Freemasons - What can you share?

So, i've always had an interest in secret societies, especially the freemasons. However, it's difficult to find reliable information on the order, i've read some books, which generally paint them in a bad light. I also understand some of the symbology and have some first hand accounts from members.

This board, from what i can tell has many people who are members of the organisation and to them i ask what they can share publicly?

I don't want this thread to be filled with rumours or conjecture, only real hard truth about freemasonry, the practices, objectives and rituals.

I'll start with a few questions, some of the things that have been shared with me from people i know who are members or initiates or whatever you call them.

1. An old friend i know told me the main objective is "to make good men, better".
2. The chequerboard floor represents the chequered walk of life, the good and bad that we all experience.
3. There are only 3 degrees, Apprentice, Journeyman and Master.
4. There could be more degrees however these are reserved for nobility and royalty.
5. The vast majority of time spent in a lodge is just socialising.
6. Lodges are obliged to donate to charity.

Can you confirm these things are true?

My other question is why the Queen is so prevalent in lodge imagery? Whenever i've been in a lodge in the UK there's always a picture of her pride of place. I've seen several explanations but i'd rather hear it from the horses mouth. Seems strange that an all male organisation would revere the Queen so much.

Then, can each member willing to share something tell me an interesting fact about their time as a mason or their lodge?

Thanks in advance.

a reply to: Grenade

Great questions, Grenade.

If you don't mind, can I add one of my own?

I understand there is an initiation ritual for new masons, but what happens in the case an existing mason wants to leave? Is there an expulsive ritual, too, and is the person constrained by a sort of nda?

Or is it more like Hotel California?

a reply to: Grenade

Your better off reaching out to your local lodge.
They will talk to you.
Especially right now.

In my lodge, I have older brothers lol.
And when I say older, I mean my boys got some age on them.

I’m the 2nd youngest as of now, at 39.
But up until very recently I was the youngest.

I’m sure there are a lot of lodges going through the same thing.

Freemasonry is not a secret society, It is a society with secrets, and the secrets are the Grips and passwords. That we can not divulge but can be found on the internet,

1 is right

2 is right

3 is right

4 is wrong, any Mason in good standing with his Lodge and Grand Lodge can join the the York Rite, the Scottish rite and other Masonic organizations, The Widows Son's
5 Lodge is strictly business and Degree work, Socializing takes place afterwards in the banquet hall.
6 charity for our fellow man is something all lodges do.
We see the Queen and before her the King in all Commonwealth Countries, other Countries you will see the leader of that country, I,E, President of the Untied States

a reply to: Grenade

Ultimate LARPERS.

The secret's aren't secret anymore. Once you know who 'Xenu' is, it's all over.

a reply to: Encia22

Quit walk out the door and never go back. but if you do, you must pay any outstanding fees if you ever come back.

Demit, putting it on paper and being paid up in dues for the year, This is so that if you decide to come back, your in.

Numbers 3 and 4 are categorically untrue. There are many degrees beyond the first three, though many Masons profess that these are the only ones that count. The "secrets," such as they are, are embodied in the advanced degrees, which are NOT just for royalty. My grandfather, certainly not royalty, was a 32nd degree Mason in the forties. IMO most Masons do treat it as a social club and have no idea of the real history of Freemasonry and what it is really about.

originally posted by: schuyler
The "secrets," such as they are, are embodied in the advanced degrees, which are NOT just for royalty.

The Scottish Rite Degrees are all morality plays that repackage the same things taught in the Blue Lodge, the candidate does not even participate in them with very rare exceptions.

a reply to: Grenade

The gent at my church that was going to enable/sponsor me into the local lodge here unfortunately died.

Never followed up with it.

a reply to: Grenade

Then, can each member willing to share something tell me an interesting fact about their time as a mason or their lodge?

Fun Fact , I've had some great Chili and I've had some terrible Chili at meetings and I hate when it's my turn to cook .

My father was a active Freemason when he was alive . I’m not sure how levels work but he was a Freemason for 50+ years and he was 32 or 33rd degree. A few times I seen him get out of speeding tickets from state troopers cause they were Freemasons. He always had his ring on.

As I understand it nowadays, Freemasons are mostly businessmen gathered around some similar interests.

I think it is more our curiosity to know what they are hiding that creates some mystique about that society than that they are really hiding some secrets.

originally posted by: Encia22
a reply to: Grenade

Great questions, Grenade.

If you don't mind, can I add one of my own?

I understand there is an initiation ritual for new masons, but what happens in the case an existing mason wants to leave? Is there an expulsive ritual, too, and is the person constrained by a sort of nda?

Or is it more like Hotel California?

No longer believing in God is a way.

I would disagree, while some brethren are business men others are garbos and factory workers, freemasonry offers the opportunity to improve our fellow man and by extension ourselves.

a reply to: Lora73

So to apportion them that the time given to necessary refreshment and rest, shall not interfere with the legitimate occupations of life, or the claims of civil duty, or cause us to neglect the primary duty of prayer and meditation and the exercise of kindly aid and charity to our brethren in need.

a reply to: Grenade

A journey of 1,000 miles...begins with the 1st. step!

Not, by asking questions.

The journey...is each man's alone.

PS At times, it's not knowing what the answers are...but what the questions were.

Peace

a reply to: Dalamax


I don't know so many Masons to know which strata of society they come from.
I used to have a completely different opinion about them, and then I worked for one of them in a company, which is why I thought that they were all mostly businessmen, professors.

Just everyday people striving to apply depth perception to the observable creation.

a reply to: Lora73

a reply to: Sauron

Thanks.

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus

originally posted by: schuyler
The "secrets," such as they are, are embodied in the advanced degrees, which are NOT just for royalty.

The Scottish Rite Degrees are all morality plays that repackage the same things taught in the Blue Lodge, the candidate does not even participate in them with very rare exceptions.

Long weekend and you are done.

a reply to: infolurker

1 day for me, the head of the Rite of New Jersey made me a 32nd on the spot during one of the degrees.