A simple question to Masons

Get in contact with someone from your local lodge, or call and speak with somebody. Ask if you can come by before a meeting and talk with other members. If you like the feel of the place ask if you can have info about membership. Somebody should sit down with you and tell you what it is about. Then they should introduce you to others, so the rest of the lodge can get to know you. People have to vouch for you, so they will want to know what kind of person you are. If you are liked, you pay a fee and then you are voted on. When you pass the vote they will do a background on you.

Being a Mason will not get you out of a ticket. If the Police officer is a Mason and you are one, he may not write one, but that’s no different then being pulled over by your best man. Having too many tickets may prevent you from being a Mason. You need to have a clean record and live a clean life. Mason’s can be released if they commit crimes, so they wont jeopardize their jobs or life for somebody else’s mess up.

Just my own random thoughts as a Mason on the posts in here.

1.) Trying to use a masonic affiliation to get out of a ticket or other legal matter to me is rather disgusting....it very much goes against the virtues we are meant to stand for. I know it happens in some places, but I would be ashamed for both parties myself. I have masonic emblems on my truck but THAT is NOT the reason for it. Name dropping in addition is pretty scummy......people who do that I stay away from and would not want to be considered apart of their circle.....such activity could even cause one to be removed from the lodge...we're accused of such behavior enough as it is, the last thing we need is someone acting that way and giving our fraternity a bad name. If I knew a brother at my lodge was acting in such away I would first speak to them directly, and if that didn't work might consider masonic charges. Lodges that think that is okay, certainly would lose my respect.


2.) If I was on the investigating comittee and someone had family that was against them becoming a mason I would have reservations about giving a good report for accepting them. This is no mark against them, rather Masonry should NEVER EVER EVER in anyway harm the bond of family......this also would be more or less an issue based on the relationship. A GF that might become the wife is a deffinate problem for me. Because masons really MUST have the support of their wives, and their wives have to be okay with the fact we spend many nights doing ritual, degree work and away from home.

I would recommend to such a would be brother to even consider bringing her to lodge function open to public, or letting her ask a brother or eastern star member questions.....until she feels okay with it. I do not know how other lodges in other areas deal with these issues, but usually we tell such applicants to wait, until their family is more amiable to it, as it is not our desire to cause any Family rift.......Masonry should never ever harm the bond of family.

That said sometimes there is already a rift.....sometimes family members are just opposed.....we do understand that....it's all taken into consideration. I would advise to really try and find out underlying reasons for objections....

[edit on 16/7/2010 by ForkandSpoon]

[edit on 16/7/2010 by ForkandSpoon]

Also I highly recommend you might have her talk to a wife of one of the masons at the lodge your thinking about petitioning most wives in masonry tend to feel that masonry is a blessing to any marriage and have HUGE impact on a more stable, and happy home. Our values are family oriented....many a mason's wife has said that masonry was the best thing to ever happen to their husband......we grow men up.....

reply to post by ForkandSpoon


OK Spoon. I hope nobody joins to get out of a ticket. I hope nobody displays the medallions for that reason either. I surely don't. BUT, if I am in a position to give a brother a break, I know that I will do it. And if a brother is in that position for me, I hope they do the same.

I have heard of people giving the all hail sign in court. THAT IS RIDICULOUS!!

Name dropping? It has its time and place. It can be very inappropriate, but it can also be a good way to connect or find common ground or start a conversation.

So, if someone's intention is to benefit from Masonry then they haven't learned a thing. But if someone is already a good Mason, and they happen to benefit by it, then it is well earned and well deserved. I try to do business with my Brothers, I try to attend their activities, I have served reluctantly in every chair, including Master. I have left my house on the spur of the moment to fill in at a Lodge for degree work. I even gave a lecture one night impromptu with no prior practice, because they asked. If I get out of a ticket, then GREAT!

Pardon me if i came on strong on that point......it's just something that irks me, and i didn't have any bran in my diet today....I'm a grumpy person. I don't mean to be a masonic Cato the younger.

I know friends or associates in any group help each other. family helps family get jobs, friends help friends get out of binds......but I just do not think one should ever expect it, and one has to remember in masonry especially that we have MANY detractors who would love nothing better then to show corruption and a duplicity in values...which is why we must be especially vigilant that we do hold ourselves to a stricter code of values.....

