Questions about Masonry: an open and honest forum

Is there a word for those of us that need to feel like we are apart of something? I now I don't need to be in any ass grabbing secret clan to feel special, how about the rest of you?

Originally posted by HizToyz
I have some new questions.

ATS probably isn't the best place to ask these questions.

Originally posted by HizToyz
Do the colors Blue, Red, Black backgrounds mean anything?

As far as I know, not really. The Scottish Rite has its own ring, which is different.

Originally posted by HizToyz
When are you a "Mason"? is the 1st degree considered a Mason or only when your 3rd degree? Are you not a brother until your a MM?

As soon as you take the oath for the 1st degree, you're a Brother. However, in most lodges, you wont' really be able to participate in a lot until you take the 3rd degree.

Originally posted by HizToyz
Whats your home lodge? If I become a MM at Lodge A in VA and move to MA and join a new lodge what do i call each? Then there is the payments due I pay both or can I stop paying VA and only pay MA?

So confused.

I don't know if this is true elsewhere, but here you can join as many lodges as you want, but you'd have to pay dues at all of them. You can always visit any lodge anywhere in the world if you are a Master Mason... you don't have to join them. You can demit from one lodge and join another, like in your example.. (well yours is more complicated because it's different Grand Lodges, but basically the same concept.)

Originally posted by dark_matter06
Is there a word for those of us that need to feel like we are apart of something? I now I don't need to be in any ass grabbing secret clan to feel special, how about the rest of you?

I do my mom didnt hold me enough. Daddy never said he loved me and my priest didnt grab my ass enough...put that all together and there you go. Now that I explained myself maybe you can explain what value your post brought to this coversation.

Originally posted by JustMe74
ATS probably isn't the best place to ask these questions.

I am sorry I thought that, that is what this thred was about? (no sarcasim in that at all) I figure any question that is to touchy I will be told not to ask. Other wise I hate going into something I dont have the answers for. I hate to make stupid mistakes because i didnt know "custome". And to be honest I feel stupid asking some of these things in person lol

Mod Edit: BB Code.

[edit on 20/10/2007 by Mirthful Me]

reply to post by HizToyz


Careful who you listen to around here.

On rings. Do the colors Blue, Red, Black backgrounds mean anything?

No.

I was reading once some where that the blue was the blue lodge the red the scottish rite.

Red is often associated with the Royal Arch

Blue lodge rings may have blue in them .. mine is made of silver, has a square and compass in gold over black enamel.

Whats the black? or is that all hog wash and the color is just there to match your eyes!

Personal preference really.. the black was less "loud" so to speak, it blends in. Besides, I already where a big ring with a big ol saphire on it, it would have been ugly to have two rings one finger apart both with big blue stones.

I know guys with pure gold rings, silver only rings, red stones, blue stones, I saw a guy once with a green stone, now that was a different looking ring. Also you can have added what ever you want to the ring.. some just want the square and compass, I have cross bones on mine with latin saying "through virtue has united, death shall not seperate" on the other side (its a class ring type design) another square and compass..

When are you a "Mason"?

Hard quation really..

you are a Mason at the first degree, but not a Master Mason, which you must be to fully take part in lodge. Once you get your 3rd degree you will get your dues card and so forth, identifying your self as a true Mason. So I suppose after the 3rd degree.

Whats your home lodge?

Home is where your heart is my friend. I was raised in Ohio, I am moving to Portland Oregon this summer but my Ohio lodge will always be my home lodge. My new lodge will be my adopted lodge.

Then there is the payments due I pay both or can I stop paying VA and only pay MA? So confused.

No, you move you stop paying dues. Unless you keep both lodges (or are allowed to some states do not permit more then one lodge that you can belong to) .. but you can denounce membership to a lodge at anytime.

Is there a word for those of us that need to feel like we are apart of something? I now I don't need to be in any ass grabbing secret clan to feel special, how about the rest of you?

I have a word for you, but its censored.

As far as I know, not really. The Scottish Rite has its own ring, which is different.

Scottish rite rings almost always have the double headed eagle.

I do not know how to quote as elegantly as you but I thank you. I think that most if not all of my current concerns have been answered by you. When asked I do not want to say Yes I am a Mason if I could not. I am sure most of my questions will be answered when (and if) I am accepted. I just dont want to go in blind. I travel this great country of ours on bussiness for 2 weeks then I am home for one. My petitioned lodge sec. has told me this will be no problem for my acceptance or furtherment into the craft. But sitting in a hotel room starting at 4 walls all day isnt doing me any good. Going to the local bars was not my idea of meeting people or having fun. I felt that (and yes I know in most cases I have a long time to go before I can get into any lodges abroad) I would be able to meet and associate with people I have things and ideals in common with while on the road.

