A few questions for any Masons willing to answer

First I would like to say that the questions that I am about to ask is done so in a honest way and I will not later on in this thread turn the question around to put anyone who has taken the time to answer on the defensive .

What degree are you ?
What would an average weekly meeting consist of ?
What is your opinion / definition , as much as you care to mention , of the Masons .
Have you read any Masonic books ?
Can one move up the degrees of the Freemasons if they apply them selves ?
How does one move up the ranks ? Is it done by some kind of test or more like classes that one needs to take ?

Thanks to any that take the time to answer . As you may be able to tell I don't know very much about the basics of Freemasonry and it is my hope that some of you may be able to enlighten me .

[edit on 10-11-2008 by Max_TO]

Master Mason, 32° Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction
Weekly? Have dinner, help people learn their work, help confer or otherwise witness degrees if there are any to be conferred that night.
Monthly? Have dinner. Open the lodge. Say the pledge of allegiance. Be observant of a prayer. List any members who may be sick or have passed away. Have any visitors introduced. Hear minutes of last month's meeting. Hear any petitions for new members and vote on petitions that have been heard. Hear any degree work a Master Mason might have to turn in. Discuss current committees and lodge business. Vote to pay the bills. Hear another prayer. Close the lodge. Go out drinking with the guys.
I'm quite happy with Masonry in general and my mother lodge in particular. I've found a good bunch of guys that I enjoy spending time with every week.
A handful, none cover to cover. Complete Idiot's Guide to Freemasonry and Freemasonry for Dummies are both good. Hiram's Key was interesting. Morals & Dogma and A Bridge to Light are both interesting to Scottish Rite Masons.
Easily. You have to apply yourself to become a Master Mason. (To become a 32° in the Scottish Rite, you just have to pay your $175 or whatever and sit through the plays for a weekend...)
One moves from Entered Apprentice to Fellowcraft, and from Fellowcraft to Master Mason by becoming proficient with (memorizing) the work of that degree, a series of questions and answers. The Scottish Rite degrees (4°-32°) are held for large classes 3 or 4 times a year, and you'll move from Master Mason to 32° in a weekend, probably not seeing all 29 of those degrees, but at least hitting the big ones. (IIRC, 14°, 18°, 30° and 32° are the required 4, but they usually try to work a dozen or so each reunion where I am...)

Well, actually, that's how one moves up in degrees. If you mean ranks, there are elected and appointed officer positions within each lodge annually. Likewise, there's an annual meeting of the Grand Lodge in which Grand Lodge officers are elected. The highest "rank" a Master Mason might have would be Grand Master, which would put him in charge of all the Masons in his state for one year.

reply to post by JoshNorton

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Thank you for taking the time to answer .

I must say that I am a bit surprised as to how one moves up the ranks of the Masons .
I am just about done reading a book called " Stellar Theology & Masonic Astronomy " by Robert Hewitt Brown . If you have not read this book I suggest you do , its a great book !
I was under the impression that one would move up the ranks by learning and understanding Masonic teachings and moving up the ranks based on there progress .

Would I be correct in assuming that at your lodge , or any lodge for that matter have there fair share of Masonic symbolism ? Are there some at the lodge that understand what the symbolism is based on ?

Third.



In my jurisdiction; Opening ceremony, Pledge of Allegiance, reading of the minutes, old business, new business, announcements, voting (if any), closing ritual, collation (with beer! woo-hoo).



They are a bunch of shape shifting reptiles who will eat your children. Other then that I have yet to meet anyone in the Fraternity who I would not call my friend. I have had a very positive experience and enjoy attending communication with my Brothers and often volunteer when necessary.



Several, including, but not limited to, Mackey, Pike, and Claudy.



It is incumbant upon the candidate to apply themselves in their progression of Masonry's degrees. The more effort one puts into Freemasonry the more of a positive result will be experienced by the initiate.



That is precisely the answer. There is a small portion of ritual which must be committed to memory and recited before the lodge prior to being permitted to under go the subsequent degrees.



Our pleasure. Please let any of us know if you need or require further edification or explanation of our answers.

reply to post by AugustusMasonicus

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Thanks for taking the time to answer .

The new fond questions that I have , which inspired me to start this thread , are based on my interest of a book that I have just finished reading , Stellar Theology and Masonic Astronomy . It has peeked in me an interest for learning more about Masonic teachings .
If you have read Pike I am sure you know exactly what I am talking about . As a matter of fact the next book that I will read will be , Morals and Dogma by Mr Pike .

Let me ask you , does your lodge have Masonic symbolism ? Do many at the lodge understand it ?

For the record I am by no means implying that the symbolism is to be associated to anything evil in nature but rather an understanding of certain astronomical and sacred geometry principles .

reply to post by Max_TO

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What degree are you ? I am a 3rd degree Master Mason. I have also a 32º of the Scottish Rite. North Jurisdiction.



Our meetings are Bi-Weekly, most lodges are Once Monthly. The meetings I have been to have, for the most part, hello brethren, whos sick, lets pay this bill, here is the upcoming schedule, if we have an event close at hand a distribution of responsibility takes place, if we have a new application we discuss, take a vote if needed, establish who will communicate, if we have a ritual we do that, if we don't we might practice one. We might have an education lecture. Then we might eat, depending upon our schedule, we always make an effort to eat together though.
(imagine I said that very very fast.)



Honestly, it's little more then a social club at most points.. I think the brethren in general have good intentions, but do not possess the means, or the guidance actually, to do the most they can. In all honesty, they do not live up to their potential, lax on spiritual development of the Self, and are not active enough vocally, physically, in the various communities.



Many. I hate Pike's works though.. the man knew how to write a book to kill via boredom.



In a day, depending on the state. 2 days for Scottish Rite, and I am not sure about the York Rite, as I am not a member.



you have 2 choices. Easy way. Or the hard way.

Easy way you watch a candidate go through the degrees. This is lazy, pathetic, and disgusting and when I am WM I will ban it during my term, however the hard way is this:

Speeches. LOTS of em, long ones. You need to memorize the work, apply your selves, and present before all the gathered brothers. This is the natural and ancient way..

But you will find many Brothers disagree with me.

The real way should honestly take you 6months to a year to be a MM.. depending on how often the lodge meets.

What degree are you ?

Master Mason, also a 32nd degree mason of the Scottish Rite under the Southern Jurisdiction. I should go ahead and say that Master Mason is the highest rank in freemasonry.

What would an average weekly meeting consist of ?

Dinner (every other meeting), chit chat in the dining room, lodge meeting - degrees if there are any scheduled and the business meeting -, then we go home. Sometimes people stay after the lodge meeting to talk.

What is your opinion / definition , as much as you care to mention , of the Masons .

Masons are like everyone else. They come from every profession and of all ages and ethnicities. I don't really form opinions of "the masons" I form opinions of individual masons based on their actions.

Have you read any Masonic books ?

Lots of them. I have a few bookshelves of masonic books. I include in that anti-mason books which I read, as well as books by masons, and books by non-masons that are analyzing masons in an academic fashion.

Can one move up the degrees of the Freemasons if they apply them selves ?

I agree with what other people have already said about this. Its easy to do - too easy, in my opinion - to move up to the 3rd. It just takes anywhere from 3-6 months of memorization. After that, any side degrees (which aren't upward moves) involve paying money ($100-200 total) and watching plays by other masons. Couldn't get any easier.

How does one move up the ranks ? Is it done by some kind of test or more like classes that one needs to take ?

Again, I agree with what others have said here. There are two ranks - Master Masons, and officers. Officers are master masons that serve 1 year terms, and then either can hold another office or, upon being the Worshipful Master, return back to the master mason group.

Moving up to Master Mason involved memorization...and thats it. Some lodges provide education classes. Frankly, I'm of the personal opinion that the 3 degrees should take longer to progress through, but I'm a bit of a traditionalist. Ideally I would like to see them take 1 year each, (1st through 3rd), and then I wish the side degrees would force people to somehow demonstrate they have taken the time to learn about the lessons. It's never going to happen though...but I can keep dreaming.

I disagree - I think it should take longer! At least 3 years, 1 year for each. (And no MM can move to officer until 1 year after hes been raised, which makes it 3)

We, however, live in a dream world...

[edit on 10-11-2008 by LowLevelMason]

I will reply first and then look at everyone else's answer.




