Ask a Freemason

Ask A Mason http://www.masonforum.com/ Ask A Mason en Copyright 2010 2010-09-02T20:35:12-05:00 Decorum of initiation ritual http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/963/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/963/#When:10:08:24Z (NOTE: This post has been edited to remove offending and inaccuate material) I would like to join the Freemasons but I am apprehensive about the initiation ritual.  Somebody said that they maintain decorum and won’t humiliate the candidate, but I see pictures on the ‘net like this: (website removed per the Administrator. See Post below for clarification.) Is that an accurate portrayal?  That looks humiliating to me. I am a heavyset guy and I’d prefer to keep my shirt on if possible.  Also, how big do the aprons come? 2010-05-05T10:08:24-05:00 Applicant Head Start on Memorizing http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/1061/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/1061/#When:13:38:01Z Hello Gentlemen, I have recently applied to become a Mason in my town. I wanted to ask if there was a site or a book out there that I can buy to help me get a head start on memorizing my Masonic Degree. I am not that great with memorizing (I am a numbers sort of guy.) and in order to help me out I am hoping to get a head start on memorizing. Please PM me if you can’t post it here. In addition, can someone please let me know how many weeks must pass before I get an investigation call. Just handed in my application. More curious than anything. THanks, NR 2010-08-09T13:38:01-05:00 Freemasons in Albania http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/1045/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/1045/#When:16:48:52Z This is the second time that I ask if there are any freemasons in Albania. I know that there is no Grand Lodge in Albania, but I think that we should have one. Anyone that can help in anyway is very-very welcomed. Thank you! 2010-07-27T16:48:52-05:00 Newcomer to the Craft http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/1077/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/1077/#When:00:19:33Z Hello all, Before opening the topic, I would like to congratulate all moderators for their brotherly spirit and the professional expert advise they give all inquiries. I am a new EA, ready to sit the FC test in Oct. My initiation ceremony will stay fresh in my soul and memory for the rest of my life. I guess for a long time I will still be finding meanings in the ceremony and its symbolistic. I an educated in exact sciences (engineering), but I have been interested in philosophy and the history of religions for a long time. I am not an expert in this matter, but i do not speak as an ignorant either. What I firmly believe is that there is nothing in the realm of beliefs, doctrines, moral codes, or creeds that comes as close to the essence of human existence and its quest for enlightenment and communication with the Eternal Creator as freemasonry does. In religious terms, I am a deist who firmly believes that if Christianity were to develop according to Jesus and not to Peter, Paul and Constantine, human development and civilisation in general would be farther advanced today. The craft has done its part in reducing and limiting the damage and suffering that obscurantism and dogma propagated by the Catholic Church have created for many centenaries. For the past 4500 years, those seeking brotherly love, truth and higher consciousness have a welcoming door to knock to. I am very hopeful that the Craft will continue to do its part toward strengthening the human spirit, elevating humankind consciousness and enlightening its soul in direct communication with the Great Geometer. Therefore I am so grateful for the opportunity to be part of that quest. Thank you so much! George Cascade #5 Lodge, Banff, Alberta 2010-08-27T00:19:33-05:00 what do i need to become a mason http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/1079/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/1079/#When:14:48:07Z i want to become a mason and i have found a lodge near me but i am wondering is there anything i need to become a mason and if so what are they. 2010-08-27T14:48:07-05:00 Becoming a memeber http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/1037/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/1037/#When:01:56:57Z I am sincerely intersted in becoming a Freemason. My grandfather was a Mason and always had wishes for me to follow. Although he wished for me to become a member he stressed to me to ask when I was at a point in my life that i could fully accept and abide. Unfortunately my grandfather passed without ever seeing his wishes honored. I am now at a point in my life that I believe I am ready. Right now i am 34 and about to begin a my first year of college. My grandfather told there would be a point when I “knew” it was time and i believe the time is now. I cant seem to locate a lodge near me using your website. What my question is, is will it matter that I am at a starting over point in my life? I had a career i was happy with and loved but is no longer an option for me so im starting over and i dont want this to be an issue with membership.  Thank You very much, John 2010-07-23T01:56:57-05:00 Thinking of submitting another petition http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/1076/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/1076/#When:22:45:09Z Hello there as looking maybe to get some help.  I made petition to the lodge a year ago and well its almost time for me to go back and re petition again.  