Ask a Freemason

Ask A Mason http://www.masonforum.com/ Ask A Mason en Copyright 2012 2012-02-06T00:33:01-05:00 Can someone explain such widespread mason references? http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/3108/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/3108/#When:23:10:07Z I’ve been studying the history, signs, and symbols of the Freemasons ever since hearing a few awful stories about the group as a child. That’s another matter though, point is I’ve got some knowledge in regards to identifying grips, hand gestures, and symbols. I’ve also briefly read over the history of the group. I’ve been noticing an absolutely astounding number of logos, seals, and emblems of corporations that all feature Masonic symbols. I’ve also noticed a serious frequency of people in the media’s eye (newscasters, interviewers, politicians, those on the covers of magazines) displaying Masonic hand gestures. Examples are available, although I believe providing examples of Masonic symbols to a forum of Freemasons would be redundant. But for the sake of reference, here’s a brief list: -The Council on Foreign Relations (Sign of Admiration I believe) -Clothing brands Gucci, Chanel, DC Shoes; along with MasterCard and Kool Cigarettes (Vesica Piscis) -Arrowhead Water (the name of this specific symbol escapes me, but I believe it [oddly enough] represents water? Index fingers touching one another, thumbs touching one another..) -Frequently found on magazine covers (Sign of the Fellow Craft, the “water” one from above) Can anyone explain the absolute plethora of corporate logos and extremely abundant references to Masonry that are all over the place? I literally can’t watch TV, go to the store, or walk across campus without seeing at least a dozen Masonic emblems or gestures. 2012-01-30T23:10:07-05:00 What’s all this conspiracy stuff? http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/535/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/535/#When:12:32:23Z To Masons and prospective Masons. As many of you know, we spend a lot of time on this Forum answering questions about conspiracies. Without trying to draw fanatics into the Forum, I do think that those interested in the Craft have a right to air their worries and hear the truth from actual Freemasons. Some of the moderators thought we should at least find a place for this topic until we have a better spot, so we’re starting it here. We are not historians (although a few of us are trained that way), but if anyone has some specific questions they want to ask or theories they’ve heard that they would like debunked or verified, let’s use this thread to do it. It would be great if we could keep this civil. Thanks. Bob Heruska Forum Moderator Boston, MA 2009-04-11T12:32:23-05:00 is the Nigerian constitution outlawing freemasonry? http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/3253/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/3253/#When:08:47:50Z The constitution of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria defines secret societies as…........“Secret society” includes any society, association, group or body of persons (whether registered or not) (a) that uses secret signs, oaths, rites or symbols and which is formed to promote a cause, the purpose or part of the purpose of which is to foster the interest of its members and to aid one another under any circumstances without due regard to merit, fair play or justice to the detriment of the legitimate interest of those who are not members; (b) the membership of which is incompatible with the function or dignity of any public office under this Constitution and whose members are sworn to observe oaths of secrecy; or (c) the activities of which are not known to the public at large, the names of whose members are kept secret and whose meetings and other activities are held in secret;”  I DO NOT THINK THAT THIS APPLIES TO MASONRY, WHO THINKS OTHERWISE? 2012-02-04T08:47:50-05:00 Policies on religion http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/3090/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/3090/#When:09:10:30Z Hey, Ive been interested in joining this organization for a couple of years now and the only reason i havent is because of the abundance of information out there that support and tear down the name of masonry. I just have to be sure of what Im getting myself into but it seems impossible. Masons I know of, and ask for info, never scratch my itch because their answers are so limited and sometimes i leave them even more confused. So Im hoping you guys can help. Ok, my first question is, why is religion a topic that isnt allowed to be talked about in lodges? My second question(pertaining to the first) is: is it true the name of Jesus Christ isnt spoken in lodges. And my third q (which is completely irrelevent but it was on my mind) is: ive heard Barack Obama is a 33rd degree, is this true? 2012-01-30T09:10:30-05:00 Is Masonry a secret society? http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/6/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/6/#When:21:20:11Z