I'm thinking of becoming a Freemason.

reply to post by AugustusMasonicus


In my Lodge, we approve a budget at the beginning of the WM's year. Anything outside that budget requires a vote by the brethren. We have a Treasurer and a Secretary. Everything requires 3 signatures. The signature of the Secretary and WM on a voucher once the bill is approved for payment, and the signature of the treasurer on the check.

The only money that has any discretion is the money donated at meals. It usually goes to the person that prepared the meal for reimbursement, and any extra goes to one of a couple of pet charities.

they can always use legit citizens as cover for the more sinister members. i'm pretty sure as an ats member, therefore by default at the very least open to conspiracy, you'll be tested as to whether you are sensitive to the dark side.

only God can walk you thru the darkness undetected and safe.

I remember last year i was having a good afternoons socialising with a good friend who i knew was a freemason. We were enjoying the Sunday afternoon sun supping on a cold beer and i was telling him about my attempt to join the local T.A. (the equivalent of the National Guard). I had completed the weekend away familiarisation and was about to sign on the dotted line when one of the NCO's saw that i had a criminal record (had put it down on the application form). Due to my offence not having expired i was unfortunately told i was unable able to join, but was welcome to re-apply in 2012 when the offence was 'over' (i served a few months in prison for an 'affray' conviction, this was 6 years ago).My friend had been in the forces for 20 years and understood the way things worked.
So we were chatting away and i told him how upset i was that i hadnt been able to do my bit for the country ( the TA battalion were off to Afgh. that summer so my idea was to join and do a tour when needed), and he suggested i join the Freemasons. I automatically laughed and told him that i really didnt think i would be welcome in that organisation due to my past (and also due to my heritage, i am South American but lived in the UK for 28 years- i was under the impression that the Freemasons is an exclusive white society). iHe then told me that my circumstances could be helped by him sponsoring me and then also having a senior member meet me and then sponsor me should he decide i was the right kind of applicant- ie 2 sponsors. I have being doing charity work for a long time now, ie volunteering for charity shop duties when i have been able to, run a couple of half marathons for leukaemia , have left my rough side behind, have had a kid and have become a standard working person, and this would be off great benefit (since the ability to change is important since it shows personal growth).
He also told me that the main purpose of the Masons was its charitable work to help those that needed help.
I told him to forget the idea, i don't personally feel like i am privileged enough to join this society, (the subject of ethnicity never crossed the table, he didn't say either way , so i now presume it is multiracial.

According to the simpsons who have to be related to someone or invited in.
Good Luck Mate

reply to post by crimsonred


In the US it is illegal for a non-profit 501(c)3 organization to discriminate. We would lose our tax exempt status. Plus, it just isn't politically correct these days. For the most part, black masons stick to Prince Hall Masonry, and white masons stick to Free and Accepted Masonry, but that is an extreme over-generalization, and there are exceptions and cross overs.

In my Lodge we have several members from South America, we have Koreans, we have a couple of Jews, and we have a whole bunch of good ol' boys from here in the South. We don't have any black members, but during my year as Master, we had several that visited our lodge without incident. We also have a couple of white members with black girlfriends and wives, and they are always warmly accepted at our events. The discriminatory aspect is quickly dying out, and I suspect it will be completely gone in 1 more generation.

If you are interested, and you have friends to sponsor you, then you should join!

Why do people start threads on ATS announcing they want to join the Freemasons like they are taking a step into the dark underworld? Freemasons are not some diabolical entity and they're all over the place. If anyone in a high level position of the Freemasons is harboring secrets from the population, today's new members are certainly not going to ever hear about them.

There's no need to start a thread like it's got to be a matter of deep discussion. Do what you want.

Jesus.

Originally posted by Fitzgibbon

Originally posted by mjleonid12
reply to post by Saurus

 

I have all those, except 21 years? I thought it was 18. So I guess its the age, then. And I originally said I might not be 100% qualified because I read somewhere that I need to be able to take care of a whole family, or something like that, which I technically can't, because, well I'm not THAT independent. But if the age really is minimum of 21 years old, then it would make sense on how someone could take care of a family, if you know what I mean.

A point I make with new Masons is that three duties are supposed to be attended to before dealing with Masonry: family, work and faith. These are the three most important responsibilities of any man (Mason or not) and to leave any of them untended or under-attended is to invite disaster over the long haul as well as to miss out on some of the most important lessons Masonry has to offer.

