how long did it take you to get to the 32nd degree?

Is there a ritual for each degree between the 3rd and 33rd, or do you skip certain degrees that belong to a different order, or go through the orders?

Also, do politics come into it in the later degrees?

Hey I don't care what masonry is now (likely watered down anyways), the fact of the matter is there are those wacky rituals that frankly make a catholic mass look well very Christian in comparison.

Why in the first place would someone want to become a ''mason'''

What is so special about their position???
Is it some unknown power that they think will get when they reach the top???
helen..

too many reasons.

The only power derived from it (that i see); is simply having good contacts.

For example, You get into a car crash, you gotta find a lawyer. this is tough, 90% of lawyers will bleed you dry, they are worst then criminals. but being a mason, your lodge master will find you a lawyer (a mason) who you can be sure will do his most to defend you. this recently happened to a freind.

Another example applicable to where i live, alot of police officers here are masons, and i mean alot. especially the higher ranking ones. and their duty is to their masonic brothers before their duty to the law.

having said that, most masons have a very high moral code, and would not really have a need for these priviledges

Originally posted by Ashlar
too many reasons.

The only power derived from it (that i see); is simply having good contacts.

For example, You get into a car crash, you gotta find a lawyer. this is tough, 90% of lawyers will bleed you dry, they are worst then criminals. but being a mason, your lodge master will find you a lawyer (a mason) who you can be sure will do his most to defend you. this recently happened to a freind.

Another example applicable to where i live, alot of police officers here are masons, and i mean alot. especially the higher ranking ones. and their duty is to their masonic brothers before their duty to the law.

having said that, most masons have a very high moral code, and would not really have a need for these priviledges

Hi Ashlar....

Is that then a good thing?
To Be a mason because they have high standard morals???

Well... yes.

Look at the morals of the clergy of the christian churches... what a poor example the set for their stupid sheep

i think i misread your question.

I personally am not a mason, but rather i am a student and a collector of masonic items, antique and new.

I think that i could go become a mason anytime i want, and the same applies to anyone else, in my area anyways. as long as you arent a murderer or rapist or psycho, there is no elegibilty criteria

helen i just noticed you live in australia.

I live in sydney, so all the stuff i said about Lawyers, police, membership, would also be applicable australia wide.

Originally posted by Ashlar
helen i just noticed you live in australia.

I live in sydney, so all the stuff i said about Lawyers, police, membership, would also be applicable australia wide.

So are you in Somalia???
Or is that 'CYBER' talk?

No i dont know why i put that, i never been there and i dont plan to

i live near parramatta

its something i do on all forums, i put a unlikely country, thats my signature.

Originally posted by Ashlar
how long did it take you to get to the 32nd degree?

A Friday evening and the next Saturday. Although some Valleys take longer, which I will explain.

Is there a ritual for each degree between the 3rd and 33rd, or do you skip certain degrees that belong to a different order, or go through the orders?

There are rituals for each degree but only five need to be presented to receive your 32º. Others are gone over extensively in classroom. In Valleys that have more time and members each degree is presented fully, thus it can take weeks to receive the 32º.

Also, do politics come into it in the later degrees?

No, politics and religion are a personal matters left up to the individual.

Nothing I have said here is a secret and can be found in public writings about Masonry.

You collect? I have several pieces...

My favorite one dates back to the 15th Century.
A venetian temple statue. Has the all seeing eye.
Several Devils climbing up the pedastel and some sorta strange inscription. Its wood but plated in Gold...

I think it comes from the Black Hand Society. Top of the Pyramid antique..thats for sure. Very very rare.
Yours for $13k?

I will upload a picture. Very unique!

wow it does sound nice,
certainly outdates anything i have.

i would love 2 see it, but i am not in a position to buy.

Originally posted by Ashlar
i think i misread your question.

I personally am not a mason, but rather i am a student and a collector of masonic items, antique and new.

I think that i could go become a mason anytime i want, and the same applies to anyone else, in my area anyways. as long as you arent a murderer or rapist or psycho, there is no elegibilty criteria

Quote// as long as you arent a murderer or rapist or psycho, there is no elegibilty criteria

So Ashlar.......what your saying is that once you become a ''Mason'' then all of the above is ok to do???
But only once you become a Mason???
Is that right?

helen...

helen, im not sure how you got that impression...

but to give you an idea of who masons are, (in australia)
mainly is police officers, older men (pensioners), people involved in local,state, national politics; (our current governor general and prime minister are freemasons) and many others, but in terms of psychos, killers and rapists, i dont know any.

kingsolomon: was jack the ripper a mason in your opinion? some say yes some no

Helen670,

it seems obvious from the posts in this thread that masonry today is not what it was.

when a person can become 32 degree in a short amount of time then I know they deliberately gutted this organization for public consumption.

what I know is that the original purpose for which masonry was founded has been realized and thus no real need for it anymore.

makes one wonder where the rituals moved to in the meantime?

Originally posted by THENEO

what I know is that the original purpose for which masonry was founded has been realized and thus no real need for it anymore.

interesting point