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Originally posted by KSigMason
reply to post by FriedBabelBroccoli
Oh you were serious?! Pardon me... Bwahahaha
Originally posted by Tobashadow
Originally posted by Saurus
I am a Mason, and here is the complete list of requirements to join:
In order to become a Mason, a candidate must:
- Have a belief in a Supreme Being (The test is a 'yes' or 'no' answer to the question "Do you believe in a Supreme being?")
edit on 18/6/2012 by Saurus because: (no reason given)
This one may be a issue for me, I believe there is something out there but it is not a God of any known human religion.
Originally posted by mysterioustranger
Im not sure he even knows WHY he wants to join...except for supposed "secret-society" stuff he's read here and elsewhere. Not a good reason, agreed?
Originally posted by AugustusMasonicus
Originally posted by mysterioustranger
Im not sure he even knows WHY he wants to join...except for supposed "secret-society" stuff he's read here and elsewhere. Not a good reason, agreed?
I would concur that if someone was joining because they want to know the 'secrets' it is going to be a giant anticlimactic experience.
Originally posted by ELectricalApprentice
I already said why I wanted to join. I'm looking to improve my character...I'm willing to give all Freemasons the benefit of the doubt, as I would hope they would be willing to do the same for me.
Originally posted by AugustusMasonicus
Originally posted by ELectricalApprentice
I already said why I wanted to join. I'm looking to improve my character...I'm willing to give all Freemasons the benefit of the doubt, as I would hope they would be willing to do the same for me.
My response was not directed at you but was more general in nature.
Originally posted by getreadyalready
reply to post by ELectricalApprentice
Good.
All Masons will tell you, "You get out of Masonry in direct proportion to what you put in." That means attention and time, not money. If you join, do your degree work, and never come back, it is quite boring and mundane. If you join, do your degree work and show up for business meetings, it is even MORE boring and mundane. If you join, and learn your catechisms, and work through the chairs, and show up for degree work, and visit with your brethren, and help out brethren in need, and approach it with an open mind, and research the symbolism on your own time, and attempt to bring something meaningful to the Lodge at each meeting, then you will get back all of that and MORE! It can be extremely rewarding in a sense of personal growth, but it won't fall in your lap, as in all things, you have to first seek to give, before you will receive.
Originally posted by getreadyalready
reply to post by ELectricalApprentice
I would recommend NOT reading the books, they will only taint your experience. If there was one factual book, it would probably be the Duncan's Ritual and Monitor, but I advise you not to read it until after you've completed your degree work. If you read it ahead of time it will make your experience cheap and boring. The brothers work hard to provide you with the best experience possible, and they try to make it memorable, so just let them do their thing.
If you want my advice on reading for self-enlightenment that can benefit your membership, I'd say read Stephen Covey "7 Habits of Highly Effective People," and Dale Carnegies "How to Win Friends and Influence People." Both very useful books for every day life, common sense solutions, easy reads, and things that you can benefit from immediately. Those types of lessons will benefit you in the same sense Masonry will benefit you.
Originally posted by getreadyalready
reply to post by ELectricalApprentice
The degree work is the process that makes you a Mason. There are 3 "degrees" which are acted out. Each one has a lesson or lecture associated with it. After the 3rd degree you are a full-fledged "Master Mason."
If there is a Lodge near your house, go visit the lodge, if no one is there, there will be a day and time posted for their regular meetings. Show up on that day about an hour before the time, and they will be having a meal. They'll be happy to answer all your questions, provide you with an application, and if you get to meet several of the brothers you won't have any problem getting your application signed.
After they accept your application, they will run a criminal background check, and a committee will interview you to make sure you have a good moral character. If that committee reports back favorably, then they will schedule you for your first degree.
It is quite simple, and they will coach you every step of the way. There is nothing to worry about, and if they give you a hard time or try to create a little stress, then it means they like you and are having some fun with you.
Most of your questions can be answerd on any of the Grand Lodge websites.
Here is the one for my state: Grand Lodge of Floridaedit on 18-6-2012 by getreadyalready because: (no reason given)
Originally posted by randomname
how can they be freemasons if 99% of them can't even nail a 2x4, let alone lay stone.
edit on 18-6-2012 by randomname because: (no reason given)
My belief in a "Supreme Being" is not really a belief in a person or being and does not include any known profit including Mohammed or Jesus which mean about as much to me as a magician saying magic is real.