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Originally posted by ForumsAdministrator:

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Originally posted by MasterDrillsman:

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Originally posted by ForumsAdministrator:
As for the Scottish and/or York Rites, I do not know and will probably not know for sure until I make my decision to choose either one of those paths. It will probably be another 2 or 3 years before I'm ready for that.

Why so long before choosing a path? Personal choice or lodge requirement? Are those the only two rites available? Are there various paths within each rite - there seems to be a lot of variety out there, are they ALL covered under these two?

It's more of a personal choice. Just like dmuhler said, there are many organizations out there...and a member can choose one or none.

As for me, I am first going through the "chairs" or officer posts within my lodge. I mentioned earlier that I'm currently the Junior Warden of the lodge....I sitll have some ways to go before I make it to Master of the Lodge. Perhaps after that I will consider going further...it all depends on what's going on in life.

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Originally posted by ForumsAdministrator:
It's more of a personal choice. Just like dmuhler said, there are many organizations out there...and a member can choose one or none.

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Originally posted by ForumsAdministrator:
As for me, I am first going through the "chairs" or officer posts within my lodge. I mentioned earlier that I'm currently the Junior Warden of the lodge....I sitll have some ways to go before I make it to Master of the Lodge. Perhaps after that I will consider going further...it all depends on what's going on in life.

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Originally posted by dmuhler:
I made it to the west while stationed in Germany, I have the certificate and I will get back to the east...when I find the time.

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Originally posted by MasterDrillsman:

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Originally posted by dmuhler:
I made it to the west while stationed in Germany, I have the certificate and I will get back to the east...when I find the time.

East, West? Huh? Is that an inside thing?

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Originally posted by dmuhler:
To be the master of a lodge you have to go through the other positions or as we refer to them, chairs in the line.

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Originally posted by MasterDrillsman:

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Originally posted by dmuhler:
To be the master of a lodge you have to go through the other positions or as we refer to them, chairs in the line.

Why would one choose to go through the 'chairs' as opposed to going for advancement in one of the 'rites'?

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Originally posted by dmuhler:
I have already gone through the Scottish Rite and am a member of the Shriners. The lodge is the foundation of masonry and I felt it was (is) important to finish the line.

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Originally posted by MasterDrillsman:

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Originally posted by dmuhler:
I have already gone through the Scottish Rite and am a member of the Shriners. The lodge is the foundation of masonry and I felt it was (is) important to finish the line.

Wow, thanks for sharing that with me (us). I really appreciate ALL the info you guys have provided me. I guess I need to find a local lodge - I haven't noticed ANY mason identifiers among my friends. Well, there might be one guy I may know, but I haven't seen him for some time.

Any recommendations on how to find a lodge, or should I just go to one of the lodges I have noticed in my area (VA, near DC)?

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Originally posted by ForumsAdministrator:
Have you looked at the yellow pages yet?

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Originally posted by MasterDrillsman:

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Originally posted by ForumsAdministrator:
Have you looked at the yellow pages yet?

You're kidding?! I would have NEVER thought to look there.

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Originally posted by MasterDrillsman:

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Originally posted by cemab4y:
Yes, you can join the fraternity, and then not be very active. When I was in college, I did not spend much time with Masonry. Once I was established in my career, and had more free time, I became more involved. Fact is, we have many "dues payers" who join the fraternity, and then do not attend meetings, or participate. My home lodge in Kentucky has about 600 members, but they are lucky if 20(twenty) members show up for a business meeting. Masonry is like any other club, in that you can join, pay your dues, and then not go to meetings, there is no "mandatory" number of meetings you must attend per year, or any thing like that.

See my other posting. The amount of time you choose to devote to the craft, and the appendant bodies is entirely up to you. When I lived in Saudi Arabia, I was very active. Leisure and recreational activities are sparse in Saudi, and the lodges have all kinds of activities. I really cherished Freemasonry during the time I was in Saudi.

Wow, sounds good.

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Originally posted by cemab4y:
The cost is variable. We are NOT a rich man's club. Many people of modest income participate in our organization. Dues vary from state to state and from lodge to lodge. If you are in an old lodge, which already owns their building, and they are not paying a mortgage, then dues are less. If you belong to a younger lodge, which is trying to retire a mortgage, your dues will be a bit higher. My home lodge in Kentucky has dues of $55.00 per year (this includes the local lodge and the annual assessment for the Grand Lodge of Kentucky). We have fund-raisers and spaghetti dinners, and pancake breakfasts, to help meet operating expenses, and this holds down the dues costs, and also are great fun as well.

Of course, when you choose to join some of the other 100 appendant bodies, you will have to pay dues to each organization you join. More memberships, more costs.

Not expensive is a good thing, but what do you mean by 'more memberships'?

