Has Anyone Here Turned Down an Offer to join the Freemasons and/or Illuminati?

Curious to know ho you wer approached, why you turned the offer down, and what happend in the aftermath

Yeah, I have turned down people asking me to join the freemasons several times. Most freemasons will say that this is improper procedure because a true freemason will not “Ask” anyone to join who does not ask first, but it does happen. I have had several of my friends ask me to join, and my ex-father-in-law to name a few. There are no ramifications because of it, no one is going to do anything to you, but they might be disappointed or shun you. Many think more highly of their mason friends then others as masons take oaths to each other about the way they are to behave towards brothers of the organization.

Edit to add that I turned them down because it is against my religion to join, and I could have been excommunicated from my church for joining them.

[edit on 9/9/2008 by defcon5]

reply to post by defcon5


thanks for the reply. wonder how the illuminati react to rejection.

I wonder also is it possible for a commoner to "see too much", like be unittingly a member of some secret society, be pumped full of crazy perhaps bogus knowledge. In effect to become a fool?

The illuminati technically do not exist anymore, so I would not worry about them too much. The masons are a fraternal organization, which is mainly a bunch of guys who do morality plays, charity events, and spend a lot of time sitting around playing cards and attending dinners. I don’t believe that there is much sinister about the organization to most of the people who are members of it, and most lodge members are not sitting there plotting to overthrow the world or anything. There is symbolism involved in the organization though, which can be conflict to many who are Christians, and studied up on Paganism. Other religions have an issue with their generic version of God and acceptance of various faiths. You will find a lot of stuff online which states they are Satanists, but there are many freemasons who also consider themselves to be Christians. Personally I do find that there is a lot of similarity between some of their symbolism and occult symbolism used for Lucifer, which is the biggest problem I have with them religiously. But again, I don’t think that most of the membership even knows what that symbolism means, and to them its strictly a social club.

I also don’t think you can find out to much about them and get yourself in trouble, I know a fair amount about them, and have even attended a few of their ceremonies, and I am still here.

reply to post by contactee


I have not been directly asked to join, but I have been invited to a number of charity events organised my a Lodge that my friend belongs to. Once I did not have the money to go, and my friend paid for 2 tickets for me to go anyway. To me it is a subtle PR attempt and also a way of exposing me to the other lodge members as a possible candidate.

I will not join simply because I prefer to "go it alone" as opposed to belong to some boys club where I am rewarded for loyalty instead of ability.

I have been asked on more then one occasion to join a paticular occult organization. I don't know how 'legit', or how large of a group they were, but they asked me multiple times through different avenues. Once was an anonymous message through Myspace.

I don't believe the Illuminati exist anymore (Bavarian Illuminati died long ago), so I don't think they've been asking anyone.

I am yet again fascinated that so many people claim to have been "asked" by masons when its a complete social taboo to do so. I've never run into a conflict over it due to religion, and I am a evangelical Christian. I think sometimes people confuse tolerance of all faiths as being acceptance that all faiths are being right. In reality, I can tolerate and hold a high degree of respect for the dogma of others without believing in what they do. I've also never seen any symbolism that is in the least bit in conflict with Christianity, and I've searched hard for it over worries that I was missing something.

[edit on 9-9-2008 by LowLevelMason]

Yes, I was invited to join the Masons, it was an oblique approach via a sales rep with whom I did regular business.
My boss had inadvertantly sent documents to my office which showed, quite clearly that the 'managers' above me were effectively stealing money from the company.
I made the mistake of showing these documents to my auditor, thinking[naively]that it was the proper thing to do, and was approached within a few days.
Because I did not think that I should have to join a secret society in order to keep my job, I did not take up the invitation, my redunancy was fabricated within a fortnight. That was five years ago, and to this day it has proved impossible to find another job.
Regards,
Horsegiver.

For years and years I wondered about what goes on behind those doors, a friend of mine told me, and it wasn't so long ago, actually he was laughing at the time, he said its the Groups that you don't here about that are the ones to be concerned about, and i can believe it, look at skull and Bones?.

I agree that the Masons are nothing but a boys charitable club now, there is a guy Ive seen a few times in my area drives a huge car, with the Masons symbol on it's plate, and our local cemetery has dozens of headstones with Mason symbols all over them, some of those headstones stand 15-20 ft high.

