quote:

Originally posted by pken:
Can anyone of you lay cement blocks? Or do you just work with bricks?

quote:

Originally posted by MasterDrillsman:
This may have been asked before, but...

Why would an individual go through a 1 day crash course to become a Master Mason, when clearly it is more beneficial, meaningful, and traditional to go through the degrees over an extended period of time?

And/or if something so meaningful to a man can take one day, why prolong it for anything longer than a week or two?

On that note, how hard are the tests and are they done the same day as the one day program?

quote:

Originally posted by ForumsAdministrator:

quote:

Originally posted by MasterDrillsman:
This may have been asked before, but...

Why would an individual go through a 1 day crash course to become a Master Mason, when clearly it is more beneficial, meaningful, and traditional to go through the degrees over an extended period of time?

And/or if something so meaningful to a man can take one day, why prolong it for anything longer than a week or two?

On that note, how hard are the tests and are they done the same day as the one day program?

This is a question that I've asked myself. The process of becoming a Master Mason was something that I would not have wanted to trade for anything in the world. Over the 3 months that it took me, I had the opportunit to really learn the meaning of what a Mason should be. I just don't know how that can be done in a single day.

quote:

Originally posted by strobelvets:

quote:

Originally posted by ForumsAdministrator:
The process of becoming a Master Mason was something that I would not have wanted to trade for anything in the world. Over the 3 months that it took me, I had the opportunit to really learn the meaning of what a Mason should be. I just don't know how that can be done in a single day.

I totally agree...the "work" involved enhances the experience..and the persons knowledge of the craft...

My personal recommendation and opinion...go the distance...and become a better person for doing so...

quote:

Originally posted by MasterDrillsman:

quote:

Originally posted by strobelvets:

quote:

Originally posted by ForumsAdministrator:
The process of becoming a Master Mason was something that I would not have wanted to trade for anything in the world. Over the 3 months that it took me, I had the opportunit to really learn the meaning of what a Mason should be. I just don't know how that can be done in a single day.

I totally agree...the "work" involved enhances the experience..and the persons knowledge of the craft...

My personal recommendation and opinion...go the distance...and become a better person for doing so...

When I finally start learning the catechism(s), my personal schedule will only allow this to be a long and drawn out process (1 or 2 nights a week for however long it takes). I am looking forward to figuring out which lodge my schedule will work best with and starting the whole process.

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).

Trust me. After 26 (twenty-six) years in Masonry, and completing the Scottish Rite, and becoming a 32d degree mason, and visiting lodges in 11 states and two foreign countries, and reading many different books on Masonry, and publishing articles in Masonic magazines, there is NOTHING ISLAMIC IN MASONRY!!!

I have lived in Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, and read and studied Islam for years. I have been inside several Mosques, and read the Holy Qu'Ran from cover to cover (In English translation, I cannot read Arabic). I live in Iraq now, my trailer is right next to a Mosque.

Masonry is NOT ISLAMIC. Islam is NOT MASONRY. Believe me, I know both subjects well.

The Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, is an appendant body of Masonry. The Shrine is an organization of men who are Masons, but not a Masonic organization. You must be a Master Mason in good standing to join the Shrine, and if you drop out of the Masons, then you must also leave the Shrine.

The Shrine has an "Arabian Nights" theme. Some of the symbols used in the Shrine are:

The face of the Sphinx. The Sphinx is an ancient Egyptian structure. It was erected in ancient times, many centuries before Islam, and the Prophet Mohammed. It is NOT Islamic.

The inverted Crescent. The Inverted Crescent used in the Shrine, is a ferrule (barrel) of gold, holding the (symbolic) claws of a Bengal Tiger. the crescent faces down, and is NOT the crescent moon of Islam. The Inverted Crescent is NOT Islamic, it is of Indian origin.

The Scimitar. The scimitar is NOT Islamic, it is a weapon used in ancient Arabia, like the straight sword of Europe. It alludes to the Arabian Nights theme of the Shrine.

The Star used in the Shrine is NOT Islamic. The star is often seen suspended below the inverted crescent. It alludes to the ancient Chaldeans, who were the first astronomers. The Chaldeans had an empire in Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq, where I live now). The Chaldeans were long gone for many centuries, before Islam ever came into being. The Star also alludes to the Arabian Nights theme of the Shrine.