I mean, the more organizations you join, the more memberships you will have. Every time you join a new organization, you will have to pay dues to the organization you join. There are over 100 (one hundred) appendant bodies and organizations affiliated with Freemasonry. The more you join, the more it will cost you.

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Originally posted by cemab4y:
You petition(apply) to a lodge, and then if you are accepted, you join as an Entered Apprentice, then a Fellow Craft, and then a Master Mason. There are no higher level or ranks in Masonry than that of a Master Mason.

If you choose to expand your knowledge of Masonry, and participate more deeply, you may choose to go on to the "higher degrees" of Masonry. The Scottish Rite has 29 additional degrees. (I have completed these, and now I am a 32d degree Mason).

How often does one NOT get accepted? What kind of thing disqualifies a person? Yes, degrees, that is what I was wondering about when I asked about 'levels'. How does one advance in degree? Is it hard?

When an individual makes a petition(application) to a lodge, the lodge will appoint a committee, to do an investigation on the petitioner. The committee will check to see if the individual has a felony record. The committee will then interview individuals who have a knowledge of the character of the petitioner. If the petitioner is an atheist, or has a felony record, or is not of good moral character, the committee will report back to the lodge, and the petition will be rejected. If the committee report is favorable, then the lodge will vote on the applicant. The admission vote must be unanimous. If one lodge member has a legitimate objection to the petitioner, then the petition will be rejected.

There are three(3) degrees in Ancient Craft Masonry. As explained before, the petitioner will attend a meeting, and go through a ceremony, where he is made an Entered Apprentice. Then 30 days later, he will attend a ceremony, where he is made a Fellow Craft Mason. Then 30 days later, he will attend a ceremony, and be made a Master Mason. Most states require the individual to memorize a portion of the ceremonial work, but this varies from state to state. In Kentucky, the individual is required to commit the 1st and 2nd degree ceremonies to memory, but the third degree ceremony memorization is optional. The ritual and ceremonial work is very beautiful, very moving, and you will remember it the rest of your life. I have been priviliged to participate in several degree ceremonies, assisting other men in joining the craft.

Now, after completing the three degrees of Craft masonry, the individual may choose to go on his Masonic education. ALL masonry is voluntary, and the individual makes the decisions to progress of his own free will and accord.

Should the individual desire to go on to the Scottish Rite of Masonry, he will make out a petition to the local Valley(district) in his Orient(state). The scottish rite valley will perform a short investigation, just to confirm that he is a master mason in good standing. Then the petitioner will be voted on again, and the vote must be unanimous. Once the petitioner is approved, he will receive a letter telling him to report to the Scottish Rite temple, for the conferring of the Scottish rite degrees.

I took the 4th-32d degrees of the Scottish rite on two Saturdays. Some valleys have a one-day class. The experience is beautiful, you watch an instructional drama in 29 acts, which are the 29 degrees of Scottish Rite masonry. There is nothing to memorize. Once you have watched the drama completely, you are then a 32d degree mason. You receive your membership card and "patent" which is a diploma, certifying that you have completed all the degrees.

The York Rite experience is similar. Some individuals complete the Scottish Rite, some the York Rite, some do both, some do neither. How far you go in your masonic education is up to you.

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Originally posted by cemab4y:
Masonry is NOT a secret organization. We identify ourselves with rings, belt buckles,etc. Many states have an official masonic license plate. Our buildings are clearly marked, most lodges and grand lodges have internet websites. (see www.nymasons.org one of the best).

Masonry is a PRIVATE organization. What goes on in the meetings is private, and kept between the members. Like a family or a business, or a sports team, the planning sessions are kept only for those who have a "need to know", and are members of the family/business/sports team. Meeting rooms are private, and the windows are blocked/sealed/painted for privacy only.

I understand the difference. Kind of like DoD classified info - need-to-know. I get it.

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Originally posted by cemab4y:
Keep the questions coming! I am enjoying this.

I too am enjoying this. Thanks!!

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Originally posted by MasterDrillsman:

quote:

Originally posted by dmuhler:
To be the master of a lodge you have to go through the other positions or as we refer to them, chairs in the line.

Why would one choose to go through the 'chairs' as opposed to going for advancement in one of the 'rites'?

quote:

Originally posted by MasterDrillsman:

quote:

Originally posted by dmuhler:
I have already gone through the Scottish Rite and am a member of the Shriners. The lodge is the foundation of masonry and I felt it was (is) important to finish the line.

Wow, thanks for sharing that with me (us). I really appreciate ALL the info you guys have provided me. I guess I need to find a local lodge - I haven't noticed ANY mason identifiers among my friends. Well, there might be one guy I may know, but I haven't seen him for some time.

Any recommendations on how to find a lodge, or should I just go to one of the lodges I have noticed in my area (VA, near DC)?