I've never been invited, but that is because the few people i know who are already, know it isn't my thing, my path through life will always be a lonely one, even though I'm married my wife knows the spiritual me is a lonely journey, the family me well can't comment on others opinions, but seems ok.

reply to post by LowLevelMason

Originally posted by LowLevelMason
I don't believe the Illuminati exist anymore (Bavarian Illuminati died long ago), so I don't think they've been asking anyone.

I also believe that is correct.

Originally posted by LowLevelMason
I am yet again fascinated that so many people claim to have been "asked" by masons when its a complete social taboo to do so.

I think that a lot of modern masons look at the organization as a social club, as I mentioned above, and so they want their friends to join in their hobby as well. I know of several cases where people were asked to join so they could develop a relationship with their father-in-law or father-in-law to be.

Originally posted by LowLevelMason
I've never run into a conflict over it due to religion, and I am a evangelical Christian. I think sometimes people confuse tolerance of all faiths as being acceptance that all faiths are being right. In reality, I can tolerate and hold a high degree of respect for the dogma of others without believing in what they do. I've also never seen any symbolism that is in the least bit in conflict with Christianity, and I've searched hard for it over worries that I was missing something.

I will answer this honestly, and without going into a bunch of Christian propaganda sites, many of which are incorrect in their assumptions, based on some of the things I know about both. Again, I know many folks who belong to this group and to them it is nothing but a social club, with no religious connotations in their opinion, so don’t take what I am going to say the wrong way. I don’t intend any of this to seem like a personal attack or anything like that, but you did ask.

The first problem I know many churches have, is that masons accept anyone of any faith. This goes beyond just showing respect for other religions, and even though most lodges are geared toward Christianity in the US, they will accept any religion’s god as being the same as the divine architect. So for instance if I believe in baal, and you believe in Christ, we are both praying to the same God in their opinion. Major problem for many religions!

Next, many religions get upset because of the oath you have to take as a mason. Not only are you supposed to not take oaths, but also you are not supposed to keep in secrets from your Christian brotherhood. Your Church is supposed to be second only to God himself, and not equal or lower then a private organization.

Hoodwinking is a major problem in some religions, as it symbolizes a death and rebirth into masonry. You are only supposed to die and be reborn into Christ, not into any other organization.

As to the symbolism, I will give you some, and I try to provide links where you can check what I am talking about on your own (and not to wacky anti-mason sites).

Now some masons will tell you that Luciferianism (which is NOT Satanism) is a modern religion, and there is truth to that, but there are certain symbols involving Lucifer that goes back to older religions such as Cabala:
Lucifer:
Lucifer is “The Light Bearer”
Lucifer’s realm is in the East.
Lucifer’s Planet is Venus. (“the Morning Star” also called “the Eastern Star”)
Lucifer’s element is Air.
Lucifer’s Colors are Blue and Silver.
Lucifer's highest manifestation is through understanding of oneself. (applied knowledge)

Much of this even comes directly from the Bible, so if a Masonic brother tells you that Luciferianism is a modern day religion, you can show that much of these things are already mentioned in other sources, including the bible:

Isa 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning (Venus, the eastern star)! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

If you study around the lodge, you’ll see this same theme above in the teachings, and the symbolism. That whole Idea that you have to become an “illuminated”, “upright”, Masonic man is based on it. Most of the symbols of masonry are finished in a blue field with a silver trim and symbols. The “G” on the wall is normally in eastern most part of the lodge. Even the women’s club is called “the Eastern Star”. I know that its no longer just the women’s club, but that was its original intention, strictly a club for the wives of masons. Some of the modern masons who are familiar with the types of information that I am mentioning here have separated out some aspects of masonry to try and dissuade those who have made accusations over the years. I say you can paint a brick of crap white, and its still a brick of crap.

Oh, and believe me there are masons out there who absolutely do know the meaning of these things. A prime example is one of the most infamous Mason historians, and apologists on ATS. He loves to spend hours debating that Masonry is in no way related to Lucifer, and then will end each of his posts with “Fiat Lux” as a little smack in the face that he darn well knows that it is:

www.abovetopsecret.com...
Ask away. If I don't know the answer, I'm sure we can find someone who does.
Fiat Lvx.

