To be one, ask one...

Originally posted by JoshNorton
That being said, I do trust the opinions of those who get appointed to the investigating committee of those candidates to do their due diligence.

That's good, but the investigating committee, as a matter of ethics, must be composed of people who do not know the petitioner. So if they don't know him, and his sponsors don't know him, then nobody can vouch for his character.

Typically, the only thing the investigating committee does is interview the petitioner and run the criminal background check. The weight usually lies upon the shoulders of the two sponsors who signed the petitioners, as they are the ones recommending him to be made a Mason.

Likewise any member is free to blackball during the balloting, and any member may vote against petitions for advancement, so there are lots of places in the process where mistakes can be remedied if someone does slip through.

That's true, but in most cases, nobody else in the Lodge knows him, and must trust the discretion of the two sponsors. If the sponsors don't know him, their trust is misplaced.

My lodge does not do background checks (in the legal and/or private investigator sense) on all candidates, and that has hurt us in the past... we had one guy who had a felony lie on his petition and we didn't find out for a couple of years. We booted him out with the full support of the Grand Lodge.

This will continue to happen in Freemasonry indefinitely until our Lodges begin taking the strict qualifications for membership seriously again. Hopefully by then it won't be too late. If Freemasonry is destroyed, it will not be by the hands of the anti-Masons like we see on this forum. It will be by Masons themselves.

Well said Masonic Light. We have had some difficulty in my lodge over the last 2-3 years , brought on by not guarding the West Gate properly. Our incoming WM and team have made proper investigation and selection of new applicants a priority going forward. The overall quality of the membership will make or break a Lodge. Currently in my District of 6 Lodges, 3 are having serious issues with members either not committed to even showing up to Lodge, and even worse, not being able to fill the offices with qualified members.

What is the point of joining a secret society? Secrets to be shared by a select few making those members superior to non-members? Not a very good reason in my opinion. People who join secret societies must feel very insignificant deep down. Joining a secret society might seem exciting, to be accepted by others who share the "secret", may feel like a boost up from the hum-drum, everyday boring, life we all lead. How about a society that isn't secret? What is the problem with that idea? If you are doing good for mankind and the planet, it shouldn't be kept secret.

I went to a casino several years ago and there was a banner overhead as I walked towards the gambling area. The banner sign said: Welcome Freemasons and there seemed to be tight security and they were checking everyones identification. There were a few expensive cars in the showroom area with the prices on plaques. One was a 1962 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato, Supposedly now valued at several million. I noticed while I was there, that there appeared to be quite a few well known politicians there as well, such as Al Gore.


Would the Freemasons having gatherings like this at places such as Casinos a rare occassion?

Originally posted by Hazelnut
If you are doing good for mankind and the planet, it shouldn't be kept secret.

What if I do not want anyone to know what I am doing? What if I prefer to do my good deeds in private? I always felt that if you made someone aware that you were helping them then they either felt obligated, resentful or too prideful to accept your donation/service/time.

Originally posted by aleon1018
I went to a casino several years ago and there was a banner overhead as I walked towards the gambling area. The banner sign said: Welcome Freemasons and there seemed to be tight security and they were checking everyones identification. There were a few expensive cars in the showroom area with the prices on plaques. One was a 1962 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato, Supposedly now valued at several million. I noticed while I was there, that there appeared to be quite a few well known politicians there as well, such as Al Gore.


Would the Freemasons having gatherings like this at places such as Casinos a rare occassion?

Shriners maybe!? Mason's don't have official meetings anywhere that has alcohol on premises! Maybe they were staying in the hotel, but meeting elsewhere.

Can't believe I missed that one!

reply to post by AugustusMasonicus


Your secrecy is a blessing to those whom you seek to do good works for? Are you saying what I think you're saying? That keeping your good deeds private and anonymous is a blessing/charity/goodwill for those you deem "less fortunate"?

I can see why its popular to join a brotherhood.

Originally posted by Hazelnut


Your secrecy is a blessing to those whom you seek to do good works for?

Freemasonry is not secretive, regardless what the anti-Masons say. It is true that fraternities and sororities have traditional club secrets, Freemasonry not excepted. However, these "secrets" concern such things as our initiation ceremonies and historical legends, and are of little interedt to non-members anyway.

reply to post by getreadyalready


I really don't recall. Is Al Gore a secret Shriner?

Maybe that was just a family name and no connection with the Freemasons? That would explain the high security.

Originally posted by aleon1018
reply to post by getreadyalready

 

I really don't recall. Is Al Gore a secret Shriner?

