Freemasons? Should I join? Serious comments only!?

Question

I am interested in the Freemasons, and I am considering asking 2 friends who are Masons (one 3rd Degree, one 32nd Scottish Rite) about petitioning. However, I am a bit afraid of joining because of society's views of "secret societies" and what my friends and family may think.

I am fascinated with history, and I have a particular interest in conspiratorial or other than textbook views of history; and the Freemasons and Knights Templar have been occupying a bit of my interest recently. Therefore, I thought that it might be interesting to join the Masons.

Any suggestions?
Anyone a Freemason that can or will comment?
Should I be worried about joining?

SERIOUS ANSWERS ONLY PLEASE.

Answer 1

The primary reason to join Freemasonry is to learn to become a better man, and affiliate with others who also wish to become better men.

The primary requirements are to be a man of lawful age, of sound mind, of good character and with a belief in a Supreme Being. Masonry does not attempt to replace religion or to combine religions. Masonry's membership is comprised of people of many faiths.

Therefore, there is nothing for your friends and family to be concerned with about Masonry. Masonry is a bit selective, to ensure that only good men are allowed to join. Co-Masonry allows women, but that is someone else's discussion.

There is actually very little secret about Masonry. Depending on the jurisdiction, some states allow a higher profile than others to help the community or otherwise demonstrate a positive influence on the community in general and society at large. The membership roster is secret to avoid solicitations. There are secret modes of recognition, to prevent impostors from pretending to be Masons.

You are correct in the idea that you must request membership in Masonry. The first three degrees are a bit of an effort, and I wouldn't recommend joining simply to satisfy idle curiosity.

Quite honestly, I have never had any problems from anyone outside the Masonic fraternity because of my membership, and my membership is quite well known in my town, partly because I have been Worshipful Master of my lodge, and largely because I was well known as the DeMolay Advisor for the local chapter for years. DeMolay has quite a bit of opportunity for publicity, and my Chapter has been quite high-profile. DeMolay is the youth group for young men between the ages of 12 and 21, and is sponsored by Masons. Additionally, Masonic organizations have appendant bodies for wives and adolescent children.

Depending on the jurisdiction, many Lodges have quite a few activities that are open to the public.

However, there is much to learned within Masonry, and it can help understand much about history, both within the degrees of the Craft, and through the study of the history of the Fraternity.

The first step would be to request a petition for membership to a Blue Lodge. Generally you need two Masonic sponsors, and be able to provide names of two or three other references. The petiton is presented to the Lodge membership at a regular meeting, and if accepted for consideration(a formality), they will appoint an investigative committee of Master Masons who did not sign your petition.

This is just to meet with other potential brothers, and to find out a little about you. If you are married, they also will make sure that membership in the Lodge will not adversely affect your family life or work responsibilities. At this time, the committee can address any concerns your wife may have.

After the investigative committee has concluded their responsibilities, they report back to the Lodge with a report of favorable or unfavorable. Then all eligible to vote are allowed to vote on the petition, and generally acceptance must be unanimous. After the petitioner is approved, the Lodge will schedule a date for intiation.

The Scottish Rite is an Appendant organization of American Freemasonry. I have taken all 32 degrees. Personally, I found the Scottish Rite to be quite fascinating, especially research of the degrees after the exemplification. One must successfully conclude the first three degrees before one can advance to Scottish Rite or York Rite or the Shrine. Some jurisdictions require a waiting period after being raised a Master Mason before joining one or more of those three appendant organizations.

Every jurisdiction has it's own Grand Lodge, with their own rules, regulations and bylaws. Some require that one be initiated into the Entered Apprentice degree, and then memorize a bit to prove proficiency before advancing to the degree of Fellowcraft. After the Fellowcraft degree, you must memorize a bit more to prove proficiency in that degree before being raised a Master Mason. Some jurisdictions also require that one memorize the proficiency work also. The memory work for the 2d and 3d degrees is similar in form to the E.A., so while there is a bit more to memorize, the structure and similarity reduces the difficulty of memorizing the proficiency of the degrees after the first.

You will not find much in the way of conspiracies to rule the world in Masonry. It is geared towards helping men become better men. There is a great wealth of information available to Masons, but it depends on the proximity of a Masonic library and the amount of material they have in their libraries. Most jurisdictions have research lodges, several research lodges are available online, and a few of them require one to establish your membership. Masons have played a great role in the world's history, especially Europe and the Americas, but all over the world.

Most US Grand Lodges are chartered either directly or indirectly through the United Grand Lodge of England(UGLE). There are other Grand Lodges in Europe that are independent of UGLE. Additionally, there is another branch of Masonry in the US, called Co-Masonry, but someone else can address that information better than I. NeoArt may catch this question and provide some information.

My nephew is a Master Mason in the US Navy, and during his tours, has attended Masonic Lodges in other countries. He attended Lodge in Malta, and I wish that I could attend that lodge, for a number of reasons.

I recommend you consider carefully joining the Masonic fraternity. It does take a bit of time, especially at first, and many find that they have to be selective as to how active they are to be, and in which bodies. If I wanted to, I could spend all my spare time involved in Masonic endeavors. As long as you can balance your responsibilities of family life and work with Masonry, you may find it quite rewarding in terms of knowledge of how to be a better man and citizen.