No. It is sometimes said that Freemasonry is a “Society with secrets, not a secret society.” In point of fact, however, any purported Masonic “secrets” were made public several centuries ago in London newspapers, and today can be found in the Library of Congress, on the Internet, and in many books on the subject. As Benjamin Franklin once said, “The great secret of Freemasonry is that there is no secret at all.” 2007-07-18T21:20:11-05:00 anti-mason prejudice http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/3024/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/3024/#When:09:49:23Z We all know that there is tons of anti-Mason prejudice out there. The web is filled with rumors of Masons engaging in all kinds of evil, and wicked activity. In many ways it reminds me of Anti-Semetic myths about the Jews.  My question is where does all this come from? Why do people single out and attack the Masons? Is it just ignorance? Fanaticism? Ignorant Fanaticism? Is it the secrecy of Masonry that attracts this kind of hate? Is it the good the Masons do that makes them a lightening rod for negativity from darker parts of society? I am interested in hearing brothers’ thougts on this. 2012-01-26T09:49:23-05:00 True Baptist Christians versus the Masonic world http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/1758/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/1758/#When:21:10:32Z Greetings my future brothers (hopefully). I want to ask a honest question. First off my name is John and I’m petioning a lodge where I’m located, but I’m wanting to join cause I want to make myself better as a man and husband inwhich I’m good now but actually be somebody in a fraternity to leave good rep behind on this earth as a man. my dad was a prince hall 33rd and recntly over the years he’s been inactive since he became a reverend(preacher) but y is he not happy or showing any kind of excitement towards me about joining when I talk. To him…?..I’m 27 years old and imm trying to keep it in the family because I’m so much liike him.me and my dad have never communicated about this growing up but I can tell you that whatever he went thru in the mason world has to be a awesome piece of information cause he iis a real good Dad that made sure I was ok thru the years and the brothers that knew me took care of me…but i have a petition that gotta be turned in but first I want to see what someone thinks about y he wud tell me that he don’t want that in his SPIRIT anymore?..is this a normal thing that people say or am I not researching far enough ..I. have beenn so confused aboout joining cause I’m a christian as a baptist believer but yet, he just pays me no attention when it comes to this and it never been like that 2011-08-26T21:10:32-05:00 Freemasonry and Scouting http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/2969/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/2969/#When:05:37:17Z Four of the most prominent and known scouting leaders were also freemasons. Is there a connection or just coincidence? 2011-12-28T05:37:17-05:00 ‘The White Glove Treatment’ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/2980/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/2980/#When:09:17:23Z Also, how do you define this phrase about freemasonary that has cropped up time and again?  It describes the blacklisting of people who claim they are victims to freemasonary.  Blacklisting from jobs.  False accusations and charges from police and general witchhunting of said victims because they may have a political belief or may have taken a freemason to court about something. I am well aware you will say ‘it doesn’t happen’ but if so, please explain how this phrase came about and explain what you think it describes within Freemasonary. 2012-01-02T09:17:23-05:00 Is this keeping in the tradition of Freemasonry? http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/1356/ http://www.masonforum.com/viewthread/1356/#When:21:31:15Z Hello all This past October I received all three of my degrees in the same day. A program known as the “One Day Masonic Journey” has been authorized by the Grand Master of Pennsylvania. Its main purpose is for men who are too busy to work on their degrees over a long period of time, so the solution would be to grant new Masons all three degrees in one day. However, all new brothers are being referenced to this program instead of the traditional one degree at a time method, regardless of preference. I heard this was due to budget constraints. Here is a link to the program: <a href="http://www.pagrandlodge.org/gmaster/oneday.html">http://www.pagrandlodge.org/gmaster/oneday.html</a> Also, the Grand Master of PA has authorized that Masons invite friends they feel are worthy into the fraternity. Would this be crossing the line of a Mason trying to ask or encourage someone into joining instead of waiting for them to ask? So is all this still keeping in the regular traditions of the craft? Thanks! 2011-02-23T21:31:15-05:00