What Members are Masons?

[Regular Guy]

Eagle Rock Lodge #19, A.F. & A.M.

I was raised to the sublime degree to Master Mason nearly 4 years ago, 1 day after I was naturalized as a US citizen... what a wonderful experience it was!

That's simply beautiful. That really exemplifies what Masonry is about. Free and Accepted. Free as a citizen and accepted as a Mason.

[Geppato]

Traveling man here.

Cheers!

[SiXiam]

A question:
Is it true that if you are rich, that upon death, the Masons expect a portion of your assets?

A funny comment:
I remember passing a lodge with a friend & we were wondering what it is they do in there. So after a few laughs, we park and head to the door. We see a schedule of events posted on the door. Poker night, bridge, someones birthday, etc..... ha ha ha..... All that stuff you hear & it's just another stupid club to play cards & get away from the wife!

[3Fingas]

A question:
Is it true that if you are rich, that upon death, the Masons expect a portion of your assets?

No. But, like in some other groups, sometimes people choose to bequeath money to the lodge.

A funny comment:
I remember passing a lodge with a friend & we were wondering what it is they do in there. So after a few laughs, we park and head to the door. We see a schedule of events posted on the door. Poker night, bridge, someones birthday, etc..... ha ha ha..... All that stuff you hear & it's just another stupid club to play cards & get away from the wife!

This is the real secret of masonry

Actually, aside from conducting formal lodge business and inducting new members, most masons are doing civic and charitable activities or just socializing with other members. The lodge is a place that is politics-free, sort of like this forum (minus all the zombie talk). Civility and harmony is the result.

[Rev]

My Grandpa was a Mason and apparently fairly high ranked. All I remember about him and his connection with Freemasonry is his ring, apron, sword, and all the ice cream socials with old people I went to as a kid. Now I swear every couple of old guys I run into will squint at me, ask what my last name is, and then tell me how they knew my grandpa and how he was a helluvah man. I'm confused how they can recognize me as his grandson since I have a full beard and long hair but he was bald and clean shaved.

[3Fingas]

One of the biggest problems confronting Masonry today is how to appeal to younger folks. Many lodges are joining social networks and becoming more Internet savvy to increase their public appeal.

[Regular Guy]

A funny comment:
I remember passing a lodge with a friend & we were wondering what it is they do in there. So after a few laughs, we park and head to the door. We see a schedule of events posted on the door. Poker night, bridge, someones birthday, etc..... ha ha ha..... All that stuff you hear & it's just another stupid club to play cards & get away from the wife!

This is the real secret of masonry

Actually, aside from conducting formal lodge business and inducting new members, most masons are doing civic and charitable activities or just socializing with other members. The lodge is a place that is politics-free, sort of like this forum (minus all the zombie talk). Civility and harmony is the result.[/quote]

Don't forget going to get a beer afterwards! Yeah, Masonry is just like this forum, no religion, no politics. And we pledge, nay, obligate ourselves to each other. This obligation includes supporting widows and orphans. Wow, that's bad news, helping each other out, no matter what.

[biggcarl]

Just found this thread.

Rising Sun Lodge #15, Haddonfield, NJ
Norristown Lodge #620, Norristown PA
Zerubbabel #63, Royal Arch

[NYKh]

I am free to travel and earn a masters wage.
Currently S.:W.: of my lodge in Maryland.

Also a member of a blue lodge and A.:A.:S.:R.: in Wa. 

[urthshu]

I was invited to join once but turned it down because it would've meant hanging around with the weird guy who asked if I wanted to join. Sorry but hygiene & not being being a dweeb does count for something. That said I've nothing against the Masons. I'd prolly join 'em or some other group like Oddfellows or Redmen if I thought about it much, which I don't.

ETA:

Yeah, Masonry is just like this forum, no religion, no politics

Now see, thats just boring. And ahistorical.

[Regular Guy]

I was invited to join once but turned it down because it would've meant hanging around with the weird guy who asked if I wanted to join. Sorry but hygiene & not being being a dweeb does count for something. That said I've nothing against the Masons. I'd prolly join 'em or some other group like Oddfellows or Redmen if I thought about it much, which I don't.

ETA:

Yeah, Masonry is just like this forum, no religion, no politics

Now see, thats just boring. And ahistorical.

Oh rly? Ahistorical how? Masons are involved in politics but politics is NOT involved in Masonry. Full stop. You talk politics or religion in the lodge, you will find the door. Full stop.

[3Fingas]

I was invited to join once but turned it down because it would've meant hanging around with the weird guy who asked if I wanted to join. Sorry but hygiene & not being being a dweeb does count for something. That said I've nothing against the Masons. I'd prolly join 'em or some other group like Oddfellows or Redmen if I thought about it much, which I don't.

ETA:

Yeah, Masonry is just like this forum, no religion, no politics

Now see, thats just boring. And ahistorical.

The "weird guy" violated Masonic rules. No recruiting is allowed. A candidate for Freemasonry must ask/petition the lodge for membership of their own volition.

[Dawgboy]

Both my Grandfathers were Masons and one grandmother was Eastern Star. When cleaning out my mothers effects after she died in 2009, we found all this Masonic Jewelry from the 50's.

