Ask a Freemason

Ask A Mason http://www.masonforum.com/ Ask A Mason en Copyright 2012 2012-02-05T21:05:22-05:00 Will this violate the obligations? http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/1683/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/1683/#When:20:17:31Z We vow to basically never write down certain things or suffer them to be written down.  But how does this apply to reading stuff that has already been published?  The EA proficiency is different from anything I’ve ever studied.  Since I’m working with a cypher it’s hard to remember what everything stands for. It’s so tempting to find out what everything says online and use that to help memorize it. I’m not going to, but I was just wondering how that impacts our obligation. 2011-07-20T20:17:31-05:00 Ring http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/829/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/829/#When:15:54:37Z I was talking to a older brother from my Lodge the other day and we got on the subject of rings, and I want to point out, I am not just looking to get the ring…. but he was telling me that sometimes the wife buys the ring but I am not married so I will be buying my own…anyways, he said rings are usually presented when you become a MM ( at least in my area). My question is, I have looked on the internet getting ideas and cost…. some are very pricey!!!! Anyways, I found a website where they make custom rings for around $100 I believe its <a href="http://www.jemsbyjem.com">http://www.jemsbyjem.com</a> .... has anyone ever bought a ring from there? I am still a little ways out from being raised but it never hurts to be prepared, I am not a big jewelry wearer so when I get one, I want it to be something I like without costing fortune. What are your thoughts, traditions and such regarding rings….??? I have heard of some Lodges presenting the newly raised Brothers with a ring so all members have a matching one. 2010-02-08T15:54:37-05:00 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 Masonic E-Library online http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/2001/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/2001/#When:17:55:01Z Hello Bros. I am an English Freemason who is a scholar of the Craft and have, over the years, built an extensive collection of masonic books in electronic format, mainly pdf. I have put this collection together on a fileshare site so that like minded people can study our fraternity. I have called it Count Cagliostro’s Masonic E-Library & you can find it at: <a href="https://www.4shared.com/dir/p98TYexm/sharing.html">https://www.4shared.com/dir/p98TYexm/sharing.html</a> You can also follow new uploads on Twitter using @JosephBalsamo. The library currently holds over 2,000 masonic e-books and new ones are being added all of the time. Please feel free to visit and download what you wish although I would advise that you do not try to download everything at once as this will overload the bandwidth restrictions set by the provider. This is a long term project, 3rd year, and I plan on building it for a long time to come so use it as you would your local library. I have quite a few well known masonic authors of high regard using it for their research and have helped some with their work. Kind regards & salutations W.Bro. Keith Carpenter PM, lodge secretary & mentor to Stondon Massey Emulation Lodge #7881, Essex, UK. Member of QCCC 2011-11-19T17:55:01-05:00 Sword, Knights Templar / Scottish Rite? http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/3046/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/3046/#When:11:14:51Z Hi,  A friend has asked me to try and identify and possibly date a sword that was given to her, some twenty five years ago.  From what I have been able to find on line so far it looks like a Knights Templar, Masons sword.  Do not find a makers mark anywhere.  On the blade is a mans name on one side the other is “Conn Valley Encampment” both etched in old English.  Handle has a knights head, black grip, chain guard, hilt on one side is oval – olive branches open center with a triangle on each side. Other side decorative scroll nine point star with a cross and snake inside. Only reference found of Conn Valley Encampment is in late 1800’s 2012-01-29T11:14:51-05:00 women in general and how they fit in to this ? http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/2991/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/2991/#When:03:18:05Z Hi although I am singed as todd almighty this is not he I am almostvituose79. i have a question and when I tried to register it wouldnt let me past the word image part. I really would like to know where weman fit in this whole masonic familey ? 2012-01-07T03:18:05-05:00 Funny things in the Lodge http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/842/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/842/#When:17:11:46Z People think that everything in Freemasonry is all serious and no fun but I beg to differ. In my last degree, I had something I thought was funny happen. I got hit in the head by the door( just for those lurking…it didnt hurt) when the SD opened it, lucky for me it hit the hardest part…LOL. Afterward, he was apologizing like crazy and I kept giving him a hard time about it. I am sure I will get to experience more fun things in the Lodge besides getting hit by the door but I havent been in long enough yet and I found it to be quite humorous…. What funny things have happened to you or in your Lodge? 2010-02-20T17:11:46-05:00 “Charge” etiquette http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/2992/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/2992/#When:14:16:12Z Brethren, just wanted to ask.. If a brother who knows a degree charge visits a lodge on a degree night, should he offer to perform the charge or wait until an officer of that lodge asks if he can deliver one? And isnt that a good way for lodges to interact? 2012-01-07T14:16:12-05:00 Traditional Observance Masonry http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/375/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/375/#When:12:43:04Z I am researching Traditional Observance Masonry. Does any such lodge exist in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts? Members wear tuxedos, and it takes normally one year between each degree. Members have to research Masonic topics, and deliver presentations. Special ceremonies, such as a “Chamber of Reflection”, and “Circle of Unity” complement the experience. Several of these lodges are opening up, and operating now in California, Ontario, and other places. This type of lodge appeals only to very special Masons. If anyone has information, or personal experience with this unique type of Masonry,please send a PM to me. Charles E. Martin Forward Operating Base, Salerno, Afghanistan 2008-10-30T12:43:04-05:00 FreeMasonry & personal beliefs http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/2983/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/2983/#When:12:25:53Z what is the current relationship Of freemasonry & the church? also would me becoming a moorish american & becoming nationalized conflict wit freemasonry in anyway? 2012-01-04T12:25:53-05:00