Originally posted by andre18
That's cool, it's just that when I think collection plate I think in religious terms - the church needs money - god needs money? No tax etc.....

Only here it's "hospitals that take care of burn victims with no insurance need money" and "programs to help kids with dyslexia need money". Seems a bit more altruistic to me. *shrug*

When I say is money an issue….I mean in terms of does it matter if you’re poor to be a Mason – such as “as long as you can pay your annual dues” so what happens if you can’t afford it….?

I don’t expect it to be anything like scientology where you have to be super rich to be accepted but I do suspect there to be a various amount of money needed to participate Masonic activities and such…..

iv got some questions
1)is the stone cutters in the Simpson’s the masons?
2)If freemasonry is about spirituality how come you have to be 18 to start to learn about spirituality?
3)Are there more lodges then there are churches in the world?
4)Does the word mason have any Latin meaning?

Originally posted by andre18
When I say is money an issue….I mean in terms of does it matter if you’re poor to be a Mason – such as “as long as you can pay your annual dues” so what happens if you can’t afford it….?

It doesn't matter. Lodge dues are pretty cheap in most areas. Your social/financial standing outside of the lodge has no bearing inside; everyone meets "on the level."

Originally posted by andre18
I don’t expect it to be anything like scientology where you have to be super rich to be accepted but I do suspect there to be a various amount of money needed to participate Masonic activities and such…..

Here in rural Kentucky, very very few of the Masons I know would be considered "rich" (or even "upper middle class".) Lodges tend to reflect the communities in which they reside, in my experience.

such as “as long as you can pay your annual dues” so what happens if you can’t afford it….?

I my lodge, we will pay the dues for that brother for that year.

Originally posted by AngelWitch
]

I my lodge, we will pay the dues for that brother for that year.

This has also happened on several occasions in my lodge. We have had older members on fixed incomes who could not afford their dues and the lodge officers chipped in a few dollars each to cover the expense. It does not sound like much but it enabled our Brothers to continue to attend lodge in good standing.

1)is the stone cutters in the Simpson’s the masons?

I think its safe to say the stone cutters are a parody of the paranoia that surrounds masonry. Being a parody, its not an accurate representation, but it is funny.

2)If freemasonry is about spirituality how come you have to be 18 to start to learn about spirituality?

There is no spirituality in masonry beyond the requirement of belief in a supreme being. The purpose of the age requirement is to ensure you are mature enough to understand and take your obligations seriously.

This is not to say some masons don't make their personal experience spiritual. But this is not because masonry is innately spiritual, but rather is a testament to the variety of ways men view masonry itself.

3)Are there more lodges then there are churches in the world?

Absolutely not. With all the religions in the world, the number of churches is like the sand of the sea. While there are a notable amount of lodges, there are several times that many religious institutions.

4)Does the word mason have any Latin meaning?

I took latin a long, long time ago, but I don't think so. Could be wrong on this point though.

Originally posted by Dark_Ace
iv got some questions
1)is the stone cutters in the Simpson’s the masons?

Clearly that's the implied reference that they're parodying.

2)If freemasonry is about spirituality how come you have to be 18 to start to learn about spirituality?

Masonry isn't meant to give you the foundations of your personal spiritual faith. That's your church's job. So the idea of "starting" to learn about spirituality through Masonry is misplaced. Continuing to learn would be a better way of phrasing it. And I know when I was 18 I probably wouldn't have gotten a lot of the allegory that Masonry relates. Some guys might at that age, a lot might not. I'd been interested in Masonry for a while before I joined, but I really felt like I needed to be in the right place in my life before I even explored it seriously. If there are other things going on in your life that are taking precedence, Masonry should not interfere with those obligations.

3)Are there more lodges then there are churches in the world?

I don't see how it could. Do your own count of every church you drive by in one day. Then count all the masonic lodges you drive by. Let us know the results.

4)Does the word mason have any Latin meaning?

My dictionary says:

ORIGIN Middle English : from Old French masson (noun), maçonner (verb), probably of Germanic origin; perhaps related to make .

is the stone cutters in the Simpson’s the masons?

That reminds me of the song

"Who controls the British crown
who keeps the metric system down
We do We do

Who keeps Atlantis of the maps
Who keeps the Martians under raps
We do We do

Who holds back the electric car"

etc etc....makes you think....maybe some truth to it..





[edit on 11-3-2008 by andre18]

Originally posted by Masonic Light

I am a Master Mason, Past Master of my Lodge, Past High Priest of my Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, Past Thrice Illustrious Master of my Council of Cryptic Masons, and Past Eminent Commander of my Commandery of Knights Templar. In the Scottish Rite, I am a 32° Knight Commander of the Court of Honour, and belong to various side degrees such as Allied Masonic Degrees, Grand College of Rites, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests, etc.

Masonic Light I have always thought your posts to be very enlightening BUT I had no idea that I was in a way learning from such a important brother! That is a very impressive list of accomplishments! Most of my lodge has never gone past The Lodge. I dare to dream a little dream I will further my enlightenment...

