Ask a Freemason

Ask A Mason http://www.masonforum.com/ Ask A Mason en Copyright 2008 2008-08-04T16:34:13-05:00 The origins of Freemasonry.  http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/288/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/288/#When:20:09:27Z I realize there will probably never be a consensus on the origins of Freemasonry, but I have come to my own conclusions (which I, of course, reserve the right to change. hehe) I’ve just made a post about it in my Masonic blog. Comments welcomed. <a href="http://manthanein.com/blog/">http://manthanein.com/blog/</a> 2008-07-30T20:09:27-05:00 Top most interesting lodges of the world, anyone?  http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/262/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/262/#When:16:09:43Z Hi, i am a mason that loves to travel, i have attended lodge in 10 different jurisdictions in three different continents. I have started a list of the most interested lodges in the world, but i would really need some help from you my brothers, for example, there are some lodges in Louisiana that they perform their stated communications and degrees outdoors, in Texas there are some that uses rifles instead of swords, etc. Does anyone else knows any other interesting lodges around your area thats has any particular customs? I would love to eventually visit all these lodges and write a top 100 or top 50 most interesting lodges in the world. Please, I need your help! this could be really fun Fraternally, I:.B:. Edgar Gonzales, 32 Grand Orient of Peru #75 Grand Lodge of Mississippi #638 2008-07-02T16:09:43-05:00 York or Scottish Rite ?  http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/201/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/201/#When:02:36:11Z I’m not a mason yet, but I am curios about appendeant bodies to Freemasonry. I could only find a video about Scottish Rite and one about York Rite on the net(more specifically on youtube) . Which path is best ? How do you know which path is for you ? I am just asking out of curiosity. If it does not violate protocol , please inform me to the best of your abilities. 2008-04-17T02:36:11-05:00 Masonry in NY and NE http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/223/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/223/#When:11:24:19Z Hello All! My name is Alex and I am interested in becoming a freemason. The only question I have is where, in your opinion, should I look for a lodge? I am from Long Island but I go to college in Providence and am there for most of the year. The only time I am home is for summer. Would it be smarter to try and find a lodge in the New England area since I am there more often? I would really appreciate your help! Thank you so much! Warm Regards, Alex 2008-05-11T11:24:19-05:00 ARE THERE ANY LODGES IN THE 5 BOROUGHS OF NYC http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/239/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/239/#When:16:02:09Z YEA I WAS WONDERING WHERE I WOULD HAVE TO GO TO SIGN UP OR CALL IN ......IM VERY INTERESTED IN BECOMING A FREEMASON....I READ AND WATCH DOCUMENTRY’S ALL THE TIME...I AM WILLING TO KEEP THE SECRETS SAFE AND OBEY ALL THE RULES AND REGULATIONS....IF THIER IS ANYWHERE I CAN GO OR CALL LET ME KNOW PLEASE....I THOUGHT ABOUT THIS FOR OVER AS YR NOW AND THIS IS THE FAMILY I WANT TO BELONG WITH!! 2008-05-27T16:02:09-05:00 Where do I begin?  http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/278/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/278/#When:00:16:05Z The title says it all, Where do I begin?  My name is Tyler, I live in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Most of my deceased family were all Freemasons, and now I have an interest in joining the ranks as well.  I was going through some of my grandfathers old belongings and came upon a symbol.  I researched and ask my parents what it meant, they were reluctant in mentioning anything about symbol so of course I kept digging and discovered it was of course the masonic symbol.  I don’t know much, but would love to learn more, and hopefully become a member.  Any information or at least a point in the right direction would be highly appreciated. -Tyler 2008-07-16T00:16:05-05:00 Information http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/271/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/271/#When:20:08:08Z Hello, Firstly hello to all admin, members & readers - and thank you for maintaining this forum which is helping me get information about Freemasonry. There are many questions on my mind and your clarifications are most appreciated. Firstly, while reading the replies in other threads, I read a reply by a moderator to a question of a religious aspect, and in it mentioned how membership was restricted to Christians up to a certain year until when it was decided, in England, to allow non-Christians in, and considered it as: “they met… and started on the same square"… something like that. I apologize for destroying the line, but I do not recall it to exactitude, and can no longer find that post since I browsed many threads. If someone could kindly write that bit again about how membership became open to non-Christians and the line since I found it so simple yet deep in meaning. On another note, I am curious to know if there was another online forum prior to this one since the oldest post is dated in 2007 - if there has not been one, I would like to know why this recent online forum establishing, etc. Thanking you. Sincerely, 2008-07-07T20:08:08-05:00 Why the EA and FC should not wear a Masonic ring.  http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/272/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/272/#When:20:40:19Z If an Entered Apprentice is truly a “Mason,” then why can’t he wear a Masonic ring? Likewise for the Fellow Craft? In doing my research in preparation for my initiation as an Entered Apprentice, the only cogent answer I have found to these questions is simply that no one seems to make EA or FC rings.  If they did, the EA and FC would certainly be entitled to wear rings bearing the symbol of their degree. The subtle differences between the symbols for the EA, FC and MM degrees may elude the untrained eye, but they are distinct and the fact remains that the Masonic symbol that is on the face of every Masonic ring is that of the MM. Thus, it would be improper for an EA or FC to wear a ring bearing that symbol. 2008-07-07T20:40:19-05:00 Petitioning ?  http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/265/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/265/#When:23:12:15Z First off, Thank you Gentlemen for this Forum, My Father was a Mason for 40 years and I’ve been considering petitioning the Masonry for some time now.  My father and I never spoke of the masons as I find out maybe he wasn’t allowed to come forth and I was misinformed of the Myths and conspiracies. He’s gone now and after doing a lot of research I would like to petition, My question is this.... Where I live there are many Lodges how do I choose where to petition or even better yet is there a way I could find out my father’s Lodge. It would make me very proud continue his legacy with his closest Brothers. Thank you for any input Sincerely, Gary 2008-07-02T23:12:15-05:00 What’s the difference between Freemasonry and co-masonry?  http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/263/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/263/#When:16:09:52Z I just want to know, What’s the difference between Freemasonry and co-masonry? thank you 2008-07-02T16:09:52-05:00