Ask a Freemason

Ask A Mason http://www.masonforum.com/ Ask A Mason en Copyright 2012 2012-05-16T23:13:08-05:00 Young Masons? http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/5600/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/5600/#When:22:58:41Z Hi all. My name is Curt, I am currently 20 years old and will be 21 in October. I am considering becoming a freemason. I was curious if it was common for someone in their early 20’s to become a mason? Does it vary from lodge to lodge? This is my first post on this site and I am looking forward to learning from everyone here. Thank you. -Curt 2012-05-14T22:58:41-05:00 19th century diary, handwritten in some kind of code? http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/4304/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/4304/#When:08:42:50Z Does it seems that these pages could be worth for the more careful observations. Diary consist about 100 handwritten pages, and it has a origin from the New Hampshire, most probably from the city of Manchester. I can make much more scans, if somebody thinks that this could be an interesting reading. High quality scans are on the links to my on-line photo album: <a href="http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd469/raznorazno/01.jpg">http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd469/raznorazno/01.jpg</a> <a href="http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd469/raznorazno/02-1.jpg">http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd469/raznorazno/02-1.jpg</a> <a href="http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd469/raznorazno/03.jpg">http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd469/raznorazno/03.jpg</a> <a href="http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd469/raznorazno/04-1.jpg">http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd469/raznorazno/04-1.jpg</a> 2012-03-17T08:42:50-05:00 Would a Luciferian be eligible to be a Freemason? http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/5638/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/5638/#When:12:56:18Z Brethren, I recently received the following question and I’m a little stumped on how to answer it.  Perhaps some of you may assist.  I just can’t get my head around the concept of Luciferianism, much less be able to advise whether someone of that faith would be eligible for membership based on our requirement of a belief in God.  It seems that if you are a Luciferian, you must, by the very nature of the fact that Lucifer was created by God, believe in God as a creator, but that just baffles me more about the supposed “faith”.  Here’s the question: I am 16 years old and I play online video games with a clan the clan leader is 23 a med student and a mason , overall a trustworthy person. He and I were talking and he said that I sounded like him when he was young ( I am thirsty for knowledge and debate philosophy constantly with anyone that is willing to debate with me ) he said that if I would like to move to a diffren state and attend a college there and join his lodge he would sponsor me…. Problem is my beliefs are based upon luciferianism and misanthropy which I hear is completely against the free masons philanthropy and belief in a ultimate creator. Should i take a leap of fate and visit him and fill out the application I fear rejection I feal as though I would be shunned for my beliefs. And if I am accept what will I gain from the experience besides the feeling of brotherhood. Is there any “enlightenment” I would receive from the experience . Thank you for taking time out of your day to read this long winded letter and I look forward to your response. Any help appreciated. 2012-05-16T12:56:18-05:00 Joining when in different states http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/5610/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/5610/#When:21:19:37Z Hello everyone. I am in a tricky spot right now. I live in Minnesota, but am currently in Maryland for school. I love Minnesota and want to join a lodge there. I will be returning to Minnesota for the months of June and July then returning to Maryland in early August to continue school. I am not sure how much longer I will be here for school. I plan on going back to Minnesota every summer. So my question is, how would it work if I wanted to petition a Minnesota lodge? I know I wouldn’t be able to get the degree work done in those 2 months. My uncle here in Maryland is a mason and thought that it might be possible to petition a Minnesota lodge but do the degree work here in Maryland. Is that a possibility? Does it depend on the lodge’s involved? Or would it be best if I just waited until I move back to Minnesota? I am just eager and want to get started soon. I appreciate everyone’s feedback and this forum has been very helpful to me. Thank you! -Curt Suneson 2012-05-15T21:19:37-05:00 Freemasonry is Zionism http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/5567/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/5567/#When:23:00:37Z Don’t freemasons believe in the whole Zionist ideology and didn’t it come from Zionist belief? Is it not a Jewish organization. Speak the truth. This is exactly why Middle East does not allow Freemasonary because of their corrupted Jewish belief. 