I'm am finally a Master Mason... Any Questions?

Another question. Did Freemasonry change your previous beliefs? For example, if you previously believed in Darwins Origin of Human Species Theory, or had a Fundamentalist literalist interpretation of Bible Theology/Eschatology, did they change?
Appreciate it.

Originally posted by mexicocity
Another question (these are for any Freemasons who wants to answer by the way). Has Freemasonry confirmed to you that the Afterlife and Paranormal exists? Thanks.

No. Not in any way, shape, or form. I already believed there was more to our existence than just the carnal and physical representation, and Freemasonry supplements my own belief system, but I have never seen or heard anything in Masonry that confirmed or strengthened these views beyond what they already were. Believe it or Not, those things are hardly mentioned in Masonry, except for our hope that we someday join the creator in the eternal realm, but it isn't really part of the degree work or Lodge business.

Originally posted by mexicocity
Another question. Did Freemasonry change your previous beliefs? For example, if you previously believed in Darwins Origin of Human Species Theory, or had a Fundamentalist literalist interpretation of Bible Theology/Eschatology, did they change?
Appreciate it.

I don't know if my views have changed as a result of Freemasonry, or ATS in general, but my views have definitely been broadened in scope. I now realize there can be spirituality that incorporates all of religion without accepting any particular one. I have a feeling my change has more to do with the awesome debates on ATS, and brother Masons as well as anti-Masons on ATS. I don't think I can really credit my Lodge with the change.

reply to post by mexicocity

I have always been a fairly moderate person when it came to religious beliefs. None of my beliefs really changed after I joined the Masonic fraternity.

reply to post by PreyBird


I would like to know why "master masons" are not required to know how to write properly?

reply to post by mexicocity
There are many, MANY threads devoted to Wayne Herschel on ATS. Please make use of the search function to read more about him and his claims, I will not go off topic here to discuss it.

Thanks for taking the time to reply. You say there are only 3 Degrees in Freemasonry, but there are higher degrees outside mainstream blue degree Freemasonry such as York rite, Scottish rite and Royal arch. Is that an admittance that the higher Occultic practices are outside Freemasonry? Some other questions; How much are your membership payments? Where is the Grand Violet Lodge, written on Masonic grave stones?
Thanks.

reply to post by mexicocity

Freemasonry as in Blue Lodge or Craft Masonry culminates in the 3rd degree or also known as the Master Mason degree, which is considered to be highest degree in all of Freemasonry (to include its appendant orders).

These other organizations known as the appendant/concordant bodies are not superior to the first three degrees. While they confer additional ceremonies that enlarge and expand on the first three degrees they are not considered superior or higher in rank or importance that the Master Mason degree, and not every Mason goes onto take these degrees. Think of them as icing on the cake, or in Masonic terms, continuing along different paths to Masonic education or light.

As I've often described before, think of the degree structure of Freemasonry as a tree. Craft Masonry composes the trunk of the tree and the appendant bodies are the branches. The branches rely upon the trunk to exist.

Also note, the Royal Arch in America is a part of the York Rite.

I pay roughly $250 or so a year in dues for all the bodies I belong to, but I'm also a lifetime member of the Blue Lodge and Order of the Eastern Star.

I'm unfamiliar with the term "Grand Violet Lodge". Could you clarify?

Thanks. The membership fee isnt as expensive as some here in the UK. Can you tell me what you get for that, and what additional costs there are for dinner, regalia etc?
I was raised Catholic, my Grandfather was a member of the Knights of St Columba. I dont have any relatives or friends involved in Freemasonry or any other orders. My main interest is in the afterlife. Can I ask why you joined Freemasonry in the first place? And also is Prince Hall only for non whites and is a criminal record check advised before being allowed to join a lodge?
The Violet Lodge phrase Ive seen on gravestones I cant find on search. I expect it refers to heaven. If Im not incorrect Freemasonry utilises the 7 colours of the visible spectrum in relation to spiritual evolution and afterlife concepts. Violet would be the last visible before ultra violet.

reply to post by mexicocity

The fees are fairly low, but many bodies are starting to raise them to stay up with inflation as for many they had not changed their dues for decades...some closing on a century.

When I was raised as a Master Mason I received the ritual monitor, a Bible, and an engraved trowel. In the Royal Arch I received a coin with my Mark on it. In the Templars I received a patent/certificate of knighthood. In the Scottish Rite, I received a patent and a cap. In the Eastern Star I received a ritual monitor, the by-laws, and Chapter directory. In the York Rite College I received a lapel pin. In the Red Cross of Constantine I received a sash and membership jewel. Then in all of them I also received the obvious dues card.

In the Blue Lodge there is no additional costs for regalia, but the dinners vary from $5-$10 for Lodge, but Grand Lodge the banquets can go up to around $35-$50 depending on the year and venue. In the Royal Arch and Cryptic Masons I had to buy jackets for each one (red for RA and purple for Cryptic), costing $90 each. In the Templars I bought a brand new chapeau and jacket which pushed me around $450 and the Commandery supplied me with a sword. In the York Rite College I had to buy a tuxedo as they require that for attire. In the York Rite, I bought all the ritual monitors and they cost about $10 a piece.

