I've been asked to join the Freemasons
Discussion
Wow,
There really is a lot of hatred for the Craft in here, isn't there?
Freemasonry has already been explained. You get out of it, what you put in. It's an excellent organisation to be a part of.
Perhaps 50 years ago you could have used it to open some doors for you, but not now. But what you will gain from growing as a person more than makes up for that.
Like every organisation, there is a fair amount of idiots that think because they are a FM then that entitles them to look down upon you.
From the chair to the steward, from 1 to 33, we are all equal as men. how high up you progress is also dependant on what you put in, there are certain levels that you cannot attain without first being asked to do so.
It will do you good. But it can also have a large impact on your general way of life. If you go into office this is much more apparent.
Anyway - what do i know, I'll make my stay short.
David. J, LRB440.
There really is a lot of hatred for the Craft in here, isn't there?
Freemasonry has already been explained. You get out of it, what you put in. It's an excellent organisation to be a part of.
Perhaps 50 years ago you could have used it to open some doors for you, but not now. But what you will gain from growing as a person more than makes up for that.
Like every organisation, there is a fair amount of idiots that think because they are a FM then that entitles them to look down upon you.
From the chair to the steward, from 1 to 33, we are all equal as men. how high up you progress is also dependant on what you put in, there are certain levels that you cannot attain without first being asked to do so.
It will do you good. But it can also have a large impact on your general way of life. If you go into office this is much more apparent.
Anyway - what do i know, I'll make my stay short.
David. J, LRB440.
Edited by Davie_GLA on Thursday 17th December 10:40
HereBeMonsters said:
Davie_GLA said:
There really is a lot of hatred for the Craft in here, isn't there?
sleep envy said:
you can ask or be asked - nothing wrong with either way
despite what's been posted on this thread it's not a secret society but a society with secrets - if you knew everything about FM why would you want to join and progress?
knowing more would make the difference between me wanting to join or not wanting to join.despite what's been posted on this thread it's not a secret society but a society with secrets - if you knew everything about FM why would you want to join and progress?
the charity and social aspects appeal, and not having to discuss religion would be a huge bonus [i believe in a higher power only in that 2^3 is higher than 2^2] but i'm not one for rituals just for rituals sake.
the rituals become a bit dan brown if you look on the internet and i accept it isn't going to be that far fetched, but knowing more about the 'peculiarities' of freemasonry in this aspect and what the various levels entail and reward you with [personal reward, not gain] would make a big difference to me.
i drive past my local lodge every day and i admit i am intrigued by it, but the secrecy surrounding the levels and ceremonies smacks of scientology.
remove the ceremonies and FM is just the lions/rotary club isn't it? so please don't tell me there is no more to it than that.
Those misguided individuals who make a point of persistently declaring their anti masonic prejudices, can and often have been, the subject of jibes, banter and other mischief.
Seeking out fellow members is not a high priority among members, especially at work. However when someone makes it know he is very much against it and won't stop crowing on, they do invite a certain degree (sorry!) of collective retribution - always harmless.
One knobhead in particular was advised at the Xmas party to be careful his drinks were not spiked (by the brethren) or else he may wake up later with sticky underpants. He did not have a drink that day.
Seeking out fellow members is not a high priority among members, especially at work. However when someone makes it know he is very much against it and won't stop crowing on, they do invite a certain degree (sorry!) of collective retribution - always harmless.
One knobhead in particular was advised at the Xmas party to be careful his drinks were not spiked (by the brethren) or else he may wake up later with sticky underpants. He did not have a drink that day.
PPPPPP said:
shirt said:
remove the ceremonies and FM is just the lions/rotary club isn't it?
Or like a Golf Club? 
I'd prefer to be told that it's a group of secret agents who secretely rule the world, but I understand if you tell me, you would have to kill me.
Edited by Jackpot on Thursday 17th December 11:18
shirt said:
remove the ceremonies and FM is just the lions/rotary club isn't it?
No. One of the corner stones of Freemasonry is "disinterested friendship". That is the knowledge you are surrounded by people you could readily trust, give assistance to or, be assisted by and not feel obliged to go out of your way to return the favour, at least not in the short term.Saddle bum said:
shirt said:
remove the ceremonies and FM is just the lions/rotary club isn't it?
No. One of the corner stones of Freemasonry is "disinterested friendship". That is the knowledge you are surrounded by people you could readily trust, give assistance to or, be assisted by and not feel obliged to go out of your way to return the favour, at least not in the short term.i notice you choose to respond to only that part of my post btw.
OP,
I'm a humanist and a freemason and I had the same problems as yourself as I'm an outspoken critic of organised religion.
You will be asked if you believe in a "supreme being", afterall the freemasons origins lie deep in the roots of the monotheist religions. However this is your personal interpretation of the question and will never be discussed. You will also need to appreciate allegory and symbolism but this becomes easier as you progress.
I remain an atheist but I am also a spritual person. I believe in a god and a soul, but not in the Abrahamic sense. To me these words refer to physical manifestations with roots in science. In a society that is increasingly secular I expect many people interpret the question in the same manner.
A mason once asked me what I thought of the supreme being question, I politely declined to answer. Ignoring my lack of enthusiasm for the discussion he continued, "I'm not religious but I believe in a supreme being... It's me". Good way of dealing with it I thought.
I have nothing but praise for the freemasons. Our lodge does masses for charity and is composed of close family and friends. There's nothing sinister and it's very rewarding. One thing I would mention though is that you need to let them know if you're allergic to donkeys. You'll understand why after your initiation.
I'm a humanist and a freemason and I had the same problems as yourself as I'm an outspoken critic of organised religion.
You will be asked if you believe in a "supreme being", afterall the freemasons origins lie deep in the roots of the monotheist religions. However this is your personal interpretation of the question and will never be discussed. You will also need to appreciate allegory and symbolism but this becomes easier as you progress.
I remain an atheist but I am also a spritual person. I believe in a god and a soul, but not in the Abrahamic sense. To me these words refer to physical manifestations with roots in science. In a society that is increasingly secular I expect many people interpret the question in the same manner.
A mason once asked me what I thought of the supreme being question, I politely declined to answer. Ignoring my lack of enthusiasm for the discussion he continued, "I'm not religious but I believe in a supreme being... It's me". Good way of dealing with it I thought.
I have nothing but praise for the freemasons. Our lodge does masses for charity and is composed of close family and friends. There's nothing sinister and it's very rewarding. One thing I would mention though is that you need to let them know if you're allergic to donkeys. You'll understand why after your initiation.
Edited by G_T on Thursday 17th December 11:32
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