I have wondered what it was all about. and if it's worth my time. I mean other than hiding the Holy grail, Fibonacci math, and thwarting the Catholic church, , what kinds of things are you guys doing?

[urthshu]

3fingas - thanks. Didn't know that.

Regular Guy - Thats what I meant. Masons were historically involved in politics, and apparently discussed same in meetings in some periods of history [though of course none of us were there at the time]. Those subjects are of interest to me, the rest not so much.

Like I wrote, don't have anything against you all, but probably not my cuppa or I wouldn't be yours. Its good to know limits & all.

& not trying to derail, just sayin'

[Regular Guy]

Both my Grandfathers were Masons and one grandmother was Eastern Star. When cleaning out my mothers effects after she died in 2009, we found all this Masonic Jewelry from the 50's.

I have wondered what it was all about. and if it's worth my time. I mean other than hiding the Holy grail, Fibonacci math, and thwarting the Catholic church, , what kinds of things are you guys doing?

It's a fraternity where as the members obligate themselves to be better men, take care of each other (families too) in times of trouble and and treat the world and it's people to a higher standard. Kinda subjective but that's the bend of it.

If your grandfather was one, you should stop by a lodge and talk with the fellows.

[Regular Guy]

3fingas - thanks. Didn't know that.

Regular Guy - Thats what I meant. Masons were historically involved in politics, and apparently discussed same in meetings in some periods of history [though of course none of us were there at the time]. Those subjects are of interest to me, the rest not so much.

Like I wrote, don't have anything against you all, but probably not my cuppa or I wouldn't be yours. Its good to know limits & all.

& not trying to derail, just sayin'

Nah, your good, no reason not to ask questions. Please don't think I was being hostile.

[3Fingas]

Both my Grandfathers were Masons and one grandmother was Eastern Star. When cleaning out my mothers effects after she died in 2009, we found all this Masonic Jewelry from the 50's.

I have wondered what it was all about. and if it's worth my time. I mean other than hiding the Holy grail, Fibonacci math, and thwarting the Catholic church, , what kinds of things are you guys doing?

It's a fraternity where as the members obligate themselves to be better men, take care of each other (families too) in times of trouble and and treat the world and it's people to a higher standard. Kinda subjective but that's the bend of it.

If your grandfather was one, you should stop by a lodge and talk with the fellows.

I think Dawgboy also wants to know what sort of things we Masons do.
During formal lodge meetings, we initiate new members, vote on lodge officers and other proposals, discuss lodge funding issues, discuss charitable activities that we are doing or plan to do, and ask if lodge members need any sort of assistance -- etc.. We have a committee that specifically attends to the needs of sick and elderly members.
We also have lodge socials where member families are invited and some events are sponsored that are specifically open to non-members and the public at large. So, Masons do a lot of things and none of them are accurately depicted in any of Dan Browns' ridiculous novels.

[urthshu]

Thanks.
Curiousity now.
There's a Prince Lodge not far from where I live, very old place. Sometimes I'll see the Guardian[?] out front during their meetings. I know they're very similar in nature to the Masons so thats not my question.

My questions are more about their prospects for survival in the future, what they do community-wise, etc. It seems there's very little interest in the AA community for them and that seems rather sad. Community involvement for them seems very low, probably because of lack of resources. It seems all they can do to just keep the place going.

Would any of you guys know much them or is it more rigid than that? [I already know race is no barrier for Masons so I'm not implying that]

[Regular Guy]

To tell you the truth, I know almost nothing about Prince Hall other than they are the African Lodge.
I'm AFM and no, race does not matter here.

[randver]

sorry if this has been asked only read 4 of the 14 pages of this thread.

if one wanted to join how often do you have to go to meeting and once your a master mason how often do you have to go? and how often do you have to do charity work?
ie: once a week, once every 2 weeks, once a year, or only as often as you want.

thanks

[3Fingas]

Regular communication (official lodge meetings) are 1/month at my lodge. We have many other events going on though. If you are a new member, you may be going to lodge a couple of times/week learning for a couple of months to complete your full membership status. Other lodges have a more abbreviated membership induction process. I kind of the like the longer process because it takes commitment and dedication to complete, so that often discourages people that don't want to really be there.

Anyhow, how often you go, if you even go, is all up to you. If you are lodge officer, you will be expected to attend more often as lodge functions are largely managed by these people.

[11b20]

got anything in columbus ohio, google yealded sevral lodges of what looked like specialty stuff but no regular masons if there is such a thing?

[That German Guy]

So, Masons do a lot of things and none of them are accurately depicted in any of Dan Browns' ridiculous novels.

Hm, depends really... remember that thing with the guy in the place?...


j/k

[3Fingas]

got anything in columbus ohio, google yealded sevral lodges of what looked like specialty stuff but no regular masons if there is such a thing?

From the Ohio Grand Lodge website, here's a list of lodges in the Columbus area:
http://www.freemason.com/lodge-locator/ ... ct-14.html

By regular Mason, I think you mean a Blue Lodge. One of the links I looked at, the Neoacacia Lodge, appears to be a Blue Lodge.

Anyhow, you can check the links above and see if they fit your criteria.