What can you tell me about Freemasonry? (This is not a conspiracy theory thread)
The closer to the end of college I get, the more interested I get in service opportunities, networking, and generally finding ways to make myself into a more well-rounded individual.
I have always been interested in the Freemasons. I have ancestors who reached pretty high degrees in the fraternity, and my uncle was a Demolay, though he never entered the Masons because he just wasn’t interested.
Every time I’ve asked, I’ve always been told that the Masons “make good men better” and that if I am truly interested, I need to stop by a lodge to talk with the guys before a meeting. This seems rather vague to me, and I’ve never stopped by a lodge to talk, but I’m still interested in the opportunities the Masons could potentially provide.
This is where you come in, Fluther. I know that Fluther is a rather diverse community with a pretty deep pool of random knowledge, so I figure that someone out there has to have some kind of experience with the Masons either directly or indirectly. If someone on here is a member, I’d love to hear about anything you’d be willing to tell me about the fraternity. Additionally, I’d like anyone who knows anything about the Masons who also knows me as well as the internet will allow to tell me if they think it would be a good opportunity for me or not if I were to try and join.
Disclaimer: this is *NOT a conspiracy theory thread. I don’t want to hear about how the Masons and the illuminati are secretly planning to gas us all with chemtrails so six headed dragons from mars can take over the world. So spare me, please.
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25 Answers
I used to date a Mason. He was fairly serious about it, and his father before him had been very serious, raised to the 33rd degree. My boyfriend told me lots of things, and I always thought he made them all up (took something true and altered it). I have my doubts that even with all his stories over a number of years, I actually learned anything reliable.
Except this: they do support worthy causes. The Shriners’ hospital in Boston for pediatric burns cases is one example.
@Jeruba yeah, the causes they support is one of the biggest reasons I’m interested in joining. I love what the Shriners do, and I’ve always been told that whenever you hear about an “anonymous donor” paying for medical services that a child or family can’t afford, that it was probably a Mason or Masons that made the donation. This kind of pseudo-anonymous charity is really appealing to me. Thank you for your input.
I’m a little busy at the moment, but I happen to be a Freemason, so I’ll take some time to answer. Loosely defined, the organization is one that teaches morals through the use of allegory. The Wikipedia article looks to be pretty good for many of the basic things. What the article lacks is the information about the different charitable activities undertaken by the different organizations that come under the umbrella of Freemasonry.
But really, to get started all you have to do is call your local lodge and ask “How do I become a Freemason?” Those words will get you started.
As mentioned, I’m very busy today, but I will try to answer more of your questions here, or you can PM them to me.
@hawaii_jake, that’s awesome. I’ll put together a few questions and PM you later. Thank you so much!
Both my father and his father were Masons. They were both upstanding human beings and I would endorse anything they signed on for. Stop by and talk to the people. I know belonging gives you connections in almost any city in the country.
@Sunny2, awesome, thank you. It’s starting to look like I should just stop by and talk to the Masons at my local lodge.
My father is a Mason. He is “In the chair” whatever that means.
From what I have deduced, the Masons are a group of people (mostly / fully?) comprised of middle age males. They have meetings in a place called a lodge, where they drink beer, eat meals, discuss events, and do charity work.
There also seems to be a religious element to it all. I have not read enough to be sure, but from what I have read, I suspect a small part of it probably has something to do with converting people to christianity.
The reason I mildly suspect this (or something like this), is because one rule is that atheists can not join the masons. Another rule is that you can be any religion you like to join, another rule is that you cant talk about religion while you are there. Yet, their literature seems to be exempt from these rules, as they often quote things lightly relating to christianity.
Overall opinnion: It’s boy scouts for adults, with a religion/church style structure and rituals, with a few higher-ups that have some kind of influence and power.
@poisonedantidote regarding the religious element, I really don’t think that it has anything to do with converting people to Christianity. Like what @hawaii_jake said, they use a lot of allegory to teach certain morals, and I think that the allegory draws heavily from Christian imagery because it makes sense in the context of the group’s history. I do know that you have to state that you believe in a god, but I’ve seen people on other forums who are pantheists, Asatru, and even Wiccans who are active freemasons and they’ve never had a problem. I’m not an atheist, so it doesn’t really bother me.
@Fiddle_Playing_Creole_Bastard I don’t think they have to believe in a god. At least not a monotheistic capital god. I think they just need to state that they believe in a higher power.
As for the converting people thing, I must really emphasize again that when I say that, I am talking about a very small element of it. I doubt there is any cloak and dagger master plan to convert the world going on.
However, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, and other people of other faiths that join the Masons, would surely be put in a situation where they would be encouraged to research these christian allegories, while still not being able to procrastinate their beliefs. There is a one-way-street element to it, maybe it is just a convenient bonus, but It is a small element none the less in my opinion.