In Latin, the word "Lucifer", meaning "Light-Bringer" (from lux, lucis, "light", and ferre, "to bear, bring"), is a name for the "Morning Star" (the planet Venus in its dawn appearances; cf. Romanian Luceafăr)

Tubal and Jubal Cain are another prime example of something that is accepted as OK in mason symbolism but is of a questionable religious background:

Antiquities of the Jews
Lamech; who had seventy-seven children by two wives, Silla and Ada. Of those children by Ada, one was Jabal: he erected tents, and loved the life of a shepherd. But Jubal, who was born of the same mother with him, exercised himself in music; (7) and invented the psaltery and the harp. But Tubal, one of his children by the other wife, exceeded all men in strength, and was very expert and famous in martial performances. He procured what tended to the pleasures of the body by that method; and first of all invented the art of making brass. Lamech was also the father of a daughter, whose name was Naamah. And because he was so skillful in matters of divine revelation, that he knew he was to be punished for Cain's murder of his brother, he made that known to his wives. Nay, even while Adam was alive, it came to pass that the posterity of Cain became exceeding wicked, every one successively dying, one after another, more wicked than the former. They were intolerable in war, and vehement in robberies; and if any one were slow to murder people, yet was he bold in his profligate behavior, in acting unjustly, and doing injuries for gain.

This is the same person in the Pseudopigraphal books of Eden:

Books of Eden, Book2
AFTER Cain had gone down to the land of dark soil, and his children had multiplied therein, there was one of them, whose name was Genun, son of Lamech the blind who slew Cain.
2 But as to this Genun, Satan came into him in his childhood; and he made sundry trumpets and horns, and string instruments, cymbals and psalteries, and lyres and harps, and flutes; and he played on them at all times and at every hour.
3 And when he played on them, Satan came into them, so that from among them were heard beautiful and sweet sounds, that ravished the heart.
4 Then he gathered companies upon companies to play on them; and when they played, it pleased well the children of Cain, who inflamed themselves with sin among themselves, and burnt as with fire; while Satan inflamed their hearts, one with another, and increased lust among them.
5 Satan also taught Genun to bring strong drink out of corn; and this Genun used to bring together companies upon companies in drink-houses; and brought into their hands all manner of fruits and flowers; and they drank together.
6 Thus did this Genun multiply sin exceedingly; he also acted with pride, and taught the children of Cain to commit all manner of the grossest wickedness, which they knew not; and put them up to manifold doings which they knew not before.
7 Then Satan, when he saw that they yielded to Genun and hearkened to him in every thing he told them, rejoiced greatly, increased Genun's understanding until he took iron and with it made weapons of war.
8 Then when they were drunk, hatred and murder increased among them; one man used violence against another to teach him evil taking his children and defiling them before him.
9 And when men saw they were overcome, and saw others that were not overpowered, those who were beaten came to Genun, took refuge with him, and he made them his confederates.
10 Then sin increased among them greatly; until a man married his own sister, or daughter, or mother, and others; or the daughter of his father's sister, so that there was no more distinction of relationship, and they no longer knew what is iniquity; but did wickedly, and the earth was defiled with sin; and they angered God the Judge, who had created them.

Anyway I have spent enough time on this for one night, if you want to discuss it further, ask away.

Originally posted by defcon5
I think that a lot of modern masons look at the organization as a social club, as I mentioned above, and so they want their friends to join in their hobby as well. I know of several cases where people were asked to join so they could develop a relationship with their father-in-law or father-in-law to be.

You have a good point that many masons forget the true purpose of masonry and often turn it into things it is not. However, it still seems odd because while someone may invite you, you still have to get through an investigation committee - basically, everyone on that committee would need to know that you've been "invited" and be OK with it. I would have serious reservations about recommending anyone who had been invited. It would basically require large portions of the lodge acting as a social club only, and while this is certainly possible and I have no doubt it happens, it seems odd to happen so much that everyone seems to have been "invited" - especially those who dislike masonry.

Originally posted by defcon5
I will answer this honestly, and without going into a bunch of Christian propaganda sites, many of which are incorrect in their assumptions, based on some of the things I know about both. Again, I know many folks who belong to this group and to them it is nothing but a social club, with no religious connotations in their opinion, so don’t take what I am going to say the wrong way. I don’t intend any of this to seem like a personal attack or anything like that, but you did ask.