Good luck to you and I hope you make the best decision for yourself and your family. If you have any other questions that are not addressed by your friends or the response to this post, you may contact me through this service. I apologize if this post is a little long or disjointed, I simply have a bit of trouble composing a post when I can only see eight lines at a time.

Answer 2

It is my understanding that one needs to be connected by blood to a former member of the Freemasons, I could supposedly go and join the Order of the Eastern Star (primarily women's section of Freemasons) Because My Grandfather was a Freemason and my Grandmother an Eastern Star. My mother chose not to be involved. But the mark of the Freemasons is on their gravestone.
There are many people connected to secret societies, and they don't necessarily talk about it to everyone. Big names like Bill Gates, Bill Clinton. There will aways be people to oppose you no mater what you choose to do.
Join if you meet their requirements and truly want to join.

Answer 3

Bro Ragnarok has an excellent answer. Freemasonry is an organization with secrets, not a secret organization. Its stated aim is to make good men better. You have nothing to fear from joining, there will be no demands made of you that will conflict with any obligations you have to your God, your country, or your family. Freemasonry donates over $1.5 million a day to charities--it is one of the largest charitable organizations in the world. There have been two excellent books on Freemasonry published recently:

Freemasons for Dummies
The Compete Idiot's Guide to Freemasonry

Here is a great website:

http://www.grandlodge-england.org/

As a note, you have a basic decision to make about Freemasonry. I respect NeoArt and his choice of which of the two branches of Freemasonry to join, but because of the history of our organization and the obligations we take, we cannot actually call each other "brother". I cannot visit his Lodge and he cannot visit mine. He is a member of "Co-Masonry" and I am a member of "(Ancient) Free & Accepted Masons" ("mainstream" or, as NeoArt calls it, "masculine" Masonry). The basic difference between the two organizations is whether or not they accept women. There are fewer Co-Masonic bodies around the world (those who accept women), the vast majority of Masonic bodies are (A)F&AM. Both organizations have the same aims and goals, neither is bent on world domination or anything so silly. But be aware of the advantages and limitations of both before you make your decision (if there is even a Co-Masonic body available in your area). Just know that once you decide, you are "stuck" in that track, you cannot participate in the other and it is very difficult to "switch".

Answer 4

Hi, be happy to chime in about what I have experienced in American Co-Masonry. Thanks, Ragnarok!

Co-Masonry is Freemasonry that derived its roots from the French Grand Symbolique Lodge. It arose in the 1800s as the Scottish court and was in exile over in France brought with it Freemasonry. None of us claim to really know where Freemasonry truly arose, by the way. French Freethinkers initiated women into their Lodges. There is also historical evidence for women in Lodges in York, England.

Today there are women only and mixed (women and men) Lodges throughout the world. The largest group in the United States in American Co-Masonry with its headquarters in Larkspur, Colorado. That is the Order to which I belong.

Although not officially recognized by the United Grand Lodge of England, American Co-Masonry holds a long and continuous Charter. We work the first three (Blue Lodge) degrees, three side degrees (York rite) and several Scottish rite higher degrees.

Progress is slow and deliberate. After initiation an Entered Apprentice takes at least five months before he or she is tested for proficiency. Fellowcraft takes at least seven. You have to be a Master Mason at least a year before you are eligible for the Mark Degree.

I think, from what I have seen of monitors of masculine rites, most would recognize what we do although we may have preserved more of some of the older traditions that have been shorn away in the American masculine rites. We may have more in common with the English now. In any case, we do ensure our members work for and are worthy of advancement (as I am sure all Brethren in Masonry do).

Co-Masonry got its start with the issues of racial and gender equality in Europe, America and Asia. We are proud of that. We continue to be a place where diverse religions, races, and genders can meet without any of that being an impediment to the work of smoothing the rough stones of our being and becoming perfect stones in the building of the Temple of Solomon.

A Master Mason
American Co-Masonry
Hiram Lodge (Santa Cruz, CA)
Amon Ra Lodge (Los Angeles, CA)
Sapientia Lodge of Research (Larkspur, CO)
Adamant Mark Lodge (Santa Cruz, CA)

Answer 5

You pass on your interior sight inn and ask for an application. it is not going which you "desire" to "connect freemasons." NOTES: - Freemasonry is a fraternity. it is not in any respect "demonic." "Demonic" is a faux Christian foisting hate and vitriol on Y!A. - you do no longer would desire to be "elite" - besides the fact that which potential. - The Grand grasp has tremendously much no longer something to to with the appliance technique.

Answer 6

I could tell you some of the 33rd degree secrets if you want.
Its pretty cool, but you get over it.

Most masons dont get over the 3rd degree. Mushroom masons i call em.

I have few masonic friends, they dont recomend it.
Once your in, you cant get out. Be Aware of that.

Read 'The Secret In The Bible' by Tony Bushby.
You wont need to join them then.

Answer 7

That is a decision that you have to make for yourself. However, I can tell you that my grandfather was and he loved it. He was always hanging out with other masons and they were always there for each other.

Answer 8

I wouldnt cuz Ive heard from a member that they combine Many religions and that wouldnt work for me..wouldnt it be better to be in a church group of your own chooseng a nice mens group where they talk and have breakfast and pray together?