Free Masons

[DanelMadr]

Does anyone know if it is worth joining them?

It seems to me kind of lame. I understand people need rituals, badges and secret handshakes but I found it unnecessary and counterproductive. The same with organized religion...the symbols distracts you from the real deal.

I understand it is supposed to be non gay (he he) brotherhood of men regardless of religion, race and stuff. Are people just invited to join based on their achievements and/or reputation or is it like free for all - just pay the fee?

Do they have a goal?

Any ideas?

 

[5string]

Join. I am a Freemason. Sure they have secret stuff. But it's not really secret. They have no agenda other than helping their fellow human beings. They do not promote one religion over another. Each individual Mason is left to decide about who "the great architect of the universe" truly is. Every man in my family has been a Master Mason going back to the revolutionary war in this country. Even back to England, Holland, Ireland and Scotland. The CEO of my company is a Mason. My best friend is a Mason. Many others as well. All we have ever done is raise money for medical care for little kids and other worthy causes. In the meantime, while practicing Freemasonry, I have made many lifelong friends. In summary, you are taught to be a worthy human being. The goal is to be a righteous man, who respects and helps others as well as his family. The symbols and such have meaning but are nothing more than what binds us as a brotherhood. Read up on it and then decide if it's for you. Once you have been to the East, gimme a shout. I would also suggest that you google famous Masons. George Washington will pop up among others.

 

[Julius_Seizeher]

I joined the Masons last year, and this year I also joined the Shriners. FYI, the Shriners are the charitable, "relaxed" wing of the Masons.

Do not equate the Masons with the "pay as you go" orgs. such as Eagles, Moose, etc. The Masons are an ancient brotherhood dating to the times of King Solomon, and throughout modern history nearly every influential figure in politics, science, finance, business, etc. has been a Mason. The goal of Freemasonry is to cultivate brotherhood and the pursuit of further knowledge and enlightenment. It is an honor for me to have been approached by a group of (much older) Masons to join their temple, as they do not recruit.

And the Shriners...I can't say enough! It is a BLAST! There is nowhere else that you can have so much fun while contributing to such a worthy cause. Our network of free children's hospitals have an operating budget of $910,000,000 for FY 2010. I am a member of the 4 Wheeler Unit of our Shrine temple, we drive the little red Monza model cars in the parades. We have awesome formations, we burn rubber, and everyone loves us! What an amazing feeling it is to see the smiles on the faces of children and adults alike as we are zooming around on a beautiful saturday morning, they come to us and say "Can I sit in your car?" And the answer is always yes. I dare say, that little car might be the best $3000 I ever spent.

Every Shriner, while having so much fun, is also ever-mindful of the glorious cause we represent. There is a feeling of comaradarie among the various Shrine units that reminds me of my time in the Marine Corps. I thought I would never experience such selflessness and unity of purpose in the civilian world, and I have missed it, only to re-discover it as a Shriner.

So the answer is GO FOR IT, knowing that you WILL get back what you put into it.

 

[5string]

Julius.....my brother. You said it so very well. May the great GAOTU shine upon you for the rest of your days. Semper Fi buddy, although I was US Army Infantry. Go Marines!

 

[Rogue]

The Freemasons are an organization I've considered wanting to join, but, if I'm not mistaken, atheists are not allowed. You must believe in a higher power. That's my one problem with the Boy Scouts, which I used to be one, and I hear the Freemasons are kinda like the Boy Scouts for adults.

 

[5string]

http://www.durham.net/~cedar/famous.html

 

[Dust 2 Dust]

My grandfather was a 3rd degree Master Mason and was encouraging me to join. I looked into it and realized that you had to take an oath that you believed in God or "great architect" as they call it. I have no interest in religion so I didn't bother pursuing it any further.

Also, all of their so called "secrets" can be found within about an hours worth of research on Google.

 

[SoldMySoul]

Does anyone know if it is worth joining them?

It seems to me kind of lame. I understand people need rituals, badges and secret handshakes but I found it unnecessary and counterproductive. The same with organized religion...the symbols distracts you from the real deal.

I understand it is supposed to be non gay (he he) brotherhood of men regardless of religion, race and stuff. Are people just invited to join based on their achievements and/or reputation or is it like free for all - just pay the fee?

Do they have a goal?

Any ideas?

It absolutely is!!!!!!!! I have been one for about ten years. Even though I did not keep up with my dues and am not in good standing with my lodge. Financial trouble and working when lodge meeting were, I could not keep up.

YOU WILL GET WHAT U PUT INTO!!!

Even though my dues are in arrears, I am still a Master Mason and regardless how the lodge views me, I was made one in the heart!!

Some of the things will bore you, but it will require a lot of working going through the degrees, Entered Apprentice, fellowcraft and Master Mason. I completed all degrees in about 2 and half months I believe and you will learn valuable lessons that will last forever.

Once you go through all of the degrees and if you take them seriously, you will never share the secrets to the profane (non masons). You would not want to!!!!

I am glad I did it!!!! Once you become a Master Mason, you can do lateral moves to the Shriners, York rite, Scotish Rite and will learn more. I started to get involved with York, but did not have enough time for the blue lodge. Remember this: All good men are masons, but NOT all masons are good men!!!

 

[DanelMadr]

Thank you guys for the info.

I have no problem with the 'Great Architect' even on my most skeptical days I feel there is purpose to all this and making the world a better place is good enough reason for living.

I'm not sure I will join any soon though....I live abroad and if some lodges do exist here there is language barrier.

And I dislike anything organized. I know it is silly, mainly in this case and I did like it in the army but still...

I don't know many Masons...two or three good guys actually...I mean you guys Maybe if I meet some Mason in person it will persuade me.

I like the idea that all people are all together in this shyt and we should know better than barricade ourselves in our homes. And that azzholes need to be azz kicked. I'm not really a pacifist, heh

You probably know this but I'd like to share something...it is a documentary about origins of modern humans and it is inspiring and just awesome to know we all come from one place and the tremendous journey we made.

Enjoy...Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey