I hope you don’t mind, but since your posts have nothing to do with conspiracies I have moved your posts here to start a new thread on your topic. Thanks, and enjoy the Forum.
I stumbled upon your site by chance and saw this topic and thought this was a good place to ask a few questions I’ve had for a while now.
My father (who is not a free mason) often told me that two of my uncles (his brothers) were.
I’ve always had loads of questions I wished I could ask them (especially since one of the two is my godfather) but I heard that a free mason chooses to have his membership to the fraternity known or not.
Obviously, my uncle told my dad (maybe he wanted to recruit him, I don’t know, lots of stuff I’m not being told here) but he never told me. So, I really have the feeling that just writing him “hey! I know you’re a mason and I’ve got tons of questions if you could please answer them” would be extremely rude. And even properly worded (unlike my example above) such an approach doesn’t seem very appropriate, especially because I’d be afraid it would be misinterpreted as a poor try to get in or something (which is not the case, I’m just very curious by nature).
This question has torn me up for years now. I guess maybe I should try to get re-acquainted before I try to ask anything. My uncle lives far and I’ve grown up and went my own way plus my dad and his brothers have a complicated relationship which means I never really know when it’s okay for me to try to contact him or not.
Also, my dad always tells me that the free masons is just a fancy rotary club with most people in just for the business opportunities. I was a rotary exchange student in the USA myself, so I’ve been able to judge for myself the rotary club and know that it’s not just that. At least, maybe not in America (or was it maybe just the village I lived in, I don’t know).
Where I live (I’m from France and still live here for now), things honestly feel different.
I stumbled upon your site by chance and saw this topic and thought this was a good place to ask a few questions I’ve had for a while now.
My father (who is not a free mason) often told me that two of my uncles (his brothers) were.
I’ve always had loads of questions I wished I could ask them (especially since one of the two is my godfather) but I heard that a free mason chooses to have his membership to the fraternity known or not.
Obviously, my uncle told my dad (maybe he wanted to recruit him, I don’t know, lots of stuff I’m not being told here) but he never told me. So, I really have the feeling that just writing him “hey! I know you’re a mason and I’ve got tons of questions if you could please answer them” would be extremely rude. And even properly worded (unlike my example above) such an approach doesn’t seem very appropriate, especially because I’d be afraid it would be misinterpreted as a poor try to get in or something (which is not the case, I’m just very curious by nature).
This question has torn me up for years now. I guess maybe I should try to get re-acquainted before I try to ask anything. My uncle lives far and I’ve grown up and went my own way plus my dad and his brothers have a complicated relationship which means I never really know when it’s okay for me to try to contact him or not.
Also, my dad always tells me that the free masons is just a fancy rotary club with most people in just for the business opportunities. I was a rotary exchange student in the USA myself, so I’ve been able to judge for myself the rotary club and know that it’s not just that. At least, maybe not in America (or was it maybe just the village I lived in, I don’t know).
Where I live (I’m from France and still live here for now), things honestly feel different.
Thanks in advance for any answers
It is hard to say for certain as Freemasonry in France is a little bit different (and is currently undergoing some issues that have caused the Grand Lodge of England to revoke recognition of them), but in general, Masons LIKE to be asked about it by men who are interested in joining. It could very well be that your Uncle would love for you to ask, but he wants you to come to that conclusion on your own and not persuade you in any way.
Also know that you don’t have to be related to a Mason to join. You can ask ANY Mason, and if you are living in America now, the best thing is probably to speak to a local lodge about it.
It is hard to say for certain as Freemasonry in France is a little bit different (and is currently undergoing some issues that have caused the Grand Lodge of England to revoke recognition of them), but in general, Masons LIKE to be asked about it by men who are interested in joining. It could very well be that your Uncle would love for you to ask, but he wants you to come to that conclusion on your own and not persuade you in any way.
Also know that you don’t have to be related to a Mason to join. You can ask ANY Mason, and if you are living in America now, the best thing is probably to speak to a local lodge about it.
Thank you very much for your quick answer.
I should have specified that I am a woman, which is partly why I’m not contemplating joining. I’ve heard of lodges where apparently there are only women, but I’ve never seen this confirmed (and since we’re talking about a brotherhood ...) anywhere. It’s just that I’ve always had this craving for knowledge, I just need to find stuff out, I love to learn. Across the many researches on many subjects that I did, the topic of the free masons just kept coming up. (I’ve even read and saw a documentary where they claimed Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin proclaimed the moon mason territory.)
So, of course I’m getting curious about an institution that had so much influence everywhere. Often, the topic comes up for what seems like no good reason at all, just to fill a gap. At other times, the influence the masons had seems legitimate. Also, we hear much about American masons but rarely about what’s going on in France, which gets me even more curious.
I will take the time to browse through the web site, some of my questions just might find answers there.
Yeah, knowing that you are a woman changes my answer slightly, as you cannot join regular Freemasonry as a woman. Still, you should feel free to ask any questions you may have about our Fraternity. There is a lot of false information out there regarding Freemasonry. You’d be surprised the things people believe about us. I’ve heard it all. Apparently we are mind controlling Nazi’s from space, according to some!!
So have a look around, try searching for some subjects, and ask any questions you might have. I can also point you in the right direction for finding more information that I can assure you is correct.
Of course I don’t mind, thank you for moving this thread to a more appropriate place.
And thanks for that link too, that’s very interesting (and helps balancing the other ‘informations’ I had.)
I have heard about the satanist mind controlling part as well.
If anything else, I find it entertaining.
My uncle being a member helps a lot in discrediting all those claims though. I don’t need to bombard him with questions to know he’s not a mind-controlling devil worshiper.
