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Someone once said "there's no such thing as bad publicity" or something along those lines. Sure, Dan Brown has probably helped fuel some misconceptions about Masonry, but by doing so, it has cause some people to take a closer look. While there may be a more general public distrust of secret societies because of The DaVinci Code, I would also argue that it has been responsible for a number of men discovering Masonry and wanting to join.
Originally posted by JamesRam
Do you find the fact that Freemasons have been put under allot of fire; especially lately with Dan Browns novel being put out annoying?
It's not unheard of. Masons value the learned men of history going back to Euclid and Pythagorus or even further. Certainly the founding fathers were fairly progressive in comparison with some of their peers or where they were coming from. The scientific revolution, the age of enlightenment, these all incorporate Masonic ideals. Even if speculative Masonry was not around at the time of alchemists, one could certainly draw parallels between their thirsts for knowledge.
Also I've noticed many alchemical symbols that appear in Freemasonry and some of the idea's in it similar (ie spiritual finding, turning oneself from "lead to gold" etc). Is there a possibility that they could be intertwined with each other?
Originally posted by fallinghigh
what the hell is your problem my original post had not one bad idea only talked about acid and mushrooms wtf is you problem
Originally posted by JoshNorton
Actually, while the threads have been low bandwidth, I've seen quite a few more names popping up from people claiming to be Masons in the last week or so. People who had not been active in some of the various rows of the last few months.
But I'm generally better at the response than the call. Start a thread, get some motion going, and I'll be in. The couple of times I've started threads they've petered out pretty quickly.
freemasoninformation.com... is a pretty good site.
Originally posted by Kevinquisitor
Hi, is there a website one can go to if they wish to learn more information about freemasonry, and / or how to join?
Not at all. Find out what night they meet, and if they have dinner before the meeting. Go, eat, introduce yourself to as many people as you can and ask questions. You should be able to tell fairly quickly if they're the type of guys you'd want to spend time with. If they're not, try another lodge if you're still interested. That's cool too. If you're the youngest guy in the room, you might feel uncomfortable or out of place. If, on the other hand, you find yourself looking forward to going back and having more good conversations with the men you met, then it might be a good match for you.
There is a masonic lodge in my city that holds meetings bi monthly, but not knowing much about the organization I was under the assumption membership was under a basis of invitation only.
After reading what you've provided, I see otherwise, but I would still think it odd to just show up out of the blue seeking membership.
Originally posted by letthereaderunderstand
I study the Hebrew and Greek direct translations. I have seen that many of the terms in there elude to masonry. I was wondering if Hiram is another name for Aaron. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but Hiram was the First Builder? Aaron was the first High priest. Is there any link between them.
www.perrylodge.org...
Behold! how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity:
It is like the precious ointment upon the head that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard that went down to the skirts of his garment:
As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
I do not know. Also in the Entered Apprentice degree, the candidate, after he has taken his oath, is placed in the North East corner of the room, because traditionally the cornerstone in the Northeast was the first one laid down. Symbolically this is saying that all of Masonry is built upon these first teachings that the candidate has received, and that likewise Masonry as a fraternity is built by (and of) the men who join it. So we're the first stone. I honestly can't say I've ever heard Jesus referred to as the last stone, but I suppose such text might exist somewhere.
And Last, Jesus said, "I am the chief cornerstone, (pyramid capstone) who the builders rejected". Through study I've come to see that the "Chief" is the last one in line and not the first. Eldest being the First, Chief being the last. Is his statement in any way speaking of the masons?
Originally posted by emsed1
Hi guys,
I know a lot of you have questions about Freemasonry and it seems like there are quite a few masons here that can answer your questions.
If there were, would it be Masonry? I would opine that it would not be. If all Masons are taught that all Masons are equal, then so-called worker bees (a much more pleasant term than "porch Masons") would give such a power clique no more or less credence than any other brother. How, do you suppose, a secret, higher power structure would co-opt the rest of Masonry to its own devices?
Originally posted by laughingcrows
But it is possible that there might be something going on behind doors where you're not invited.