Third Degree, Master Mason (5th degree in York)



We meet two times a month. It's usually a BORING business meeting, paying the bills, etc. Then we usually have sandwiches or pizza and the old guys play Euchre. I head home due to having a 4 year-old and 2 year-old.



I have a much higher opinion a couple of years in than I had before joining. I was pretty neutral when I petitioned, but I have found every mason I have met to be a pretty positive example.



Lots and lots, on both sides of the topic. I have probably read much more anti-masonic books than pro.



Absolutely. The only limit is how far you want to go. Once you become a Master Mason you have many many choices on degrees.



I am pretty sure my brothers will say this, but I haven't read their answers yet. There aren't really 'ranks' per se. Once you are a third degree Master Mason you are the equal of all other Masons.

Within the lodge no Master Mason has any more say than another. The Master of the lodge is elected each year and for one year he has the ultimate say in the running of the lodge, but he answers to the brethren if that makes any sense.

As far as the degrees there is some memorization required, at least in the first three degrees. However any mason would be happy to help tutor you. There isn't a test in the sense that you pass or fail. Every Mason wants every other Mason to succeed and no barriers are placed that will cause you trouble.

There is a misconception that Masons are 'exclusive' to an extent, but I have found the opposite to be true. Since I joined I have found Freemasonry to be very 'inclusive' and everyone is more than happy to help.

I think sometimes we get a bad name because we are not allowed to recruit (there are good reasons for this) so sometimes we seem standoffish and distant. However, we love it when new masons join and I believe you would find a very enthusiastic bunch of guys.

The reason we don't recruit is because everyone *must* come to masonry of their own free will and accord. The fraternity has remained vibrant for so many centuries because everyone who belongs to a lodge *wants* to be there, and no beliefs are enforced upon you.

You must believe in God (there are lots and lots of debates on ATS about what this means) but you will never be asked the nature of your belief. This is not to protect masonry in any way, but the lessons of masonry would be absolutely meaningless and boring if you don't believe there is something more out there beyond this mortal coil.



You are welcome!

Now, I can hear the anti's growling in the corner. I am sure you will hear their side as well.

Game on. Cry havoc, and let slip the dogs of war!

(I kid, I kid)

to those who posted replies -

you guys are a convenient cover for those commiting attrocities.
there is no pride in secret organizations of any kind...
there is not pride, and no glory.

i'm a simple no-level no-rank tax-paying citizen - and this is my belief.

HAHA!

I just read all of my brothers' replies and it looks like we could all be the same person!

I think that is the thing, though. Even though all of us here on ATS for the most part are from different states, Grand Lodges, and Jurisdictions we all pretty much carry the same message.

I have never met any of the masons on ATS personally, but knowing the kind of man that masonry attracts I would not hesitate to place my life in the hands of any of them sight unseen.

Hopefully that speaks to the commitment of most masons. I do have to agree, though, on one point that Rockpuck (I think) makes. There are many masons who don't have the interest or the time to really invest in the true meaning of masonry. To do so (I am told) may require years of dedication, but there are always surprises at every turn.

At worst, the guys who are more casual still have a great time, make good friends and enjoy helping charities and their community.

What I have found is that every single time I see a degree or ritual I pick up some new meaning or inspiration from it. The memory work and the archaic prose are not the important things. The important thing is the experience of moving through the degrees and the experience of helping others.

I know you probably won't believe me when I say this, but I will say it.

If I ever uncovered any evidence of atrocity in my Masonic career I would walk away. I approached Freemasonry from a skeptical point of view and I was proven wrong.

I have found nothing whatever in masonry that conflicts with the duty I owe to God, to my family and to my country.

We are absolutely forbidden from talking about divisive subject like religion and politics while in lodge, but many of us hold very strong political and religious convictions.

Moreover no Mason is a higher level or rank than any other man (person). The fundamental principle of masonry is the brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God.