I’d like to find informations about the influence the free masons can have in countries at war or that are still developing, struggling. I know they have sometimes been hunted down or persecuted (under some ‘communist’ regimes mostly I heard), are there still places where it’s the case ?
I’d like to find informations about the influence the free masons can have in countries at war or that are still developing, struggling. I know they have sometimes been hunted down or persecuted (under some ‘communist’ regimes mostly I heard), are there still places where it’s the case ?
That’s an interesting question, especially since many people believe that the Freemasons had a big influence in the development of the United States, as well as the French Revolution. I think it is important to separate Freemasonry from Freemasons. As an organization, Freemasonry can not get involved in politics or go against the rule of the land. Many developing governments and some most theocracies fail to recognize this. Freemasonry as an organization has no interest in creating or maintaining governments.
However, some Freemasons are politically active, just like some dentists, janitors, and firefighters are politically active. This was the case with some of the Founding fathers of the United States. Ben Franklin, George Washington, Paul Revere etc. were all Freemasons, but they were not acting on behalf of Freemasonry when they participated in revolution. They were acting on the cause of freedom and independence. Freemasonry encourages men to improve themselves and those around them. Each man then does this in his own way. For these men, it was to ensure Freedom for their fellow countrymen and provide the same for posterity. They did this because it was in their hearts to do so, not because Freemasonry told them to.
There are also Freemasons from that time who did NOT revolt, who were Tories on the side of the English. For them, bettering their communities came in the form of charitable works. Under regimes who misunderstand and persecute Freemasons, both the former and the later would be under fire because if this common misunderstanding.
As a fraternity we do not involve ourselves in the creation or influence of nations.
Onsen - it’s probably worth noting that the reason your uncle didn’t mention Freemasonry to you is precisely because you are a woman. Masonry in Europe (I’m in England) is somewhat different to that in the USA. It’s entirely likely that it would not even have occurred to him to mention anything because the male and female versions don’t really speak to each other ... that’s changing a bit as a result of press coverage, but you get the idea. Male Masonry doesn’t recognize the female version and vice versa.
That’s not to say female Masonry doesn’t exist in France, I’m sure it does - after all, something tells me that co-Masonry started in France (don’t quote me on that, and I’m sure someone will correct that if I’m wrong).
And in England, there are many wives of Masons who are themselves Masons - but they don’t ‘recognize’ each other!
I thank our original poster for being so respectful and courteous on the Forum. If you have seen some of the “women” threads some of them can get a little out of control
One corollary I wanted to mention was the International Order of the Eastern Star. I am not sure if it is actually active in France, but I do know that it traces its beginnings to France. This is a very different organization than Co-Masonry, which is a clandestine form of Masonry that operates in France and admits women.
I mention this because one of the qualifications for OES is being closely related to Mason. Daughter/Granddaughter qualifies. I have not had time to check out whether they still operate in France or not, but if so it’s a stellar organization.
You can go to their Website or check out this link to learn more about it.
I see the distinction indeed, between members participating and the organization itself intruding.
The biggest problem when trying to find information is almost that there is too much information, often biased info without sources.
I have, however found a couple of blog and websites of french or belgian free masons. The latter is quite thorough, I’m even starting to understand what is wrong with the ‘Grande Loge Nationale de France”.
The symbol being that of masonry, I always thought of the free masonry as a giant megalithic edifice. I didn’t really imagine there could be different ways leading to different leaderships.
Doing my research, I found out some things and I need a little clarification. I’ve read (wikipedia article) that the Scottish Rite of free-masonry was also called the Rose-Croix, does this mean that everything labeled ‘Rose-Croix’ is from that type of masonic rite or is there also an independent body with the same name ?
edit: I have found a few answers to my previous questions. It seems this symbol is quite vastly used.
From what I’ve read, the problem inside the Grande Loge Nationale de France comes from some (actually a lot) of members disagreeing with the way their grand master behaved towards public figures (our now president amongst others). There has been a tv camera inside a lodge (?) during a meeting that showed members receiving expansive gifts etc.
About the link to the article on the Order of the Eastern Star. It says it does not include atheists among its ranks and I am wondering why. What I mean to say is what if you’re still wondering ? Trying to find answers?
I’ve read the dictionary’s article on atheism, it states quite clearly you must believe ... in something, however, it doesn’t say how atheists are regarded. Also, I’m wondering about buddhists though.
The article I’m reading is interesting because it seems to have been opened for debate. Buddhism in itself isn’t really a religion because there is no glorification of one creator. Even more, Buddha clearly says that the belief in a creator could be counter productive in trying to achieve Nirvana.(pretty much everything is counter productive when trying to achieve nirvana really.)
But I digress. Thanks for reading and if you have links to share, I’m all eyes.
Hello Onsen,
I’m afraid tha your question is being rather pushed off the rails, if you will forgive my bluntness the answer to your questions (assming that you are domiciled in France as you state above) is to visit the following 2 websites for further infomation on how a woman can join a Masonic Order: Women only = http://www.glff.org or mixed gender = http://www.droithumain-france.org.
I am afraid that your inquiries into what are called the “Appendant Degrees” ie open only to Master Masons to join is incredibly premature and will only lead you to confusion. However, for clarity the Rose Croix Degree that you have seen mentioned in not linked to Rosicrucianism.
Thank you for the link however, like I have stated earlier, I am not looking for info on how to become a member. Just information.
That being said, I understand how my questions could be out of the line. I’m not trying to push any boundaries as I am not really aware as to where they are exactly.
Thanks for the answer anyway.
