Ask a Freemason

Ask A Mason http://www.masonforum.com/ Ask A Mason en Copyright 2010 2010-03-09T20:15:57-05:00 How do I join while I’m living in West Africa 11 months of the year?  http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/887/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/887/#When:20:15:57Z My great grandfather and both my grandfathers as well as my father were Masons. So were many uncles. Several were 32nd degree Masons and varying other higher level (but I’m not sure of what those were called). I’ve wanted to join my whole life but never did while they were alive. I live in West Africa 10-11 months of the year as I run a charitable disaster relief and development organization as well as a security company. I know that Freemasonry has been active in West Africa for a very long time but I have no idea who or how to contact them in Sierra Leone or whether I should join in Massachusetts. Can someone please help me get started? Thank you all very kindly. 2010-03-09T20:15:57-05:00 Learning Ritual http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/836/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/836/#When:17:04:33Z Having some encouragement, I think it may be desirable to address the subject of learning and memorizing the ritual. Since this is a public forum designed mainly for the public to learn about Freemasonry, I’ll keep it on that level. I’ll be glad to be more specific to those who have already been initiated and are looking for help or advice, via private messages. The question is sometimes asked, do Masons perform their rituals in Lodge from memory, and if so, why? The answer is Yes, all ritual work has to be done from memory; no one can have a book open in front if him and read from it in open lodge. There are a couple reasons for this. Firstly, the ancient regulations prohibited, in the strongest possible terms, putting any of the secrets (which extended to the entire ritual) in writing. This is the reason why we today know nothing about what the ritual was like prior to 1730 when the 3rd degree was composed and added to the ritual. There are no records of the former ritual, or at least none have yet been found. This prohibition has since, to a greater or lesser degree, been somewhat relaxed in nearly all jurisdictions. There is hardly any Grand Lodge today which does not allow some kind of written text for the use of Lodge officers, and maybe candidates, to learn the ritual; but they have to memorize it and can’t use it to actually perform the ritual in Lodge. Secondly, the effect of the ritual on the candidate is thought to be much more impressive if delivered from memory rather than allowing the officers to refer to a script. It’s also handier, since the officers are often moving around the lodge, not just standing or sitting in their places. This makes perfect sense if you imagine seeing a stage play where the actors have a script in their hand and consult it to see what their lines are. Thirdly, we believe that requiring the officers to memorize the ritual, and requiring candidates to memorize at least a summary form of it, ensures that they have the lessons of the ritual as firmly impressed on their minds and hearts as is possible. Fourthly, since nearly everyone requires some assistance in the learning process, a fraternal bond is created among those who have to work together in what may be a somewhat lengthy and arduous process. Instructors and mentors usually become fast friends with those with whom they work. What is a written text like? There are three types of written resource. The full-text ritual, the cipher ritual, and the Monitor. A full-text ritual (fairly uncommon) is what the term implies: the entire content of the ritual is written out in plain English (or whatever language) which anyone can read. In some cases, very small sections containing the core secrets (such as passwords, signs, grips) may be enciphered. A cipher ritual is not actually written with a cipher in the strict sense of the word. It is usually the text written without the vowels. Usually an apostrophe replaces an initial vowel and common symbols are used for very frequent words, such as * for the, / for and. This doesn’t make a great difficulty for anyone to figure out, and it isn’t intended to; otherwise it wouldn’t be useful for anyone using it to learn from. Usually the central core secrets are either omitted (to be learned word of mouth) or further encrypted by showing only the first letter of each word. A monitor is a partial full-text ritual, containing parts of the ritual written out in full, the rest either omitted (to be learned word of mouth) or maybe enciphered by either of the methods noted above. It may also include diagrams or woodcut pictures to indicate the sequence of parts not written out. How do you learn from such a text? The text is chiefly intended to recall to his memory what a Mason has already heard at his initiation, but could not at that time commit to memory. First, we sit down with the copy and an instructor or mentor. Together, we go over it to be sure we understand the meaning of all the words. Then if any parts are enciphered, we go over that to be sure we know what the words are. We are then ready to begin memorizing those parts by repeating them to ourselves, checking the written text, until we have it. Lastly, or at the same time, the mentor goes over all the parts not printed by teaching it a little at a time, word to mouth, as often as necessary until we have it by memory. A good instructor will, as he goes along, point out how the various parts fit together, where there should be pauses or emphases, where there may be gestures or other actions. He will also correct pronunciation and diction and advise on delivery (usually counselling to slow down, as most people tend to talk too fast for public delivery). The learner, if he is preparing to participate in performing part of the ritual, must very carefully review his entire part to decide on how to break up phrases and sentences into understandable pieces, how to vary his voice to avoid sounding monotonous, where greater or lesser emphasis is needed, where and how long to pause. He also needs to practice it out loud, alone or with his mentor, to check the clarity of his diction and his pronunciation, if he’s speaking slowly enough, and to be sure he is using enough volume to be audible in the farthest corner of the lodge without seeming to shout. Learning the ritual usually seems to be an almost impossible task for most men, but almost any man can do it if he has the motivation and the patience. Every man who does his best and succeeds takes pride in his accomplishment and looks forward to greater challenges. 