Oh, ok. I get it now. As for me, personally, it wouldn't affect those if I joined, because I won't be the source for all the income, and what-not, at all. So it wouldn't matter if I left for mountain climbing for a month, because I'm not the main person of the family. That would be my mom. Its me my mom, and brother.

Originally posted by Fitzgibbon

Originally posted by KatieVA
Don't you have to be recommended and invited in by someone who is already a freemason? You can't just decide you want to join.

Recommended? Yes. Invited? No.

You have to be sponsored by two Masons in good standing. It isn't the end of the world if you don't know any Masons as Masonry pretty much skipped a generation (at least in North America). I was in the same boat and just Googled the local Masonic lodge, explained my situation to the lodge secretary and he helped on the sponsorship front.

As has been pointed out previously, members inviting can happen although it's frowned upon. You're supposed to be joining of your own free will and accord and with a favourable opinion preconceived of the fraternity.

HTH and good luck in 2014 when you can join.

Thank you. And yes I have heard about that, and yes it if from my own free will. As I stated before, no one told me "hey become a freemason", I simply thought about it, and looked into it.

Originally posted by aMason
Age varies by state I believe. I am almost certain here in Indiana it is 18, however it is 21 in some states. If you have any questions you can message me. I doubt you are in Indiana, but if you are I can help you out.

Yea, I think its 18 here, I am in Florida. Thank you, though.

Originally posted by OnTheLevel213

Originally posted by mjleonid12
reply to post by Saurus

 

I have all those, except 21 years? I thought it was 18. So I guess its the age, then.

Different jurisdictions have different rules. 21 was the traditional age, but it's dropped in a lot of places.

And I originally said I might not be 100% qualified because I read somewhere that I need to be able to take care of a whole family

You may have extrapolated from one of two things:

A) A man should not become a Mason if the extra financial obligation would take away from his ability to provide for his family.

B) As a Mason, you must be willing to be called upon (as a function of the lodge) to aid in the relief of a distressed brother and, if deceased, his family.

Yes, now, I'm not 100% "ready", because I still need to get a car and all that stuff. But I'm thinking of joining in the near future.

Originally posted by getreadyalready
reply to post by mjleonid12

 

Good for you!!

In Florida the age dropped to 18 a year or two ago. Some states are still 21.

You must believe in "a single, ever-living God." Remember that the name of the deity is not important, but for simplicities sake, when you are asked, it is much easier to just say God, Allah, YHWH or whatever. There are some places where a long explanation as to how you define your God will just be cumbersome and unnecessary. In Lodge the creator is more commonly referred to as The Grand Architect of the Univerise GAOTU. Don't get to hung up on the idea that "God" equals a Christian God. It isn't that important. That is just friendly advice to smooth your entry along.

A person does not have to be "invited" or "related" to join Freemasonry. In fact, it is just the opposite. Masons do not recruit. A prospective member has to approach us first. We will never ask someone to become a Mason, they must ask us. Some states have gotten tight on money and kind of forgotten that rule, and started to advertise, but the tradition is that we never approach anyone, they approach us.

I suggest googling "Grand Lodge of........" for your state, and you will be able to find the age limit, and you will be able to locate some lodges near you.

Good Luck!!

Thank you. And yea, I did that. I looked up the lodges near me, and I am planning on visiting one of them to ask, and tell them my situation. Honestly I don't think I am 100% good to go, as I stated above, but if not, then I should be in the near future, hopefully.

Originally posted by capod2t
Yet another thread of inquiry from the curious, and answers from the uninformed speculators until the breathren show up and clear the table. I am thankful for the brethren here to step in and ensure the proper information gets out there.

For both the curious and the misinformed: the ONLY way to learn more about masonry is to visit a lodge, talk to master masons and ask questions. Of course, not everything will be revealed to you - for that, you must make a decision for yourself as to whether you wish to join.

For the OP - it appears to me, based on your statements about your spirituality, that you may find the rituals and teaching of the Blue Lodge quite interesting; however, I think you will be even more intrigued by continuing thereafter to the York and Scottish Rites.

Here's to you finding comfort in your decision and in your path.

Thank you, and yea I loved the fact that I heard from actual Freemasons, because now I am much much more certain of it.

Originally posted by NightGypsy
Why do people start threads on ATS announcing they want to join the Freemasons like they are taking a step into the dark underworld? Freemasons are not some diabolical entity and they're all over the place. If anyone in a high level position of the Freemasons is harboring secrets from the population, today's new members are certainly not going to ever hear about them.