Any how last time it was stopped for reason I dont know if I was black balled or if it was stopped in committee for some reason.  My father is a past master at this lodge I want to join.  He no longer lives here so he doesnt get to sit lodge with the old guys.  On the petition last time where it asks have you been arrested I put no because I was a juvenile when I got in trouble and didnt think nothing of it.  I talked with my father about it and he told me I need to put yes on there and tell them what happened and that it was juvenile and that it was dismissed.  Ill be frank though I was with a guy who had drugs on him and they arrested both of us and well as said the charges against me were later dismissed, I was in the wrong place and wrong time.  I know it was my fault for what happened and I realize that.  The only other thing that I have is I had to file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy back in 2009 due to some financial harships.  The payment comes out of my paycheck and well everything is fine now im building my finances back up where they were at prior to back surgery and everything.  So I know I can meet my obligations my question is how does this all look to you if you were the ones investigating.  Most of the guys in the lodge they do know me and of course Im going to be a little embarrased when they ask me have I ever been bankrupt.  Any thoughts also could my last petition with the ommited information have got it turned down. Thanks Brian 2010-08-23T22:45:09-05:00 Masonry in other parts of the world http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/1078/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/1078/#When:09:54:27Z It seems to me that masonry is not quite the same all around the world. Since I am not an initiate, by the previous sentence I mean in terms of organization, not in terms of core values. To share my background a little bit: I have lived in the United States for a little under six years, including my college years, and as far as masonry goes I found a lot of openness. Literature about masonic history, or masonic philosophy was readily available. Any reputable book store would keep in stock a masonic encyclopedia, if not other literature as well. Not to mention that the people were rather proud, when asked, that they were free masons. My personal friend and mentor was a master mason, and while he did not disclose masonic knowledge with me, I learned a lot from his teachings and life experience. He was open, and willing to help whenever I was willing to accept his aid. We spent a lot of time together talking about various aspect of human existence, and I must say it was most enjoyable. I cannot say the same, though, about Europe. Like the old saying goes “To become a mason, ask a mason” ... I must say that in Romania, for instance, you hardly have anybody to ask. Unlike the United States, a temple in any given town is “hidden”, if I may call it so. While, for example, in the streets of Washington DC you could walk down Pennsylvania Avenue and read off a sign post in front of a building Naval Masonic Lodge, you can wear your feet down in Bucharest in search for a temple. Look for masonic symbolism: sure, you’ll find it all over the place, especially on buildings of the 18th and 19th century. On the other hand you will find that they are no longer lodges hosted in those buildings, but rather public institutions like police head quarters, city halls, opera houses, etc. I also have a few mason acquaintances, and even if asked directly they refuse to talk about anything having to do with masonry. Very few will give out some information, and even fewer will entertain a conversation on this topic. Another example: a gentlemen, member of the brotherhood, once offered to lend me his Masonic Encyclopedia, but I had to promise him I would keep this act as a most guarded secret. I can buy a Masonic Encyclopedia off of amazon.com, so why the big hush? Why all the secrecy? I can understand that masonic knowledge should be a secret for the eyes and ears of brothers only, but the rest is quite unnecessary. In the light of my British and American education I conclude that masonry in a country like Romania is a taboo issue. And if people are so secretive, how do they grant access to new members? Local gossip, if I may call it so, says that the freemasons are an exclusive club for the rich, or that it is a club dedicated to politicians and public servants ... and the list of gibberish can go on and on. I know better not to listen to this type of talk. But other than this gossip nobody would shed some light into the matter - I figured I should ask you! Why do you think that masonry is treated in such a manner? 2010-08-27T09:54:27-05:00 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 Question about Masonic certificates.  http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/1066/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/1066/#When:12:33:07Z OK, I’ve been answering many questions on here for quite some time, but now it is time for me to ask one of my own.  I’ve not been able to get a good answer from anyone in my lodge, so I figured I’d throw this out there. I’ve had my Master Mason certificate rolled up in its protective tube now for many years, and I’d really like to be able to display it.  Have any of the brethren had their certificates framed?  I’m looking for a frame that is the exact dimensions of the Massachusetts certificate. Does anyone know a source for this? 2010-08-11T12:33:07-05:00