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Originally posted by truthiness:
My grandfather was a Mason and he was in the military. I am intrigued with the Masons and would like to know what they stand for, what they believe, how do they recruit new members, etc.? Is is a secret society? Enquiring minds want to know. Thanks.

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Originally posted by 5727609:
Why does masonry use an Islamic symbol including a scimtar, crescent moon and star, and a muslim face? I think many people are unaware that this is really an undesireable cult with scotish rite degrees and symbolic throat cutting (not unlike the Morman cult).

I have seen where when George Washington discovered what was a t the heart of this group he never attended another meeting again.

The big G does not stand as respect for the Biblical God even though they have an alter w/ a Bible on it. The G stands for any god you want.

Many attend for the ice cream served at the end of the secret meetings. They do "good works" and are able to raise money to help children in hospital. It is a type of "dungeons and dragons"
type of group w/ emphasis on the dragons.

the symbols used speak volumes.
(00) buck(shot)

Here is the official name for the Shriners;
"Ancient ARABIC Order Nobles Mystic Shrine".
The Bible is considered mere "furniture" so all is not as it seems in this cult.

There are some 1000 southern baptist pastors that belong to the cult perhaps emphasizing that the group "looks" good and not much thought is put into joining this groupwho claims John the Baptist was a Mason but the cult was started in 1717. google biblical discernment ministries and click cults for an accurate description of this group before joining. You may decide against it as it is technically a religious sect and not pro-Christ in any sense.

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Originally posted by 10836435:
Watch the documentary titled "The Lightbringers: The Emissaries of Jahbulon" by Juri Lina.

That film will open your eyes and make you realize there is more to the story than the happy sun light on the Masons brochures.

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Originally posted by strobelvets:

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Originally posted by 10836435:
Watch the documentary titled "The Lightbringers: The Emissaries of Jahbulon" by Juri Lina.

That film will open your eyes and make you realize there is more to the story than the happy sun light on the Masons brochures.

Personally, I think bad news conspiracy ideas sell a lot of books..and make folks rich...

That being said, I had no idea the EVIL ONE had an interest in promoting fraternity, moderation and a respect for fellow man... is he turning over a new leaf? I don't think so...

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Originally posted by 5727609:

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Originally posted by strobelvets:

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Originally posted by 10836435:
Watch the documentary titled "The Lightbringers: The Emissaries of Jahbulon" by Juri Lina.

That film will open your eyes and make you realize there is more to the story than the happy sun light on the Masons brochures.

Personally, I think bad news conspiracy ideas sell a lot of books..and make folks rich...

That being said, I had no idea the EVIL ONE had an interest in promoting fraternity, moderation and a respect for fellow man... is he turning over a new leaf? I don't think so...

The EVIL ONE comes as an angel of light. There is a reason he is portrayed as a serpent, cunning, deceptive and copperhead deadly.

Can no one answer my about the symbols except to say they are tradition and harmless?

Harmless fraturnity or Mohave Green deadly??

regards
(00)buck(shot)

quote:

Originally posted by 5727609:

quote:

Originally posted by strobelvets:

quote:

Originally posted by 10836435:
Watch the documentary titled "The Lightbringers: The Emissaries of Jahbulon" by Juri Lina.

That film will open your eyes and make you realize there is more to the story than the happy sun light on the Masons brochures.

Personally, I think bad news conspiracy ideas sell a lot of books..and make folks rich...

That being said, I had no idea the EVIL ONE had an interest in promoting fraternity, moderation and a respect for fellow man... is he turning over a new leaf? I don't think so...

The EVIL ONE comes as an angel of light. There is a reason he is portrayed as a serpent, cunning, deceptive and copperhead deadly.

Can no one answer my about the symbols except to say they are tradition and harmless?

Harmless fraturnity or Mohave Green deadly??

regards
(00)buck(shot)

quote:

Originally posted by 5727609:
Why does masonry use an Islamic symbol including a scimtar, crescent moon and star, and a muslim face? I think many people are unaware that this is really an undesireable cult with scotish rite degrees and symbolic throat cutting (not unlike the Morman cult).

quote:

Originally posted by MasterDrillsman:

quote:

Originally posted by 5727609:
Why does masonry use an Islamic symbol including a scimtar, crescent moon and star, and a muslim face? I think many people are unaware that this is really an undesireable cult with scotish rite degrees and symbolic throat cutting (not unlike the Morman cult).

What's with this? Anyone care to explain?

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Originally posted by MasterDrillsman:
What should I look for in a lodge? I have one that is closer to my home, while the other seems to be larger and more, well, I don't know how to put it - the otehr is the actual Washington Masonic Memorial, and it speaks for itself, and the website is very forthcoming.