There's no need to start a thread like it's got to be a matter of deep discussion. Do what you want.

Jesus.

I'm sorry, but I slightly disagree with you. One, I do agree with the whole do what you want thing, but I NEED to ask around for peoples tips and advice because after all its not a thread on which Jordans I should buy. Second of all, I've been following this thread closely as I am the OP, and if you look for yourself there's a reason why there's a good amount of replies; Because every state, and place can be pretty damn different, and people are misinformed, so then people who actually personally know something about being a Freemason came in and made things clear. By the way, if I was joining "a dark side", so to speak, I WOULDN'T put it on ATS. At least not until after I'm part of it.

reply to post by mjleonid12

Because every state, and place can be pretty damn different, and people are misinformed, so then people who actually personally know something about being a Freemason came in and made things clear

Okay, fair enough....

But is there any reason to think you wouldn't be "misinformed" on this site about Freemasonry when you don't know any of these people from Adam? You don't know if these ATS members are telling you the truth about this or not.

If every state or place is different, then why aren't you taking your inquiries to the members of the Freemason groups in your area? I'm not trying to be rude or anything.

Well its your choice whether you want to join the Masons or not but its no different than a church. Your at the mercy of who ever happens to be in charge of that lodge along with of course the basic principals that they all learn and follow. You don't have to join to learn what they know......a long time ago they were well traveled travelers and builders and hijacked SOME of their beliefs from many different cultures such as India, a through the middle east and many MANY others. They ain't all that trust me and the ones that ARE all that the ones that are running this country are greedy and running it into the ground SO they ain't all that. Just a bunch of followers and if thats what you wannabe then go for it........you'd fit in fine then! IMHO of course! never holding back not even for a second....just keepin it raw and keepin it REAL

Originally posted by crimsonred
i was under the impression that the Freemasons is an exclusive white society

Depends where you are I suppose. In my Lodge, we're all over the place: Master's Sikh, Junior Warden Catholic, Senior Steward Mormon, Past Master Jewish and the brethren all over the religious rainbow. But that's just my Lodge. YMMV.

Originally posted by AugustusMasonicus

This is not true in my jurisdiction. I could spend every penny the lodge has without any approval from the membership. It is obviously not a smart tact to take so expenses are typically brought up for motions (which do not have to be entertained) and votes.

Nothing against you personally of course, but I see this as an eventual disaster. Here, and in other jurisdictions I'm familiar with, the Treasurer writes the checks, which are countersigned by the Master. The Master could not cash or write a check without the Treasurer's signature, and the Treasurer cannot write a check without a voucher from the Secretary.

Is the voucher system not used in NJ? The Treasurer is not required to sign the checks?

my father in law is a mason. prepare to do evil and nefarious things like bring coats to the homeless

good luck !

Most mason's seem to be ok, but they are also very tight-lipped about certain things, for instance questioning 9/11

I wonder where all this money the Lodge has comes from if its only 75 bucks a year.

I do realize that masonry in general does not help anyone but itself and therefore i never joined...despite being ASKED, do not tell me noone asks people to join.

In general it would appear that organizations like this are as any other group or religion, they certainly are not going to "help" anything.

I fear time is up for this group, all groups, and i hope they realize this.

reply to post by GrinchNoMore


I said we are not supposed to ask. I also said many states now advertise and recruit. I have also found myself telling someone they would enjoy Masonry, but I have never asked them to join.

Dues at my Lodge were $50 per year until a week ago. They haven't changed for 30 years, but we just raised them to $75 last week. My Lodge had absolutely no money in the coffers. It barely pays the bills, and when a roof leak starts or a refrigerator quits, we pass the hat and the membership pitches in to fix it. There are lodges with trust funds that range from $100k to $1M. That money comes from generous gifts from members. People leave it in their wills, or donate yearly. The donations are not even tax deductible. Donating money to the Lodge is not a deductible donation, however the Lodges all have several great charities and donating to those charities is tax deductible. In those cases 100% of the money passes through to the charity. The Lodges do not take any of the money for themselves.

Here are a couple of great ones!

Masonic Medical Research Laboratories This group is responsible for most of what we know about internal heart chemistry, and is responsible for many life-saving heart drugs!!

Shriner's Hospitals for Children where children can get top notch care at absolutely no cost!!