2010-02-13T17:04:33-05:00 Car badges, rings, etc: help or hindrance?  http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/468/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/468/#When:11:33:06Z Hi everyone, I am curious what your take is on wearing identifying marks - rings, badges, etc.  On the one hand, if you bump into masons, they could be useful.  But I am also concerned you could run into some anti-masonic folks, who for whatever reason, will treat you suspiciously or downright negatively. Does anyone have a strong opinion on this, one way or the other?  I would love to sport fraternal items, but I only plan to when I’m in a “controlled environment,” not 24/7. 2009-03-01T11:33:06-05:00 Suggested reading?  http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/875/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/875/#When:14:53:47Z Good afternoon!  Without ruining the true mysteries that lie ahead, do any of you have any suggested readings I could indulge in?  Given that question and providing I am accepted to start such a journey, I am NOT looking for “tell all” books regarding landmarks and rituals and so called secrets.  Thank you in advance. John Couture Manchester, NH 2010-03-04T14:53:47-05:00 E.A. Degree scheduled.  http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/880/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/880/#When:12:30:15Z Well my friends, the letter arrived today. My E.A. has been scheduled for St. Patrick’s day and a more auspiscious day a Son of Erin’s Isle couldn’t ask for. Again I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to all who engaged with me on this forum. For your advice and support in helping me to get this far, thank you. 2010-03-06T12:30:15-05:00 Repost and Screen Name Issue—Women and Freemasonry http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/886/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/886/#When:12:30:08Z Hello Members. My apologies to the membership of the Forum, but we had to delete a thread from Kim in Massachusetts because of an inappropriate screen name. Many Ambassadors and Members use computers from offices that scan Web pages and block sites containing profanity or the repetition of letters like “x.” Prospective members of the Forum should be sure their screen or user name is appropriate. For reference I have reposted the first post comments here : (From Kim in Massachusetts posted March 8) Dear Freemasons, I am a married woman and became interested in Freemasonry after hearing various radio ads about ‘Greatness’. I am indeed a ‘woman’ but I believe that I have many insightful and a-gender ‘ideals’ that would make for interesting discussion and personal rumination. My husband and I both feel strongly how men (and women and human beings in general) have been ridiculously greedy and selfish over the past decade but I am much more passionate about attempting to make a ‘difference’ than he because I believe that people CAN be reached and that they WOULD LISTEN and re-think their mindset if given the opportunity to speak freely about their hopes, fears, prejudices, doubts, values, and take money, ‘power’, and egos out of the equation; to start from square 1; to call a spade a spade; to not beat around the bush or try to be ‘politically correct’; to examine the actual substance of various issues rather than perseverate on the ‘laws’ which keep them mindlessly in place. I would appreciate anyone’s thoughts on this; I would prefer to be open and honest rather than pull a Yentl at the Open House later this month. Thank you for your time and consideration. Bob Heruska Posted: 08 March 2010 09:41 PM Private IP: 72.195.137.130 [ # 1 ] Administrator Total Posts: 204 Joined 2007-03-18 Hi there and welcome to the Forum. I see you live in Massachusetts—thanks for providing that info and for such a wonderful introduction. We actually have a lot of members on this Forum who are women. And we love to hear your opinions. Unfortunately our discussions often end up acrimoniously, as it always seems to come down to an argument about why women cannot join regular Freemasonry. A simple search for Women on the search box will bring up a lot. If we can avoid that you are always welcome. You should know that Freemasons have no monopoly on Greatness—and there are many opportunities within Freemasonry where women can be part of meaningful discussion and important charity. Please feel free to ask questions. I for one will touch base again tomorrow. Bob Heruska Forum Administrator Profile PM Edit Delete Quote Mike Martin Posted: 09 March 2010 02:27 AM Private IP: 91.106.152.246 Sr. Member Total Posts: 217 Joined 2009-02-23 Hi Kim, [Note from Admin. This post was trucated before it was deleted, I have paraphrased below) If I’m reading you right, you and your husband are looking to join something together. You may want to consider a separate organization (Admin: which is not affiliated in any way with regualr Freemasonry)called co-masonry. Their site is at <a href="http://www.co-masonry.org/">http://www.co-masonry.org/</a> From the Administrator: Best of luck, and sorry for any inconvenience all this may have caused you. 2010-03-09T12:30:08-05:00 Time Constraints http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/864/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/864/#When:01:05:10Z Hello I was thinking of asking as it were. But I work the 3pm till 11pm shift. How would I be able to meet the meetings requirments of the lodge. I have sent an email to the local lodge in my town (Southbridge) but figured I would ask here as well. 2010-02-28T01:05:10-05:00 Asking…….  http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/884/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/884/#When:12:48:31Z I am wondering, whats everyones thoughts on approaching a friend, co-worker or whatever and asking them if they are a mason. Do you just come out and ask? Or do you try to bring up the topic? 2010-03-08T12:48:31-05:00 recommended books http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/858/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/858/#When:13:26:06Z I enjoy reading good books & was wondering what would be another good book to read regarding the topic of FreeMasonry & its history. I have just finished “The Lost Keys of FreeMasonry” by Manly P. Hall which also included his other works “FreeMasonry of The Ancient Egyptians” & “Masonic Orders of Fraternity” 2010-02-26T13:26:06-05:00 Religion and Freemasonry http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/879/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/879/#When:20:34:38Z Why can’t atheists join Freemasonry? 2010-03-05T20:34:38-05:00