, the Odd Fellows lodge is still standing at Bodie and my lodge absorbed the Masonic lodge from Bodie as the town dwindled.

It has been a goal of mine for some time to be a Freemason as I like all of the history involved, from the beginnings, to Europe, the founding fathers, and the large amount of LE members.

It is a great thing for men to be a part of. You make new friends, learn a lot about a lot of different things, do things for your community and it "makes good men better"!

Those are the best 4 words to describe Freemasonry.

 

[legelegel]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XhirrSEKjI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7Evp49Bruk

 

[legelegel]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOWPOdgp1DU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48KDBB0aOHI

http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/biography/spacemason/

 

[rwsmith]

It's hard to fathom....

It's hard to fathom that my Dad, my next door neighbor and Count Basie were part of a secret society that pulled the strings that manipulated the world.

And if I see another show on how the Knights Templar exist and exert influence today I'm going to run the other way.

The big secret is that there is no big secret.

 

[bhayles]

The big secret is that there is no big secret.

Perfectly put.

 

[Old Corp]

If I ever placed a fez on my head, it would mean that I probably should not drive home.

j/k!

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Legelegel has summarized this very well. I would add a few comments:

You will never be invited to become a Mason. You may apply for membership, and you may be accepted at the discretion of the members (or not). Should you make application you may expect a committee to make inquiries about your character and reputation in the community in order to allow the membership to consider your suitability for membership.

One of the fundamentals that I have retained over 30-plus years of membership is that there is no force in existence that will make a bad man good, but associating with good men can make a good man better.

While there is nothing allowing discrimination for or against any man for reasons of race, nationality, ethnicity, religious affiliation, or creed, those who do not acknowledge the existence of one all-powerful and ever-living God will not be accepted into the fraternity.

Alcoholic beverages are not permitted within the lodge or during lodge activities.

Personal business is not discussed, and solicitation of members for business purposes is not permitted. As a member becomes known within the fraternity he can expect to be relied upon by others for fair, equitable, and charitable treatment in all matters (which may include private business between members). Individual members may be insurance agents, car salesmen, contractors, physicians, dentists, celebrities, or politicians, but you will never be expected to be solicited by them for any purpose other than the business of Freemasonry.

Support of civil authority, civic activities, and charitable endeavors is a basic tenet of the order. Freemasonry has a long history, including active involvement in the formation of our nation and all significant events following, so a sense of patriotism and connection with the fundamental values of American society is common among members.

Progress within the fraternity involves study and memory work involving those aspects of historical significance pertinent to the goals and purposes of Freemasonry. Nothing comes automatically or without personal effort.

Some find Freemasonry to be very rewarding. Those are the men who belong in the lodge.

Best regards.

 

[Damn Yankee]

Grandmother was in the Eastern Star and went through the chairs in 1947.
Father in law was a Mason and had a Masonic service at the funeral home by the Eastern Star. Nice service. He wore his apron in the casket.

Read about William Morgan who lived in Batavia NY. Interesting.

 

[jack the toad]

As a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and Shriner and also active in my local blue lodge, there's not much I can add that hasn't already been said other than "to be one, ask one."
Like most organizations, you get out of it what you put into it.

 

[rwsmith]

My FIL too

Grandmother was in the Eastern Star and went through the chairs in 1947.
Father in law was a Mason ..... Nice service. He wore his apron in the casket.

Read about William Morgan who lived in Batavia NY. Interesting.

My FIL had his Navy Uniform and his Masonic Apron. I don't know if that's proper, but nobody told him he couldn't do it.

 

[legelegel]

Legelegel has summarized this very well. I would add a few comments:

You will never be invited to become a Mason. You may apply for membership, and you may be accepted at the discretion of the members (or not). Should you make application you may expect a committee to make inquiries about your character and reputation in the community in order to allow the membership to consider your suitability for membership.

One of the fundamentals that I have retained over 30-plus years of membership is that there is no force in existence that will make a bad man good, but associating with good men can make a good man better.

While there is nothing allowing discrimination for or against any man for reasons of race, nationality, ethnicity, religious affiliation, or creed, those who do not acknowledge the existence of one all-powerful and ever-living God will not be accepted into the fraternity.

Alcoholic beverages are not permitted within the lodge or during lodge activities.