Mod Edit: Big Quote – Please Review This Link.

[edit on 20/10/2007 by Mirthful Me]

reply to post by HizToyz


Once a Master Mason with the proper dues card, you will be able to travel freely to other lodges and so forth. Many Masons when traveling the country visit lodges, when they leave the country as well, they go to lodges.

Now.. you wont be able to enter a bar and know whos a Mason or not, im sure you will meet some on your travels.

Oh no dont misunderstand me... I did not mean I was going to bars looking for them ( that sounds worse everytime i read it!) I just ment going to bars night after night week after week sucks and you dont meet anyone worth meeting (lol I never due atleast I dont mean to offend any Masons who attend bars!)

Mod Edit: Big Quote – Please Review This Link.

[edit on 20/10/2007 by Mirthful Me]

reply to post by HizToyz


I knew what you meant lol, and I happen to enjoy going to bars thank you. Though I don't go to meet people, but go with my group of friends. Always good times.

Originally posted by Rockpuck
reply to post by HizToyz

 

I knew what you meant lol, and I happen to enjoy going to bars thank you. Though I don't go to meet people, but go with my group of friends. Always good times.

Next time I am in Portland (well the first time!) my company will buy you a few rounds!

Originally posted by HizToyz

Originally posted by Rockpuck
reply to post by HizToyz

 

I knew what you meant lol, and I happen to enjoy going to bars thank you. Though I don't go to meet people, but go with my group of friends. Always good times.

Next time I am in Portland (well the first time!) my company will buy you a few rounds!

Well hell! .. If its on the company! .. Im saving this to hold for later use in case I find out your in the Portland area, i will come to receive my promised round!

Originally posted by HizToyz
When are you a "Mason"? is the 1st degree considered a Mason or only when your 3rd degree? Are you not a brother until your a MM?

From the moment you do your first degree, you ARE a Mason.

reply to post by dark_matter06


This behavior is not necessary.
You can go now.

Please, do not come back to this thread if you continue to act in this manner.

Yeah, so once again, I've been gone a while and I've come back.
I've missed you all quite a bit (especially you Rockpuck).
So, I've noticed yet another thread that has led to quite a few misunderstandings (www.abovetopsecret.com...) and I implore that some of the contributors of that thread (on both sides of the debate) come here in order to be able to both expand their horizons and share with us the knowledge that they have acquired.
Please come, let us sit and talk like gentlemen (uh...and ladies...if that applies to you too).
You are all welcome here (unless you behave wrongly).

I have a question; does the masons have partys like the one in the movie
"Eyes Wide Shut"

I have heard about some party where you had to have sex from a mason dont know his degree.

reply to post by Ovuca


Never having seen that movie I can not answer that portion of the inquiry.
However, that last part sounds like someone having fun at your expense.
Sexual acts play no part whatever in any Masonic ritual that I've ever heard of and I'm pretty sure that my other brothers up here who have accomplished way more than myself in the craft will agree.
I'm sure that there are a group of guys who throw huge drunken orgies and that they just happen to be Masons, but I'm pretty sure (nay, in fact I'm positive) that A has nothing to do with B.
(I'm all for drunken orgies, but not in the name of Masonry. Dig?)



[edit on 1/10/2008 by wu kung]

reply to post by wu kung


No I dont think he was joking, but maybe it didnt have anything with mason to do. The funny thing was that it was a girl that mentioned it that we met. She was like there is a party "There" (Dont wanna say the name) but you have to have sex in that party. I was thinking yay lets go there....but they didnt share my opinion lol

reply to post by Ovuca


Huh?
I'm not following you at all.
You wanna maybe slow it down and elaborate a bit further please?

reply to post by wu kung


I meant the sex party maybe didnt have anything to do with mason.
But I dont think it was a joke on my behalf.

Watch the movie btw I think its great kinda scary in some bits.(Eyes wide shut)

reply to post by wu kung


You never saw Eyes Wide Shut? Damn, that was like the first soft core porno I ever watched hahaa..

And no, Masonic parties are not like that at all.

At all.

I wish it where.

Its more of a sausage fest actually.

Anyways, the movie never mentioned Masonry, never hinted at Masonry, never quoted Masonry, never had a Masonic sign, symbol, nothing what so ever.. it was a fictional movie with nothing to do with Masonry.

However I will put forth a petition to start huge orgies at mansions .. I cannot see why anyone would object!

*to note my sarcasm, we are not even allowed to drink anywhere near a lodge building let alone have wild crazy orgies. Not that I would want to see a bunch of 60 year old guys (attempting) to get their freak on, if you catch my drift...*