Yes, my father was a 33rd degree Mason, and my nephew is one.( Of a lower rank, not sure what.) Great for service and character building. I am also a daughter of the American Revolution, my family is of pretty high integrity. Then silly me came along to mess up the curve of seriousness. ;-)
@poisonedantidote ok, I see what you are saying now. There seems to be some disagreement as to the god requirement of Freemasonry, but it looks like there are loopholes for people that aren’t explicitly monotheistic or whatever. Link related
@Coloma cool. I’m seriously considering joining. And there’s nothing wrong with a bit of silliness, my dear.
My grandfather was a Shriner. Ask one of your relatives who is/was a Mason or any Mason about the fraternity. You must ask for a petition to join if you are interested in becoming a Mason. The Masons don’t accept atheists. You must believe in God. They don’t question you about your beliefs or how you believe; just that you believe in God.
One of my very dear friends was a member of the Eastern Star.
http://www.ben-ali-shriners.org/Masonicfaq.htm
@bkcunningham cool, thank you. I don’t have any living relatives who are members, unfortunately. I suppose I’ll just have to ask for the petition on my own.
@bkcunningham thank you, though I probably would be forbidden from revealing any real secrets.
Aww, I won’t tell anyone.
There’s actually a reddit AMA that I think is fairly lengthly. Might have some of the questions you’re interested in.
@dverhey sweet, thanks for the link. I’ll check it out.
It’s not about Christianity. My boyfriend and his father and most of their friends in the organization were Jewish. Solomon’s Temple figures in there somehow—isn’t that the source of the original metaphor?—and that was assuredly not Christian.
If I’m not mistaken, Catholics are forbidden by their own religion to join this fraternal order.
@Jeruba If I’m not mistaken, Catholics are forbidden by their own religion to join this fraternal order.
I’m about 99% sure that you are correct. Even so, Catholics are still welcomed into Freemasonry.
@dverhey this thread on reddit has been very helpful. Thanks again!
Could be a pretty cool group to join in. I have a feeling you are curious by nature and would probably end up starting something with them and only by going through the process would you really find out whether it’s for you or not. I have two friend masons and one of them invited me once to their Grand Lodge in Manhattan where I saw this huge picture of Cecille B. DeMille. Turned out he was a mason. The mason’s wives and kids were all there and we had food and drinks.
Around that time, I needed a big favor from my mason friend and he was able to help me rather quickly by asking another mason, his “bro” to do that thing which I needed help for. No fuss, no questions. It was like I had a Mafia godfather with me! I was also told that wherever you are in the world, a mason from any chapter will most likely help you, almost no questions asked. You are duty bound to stop and help if you see a car with a fellow mason sticker stranded on the road. And then there’s the secret handshakes too.
Plus the ultra-rich history of freemasonry dating back to ancient times is enough to mystify and mesmerize any thinking man out there. Need I say, Knights Templar, Benjamin Franklin and George Washington?
Many years ago I did read a book about the history and I would suggest, in case you may want to find out more, to do the same. There are many books out there I’m sure but the one I happened to read was written by someone who explained the big split in two that happened in the world of freemasonry. The Scottish Rite was one and then the other which I could no longer remember. I would suggest you read some to gain a little bit more perspective.
@mazingerz88 great answer, thank you. All of that stuff is partially why I find the idea of the Masons so appealing. I like the idea of having a world wide support system, and the camaraderie that comes with it. The historical aspect is obviously very appealing to me as well. Thank you very much.
I live in the United States and have seen quite a few documentaries on the Freemasons or Masonic Temple; I believe to be another name. In recent years, a couple of women have been allowed to join, but up until that point in time, the club or group mainly consisted of men and was considered a gentleman’s club. The club’s meetings are private and have been cloaked in mystery through the years as the Freemasons maintain a strict code of allegience to secrecy. As to the nature of their private affairs, they have been the target of speculation and contrived rumors that entail dubious agendas and subversive motives from Devil worshipping to human sacrificing and other cult practices. A recent program actually allowed a camera and film crew to document and air a Masonic meeting including the ritual they perform when inducting a new member into the group. Many prominant, famous politicians, scholars, and high-profile statesmen/diplomats have been members of the Freemasons throughout history. The group adheres to a high standard of loyalty, years of traditional values, and a strict code of ethics. The voice of critics and skeptics seems to be diminishing in the wake of all the benevolent deeds, humanitarian and charitible acts known to be associated with the Freemasons and the many things they do for the good of the community. (Hope this helps!)
Wow, @shariw, that was awesome. You write like a professional. Really nice. Do you happen to have a link to the story about the women who were allow into the Masons? I can’t find anything. Thank you.
@shariw great write up. I’ve already made up my mind. I’m definitely going to pursue membership. Your post only cemented my decision further.
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