Maybe that was just a family name and no connection with the Freemasons? That would explain the high security.

Not that I am aware, but here where I live, I don't think anybody would be bragging about Al Gore being a member!!!

Originally posted by getreadyalready

Originally posted by aleon1018
reply to post by getreadyalready

 

I really don't recall. Is Al Gore a secret Shriner?

Maybe that was just a family name and no connection with the Freemasons? That would explain the high security.

Not that I am aware, but here where I live, I don't think anybody would be bragging about Al Gore being a member!!!

Maybe he was just "warming up" to them?

That was before he "came out" with his global warming video also.

I suppose I'm relaying information that's not openly discussed anyway.

It's not as if drinking or gambling is taboo for Freemasons anyway...is it?

reply to post by aleon1018

It's not as if drinking or gambling is taboo for Freemasons anyway...is it?

Not taboo, but not allowed on lodge property, even when renting the lodge out for parties or otherwise. It is strictly prohibited in that fashion. Otherwise, most Mason's that I know still drink and party plenty in their own time!!

[edit on 23-7-2009 by getreadyalready]

reply to post by getreadyalready


So, why would the Casino hang some banner that says Welcome Freemasons? You think it really said Shriners? I'm not so sure anymore. But why the high security than?

I guess you would have had to have been there to know. That was at the Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City Indiana about 6 years ago. Maybe someone else knows what it was, other than a delusion.

reply to post by aleon1018


On my few trips to Vegas there is always a lot going on. Gore may have been there speaking, or on another matter, security would have been his. I have been to some very large scale Masonic meetings in hotels, and they did not have any security.

Banner may have been for Freemason's, but they would have likely conducted their meetings in a convention center or otherwise. Come to think of it, one of the meetings I attended was in the Hotel's convention center, and they did have a small Hotel bar in one of the other suites.

Originally posted by Hazelnut
Your secrecy is a blessing to those whom you seek to do good works for? Are you saying what I think you're saying? That keeping your good deeds private and anonymous is a blessing/charity/goodwill for those you deem "less fortunate"?

Not necessarily 'secrecy' but anonymity. Think to any time you may have been in a position where others may have needed to help you or your family. Was it an enviable position? I do not know many people who like to go around hat in hand looking for succor and on a personal level I would prefer that most of my charity is done anonymously since I do not want people to feel obligated for what I may have done. I try to have empathy for those who may not be as well off as myself (not that I am fabulously wealthy) and put myself in their shoes.

I can list many instances where our lodge has given to somone in the community who may have required assistance but we always try to do this so the person(s) in question do not feel that we are treating them as a 'charity' case. I am a firm believer in karma and 'paying it forward' and I feel that if you are good to others good things will befall you as well.

reply to post by getreadyalready


Well, it is confusing to suggest that they're like some strict religious groups. The banner also seems kinda odd. I don't suppose they were doing this for some business reason either way? Why would the Freemasons need to advertise in a casino? Maybe they have part ownership. IDK

I guess the only thing would be to ask those in the area that would actually know. Otherwise it's just speculation. It's not like I'm going to call the nearest lodge or whatever and ask either. Thanks anyway.

Originally posted by getreadyalready
Mason's don't have official meetings anywhere that has alcohol on premises!

Muhahhaahah, another adult beverage deprived Brother. Please join me in the Great State of New Jersey where they trust us to have a bar in our lodge. No drinking before Lodge, but after is just fine.

Please remember to take Rockpuck and Networkdude with you.

Originally posted by getreadyalready
Banner may have been for Freemason's, but they would have likely conducted their meetings in a convention center or otherwise.

Our Grand Lodge convenes every April in Atlantic City at the Convention Center. I suppose some of the members like to gamble, me, I think Donald trump has enough money and does not need any of mine.





[edit on 23-7-2009 by AugustusMasonicus]

reply to post by AugustusMasonicus


I moved to Oregon, but I have no idea if we can drink on the property lol.. I know people renting the buildings can (couldn't even do that in Ohio) but as for members.. no idea

I don't see whats so bad about having a beer with your dinner.

Then again.. I am both Irish and Catholic, and the Puritans look down on that.

Originally posted by AugustusMasonicus

Originally posted by getreadyalready
Mason's don't have official meetings anywhere that has alcohol on premises!

Muhahhaahah, another adult beverage deprived Brother. Please join me in the Great State of New Jersey where they trust us to have a bar in our lodge. No drinking before Lodge, but after is just fine.

Please remember to take Rockpuck and Networkdude with you.

Very Nice!!! Our Shrine Temple has an "Oasis" drinks before and after. But Mason's are dry.