That is the nice thing about ATS (and America). We can have differing opinions and heated discussions but no voice speaks louder than another.

reply to post by emsed1

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there is no heating debate here,
i expressed my personal opinion which i hope some will share.
my belief is that you are a convenient cover for those pushing
for NWO. facts? about every 2nd page of any "respected" MM -
they all scream about NWO, daily and with an increasing frequency.

my point is - secret societies are a precondition to a corrupt state of
cronyism. our own government is a proof of that...
there is nothing "illuminated" in that.

reply to post by eventHorizon

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eventHorizon, perhaps the same could be for you...assuming you have voted for at least one politician in your lifetime. You, as a voter, are also the best frontman possible.

Just my opinion too.

reply to post by MOFreemason

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opinion of yours is true.
its applicability to me is not, i'm not participating in pseudo-democracy
sharade orgy called election.

nonetheless, it is a fact that many of our "leaders" belong or
did belong in their past to some secret "common-good" organizations.
akin yours. and many are corrupt criminals that deserve to be jailed.
if you have a common-good message or agenda, there is no need
to hide it... your secret societies are a convenient facade for ruling
elite to control masses from righteous outburst of justice.

What degree are you ? third degree , and a Knight Templar, and an Al-Malaikah Shriner
What would an average weekly meeting consist of ? some chit chat with fellow masons, the pledge of allegiance, the discussion of the trestle board, some coaching and a rite or practice.
What is your opinion / definition , as much as you care to mention , of the Masons . they are great folks, nice people who don't judge a fellow mason, and as we say Masonry- and the practices of are to make a good man better.

Have you read any Masonic books ?yes a few, American Masonry (the history) and Born in Blood are my favorites so far...

Can one move up the degrees of the Freemasons if they apply them selves ? In fact you must apply to move up the degrees, you can't other wise, it is encouraged and this builds friendships
as well

How does one move up the ranks ?
Is it done by some kind of test or more like classes that one needs to take ?

The "ranks" are achieved through study and giving to the lodge with time and being active, moving up the ranks is a matter of what you would be willing to put into it...you get out what you put in. A past master or lodge master only gets there by learning and participating all the lodge positions from junior warden, to senior warden...secretary maybe, treasurer maybe...deacon positions...just make it a good club you spend time in.

I would love for someone to describe exactly how freemasonry can be used as the face of the "NWO." Of course I'd also like to see proof that the NWO exists, but for the sake of argument I will presume it does.

As freemasons and freemasonry is not suited for any sort of national or international venture - the lodges are all decentralized and the highest authority in a lodge is a state grand lodge - how exactly is it that it could be used as a front for ANY international plot? The organizational structure simply does not exist, and never has.



Actually no, this has no basis in fact. No world leader is a mason, and one has not been for some time. Secret societies are not innately good or bad, they simply are. It is what they do that makes them good or bad. There is no "secret society" control going on from Freemasonry.

[edit on 10-11-2008 by LowLevelMason]

reply to post by LowLevelMason

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you are a visible, convenient and possibly unsuspicious part
of an iceberg - pardon me for not coming up with a better visualization.
while your particular secret society may have no connections, impact on,
or knowledge of NWO, others exist that do... there is an international
structure, there is an international agenda... look at posts on ATS,
please, see how many politicians scream about NWO, they literally
use that same exact phrase as it is some kind of secret spell.
where agenda is a secret - it can not be fully trusted, and
rightfully so.

Not much actually. There is a stained glass Square and Compasses in the entryway, a Blazing Star containg the letter 'G' above the altar and the three Lesser Lights but other then that our lodge is quite devoid of Masonic symbolism.

The lodge where we attend our monthly District Lodge of Instruction (where officers pratice their ritual work with the assitance of the ritual committee) has a huge amount of symbolism.



I would hope that they do since a good portion of the symbols are explained in the lectures which follow each degree.



No inferal was taken, feel free to ask anything.

The problem is that this metaphor doesn't work. I can't be the tip of some larger organization if I don't know that the larger organization exists, nor can I be used by the larger organization if I do not respect its authority. Freemasonry is not a business or the military - its voluntary and I am not compelled to do anything I don't want to do. If someone randomly told me to do something bad I would ignore it then work to get them kicked out of the fraternity.



The NWO does not exist. It is a phrase, used by politicians, to describe their vision for the future. Its not an organization, but a altruistic idea based on the agenda of the politician. But before we even get into that, what secret society is a front for the NWO - assuming it exists? Its certainly not freemasonry, so which one is it?