Please accept my apology if it felt like I was making a personal judgment.....I just really do not agree with ever using a masonic connection to get out of something, and if I did catch a break for something unasked....I would keep it on the down low and feel the need to somehow "earn it". I have in fact had great help from brothers at points in my life I otherwise would not have had, I hope I will be able to earn it by helping them and others.

To be a mason is to plan a very hard trestleboard that most will not achive in building.....none of us will ever complete it to our liking, but masons should ever hold ourselves and each other to the highest of moral standards. To me the true work of a mason is not to find or get an easier path in life, but rather taking an obligation to take the hardest path in life, to do more then is expected, and carry a heavier load then asked. I can think of at least one appendent body that teaches the "harder path, and in a very literal way makes us feel it"......that has always been one of my favorite allegorical rituals. Those who have been down that path I think will know what I mean.


[edit on 16/7/2010 by ForkandSpoon]

Originally posted by clever024
Hello, I'm interested in becoming a free mason for personal reasons, and i was wondering what are the typical hours of a lodge. what time is the lodge open. any and all responses will be greatly appreciated.

usually the stated meetings an hour before (about 6-6:30) you can meet with them at the lodge and talk

reply to post by ForkandSpoon


I agree wholeheartedly. I don't wear a ring and I recently took the masonic emblem off my car because I came to realize that the way to show the world you are a Freemason is through your actions, and not through emblems or jewelry.

I don't know of any of my Brothers who received an advantage in life whatsoever by joining us, except perhaps an improvement in their outlook on life and a stronger faith journey.

To quote JFK (who was not a Freemason):

We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.

We choose to be Freemasons, not because it is easy, but because it is hard. A man's character is not built, but rather revealed.

I am certain there have been folks that have joined because they perceived it would grant them special status or benefit, but that's not what we are about.

The inner and outer Freemasonry that we are so often criticized about simply refers to the outer or exoteric works (charity, fellowship, social) and the inner or esoteric work.

Ultimately the goal a Freemason seeks is the knowledge of his place in the Universe, his relationship with Humanity and his connection to the Divine.

To profess or postulate that status as a mason raises one man above any other is antithetical to our institution. One of our fundamental core beliefs is that all men and women are equal, we are all children of the Supreme and it's our duty as masons, and non-masons, to chip away at the superfluous differences between us and build together as one family.

I have no quarrel with a Mason who shows his pride outwardly through rings or stickers or license plates. It is my belief, though, that Freemasonry ideals transcend these emblems.

If you want the truth as I see it we are all Freemasons on a journey. I realize that may be appalling to some, but I believe no matter what path we take in life they all converge at one point.

We will all ultimately arrive at a certain point. Symbolically in the knowledge passed down through the ages this point lies metaphorically at the center of a circle. Each of us are at the center of our own universe that consists of our own opinions, observations and free will.

Freemasonry doesn't have all the answers. Each of us already has all the answers inside. The trick is to find them.

I think it can be summed up by a quote from Kung Fu Panda. LOL

Po is a fat, frustrated panda thrust into the role of the "Dragon Warrior" who must save the people. Oogway is an ancient turtle who give sage advice:

Po:
Maybe I should just quit and go back to making noodles.

Oogway:
Quit, don't quit?
Noodles, don't noodles?
You are too concerned about what was and what will be.
There is a saying: yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the "present."

So I say emblem, no emblem? Ring, no ring? It doesn't matter.

Being a Mason is something personal to each person. Each Mason has there own reasons for joining. Some join for the status, some for the trend, some for the spiritual part. Once you get into it that all goes away and you just have fun with new friends. It’s simple and healthily.

Were not ashamed of who we are, so there is nothing wrong with wearing a ring or a banner. Just as you wear your ring to show your married you can wear your ring to show you follow the morals of masonry. Most people understand this and know if you see somebody wearing a ring he is (for the most part) a good man.

There is nothing wrong with throwing out a name or membership status. Let’s say I am a police officer… well I let a lot of people go for many reasons. Lets say you’re the child of a nice teacher or a storeowner… I might let you go with a warning. (Traffic ticket) Mason’s shouldn’t be committing crimes anyways, but were also humans. But there are many people who will not get tickets and they are not Masons, it’s just the norm that peace officers follow. So if you’re a law-abiding citizen and a mason, then yes… try it, it won’t hurt. It’s no different then a non-mason telling a cop he knows somebody on the force to get out of one. Only dumb people get arrested or tickets. Anybody can get out of a ticket. And if they messed up because they are un-respectful of the law then they deserve it… Mason or not.

