I am curious what your take is on wearing identifying marks - rings, badges, etc. On the one hand, if you bump into masons, they could be useful. But I am also concerned you could run into some anti-masonic folks, who for whatever reason, will treat you suspiciously or downright negatively.
Does anyone have a strong opinion on this, one way or the other? I would love to sport fraternal items, but I only plan to when I’m in a “controlled environment,” not 24/7.
I am curious what your take is on wearing identifying marks - rings, badges, etc. On the one hand, if you bump into masons, they could be useful. But I am also concerned you could run into some anti-masonic folks, who for whatever reason, will treat you suspiciously or downright negatively.
I have the Square and Compasses on the back of my car, and wear a Masonic ring. I also have a ballcap with the Square and Compasses; though when I wear hats I prefer my Red Sox cap. So no, I don’t have an issue wearing the symbols of the fraternity. I’ve yet to encounter any anti-Masonic types in person, reactions I receive from non-Masons are generally neutral if they acknowledge them at all.
Dear Sanborn90:
Persecution has gone on for 1000’s of years. Fear accompanies it every inch of the way. You can only make your way through this issue after your careful thought. In IRAN the members of our craft are put in jail as enemies if they are discovered. The Grand Lodge of IRAN in exile ( in the USA) is the outcome of the years of suppression. I wear my ring, lapel pins and Masonic golf shirts with pride. I know that someone will ask me the question: What is it all about? Or, Aren’t you part of the Shriner’s Burns Hospital? Never did someone key my car or insult me. Fear not that of which rises to goodness. You’ve asked about rings and bling in the past; I’m sure you have them, wear them with pride.
Ronald Doucette - Forum Moderator
With the exception of have recently attended the wedding of a Catholic friend and removing my ring to avoid conflict or insult for their position, regardless of what I may think of it and there reasons for it, my ring comes off my hand when my finger comes off and I dont think even the most ardent of anti-Masons is willing to lop of my right ring finger to prove a point.
Seriously though, I also wear polo shirts with the S and C embroidered on them, ball caps, a varsity style jacket with the same symbol as well as my name stitched on it and have my states Master Mason license plates on my car. Ive been screamed at in traffic, along with other methods of folks communicating their displeasure with my driving at various times. I have, however, never been insulted, assaulted or otherwise harmed. I did have a rather strange experience in a florist’s shop where when i held out my hand to pay for the flowers I bought, the clerk seemed frozen in place, looking from the ring, to my face and back again. I jokingly said “its ok…our symbols are on the money” at which point she nervously took it while staring at the floor and forgetting to give me my change (.47 cents). I decided I would let her keep the coins.
(post 500!) I wear my masonic ring with pride. I have masonic belt-buckles as well. I initiated the legislation to get Masonic license plates, in Kentucky. I have a Masonic sticker in the window of my car.
In 28 years of Masonry, I have never encountered anyone who was offended or “put off” by my masonic “bling”. (In the USA)
In foreign countries, the situation is quite different. I worked in Saudi Arabia for a year, and I kept my masonic identification quite discreet. In France (1986-1987), there was a bit of anti-Masonic attitudes among the French people. The brother of the president was a Mason, and there were grumblings, that the Masons were telling the president how to run the country (through his brother). The local Masons advised me, to keep my masonic identification private, and not to display any masonic identification publicly.
It is true, that today, being a Mason will land you in prison, or could lead to more serious punishment (in some countries). I encourage anyone, traveling abroad, especially to the MidEast, to make some inquiries, and practice good judgement and discretion.
Dear checkered pavement:
I see that you have no issue at identifying yourself as a Freemason, as your post on Masonic Symbols and motifs, such as car plaques, indicate. I am sure that you are a proud Mason. For the forum, regions in the USA and world differ; I assume you are from the USA. It might be of assistance to indicate more of your location, Lodge, etc. These posts help idenify the nature of masonic experience and worldliness to the uninitiated or seeker of experience.
On the Store Clerk: I find it curious. There may be instance of an uneducated, misdirected, or fundamental religious zealot, that would take offense of a Masonic ring. I have never seen this in twenty five years as a proud Mason. Not that one would be compelled, but, I would grill a person on their “problem here?”. I’m not militant, but, not a wimp either. Not, that you, blew it off, was wrong. I abhor ignorance in these cases. A simple mention that Masons donate to the Shriners’ Burns Centers clarifies that ignorance. Community service goes a long way. We have a right to identify the good works that we do as Freemasons.
For the most part I have found three reactions when I wear masonic symbols in the general public:
1) Completely ignored
2) “What’s that?” “I’m a Freemason” “Oh”
3) Someone around me asks a question about the fraternity or what the symbol means, or tells me a story of a relative that was a member.
I think #3 is a great way to educate the general public. Most of my conversations have been with women (let’s face it, most guys don’t ask one another if they can see their rings like women do), but they get the chance to ask questions about their fathers or grandfathers and learn something new. I just had a conversation with a coworker the other day who mentioned that her father was buried in a Shriner Fez and thought it was “creepy” at the time. She’d never made any connection with the Shriner’s hospitals or known about all the other charity work that Masonry does so it was good education for her. When she asked about the meetings I said, “it’s basically character building stuff” and that satisfied her curiosity.
In the USA I would not worry about being persecuted over a masonic emblem. You might get a snide remark from a conspiracy theorist or a witnessing by a fundamentalist, but I would not worry about vandalism, losing your job, etc.
Sometimes, a man will see my lodge ring, and comment “My Grandfather was a 32d degree Mason”. I like to reply “Well then, why aren’t you?”. This usually leads to an interesting conversation.
After the run in I’ve had with my boss, and I’ve been a Brother for well over a year now- and she just found out, I will never display anything ever again. Thats just me.
After the run in I’ve had with my boss, and I’ve been a Brother for well over a year now- and she just found out, I will never display anything ever again. Thats just me.
Thats really a shame. You could always wear a S and C pendant on a chain around your neck and wear your ring when you arent working.
After the run in I’ve had with my boss, and I’ve been a Brother for well over a year now- and she just found out, I will never display anything ever again. Thats just me.
Thats really a shame. You could always wear a S and C pendant on a chain around your neck and wear your ring when you arent working.
I agree. I am just ticked about it right now. I am sure I’ll change my mind in the future. ;)
