You can't possibly know everybody so don't tell me that it's like a circle of friends since you don't even get to choose who to be members with and it's not even like a professional organisation of say apple growers cause in that case it's not secret and you know what it's purpouse is.
So what's the point?
2007-02-20 01:22:14 · 9 answers · asked by amateurgrower 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
If you have to ask don't ever join!
2007-02-20 07:42:49 · answer #1 · answered by Dan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Co-Masonry, Freemasonry for women and men, the whole point is hardly about socialization. Rather it is about learning to change ourselves. It is an alchemical pursuit. We are changing our hearts from lead to gold.
I drive 800 miles a month to attend the two Blue Lodges (1-3rd degrees) I belong to. We get there in time to set up the Lodge (all our "equipment" is stored away and needs to be set out properly), rehearse what we need to, do the Lodge, put up the "equipment" and maybe grab a snack with the Brothers. then I drive back home. Each Lodge is about 200 miles away from my home. Many Co-Masons fly to get to Lodges they are helping start. Must be something to it.
It is not like Co-M has a Lodge in every town, not like how it was in the masculine rite Lodges. So what is the point of all this travel?
It is about become someone different.:someone who learns to be responsible in a group, someone who learns to let go of a mistake and tries to do better next time, someone who gives what they can when they can and not worry about what might happen in some dark future. Yes, I have made some contacts, but they are usually folks whose services I do not need. Instead, I support them when they try something new or need a ride. They make sure I get what I need, especially lessons I seem to be learning.
I am Almoner for my Santa Cruz Lodge. I am the one who makes sure that folks are ok. If we have some money, what might be the best charity to support. I get contacted when a Brother needs a hand, the heartstrings of the Lodge.
In my Los Angeles Lodge, I am the Junior Deacon. I help guide candidates during Initiation, I along with the Senior Deacon escort the Worshipful Senior Warden to the Altar. I am also Lodge Secretary. I send out notices when the Lodge is going to be meeting. I also keep record of the minutes of each Lodge meeting.
All of those jobs put enormous pressure on me to change. I hate snail mail. I was not very organized about paperwork. I was getting a little deaf so talking on the phone was hard. Yet, all of that aside, I am doing my best to be a good Almoner, Secretary and Deacon. Why? Because we work together. The ritual is only as good as the participants. I could not and would not do this on my own.
So that is part of why I am a Co-Mason. Plus, I look pretty good in a white suit, tie, and shoes. *grin*
BTW, if you would like to learn more, there is a link below. I know the folks in our Grand Lodge. Further they know almost everyone. Feel free to write to me if you wish.
A Master Mason
American Co-Masonry
2007-02-21 07:32:54 · answer #2 · answered by NeoArt 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The movie "National Treasure" is fiction. So is the notion of an all powerful "secret society of freemasons" protecting the will of the nation. Just like Tom Clancy novels do not depict how the government actually operates. We forget sometimes that politicians don't care about communism/terrorism as an ideal, but a threat to how much money they can fight over pocketing the same as freemasonry is more of a philanthropist organization or place where old people go when they get sick of their wives.
2007-02-20 01:30:21 · answer #3 · answered by mixedup 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
They're a fraternal brotherhood that allows people to get together, as already noted they are involved in some charitable works. They're no different than the Kiwanas, Fraternal Order of Police, etc. People try to label them as some sort of national conspiracy network but those people have no idea what they're talking about.
2007-02-20 01:38:52 · answer #4 · answered by Mr. Pibb 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
networking/ brotherhood i am not a free mason but i am a apart of Lamda Chi Alpha fraternity which one of the original founders was a freemason so therefore i believe it is alot alike, through what i have researched. You are linked with every one in a brotherhood by the knowledge you gain by being in that brotherhood.
2007-02-21 18:28:54 · answer #5 · answered by champagne0307 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The point? You have to be a Freemason to become a Shriner. You have to be a Shriner to drive those little go-carts in the Thanksgiving parade. I'd do it for the fez hat.
2007-02-20 01:38:59 · answer #6 · answered by Michael E 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is just a social network club. They look out for one another and help you meet people who are connected in the community. They also do things for the community.
The Shriner's are Masons and they put on a Circus to benefit their Shriner's Hospitals.
2007-02-20 01:28:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
It's a fraternal organization that does charitable works in the community. If you don't want to belong, don't ask to join.
2007-02-20 01:27:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
We grow pineal glands like you do forget me nots.
2007-02-20 17:03:42 · answer #9 · answered by Labatt113 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