As a student of both world religion and philosophy, I think the source of the confusion comes from many Christians not understanding the difference between religious organizations and philosophical organizations. Masonry is not a social club first - it is a institution of esoteric philosophy. This has no innate relation to religion.

Regarding other faiths: again, this because those against masonry are truly confused. Everyone - devout Christians included - are members of groups that take in all faiths. Every person who has went to a public school is a member of such a group. It is not evil nor wrong to converse with those of a different dogma. If you have ever had a public school graduation or assembly, you are doing the same as masons - the invocation is given in the name of "God" - whose god? Whatever God the person listening to it wants to believe in. It is the same concept with the GAOTU. Why is Christians take no issue?

Regarding oaths and secrets - this really isn't reality when you think about it. Christians do both. We take oaths in court, when we get married, etc. We also keep secrets from each other. When is the last time you told a Christian brother how your sex life is going?

Originally posted by defcon5
Hoodwinking is a major problem in some religions, as it symbolizes a death and rebirth into masonry. You are only supposed to die and be reborn into Christ, not into any other organization.

Honestly, this is a new one to me. What is the biblical basis for believing hoodwinking means this? Metaphors of light and darkness and masonry refer to the light of masonry (OF MASONRY being the key point), not light and dark in general. And any reading of the ritual quickly reveals this "light" simply means knowledge. We seek knowledge beyond religion in life - even Christians. Again, anyone who has went to school is doing the same thing in theory.

Finally, on "Luciferianism" - I do not see any evidence that it exists in masonry, nor that it is anything other than a modern dogma (as you note, its not Satanism). What you have done is found one meaning outside masonry and then tried to apply it to masonry. Did you know many churches face to the east? Does this mean they are Luciferians as well? Your finding correlations, but they are spurious and not causal.

Good discussion though. I'd like to continue talking about it if you want to.

Lucfifer is mentioned mainly in the one quote listed above, mostly our idea of Lucifer as Satan comes from Paradise lost.
The above quote comes from a section talking about the King of Tyre, not the Serpent in the Garden.
As for the rest, look at the symbolism involved at the time that the Eastern Star came around.
Like a lot of other symbols, Christians edged into the pentagram and remade it. The Eastern Star used, was at the time taken to represent the star (Shown in the East, remember?) that lead the Wise Men to Jesus. The Down point of the Star pointing to his manger in bethlehem.
And as for you attacking somebody who's made more contributions over the years he's been here than you yourself, well done. Looking forward to him explaining what i have wrong here personally.
Edit:Tried to talk to a lady who is in the Eastern Star about Masonry, and she wanted me to learn about it myself. so I have been, may join when I get the time, but it's something tolearn about beforehand, before asking to join

[edit on 10-9-2008 by RuneSpider]

Originally posted by LowLevelMason
However, it still seems odd because while someone may invite you, you still have to get through an investigation committee - basically, everyone on that committee would need to know that you've been "invited" and be OK with it.

I would assume that most people who state they were asked never make it this far, and the ones who do are probably coached on what to say by the person who invited them into it. The first time I was asked, it was because I expressed in interest in knowing more about what it was, but I certainly had no intention of joining them as I knew it was taboo in my church. Other times it was like “hey why don’t you join so we can do this together”, or “hey my father would like to get all you boys into this so you can do it as a group”. I knew up front I was not going to do it, so I never got far enough to actually go before anyone. One time when I had expressed some fears they had other masons sit down and try and explain them away for me, while I was at one of their functions. I of course never felt there were going to be any ramifications other then maybe friendship or relationship problems as a result of saying no.

Originally posted by LowLevelMason
As a student of both world religion and philosophy, I think the source of the confusion comes from many Christians not understanding the difference between religious organizations and philosophical organizations. Masonry is not a social club first - it is a institution of esoteric philosophy. This has no innate relation to religion.

I don’t understand how you could not consider this to be a religion:

Esotericism: "The philosophy of the evolutionary process both in man and the lower kingdoms in nature. The science of the accumulated wisdom of the ages. Presents a systematic and comprehensive account of the energetic structure of the universe and of man's place within it. Describes the forces and influences that lie behind the phenomenal world. Also, the process of becoming aware of and gradually mastering these forces." ("Maitreya's Mission III" by Benjamin Creme, p. 609)
“Esotericism is a science -- essentially the science of the soul of all things -- and has its own terminology, experiments, deductions and laws (The opposite of exotericism)".