There is no throat-cutting in Masonry or the Shrine. The "secrets" of Masonry are symbolic only, and all of the so-called secrets have been published in books for many years, and are now splattered all over the Internet.

Hope that makes it clear.

Charles E. Martin
Mason
Shriner
from Al Asad Iraq


What's with this? Anyone care to explain?

quote:

Originally posted by MasterDrillsman:

quote:

Originally posted by cemab4y:
The initiation ceremonies take about 3 hours each, and there are three: Entered Apprentice (1st degree) Fellow Craft(2d degree) and Master Mason (3rd degree). I took my degrees in three evenings. Some states have a one-day class, where you can complete the entire process on one Saturday morning. You arrive at the lodge at 0630am for breakfast, and then proceed with the degree work. By 5pm Saturday afternooon, you are a Master Mason.

Are there qualifications associated with the classes? Education, physical, etc?


There are no qualifications, to applying for a "one-day class". An individual makes application to a lodge of his choosing. if accepted for membership, you will be notified of when to report for the initiation ceremony. In some states, there are one-day classes, usually on a Saturday. Virginia has one one-day class per year.

quote:

Originally posted by cemab4y:
Most lodges have business meetings twice a month. You go to the lodge at 7pm, sometimes there is a meal. You open the meeting, pay the bills, greet visitors. Some lodges have a program. There might be a speaker who will talk about the FBI, or AIDS, or some topic of interest. Then the lodge will close, you have a cup of coffee, and then go home.

Are the meetings mandatory? Pay the bills - huh?! Visitors - like who?! Are they masons too?

A Masonic lodge meeting is usually closed to Master Masons in good standing. Sometimes, there will be a program. A person may come to the lodge and talk about the civil war, or terrorism, or geneaology,etc. The speaker may or may not be a mason.

quote:

Originally posted by cemab4y:
There are over 100 (one hundred) appendant bodies of Freemasonry. You may choose to join one or more of these. Myself, I belong to the Scottish Rite (southern Jurisdiction). The Scottish Rite has meetings, and programs similar to Craft Masonry.

Do I get to choose, and how would I know their differences?

After you become a Master Mason, you may choose to go on to one or more of the appendant bodies. You may get literature or visit various web sites, describing the appendant bodies, to learn more about them. Which body or bodies you participate in, is up to you.

quote:

Originally posted by cemab4y:
I belong to the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (the Shriners). The shrine is a "fun army" of masonry. Although not a masonic organization, membership in a masonic lodge is pre-requisite for joining. The Shrine has dances, parties, all kind of activities for the member AND HIS LADY. The shrine has alcoholic beverages (most masonic lodges do not), the shrine has gaming, poker, etc. (most masonic lodges do not) , and the Shrine has the greatest philanthopy in the world, the Shriners hospitals for crippled children and burned children. I have helped transport children to the hospitals for treatment. It is a real miracle to see what goes on in our hospitals. ALL treatment is FREE!! I transported a child, who had spina bifida (spinal cord not closed at birth). This child had 20 operations before he was two years old. His father pumps gas, and had no medical insurance. The shriners hospitals provides all the treatment for FREE.

Here in Iraq, we have a Masonic Square and Compasses Club, and we are collecting soap/personal care items for free distribution to the troops. We are also collecting sporting goods and recreational equipment for the Gym and Rec Hall. Lodges all over the USA and overseas are supporting our efforts.

I know of the Shriners. Always liked the little buggies in parades. I love to do what I can for those who need it.

quote:

Originally posted by cemab4y:
You can spend as much time as you like in Masonry, and the appendant bodies. Think of Masonry as a "cafeteria" where you can select which activity you like, and devote as much time as you like.

Please feel free to contact me, if you have additional questions. I love to talk about Masonry.

I had no idea it was so open to picking and choosing.

