Ask a Freemason

Ask A Mason http://www.masonforum.com/ Ask A Mason en Copyright 2010 2010-03-12T21:01:41-05:00 Failing the test….?  http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/888/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/888/#When:10:52:42Z Hello Everyone, I have a question.  I was just wondering if someone is about to take there EA, FC, or MM degree and fails to remember a certain part during the actual ritual do they “fail” that degree and not welcomed to continue the degree?  I have never seen this question posted on here before.  Thank you. 2010-03-10T10:52:42-05:00 Can a Mason Join More than 1 Lodge?  http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/895/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/895/#When:16:20:25Z Can a Mason hold joint membership in more than 1 lodge? Be active in both concurrently? Or does he have to be put on a sort of inactive list?  If this is possible, how does a Mason go about joining a 2nd or 3rd lodge? Thanks, JC 2010-03-12T16:20:25-05:00 Assessment http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/893/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/893/#When:20:06:05Z Can the Grand Council assess a Lodge/Chapter raffle tickets? 2010-03-11T20:06:05-05:00 Islam, the Mideast, and Freemasonry http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/894/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/894/#When:12:20:03Z Some months ago, Lion of Jordan inquired about joining Masonry and posted some informative comments which piqued my curiosity. We have been exchanging PMs for some time, both of us asking and answering the other’s questions. I have learned that LOJ is a fairly young man living in a country where Freemasonry is absolutely forbidden, and that to attract attention to himself as someone who is interested in Masonry would jeopardize his job, and probably worse. I think that some of the information he has given me is of considerable value, as it uncovers a view from a Muslim standpoint of much that we, as western (and mostly Christian) masons, understand in a different manner in some cases, and in the same manner in others. I’m hoping this thread will do two things: 1) Provide an opportunity to obtain information about Freemasonry to inquirers who are Muslims; 2) help the rest of us to understand the traditions and teachings of a huge number of people who are, in the current political atmosphere, viewed in the West with much suspicion and even hatred. I know that I myself have much to learn, and I’m sure that’s true of most of us. I hope that there will be input from friendly commentators, insde and outside of the Fraternity, to provide information, ask questions, and respond to questions. This, of course, will be on matters relating to history, tradition, the practice of masonry, etc; but no discussion of religion per se, as that would not be appropriate for a Masonic discussion. To get started, I will try to copy to this thread four PMs which I received from Lion of Jordan. Others which I received I won’t copy, because they contain some personal details, and I won’t post anything that might possibly be used to identify him. I specifically asked his permission to do this, and he agreed without qualifications. 2010-03-12T12:20:03-05:00 neg. nuet. pos. (-0+) http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/890/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/890/#When:22:45:28Z I’m not entirely sure this is something pertaining fully to this site, but from what I read and heard so far I doubt this would go unread. Since I was about 15 (14 years ago)I have been turning a theory over in my head surrounding the symbols and meanings for possit, negative, and neutral. I never take my studies too in depth mostly from the enormity of the possibilities, and the conclusions I’ll come to will be through the influence of how i think things should be and not always socially accepted in topic. To do any theory you have to have a basic simple and easy to remember foundation to build the rest of your ideas from, you would be essentially going back to the drawing board with no board waiting for you. Like in building you have to add and take away things to keep the structure functioning and problem free. In our minds this is how this is “basically” done giving good thoughts a + signature and bad thoughts a - signature. the neutral would be the essential drawing board a blank screen 0. if you notice even in nature the - is more grounded in appearance symbolically speaking and the + is providing a range of direction. the reason i mention not delving too deep is because a + thought to you might end up a - thought when compared to the thoughts of everyone throughout time. even getting this far into it is more then i want to go mostly because its not about whats right and whats wrong, its about what we can come up with in the middle to make the struggle easier. Trying to pick a side on more over less is a losing battle, whereas i donut feel a person over eternity would persist in being a negative person, its a matter of convincing the person the thoughts that lead their life is hurting them more than helping them, thus taking away and adding dealing with both forces. So when i started getting into symbols to basically just see if there were any other s, i noticed it fit really well with the eternity symbol left side being - and spinning to the left with + on the right spinning to the right, and coming to focus at the 0 in the center. This connection really sent my mind racing, it literally felt like a nuclear bomb went off in my head..... seriously. This bomb of possibilities of symbols shapes and connections was even frighteningly overwhelming at times, I’m so glad my wife can handle a crazy husband cause i didn’t shut up. I love history and figuring out the way things work, and i have noticed in many religions the things revolving around + acts are clockwise spinning to the right, like the prayer wheels you spin. I’ve also applied this to black and white with grey being neutral, and have noticed this separation of perception in middle eastern religions with men wearing white and women wearing black. I actually found this application to be more connected to religions still active today, but i see this as someone trying to get rid of their shadow in fear of what it might do to them, not having anything stable inbetween the burning light and frightening dark to hold onto. I know every religion wants the best for their people same as politics but they are always leaving another side out saying what these large number of people feal and believe isnt right make it go away and leave them without a path they can walk down. The greatest gift i feel we have received is the ability to essentially live an entire situation in our heads before we act it out. imagination is endless boundless and will take you any direction you want to go. As all this was going i started remembering some letters i combined when i was 15 and first starting this theory. these letters were “i am” get a piecer of paper and pencil and write the capitol A upside down with the lower case m on top of it. it makes a heart