It seems like splitting hairs to me. To a Christian, Gods word is supposed to explain the Universe and my place in that universe to me.

Originally posted by LowLevelMason
Everyone - devout Christians included - are members of groups that take in all faiths. Every person who has went to a public school is a member of such a group. It is not evil nor wrong to converse with those of a different dogma. If you have ever had a public school graduation or assembly, you are doing the same as masons - the invocation is given in the name of "God" - whose god? Whatever God the person listening to it wants to believe in.

As far as the examples of public school, I cannot really relate to them as I never attended one, but rather private religious institutions. Now as far as I know, in public school there is no mention of God, and there is no time allotted to pray. If you pray you pray on your own time to your own God, and there is no indication made that anyone else’s god is the same as my personal God. I never said anywhere that it was wrong to converse with people of other faiths, what I said that it is wrong to pray with them as though you are praying to the same God the Father. Additionally, as Christians in certain situations we are allowed to give unto Caesar what is Caesars, in other words when it is specifically commanded by a government there are certain thing we are to allow. Taking an Oath in a court being one of them.

Originally posted by LowLevelMason
It is the same concept with the GAOTU. Why is Christians take no issue?

I apologize I have never heard of GAOTU before.

Originally posted by LowLevelMason
Regarding oaths and secrets - this really isn't reality when you think about it. Christians do both. We take oaths in court, when we get married, etc.

Jam 5:12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

You are allowed to take certain Oaths before God (confirmation, priesthood, marriage), and you are allowed to take an oath before a court, but that is it. The Oaths before a court fall under Giving Caesar his due.

Originally posted by LowLevelMason
We also keep secrets from each other. When is the last time you told a Christian brother how your sex life is going?

You should be willing to confess anything before you Christian brethren, that does not mean that you have to bring it up in casual conversation. Obviously two different things. Also there are a great many people who go to their pastor for counseling, including marriage counseling. I have absolutely nothing that I feel I need to keep secret from my pastor anymore then I do from God, and that is the way it should be.

Originally posted by LowLevelMason
Honestly, this is a new one to me. What is the biblical basis for believing hoodwinking means this?

Its not a biblical basis, masons were not around when the bible was written. However you are to be born again into Christ at your baptism, and you are only suppose to have one baptism. Part of the ceremony is that the person is to be placed in what is represented as a coffin, where they die and are reborn to masonry.

The following is Chapter XII with appendix from the volume Beyond the Northeast Corner, a publication of the Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons of Michigan.
It is intended to be presented to a new Master Mason the night he receives his degree.

The Degree is called Sublime for two reasons: (1) it symbolizes the great lesson of the immortality of the soul and (2) it teaches a profound lesson of wisdom – the importance of being faithful to your trust, even at the expense of your life, and that you must die in order to attain the ultimate reward of your fidelity; namely, the immortality of the soul. The hope for the latter is dependent upon our performance of the work given us by the Supreme Architect of the Universe.
The symbols of this degree are interpreted in terms of the life of man, its inherent tragedy, and its ultimate triumph if we lead virtuous lives. This degree is strongly spiritual in nature.
Thus the body was raised and taken to the Temple to be re-interred. The manner of the raising emphasizes the basic lesson that the Five Points of Fellowship are fundamental in every task, whether among the living or with the dead. Indeed, the faithful adherence to these principles makes such a difference that it can be described as life restored. The truth is dramatized as the candidate is raised from his figurative death to rejoin his brethren. The manner of this disinterment and its dramatization in the ceremony of the degree has led to a naive acceptance by some Masonic writers that the legend of Hiram Abif is derived from the mystery cults which tell of the return of great heroes from the dead.
By this interpretation Hiram Abif resembles Osiris, who was killed and then resuscitated. Some writers have even likened the event to the death and resurrection of Christ.

Maybe hoodwinking is not the proper term to use for this but rather the ceremony of the master mason degree. I always assumed that they used the terms interchangeably.

Originally posted by LowLevelMason
Metaphors of light and darkness and masonry refer to the light of masonry (OF MASONRY being the key point), not light and dark in general. And any reading of the ritual quickly reveals this "light" simply means knowledge. We seek knowledge beyond religion in life - even Christians. Again, anyone who has went to school is doing the same thing in theory.

