C-HORSE - 29 February 2008 10:13 PM
Hi my name is chris I do not wish to be a free mason, but was wondering what you guys do?
(My comments are general in nature, and may not necessarily apply to Massachusetts)
--Chris, your question has many answers, and could take many pages to respond. Masonry is a fraternal organization, which works to improve the lives of its membership, and to some extent, the lives of other individuals who are not members. If I could sum it up in one sentence, it is “to make good men, better”.
Everything! presedents and/or regular people?
==The requirements to join our organization are simple, and spelled out in detail on the internet site, for each Grand Lodge in the USA. The basic requirements are:
-Male
-Belief in God (NO atheist can be made a mason)
-Mature of Age (18 some states, 21 most states)
-Good moral character
-Some states have a residency requirment. In Georgia, a man must have three years continuous residence in Georgia, prior to applying. California requires 12 months residence.
All kinds of men are masons: Presidents, Astronauts, Movie stars, janitors, engineers, day-laborers, truck drivers, postal letter carriers,firemen, etc.
I do not think that I am mason material.
I am poor I work five days a week to still make under 15 grand a year I am married and expecting my first son. I am only 20.
==Do not sell yourself short. If you meet the requirements in your state of residence, then you are most definetly mason material.
Me and my friends talk when we have our sesions, we talk abot everything from how life started to how we think it will end, I recall my friends talking about “THE FREE MASONS” saying they worship the devil / They are only the upper class people / they have to be 100% one race.
==Your friends are misinformed. There is no devil worship in Freemasonry, nor worship of any kind. Masonry is a non-denominational, non-sectarian, inter-faith organization. It is not a religion, and no worship of any kind is conducted in a Masonic meeting. There is no class distinction in Masonry, laborers and college professors sit side-by-side in our lodges, as brothers and equals. There is no racial or ethnic requirement for Masonry, all men from all racial and ethnic groups are welcome in our assembly.
I feel these are misconseptions on what you guys and ladys realy do. Have you ever helped any one?
===Masonry is a FRATERNITY, which means it is restricted to MEN only. (No ladies allowed). Masons (and other affiliated masonic organizations) perform all types of charitable and humanitarian work. Our organizations spend about $2.6 million (two point six million) dollars per DAY on various charitable causes. The Shriners support a network of hospitals for children, where all treatment is free. The Scottish Rite supports a network of childhood language disorder clinics, where treatment is provided regardless of ability to pay. We support college scholarships, and research into many different types of diseases. This only scratches the surface of our charitable activities, and does not include the “sweat equity”, of the millions of man-hours that Masons donate freely to their communities and other charitable causes.
Do you beleave in any God? Jesus?
==No Atheist can be made a Mason. If a mason decides to turn atheist, he will be expelled from the organization. Each individual mason’s religious beliefs are considered private, and are not discussed. In the USA, many Masons practice the Christian religion. Masons are only required to be believe in God. We are an inter-faith organization.
Truth be heard from many mouths such as mine you run countries so why arnt they fixed?
==Believe me, the Masons do not run any country. I have lived abroad for 11 years, and I am returning to Iraq soon. If you have a problem with how your country is run, take it up with the politicians, and not with Masonry.
or are they? Do you only benifit the wealthy?
==Masonic membership benefits any man who chooses to participate. I am not wealthy, but I have been personally enriched by my Masonic experience.
Why the recrutment on T.V now? “become a freemason” the founders of this country were freemasons famous remembered people, people of importance, Why do you hide for so long?
==I do not live in Massachusetts, so I cannot comment on why the Grand Lodge of Mass, is recruiting. Personally, I am all for it. As far as “hiding”, you need to know, that Masonry normally operates “under the radar”, with very little fanfare or publicity. My membership is in Kentucky, and our regulations forbid recruiting, or asking a man to join. We feel that masonry does not seek men, but that men seek Masonry.
Is this even real FREEMASONS or did you steal there name and logo having another plan or purpouse that will be exacuted after enough recrutment has been established? I would like answers from a True Mason.
==NO one is stealing anything. There is no plan underway. If additional men are joining our organization, and working towards self-improvement, then fine.
If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me. I love to talk about Masonry, and I have been a mason for 25 years, as is my father, and both my Grandfathers.