But, people should not join for benefits. They should join because it is something they enjoy. Mason’s don’t go around thinking they are better…it’s a private thing. It’s something you turn to, to make your self better. A better person makes better decisions and stays out of trouble.

Good evening my good and worthy Brothers.. There are some very well thought out replies in this thread and I applaud you.

I would like to become a Mason too…but I am a convicted felon, a career criminal, a convicted sex offender and a bet wetter! I know the bet wetter might be a real deal breaker for sleep overs!!!

Any chance they would take me? Can any of the ATS Masons put in a good word for me????

Thanks!

Originally posted by ProtoplasmicTraveler
I would like to become a Mason too…but I am a convicted felon, a career criminal, a convicted sex offender and a bet wetter!

Maybe you should try Knights of Columbus instead!!!!

Originally posted by Masonic Light

Originally posted by ProtoplasmicTraveler
I would like to become a Mason too…but I am a convicted felon, a career criminal, a convicted sex offender and a bet wetter!

Maybe you should try Knights of Columbus instead!!!!

That's how I ended up a convicted sex offender!



Any other suggestions?

Originally posted by ProtoplasmicTraveler
I am...a bet wetter!

Does this mean you pee on poker table antes? This trait may have some value after all........

Originally posted by AugustusMasonicus

Originally posted by ProtoplasmicTraveler
I am...a bet wetter!

Does this mean you pee on poker table antes? This trait may have some value after all........

Well for the most part it's been at the horse and dog track windows, why just piss away your money without the...?

But I really would like to become a Master Bet Wetter, to learn all the geometrical lines of wetting known to the keepers of bet wetting wisdom?

Does this mean I have potential?

That even I could be a Mason?

Please don't toy with me, on something that is my life's ambition next to becoming an Indian Cheif.

Are there Indian Cheifs that are Masons or does being one preclude the other?

Originally posted by ProtoplasmicTraveler
But I really would like to become a Master Bet Wetter, to learn all the geometrical lines of wetting known to the keepers of bet wetting wisdom?

Does this mean I have potential?

Yes.

That even I could be a Mason?

Yes.

Please don't toy with me, on something that is my life's ambition next to becoming an Indian Cheif.

We would make a hell of a team. Almost like that movie 21. You distract them with an unexpected stream and I grab the cash.

Just remember to eat extra asparagus.

Are there Indian Cheifs that are Masons or does being one preclude the other?

Maybe we can ask when we knock over the Mohegan Sun Casino.

reply to post by AugustusMasonicus


As a Mohawk Cheif I could lay tribal claim to the casino, while assaulting the bets.

You could clean out the cage! (wait that didn't sound right)

You could clean out the cash.

Now as you know I am rather suspicious by nature, does my becoming a Mason entail having to change my last name to Mason?

I only ask because my first name is Perry, and I am not sure if even I could sell the Indians that their long lost cheif is named Perry Mason!

Though as we all know, I love a good challenge!

Originally posted by ProtoplasmicTraveler
Now as you know I am rather suspicious by nature, does my becoming a Mason entail having to change my last name to Mason?

Yes, this is not optional. We need to assimilate you.

I only ask because my first name is Perry, and I am not sure if even I could sell the Indians that their long lost cheif is named Perry Mason!

Hah. You think you have it bad, my first name is Anti.

reply to post by AugustusMasonicus


I was asking because as a convicted felon a career criminal a convicted sex offender and a bet wetter (yeah that's it a bet wetter) I was afraid the only way I could ever become a Mason was by changing my name to Mason, or actually have to do back breaking work with stone. Like a self respecting career criminal would do that!

Your last name isn't Mater by chances is it?

Originally posted by ProtoplasmicTraveler
Your last name isn't Mater by chances is it?

I know you understand Latin, that better have been a typo Uncle.

Originally posted by AugustusMasonicus

Originally posted by ProtoplasmicTraveler
Your last name isn't Mater by chances is it?

I know you understand Latin, that better have been a typo Uncle.

As we all know Nephew I am prone to spelling errors!

It's just I want to be a Mason so bad. Sure I have toyed with the idea of changing my last name to Mason, but with all these bench warrants out for my arrest can I really risk showing up to court to do that?

No! I think it's safer just to take a chance on the old black ball? What do you think?

Is there a way to defuse the light in a lodge so black balls look like white balls?

So close and yet so far, what to do, what to do?