I am curious if you would consider seeking answers through science, religion, philosophy, cabala, gnosticism, witchcraft, divination, necromancy, and astrology all to be equal and acceptable ways to attain new knowledge then?

Originally posted by LowLevelMason
Finally, on "Luciferianism" - I do not see any evidence that it exists in masonry, nor that it is anything other than a modern dogma.

I wish I could still find it, but I used to have a list from Cabala that showed this point very clearly, and it has been openly admitted on this site that masonry shares a lot in common with cabala and gnosticism. Cabala by itself is nothing that a Christian should be dabbling in.

Originally posted by LowLevelMason
Did you know many churches face to the east? Does this mean they are Luciferians as well? Your finding correlations, but they are spurious and not causal.

But that is not done because of any intention or for sybomlic reason such as it is in masonry:

FORM OF A LODGE:
The form of a Lodge is an oblong square, or a rectangle. It extends from East to West and between North and South. The East in a Masonic Lodge does not, necessarily, mean the actual point of the compass. The East in the Lodge is the station of the Worshipful Master -from which he dispenses light and instruction to all his brethren. Some Lodges may have the Master sitting in other actual compass locations, but the important point is that the Master is always symbolically, located in the East and the other symbolic points of the West, South and North are located in proper relation to the station of the Master.

I’d also enjoy continuing the conversation.

Originally posted by RuneSpider
And as for you attacking somebody who's made more contributions over the years he's been here than you yourself, well done.

Well maybe he’s done more in your opinion, he has certainly done more for defending masons then anyone else on the site. But nothing I wrote is a personal attack, it is a fact which is why I directly quoted him.

Yes I did. No dental care! Can you believe it?

Seriously, I don't think there could be an offer of such kind to join it. You'd belong to it from the momment you were born. Being part of such societies means you need a bloodline.

Although stories concerning one of my countries former Presidents (Dr. Mário Soares), that he was a Freemason iniciate from his political exile time in France during the Portuguese dictatorship of António de Oliveira Salazar (that lasted from 1935 to 1974).

I know this contradicts what I stated above, but to be an influential member of such society, there's that need of a bloodline. An iniciate learns who they are, who they pay respect to, what their main life principles are... you know, basics. Things you read on the web, but told by their own mouths.

Guys, the Illuminati infiltrated the Freemasons in 1777. It exists today as an 'inner circle' of Freemasonry.

Originally posted by Toorop
Being part of such societies means you need a bloodline.

How do you explain my being a Mason without anyone else in my family ever being a member of the Fraternity?

I was invited too join, by my ex-girlfriends father.

I was shown around the lodge, he explained too me about the Masons and their ideals, I made the mistake of taking my beer up into the lodge, which was quickly confiscated, (it was my ex's brothers, (also a Mason) birthday, which was being held down stairs.)

If it's anything too you, he (my ex's father) is high up in the Victorian Government here in Australia.

Though, if anyone is looking for Masonic conspiricies and things of that nature, here in Australia, due too the decline of members, they don't really hide in the shadows anymore.

He even has a keyring, so people will ask what it is, or what it's about.

The Masonic institution is dying like the rest..... let it be.

Cheers, Fox.

No thanks....

The thought of joining an organistaion full of crooked coppers, ruthless businessmen and snake-like sales people, does not inspire me much.

Freemasons, despite their sickly sweet look, have a nastier side (and i'm not talking reptiles or NWO) but a nasty, unfair advantage over other business people and the like.

Heard too many stories from older relatives and friends, although they can't all be bad eggs surely?

[edit on 10-9-2008 by mr-lizard]

Originally posted by LowLevelMason I am yet again fascinated that so many people claim to have been "asked" by masons when its a complete social taboo to do so.

Ahhh, yes, but you are a mere low level mason.

I know, you're being sarcastic as you mentioned in the other thread.

Still, on three, not two as I mentioned there, occasions, I've had Masons (from 3 different lodges) suggest that if I were to ask to get involved, they'd be pleased to sponsor me. That's how it came about...not sure if sponsor was the actual term. These folks were aquaintances who were aware of the volunteer work I was putting into the community, and essentially asked me aboard. I declined because there is a saturation point with outside stuff, and I'd reached it. No shunning, no nuthin' just an "If you ever reconsider, call me"

Does that mean I missed my shot at world domination?