and if you put a lower case i between them it makes a multilayer-ed heart, the dot would be the point of perception. Now i have actually seen this shape on Egyptian hieroglyphics. I found a few more fun things like this and i started noticing a pattern in which letters were flipped and which weren’t, and not only flipped but turned to the right or left as well. To start lets examine the shape “m” not being capitol and in the context of the heart it could look like two people lying down while looking at them head on. This would imply a emotion that happens outside of our conscious control or even something spiritual, but things in this category would be turned to the right. so write down the m on its side being turned to the right. Now we have the top of our heart and the beginning of our journey to what we need. go ahead write the “i” normal but touching the “m” so while your writing it gives the example of finding a point and working your way to the bottom of it. so when faced this dilemma of love and a need to satisfy the opposites wants you start seeing all the anarchy going on around you and now you have to find a way to get out of it. so to build thought in our imaginations would turn a symbol to the left this symbol being “A” for anarchy. Now write this down being turned to the left opposite the “m” completing the heart shape. Now we have the full picture of what we want and who we want it with now we just need how to get it done. coming to this conclusion would turn this symbol as a whole to the left being a new build of thought. Something trivial like how to tie your shoes or something physical like a house is accepted by mans thoughts and reinforced into the earth, this would be the initial reason were here being gravity pulling down and hence the reason for the “i” being just normal. Now we have our full heart with everything where we want it. well thats perty much it I hope i didn’t make anyone too crazy :P. I got alot of notes on the stuff ive been working on and im sure ill be getting it out. 2010-03-10T22:45:28-05:00 MM http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/892/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/892/#When:14:57:19Z I just got the news a few minutes ago..... 4-12-2010 @ 1900hrs, I will be getting my MM degree!!!!!..... Just a quick word to the Admin & Mods..... thanks for everything that you guys have been of assistance with on the first steps of my journey. not being from MA myself, I appreciate you going out of your way to help a Brother from another state. maybe I can meet someone from my GL and suggest something like this to them. If you have any contacts there, drop a bug in their ear..... I look forward to gaining more Light from the brothers on this site..... 2010-03-11T14:57:19-05:00 Public perception of Freemasonry http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/891/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/891/#When:09:44:26Z I wanted to ask if any of you have had any run-ins with people who think Masonry is either a great fraternal organization, or people who think Masonry is {insert whatever term you want}? A few months ago I brought to work the book called “American Freemasons - 3 Centuries of Building Communities” by Mark Tabbert, and would read it during my lunch break here in the big military computer operations center.  The comments from co-workers ran through the whole spectrum: -- Hey, that’s really cool!  Are you a Mason?  My dad was a 32* Mason.  He always wanted me to join, but I never had time.  Masons are great people.  You’ll enjoy it! Butch: Thanks… The guys in the lodge welcomed me, and I quickly found them to be among the most nicest group of guys I have ever met.  It is a great organization that does so much good work. -- What are you reading there, Butch?  Oh… American Freemasons… So, when you’re done with that book, you could tell me where the lost city of gold is, right?  Ha ha!  I might read that book as I have a minor in history back in college. Butch: That’s cool… But I don’t know about any gold.  I think you’re referring to that National Treasure movie about the Knights Templar or something.  If you want, you can borrow the book when I done with it.  It is really good. -- American Freemasons?  Are you seriously looking at joining those guys?  You know they are a secret society right?  They do all sorts of weird things from what I heard.  My uncle was a Mason and tried to get my dad and myself into it for years.  I just never could get past the “God” part of it. Butch: Um, I don’t see anything wrong with the Masons.  They don’t do “weird things” or whatever you said.  They are a great group of guys, and I think you’re not giving them the credit they deserve. -- Hey, what’s the book? {shocked expression} Freemasons?  Oh no… Please Lord no… Butch, do yourself a favor and back away now!  Get away from those people!  They are satanic!  They go against everything Christianity stands for! Butch: Say what? {has an equally shocked expression - but am wise enough to know not to get involved in a heated debate or argument.} Um, a friend of mine is a Mason, so I just wanted to read up on it and see what it’s all about. Out of these 4 comments from various co-workers, the 4th one really boggled my mind and caught me off guard.  The co-worker is deeply religious and is a deacon or lay reader or something like that in his church.  He’s a nice enough guy, but, WOW! the things he said about Masonry!  What is the best way to handle someone like that? 2010-03-11T09:44:26-05:00 Contact info http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/889/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/889/#When:12:34:20Z Hello I used the email to contact the South Deerfield lodge about becoming a freemason and got an error in the delivery system. I was wondering is there another email that is use for this lodge. Thanks 2010-03-10T12:34:20-05:00 How do you know when you are “ready” for an appendant body?  http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/787/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/787/#When:19:49:23Z I am going to be raised in almost exactly 48 hours :) A question I’d like to hear some opinions on:  when did you consider yourself “ready” to join an appendant body?  Obviously each man is unique & will feel differently about when and how much to go beyond the MM degree, I’m just curious what led everyone to decide it was time to become more involved that way.  (or, not involved, as the case may be) Today my lodge had a fundraising breakfast and an officer from the local York Rite chapter/council made a point to introduce himself, tell me he was looking forward to participating in my raising, and would like to see me get involved with the York Rite and plugged their version of a one-day class coming up in the spring. Personally I’d rather spend time learning Blue Lodge stuff well, sit in a few officer chairs first.  It’s not that the appendant bodies don’t interest me, it just feels too rushed for me.  I mean no offense to any brothers who chose to continue on right away. 2010-01-10T19:49:23-05:00 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