Personal business is not discussed, and solicitation of members for business purposes is not permitted. As a member becomes known within the fraternity he can expect to be relied upon by others for fair, equitable, and charitable treatment in all matters (which may include private business between members). Individual members may be insurance agents, car salesmen, contractors, lawyers, physicians, dentists, celebrities, or politicians, but you will never be expected to be solicited by them for any purpose other than the business of Freemasonry.

Support of civil authority, civic activities, and charitable endeavors is a basic tenet of the order. Freemasonry has a long history, including active involvement in the formation of our nation and all significant events following, so a sense of patriotism and connection with the fundamental values of American society is common among members.

Progress within the fraternity involves study and memory work involving those aspects of historical significance pertinent to the goals and purposes of Freemasonry. Nothing comes automatically or without personal effort.

Some find Freemasonry to be very rewarding. Those are the men who belong in the lodge.

Best regards.

I cannot just hit the "like" button for what you have said here, LoboGunLeather. What you have said here is most eloquent and poignant. Well done, sir.

"Whence come you, and whither are you travelling?"

 

[doublesharp]

I'm a Master Mason so the membership standards can't be all that high.

My lodge is active in raising scholarship money for deserving high school students and we do a pretty good job when we aren't busy setting policy and ruling the world.

 

[legelegel]

Grandmother was in the Eastern Star and went through the chairs in 1947.
Father in law was a Mason and had a Masonic service at the funeral home by the Eastern Star. Nice service. He wore his apron in the casket.

Read about William Morgan who lived in Batavia NY. Interesting.

I was told by a more knowledgeable Freemason that I did not have to elect to have my father buried with his lambskin Masonic Apron. My choice was to take it from his casket and to keep his apron with me.

 

[BearBio]

I am not as active as I should be, Partly due to time restraints and partly because I have disagreed philosophically with some public statements by other Masons. Our Master (of the Lodge) just asked us (wife and I) if we would be on the Board for DeMolay (Youth group). I keep my dues up and am in good standing as a Master Mason in our local Blue Lodge.

There are basically three levels, each with inherent lessons: Apprentice, Fellowcraft (as mentioned before) and Master. As stated, except for Australian Lodges, you will not be asked to join the Brotherhood. When I announced that I had become a Mason and was going through my Third Degree, a close friend of mine told me he had been hinting that I should join for 10 years. In fact, he flew halfway across the county to escort me on my Third Degree Rite.

I won't divulge passwords, rites or oaths. Those are "secret".

To become a Mason, you must:
1. Believe in a single, Supreme Being, either God, Buddha, Allah, or Abracadabra. It does not matter. The Old Charges (our oldest texts-dating to 1295 A.D.) state that "no atheist may become a Mason". Except for French Lodges, that remains true.
2. Believe all men are Brothers.
3. The human soul is immortal.

Your application will be reviewed by a committee, who will report to the Lodge as a whole. It will then be voted on, using a ballot box. Any black ball (as opposed to white cubes) is grounds for denial (some Lodges use a criterion of 2 balls). If approved, you will be assigned a mentor. Upon his approval, you will be scheduled for initiation. Upon progress, each succeeding level will be voted upon and the rites performed. At any time, any Master Mason may pull you out and you will be asked to leave (Never seen it happen).

Our Lodge has several fraternal meeting besides Lodge. The second meeting each month is often used for learning rituals ("memory work") or we go for pizza and bowling (one of the Brothers owns a pizza pub and alley).

Each year, the Saturday before Christmas, the Lodges in the area host a "Community Dinner". The Brothers (wives and kids included) cook and serve a full turkey dinner to all who come. Deliveries are made to various homes (old folks, etc). We have cooked up to 2 dozen turkeys and have served 400 dinners. Kids get Christmas gifts.

There are co-ed groups (Order of Amaranth), youth groups (Job's Daughters and DeMolay) and a sorority (Order of the Eastern Star). Derived groups include York Rite and Shriners.
BTW: The highest "rank: a Mason may attain is the Third Degree, Master Mason of the Blue Lodge. Shriners and York Rite have higher degrees.

I have personally sat in Lodge with Muslims, Hindus, and Jews. In fact, I took my Fellowcraft Degree at a neighboring Lodge with a Jew. He took his oath on the Torah and I took mine on a King James. (BYW: Do NOT ever drive in a snowstorm with an ex- Air Force ace!). The Holocaust Museum says that as many as a 1/4 million Masons may have died in the Holocaust.

Brothers, I don't think I have overstepped ny boundaries as a Brother. Forgive me if I have.

PS: Only a Master Mason may wear the ring.