Can I ask why you joined Freemasonry in the first place?

Short Answer: I joined because of curiosity and an enjoyment of philanthropy (having been a member of a few other charitable groups growing up).

I have always been a huge fan of history and I felt drawn to the Masons once I started studying them.

And also is Prince Hall only for non whites and is a criminal record check advised before being allowed to join a lodge?

Originally Prince Hall Lodges were for African Americans, but I know many white men who are members of their persuasion. Today, most Grand Lodges (only a few in the South are still stuck in the past) allow men of all races to join. There are a few black men in my Lodge, but Idaho doesn't have a large black population. Idaho has one Prince Hall Lodge in it (as a part of the Grand Lodge of Oregon, Idaho, and Montana Incorporated), and many of the Lodges (and even our Grand Lodge) hold joint events and banquets.

The Violet Lodge phrase Ive seen on gravestones I cant find on search.

I have never heard of this phrase, but I learn something new every day.

Does "I Am A Master Mason" come with the words "Speculatively Speaking" ???

Or do we all just assume there is a no operative notion involved?

i have a question for you

god ? holy sprit ?

ok

for god to exist there must have been a heaven before him , is heaven the creation of the holy spirit or god ? since the holy spirit also exists and god being only one of a race of beings known as the gods cant say he existed before heaven or the holy spirit does this make baphomet the holy spirit or god ? i know it isnt satan or angels so who is this supreme being your talking about ?

Originally posted by PulseZer0
i have a question for you

god ? holy sprit ?

ok

for god to exist there must have been a heaven before him , is heaven the creation of the holy spirit or god ? since the holy spirit also exists and god being only one of a race of beings known as the gods cant say he existed before heaven or the holy spirit does this make baphomet the holy spirit or god ? i know it isnt satan or angels so who is this supreme being your talking about ?

While each Mason holds his own personal religious opinions, I think it is fair to assume that most Masons would deny that God is only one of a race of "gods". Rather, I think it is likely that most Masons would agree that the thing we call "God" is the ultimate reality behind all things.

reply to post by PreyBird


img.abovetopsecret.com...

img.abovetopsecret.com...

Could you give me some information on these rings? I THINK the two are membership but the gold band has an inscription on the inside that intrigues me. Says " father's name 3-9-68" "Town of residence" Then below it says"virtus junxit mors non separbit".
My father died about 10 years ago, and his membership is something we never talked about, I knew about it, just never asked him alot of questions. I am nervous about just knocking on a lodge door and asking them something they may not feel as though I should still have.
I am not interested in conspiracy stuff, just information on what the rings meant.
Sorry about the poor quality pics, I am struggling to load these.
Thank you in advance.

Originally posted by michande
img.abovetopsecret.com...

This is a standard 14th degree ring from the Scottish Rite. It's usually 14k gold, with a triangle and the Hebrew letter Yod in the middle.

Could you give me some information on these rings? I THINK the two are membership but the gold band has an inscription on the inside that intrigues me. Says " father's name 3-9-68" "Town of residence" Then below it says"virtus junxit mors non separbit".

“What Virtue has joined, Death Cannot Separate”, the motto of the 14th degree.

img.abovetopsecret.com...

The one on the left looks pretty standard. I really can't see the one on the right because it's so far out of focus.

My father died about 10 years ago, and his membership is something we never talked about, I knew about it, just never asked him alot of questions. I am nervous about just knocking on a lodge door and asking them something they may not feel as though I should still have.

There's no hurt in asking, but you'd want to make sure you went to the right place—his lodge, where people might still be around who remember him.

What this makes no sense if you were a freeMason you wouldn't be able to talk about it because its a secret society! LOL! If its a secret society then why does everybody know about it? Thats my question, in case you didnt realize!

the good doctor

Can you please return with the same thread but titled;

I'm am finally a 33rd degree mason... Any Questions?

Originally posted by zatara
I'm am finally a 33rd degree mason... Any Questions?

Does the Scottish Rite interest you more than Blue Lodge Masonry?

Originally posted by AugustusMasonicus

Originally posted by zatara
I'm am finally a 33rd degree mason... Any Questions?

Does the Scottish Rite interest you more than Blue Lodge Masonry?

Let us be honest...You didn't quote me the way you should.

sec.line

Originally posted by zatara
Let us be honest...You didn't quote me the way you should.

I quoted your exact words.

Please address the question.

reply to post by PreyBird


I have an open invitation from a Fraternity brother to help me join whenever I want.
I just haven't because I don't want to join when I am not stable in my life, I think it would be unfair to the organization if I can't give it a full measure of my attention and energy.

Why would you even post about this on a forum though?
Even if you don't intend to you might let something slip.
From my experience it's best not actively discuss secret matters in case something slips.