CozInCowtown
Moderator
Anybody here a member of a local lodge?
Freemasons??
- Thread starter CozInCowtown
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Lamebeaver
New Member
Read "The Book of Hiram"
Theosus
Backpacking Noob
Freemasons? How can they call themselves that? Have you seen what a mason charges these days?
CozInCowtown
Moderator
I am considering joining the local lodge, just looking for input from others.
My husband tried to join them but they wouldn't accept him and to this day he does not know why. He has a sparkling clean record and he has a reputation as being a good man. He's the man everyone comes to for help, but the Masons didn't want him and didn't give him a reason.
Well the first question I always ask is, why do you wish to join?
and then:
How familiar are you with Freemasonry?
Lamebeaver
New Member
There are a lot of half-truths and legends surrounding the Masons. Seriously, read "The Book of Hiram". Many of the Mason rituals are so secret that the people peforming them have forgotten their purpose, symbolism and significance. The authors set out to find the source of these rutuals as well as the history of free masonary. It's a very good book.
As far as the person who wasn't allowed to join, I believe membership is by invitation only.
As far as the person who wasn't allowed to join, I believe membership is by invitation only.
wvbreamfisherman
Active Member
My father and both grandfathers were both Masons, as were many of my other relatives.. Neither my brother or myself are. I have great respect for the Masons in general, as pretty much all of them I know have been good folks. I just never had any interest in joining.
As with any group of people you will find some jerks, but overall I'd say they are definitely a cut above any random sampling.
As with any group of people you will find some jerks, but overall I'd say they are definitely a cut above any random sampling.
Sorry I missed this post this morning. Was a bit groggy after the benadryl last night the wife forced me to take, got stung by a bee and the foot swelled up.
That is sad. Did he try another Lodge? Sadly I've seen some Lodges not approve someone on what I call stupid reasons. There is a Lodge near me, that is in a Greek part of town and its members are all of Greek decent. Sadly, a group of their membership decided to blackball anyone who is not of Greek decent from joining the Lodge. A very sad thing as they have missed out on a lot of great men, and their Lodge is slowly shrinking.
I've seen some Lodges that group themselves by professions. Some Lodges are made up completely of Firefighters/Police Officers, or I've seen Lawyers/Judge's Lodges. However, they are very up front about it, and will tell you to request membership from a neighboring Lodge. Most often these type of Lodges are in large cities where you will have several to choose from.
There is also a chance he may have applied to a clandestine Lodge, which is a Lodge that is not recognized by mainstream Freemasons. The best way to find a local Lodge is to google Grand Lodge <state> That should bring you to the Grand Lodge for your state and they typically have a list of recognized Lodges.
Are you referring to this book http://www.amazon.com/Book-Hiram-Freemasonry-Venus-Secret/dp/1402735200/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325348599&sr=8-1
The reason why I ask, is it's author is Christopher Knight. A lot of Freemasons have problems with his writings. He often makes larges leaps and assumptions that many Freemasons do no agree upon.
A lot of the degree work is explained as you go through. But I will agree some do not go further into their meaning. But with symbols, there are often multiple meanings, and those meanings may change as you progress through life. How many know the origins of putting up a Christmas Tree, hanging up mistletoe, lighting a Yule Log, the symbol of a fish, the Celtic cross, or even as something as why we shake with the right hand.
As far as joining, the saying goes, to be one ask one. It is a long held tradition that you have to ask to join, we are not allowed to ask. Some states have changed the rule, but you will find many people still require you to ask.
Sadly you are right. There are always bad apples in any group. Hopefully though, those bad apples will be weeded out.
For a book, I often recommend Freemasons For Dummies.
It goes over a lot of basics, nothing too in depth, so it does not spoil any surprises.
Anti-Masonry: Points of View this website is a good website too.
It goes over a lot of basics, nothing too in depth, so it does not spoil any surprises.
Anti-Masonry: Points of View this website is a good website too.
Needadventure
New Member
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My dad is a recent recruit or whatever you call them. I honestly don't know much about it, and it is not something he discusses. I know that he and my mom had to be "interviewed" at their home which seems really weird to me.
Pathfinder1
Well-Known Member
Hi...
Why are they free? Can't they accept money?
Why are they free? Can't they accept money?
Lamebeaver
New Member
Yup, that's the one.
CozInCowtown
Moderator
I have been reading and researching and this is what I think I understand so far....
The big secret is "There is no big secret". Freemasons are not trying to take over the World, are not an alian-gubberment conspiracy (yup, no lizard people) but are just a mens fraturnity that strives to do what they say, "make good men better".
Membership allows one to network and socialise with other good men in the community. Together they do good charitable work for the community and fellow men.
Are there secrets? Well yeah, lotsa secret handshakes and ceremonies but if you do a quick Google search you can find out anything you want to know about them.
I just printed an application and will drop it off later this evening to my local lodge, we will see what happens.
DC