I was under the impression there were levels to being a mason, not just the 3 you mentioned. Is that a different order? Someone who posted here mentioned a level 31 or something - what is that about? I have seen cars with more than just three circular emblems on them, what do they stand for? Degrees, level, etc?

quote:

Originally posted by JerryG:
My father, USNR '49 to '57, was a Freemason at a Franklin Park, IL temple.

I've had nothing to do with it, but since his death in 2002, I've been curious.

Positives & negatives, please send to JerryG@Military.com

quote:

Originally posted by cemab4y:

quote:

Originally posted by JerryG:
My father, USNR '49 to '57, was a Freemason at a Franklin Park, IL temple.

I've had nothing to do with it, but since his death in 2002, I've been curious.

Positives & negatives, please send to JerryG@Military.com

There are thousands of books and websites. You should start with

www.masonicinfo.com

Its is all there "warts and all". I think it is one of the best websites in Masonry.

You can also visit

www.nymasons.org

Every state Grand Lodge has a web site, this is one of the best.

You can also get

"Freemasonry for Dummies": by Hodapp from Amazon. com The best all around book for the layman, or person who is interested in Masonry.

quote:

Originally posted by MC_3:
Greetings Brother who be the Admin guy. I have been on the Mil.Com Site for quite sme years now, and funny I only just hit this Forum.
So what you have here is an Aussie ex Spec Forces Freemason {MM +} my Lodge is at present the Seaview Lodge in Perth Western Australia, it is a night lodge however my body has been so smashed up and also the dreaded PTSD moster that I am going to have to change to a Day Lodge. Suits me as of the sleeping problems. Ever gone to sleep in a lodge session at the most important part of Ceremony?
I have, and that made me seek the change.
Anyway I thought I would drop by and say 'gidday' don't worry you Yanks cannot pronounce it anyway, though you try hard.
cheers
Brothers all

quote:

Originally posted by 8908265:
Greetings brother,

I'm brother B from Jehovah lodge 351 F & AM Cross, SC. Currently there are lodges in virginia trying to merg all masonic lodges (all)
There are some wearing t-shirt that say No more F & AM or AF&AM just Mason, what is you take on this matter.

Keep it on the level.

quote:

Originally posted by BroncoPauly:
Charles

Thank you for your help, looking forward to conversing in the future.

BroncoPauly

quote:

Originally posted by 8908265:
No more F & AM or AF&AM just Mason

quote:

Originally posted by cemab4y:
A.F.&A.M. stands for Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. F&AM stands for Free and Accepted Masons. Some Grand lodges use the entire description and some Grand Lodges use the short form. There is a movement underway to eliminate the longer form, and have some uniformity between the Grand Lodges in North America. Just a descriptive term, that is all.

quote:

Originally posted by cemab4y:
Man you are way out of line. Freemasonry existed in South Carolina, long before the war of Yankee Invasion.

Albert Pike's book "Morals and Dogma" is NOT presented to individuals who complete the 14th degree of the Scottish Rite.

"Morals and Dogma" USED to be presented to individuals who completed the 32d degree, but the volume is long out of print, and was never used as official text of the Scottish Rite (Southern Jurisdiction)

I knew that when this forum got started, that it would be just a matter of time, before anti-masons came out of the woodwork.

Right now, in Iraq, our Masonic Square and Compasses Club is receiving donations from Masons all over the USA, sending us soap/toothpaste,etc for free distribution. We are also receiving all types of sporting goods and recreational items for the Rec Hall.

Masonry has nothing to do with Luciferianism, satanism, or devil-worship. We are as harmless as the girl scouts.

quote:

Originally posted by MasterDrillsman:
This may have been asked before, but...

Why would an individual go through a 1 day crash course to become a Master Mason, when clearly it is more beneficial, meaningful, and traditional to go through the degrees over an extended period of time?



And/or if something so meaningful to a man can take one day, why prolong it for anything longer than a week or two?

On that note, how hard are the tests and are they done the same day as the one day program?

quote:

Originally posted by BroncoPauly:
I had a grandfather who was rumored to be a Brother, but I never knew him very well. Not estranged, just many miles between. I have been curious about his history, but it stands as looking into a dark hole, no light within. I have never had a direct invitation, but there have been possible opportunities. Maybe it will happen someday.
Take care all.
Pauly