Originally posted by andre18
When I say is money an issue….I mean in terms of does it matter if you’re poor to be a Mason – such as “as long as you can pay your annual dues” so what happens if you can’t afford it….?

I don’t expect it to be anything like scientology where you have to be super rich to be accepted but I do suspect there to be a various amount of money needed to participate Masonic activities and such…..

Do keep in mind atleast where I am. A commitee is sent to your house/domicile to see you and evaluate you to see if you can along with other things support yourself. It is not something you should seek to join until the fees will not hurt you or your family. It is not for the lodge to pay for you always. But I would never let another brother go with out if it was with in me to help.

Originally posted by andre18

10)What happens when someone reaches 33? More authority etc….

I have read like three of the pages now and have not seen where anyone has mentioned this to you alothough it has been said countless times.
Threre is no higher degree in Free-Masonary then that of the 3rd Degree of the Master Mason. No other degrees afford you any more "authority" then that.

1. Is Masonry the same in every country or are there differences in the culture that practice it?

2. Why don’t all lodges accept women? Does that not give masons a sexist reputation?

3. Has Masonry ever been banned in any countries?

4. What ties does Aleister Crowley have with masonry? (just what’s the deal with this guy anyway)

Originally posted by andre18
1. Is Masonry the same in every country or are there differences in the culture that practice it?

Masonry varies some from jurisdiction to jurisdiction although the differences aren't usually of any consequence overall. Even within districts of the same branch of Masonry, there can be differences usually attributed to 'it was done that way back in the day and we'll keep doing it'. Nothing of any real note though

Originally posted by andre18
2. Why don’t all lodges accept women? Does that not give masons a sexist reputation?

Because regular Masonry as is usually understood is a fraternity sic open to men only. That's not to say that there aren't groups that practice Co-Masonry (Co-ed Masonry). They just aren't recognised as being proper per se.

Originally posted by andre18
3. Has Masonry ever been banned in any countries?

Oh yeah. Always by regimes with greater reasons to keep secrets than Masonry ever had. Also regimes that fear what's said behind closed doors.

Originally posted by andre18
4. What ties does Aleister Crowley have with masonry? (just what’s the deal with this guy anyway)

I'll defer to others on this last point. Not my strong suit.

HTH
Fitz

Originally posted by andre18
1. Is Masonry the same in every country or are there differences in the culture that practice it?

Masonry is generally the same, with small differences in ritual. The only big differences that I can think of concerns the Swedish Rite, which requires Blue Lodge candidates to be professing Christians. Orthodox Masonry in the rest of the world does not have that requirement.

2. Why don’t all lodges accept women? Does that not give masons a sexist reputation?

Since Masonry is a fraternity, I don't think it is sexist to be male-only. I also don't consider sororities sexist for admitting only females.

3. Has Masonry ever been banned in any countries?

Yes. Freemasonry is banned in most Islamic countries, and was banned throughout Nazi-occupied Europe and the Soviet bloc (with the exception of Cuba).

4. What ties does Aleister Crowley have with masonry? (just what’s the deal with this guy anyway)

Crowley was a member of a clandestine English-speaking Lodge in Paris. He eventually attempted to regularize his membership, but was denied recognition by the United Grand Lodge of England, probably because he insulted several of their leaders in print.

As to "the deal" with him, I would agree with the Grand Lodge of British Columbia's article on him, that he was a brilliant student of symbolism and ritual, and he was also an expert Kabalist and Hermeticist, not to mention a voluminous and entertaining writer.

On the flip side, he suffered from bipolar disorder, along with other emotional and mental problems, and while one may admire his scholarship, and the fact that he brought a refreshing (although weird) sense of humor back into occult literature, I would not recommend that anyone try to copy his lifestyle.

Swedish Rite, which requires Blue Lodge candidates to be professing Christians.

So there is some form of religion however minute it is in Masonry though it may be different from the conventional acceptance of Masons

Freemasonry is banned in most Islamic countries

For what reasons? seeing how Masonry isn't a religion.

Originally posted by andre18


So there is some form of religion however minute it is in Masonry though it may be different from the conventional acceptance of Masons

In the Swedish Rite, Masonry is considered a Christian fraternity, sort of like the Knights of Columbus are a Christian Catholic fraternity. The Swedish Rite is recognized by the UGLE and American and US Grand Lodges, although their view of religious requirement differs from ours.

For what reasons? seeing how Masonry isn't a religion.

Freemasonry is viewed as a type of negative western influence by Muslim fundamentalists. Liberal and moderate Muslims have no problem with Freemasonry, and sometimes become Masons themselves. The Grand Lodge of Israel has chartered several Arabic-speaking Muslim Lodges, and the Grand Lodge of Turkey, which is predominantly Muslim, is growing. However, there is no Freemasonry in Iran, Saudi Arabia, and most neighboring states. The Grand Lodge of Iran, for example, exists in exile, with its offices in Los Angeles.

[edit on 14-3-2008 by Masonic Light]