2012-05-09T23:00:37-05:00 Secret Society? http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/5605/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/5605/#When:10:39:46Z [Admin note: Original Title of “wow” was changed for clarity] freemasons are suposed to b a secrect socciety so why do you have all this out on the internet 2012-05-15T10:39:46-05:00 What does the crossed square and compass mean? http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/5596/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/5596/#When:16:52:50Z What is the meaning of the crossed square and compass? L.V.A.A.T. 2012-05-14T16:52:50-05:00 Was Masonry your first choice? http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/5505/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/5505/#When:17:03:38Z To all current Masons, did anyone of you look into other frats like BPOE/KofC/FOE…etc? Before considering Masonry and what made you choose Masonry? 2012-05-01T17:03:38-05:00 Can an EA wear a ring? http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/5608/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/5608/#When:16:50:43Z I have heard that most masons frown upon EA masons wearing a ring. The MM in my lodge have mixed feelings about it. What do you guys think about it? 2012-05-15T16:50:43-05:00 Buddhism and Freemasonry http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/899/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/899/#When:20:19:30Z Hello all. I wanted to post a response to a recent PM I received. This person wanted to know if his decision to augment his belief and upbringing in the Catholic faith with that of Buddhism would be a problem during his investigation. He said he thought he would have a hard time explaining it, and was uncomfortable asking the question on the Live Forum. Thinking that others might have a similar situation, I am reposting my reply here in edited form. I welcome thoughts from others. ———————————————————— Thank you for your heartfelt message, _____. Your question is legitimate. But your fears are not. The fact that you believe that there is a Supreme Being is all that matters. Freemasonry only asks that you have a belief in a deity. That’s it. I am Catholic also. But my religious preference did not come up in an interview. Here is what I suggest. Your particular search for the truth is of no business to anyone but yourself. You believe in a supreme being. Period. You believe that there is a God. Period. If anyone asks you anything else they are going beyond the bounds of Freemasonry. And you can tell them so. If, however, you offer information on your own—tell someone all your thoughts without prompting—people can think you are strange. It is just human nature. And you can be blackballed for being strange! If I tell someone that I was brought up Catholic, but as a theologian believe that we should all be searching for an ecumenical solution and a reinvention of the sacred—then perhaps I would not have been allowed to become a Mason! The fact is, the God thing will probably not even come up. You already answered “yes” to the question of belief in your petition. But someone could ask you again, just for clarity: “Do you believe in God?” And you could say yes. Or you could say, “What do you mean by God?” That raises a red flag. Do not answer a question with a question. Just answer yes. Religion is not a topic in Freemasonry. Men of all religions and beliefs come together for fellowship. That’s it. Men who believe in God but don’t know where they fit in are also Masons. But in a weird way, if you try to make an issue of your faith—try to explain too hard and ask too many times if your particular idea of God is accepted—you may in fact raise a red flag that you could be here for the wrong reasons—like you are here to try to convert people or something. Or that you’re just strange… We are here for fellowship, friendship, and fun. We do good things and have fun together. And we can choose not to hang out with someone who seems strange or too hung up on things. Does that make sense? As for Buddhism ... The problem with Buddhism in America is that a lot of people don’t understand it. If you were to say you were a Buddhist and ask if Buddhists are accepted you run the risk that someone might see that group as one that actually doesn’t believe in God (it’s true, a lot of people just don’t know). All it takes is that one ignorant guy in a group of otherwise intelligent men who has it confused—and that guy says “I don’t want one of those “Buddhist atheists” in my Lodge. And he doesn’t recommend you. I’m not saying it will happen that way, I’m just saying that you’re bringing up something that nobody has asked you about. Why would you do that? Freemasons are just men. We want to be around people we understand. We check religion at the door. Don’t try to explain your religion. If you don’t check it at the door you risk alienation. Hope that helps. Since you believe in a Supreme Being, say, “Yes, I believe in a Supreme Being.” And leave it at that. If someone instead says “tell me about your religious beliefs,” say, “I believe in God.” If someone (illegally, in Masonic terms) says “What religion are you?” You could say, “None of your business,”—but that sounds like you are hiding something. OR you could just say “I believe in God, but I belong to no organized religion.” Period. Then shut up. In other words, you don’t have to explain your views. Don’t. And we’ll never discuss it again. Hope that helps. Now relax. Bob 2010-03-15T20:19:30-05:00