FreeMasonry - who can join?

Hi, This is my first post, so I hope this is the right place to be asking this question. My question is: Who can join the freemasons? Do you have to be decended from a "grandfather who was a 33rd degree mason" or can anyone who wants to join join? I don't know too much about the masons but I live beside the masonic temple in Washington, DC. It's a nice building with sphinx's on the front steps and all. Thanks for any info.

I was joking around with my G/F the other night, telling her that I'm going to try to join the F/M's.

She thought I was crazy, but then I told her why I said it..

so that I could be a spy for ATS !!

I was recruited by an aquaintance after I quizzed him on it. This alone made it lose its' cachet for me. Like Groucho I would never belong to a club that would have the likes of me as a member. The hats and mini bikes are cool though.

"The hats and mini bikes are cool though."

Isn't that the shriner's? But I would like to know if you can just seek them out to join, have to know someone, or have to be born into it? Thanks.

Rules are a bit different in USA but in Uk any male of good standing (ie no criminal record), good character and over the age of 21 can join freemasonry.( think its 18 in USA but not too sure)

It certainly would help if you knew a Freemason to ask first, but if not write a letter to the Secretary of your local Lodge explaining your circumstances and im sure they would put you right from there.

I believe Shriners are the top echelon of the masons. It also appears they get first crack at the buffet.

Cool Deevee....I didn't know that about the shriner's. What kind of criminal record? What about a DUI? Doesn't GW Bush have a DUI charge under his belt? If so, does that mean he's gotten special privy because of Daddy? If he is even a member that is...not sure on that even. Thanks for all the info everyone.

can confirm that G Bush jnr is not a mason

and excuse my ignorance, but whats a DUI

DUI

Driving Under the Influence ( alcohol - drugs )

thought it was, just checking... DD over here.

this in UK is considered a civil not a criminal offence and depending on severity of offence can be disregarded.

for example if its a case of slightly over when randomly breathalised it is usually disregarded, but if you happen to get bladderd and run over a bus queue i say ya chances were very slim.

Or in some places DWI: Driving While Intoxicated

You have to be 21 in the USA, but if your father was a Mason you can join at 18.

You have to be 32 degree Scottish Rite, or the equivalent topped out degree in York Rite, to be a Shriner.

You have to be sponsored by two Masons to be considered.

In the Southwest USA, many claim they were arrested for DWI: Driving while Indian. You hear that a lot in bars.

further to earlier you might want to check out this page if you are interested in joining Freemasonry.

www.masonicinfo.com...

To join the Shriners you need to be no more than a master mason or 3rd degree.

Agreed Ozzie...

I joined the Shrine before the concordant body requirement was dropped. I don't exactly agree with it...but I understand the decision.

Rah

Thanks everyone for the input and links.....very helpful.

Thanks for the link Ozzie......couldn't rmember who sent it.

[Edited on 25-1-2004 by MacMerdin]

These days it seems that masons are as ubitiquous as people that belong to Amway.

I can remember 20 years ago when it was a real priviledge.

Thereby proving that the power does not reside there anymore.

I know who WONT!!

I am glad for the freedom of the net, I always thought it would be cool to be the "First" Woman mason. Then I started reading about it on the net, and I'm glad I didn't go too far into it!

Boy's Club

they wont let women be masons? those mother#ers!

i requested information from the masons website and one of them called me to ask me what my interest was in the masons and how i could join. creeped me out and i never pursued it further