# How do I become a freemason? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 13, 2024, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-become-a-freemason/1010218 "2024-11-13T21:32:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2024, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-become-a-freemason/1010218/41 "2024-11-13T23:43:39Z")
You wouldn’t let me join, would you, ya black-balling bastards! Well, I wouldn’t become a Freemason now, if you went down on your lousy, stinking, purulent knees and begged me! ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2024, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-become-a-freemason/1010218/42 "2024-11-13T23:58:13Z")
My wife’s family is/was masons, and she she was part of the ladies auxiliary (this should be a sign of what sort of org it is) as a pre-teen. But it was mostly a hold-over from her grandparent’s generation. Even 30-40 ish years ago it was a fading concern, very much about who was senior and superior, and lots of quiet (or not so quiet!) politicking in the background, and ever less useful for building connections or getting a foot in the door in any sort of business. I was asked if I was interested before we got married, and the answer was no, and the attempt was pro forma. My wife again felt that she didn’t need to be subservient to anyone or any org long before we met, and I believe my FiL stopped after his father died, because he felt it was just barely above the “Lodge Order Water Buffalo” you saw in the Flintstones (showing how long this sort of thing has been going on!). He could drink and hang out with other guys without the trappings or ceremony. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-become-a-freemason/1010218/43 "2024-11-14T00:04:21Z")
There is no secret about being a Freemason. Many members advertise it with stickers on their cars and with license plates that say Freemason (I know Georgia has them- how many other states, I don’t know). Many wear Masonic rings or ties. Knowing who among one’s friends is a Mason is not difficult, we have no rule against telling anyone we’re Masons- just against actively asking someone to become one. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-become-a-freemason/1010218/44 "2024-11-14T00:17:26Z")
They have a huge [auditorium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SF_Masonic_Auditorium) at the top of Nob Hill in San Francisco. When the Masons aren’t using it, it’s a 3000 seat venue for music performances, etc. I’ve been there many times. It’s really nice, and it makes me think, wow, those Freemasons have (collectively) a lot of money to build something so grand! ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-become-a-freemason/1010218/45 "2024-11-14T01:03:38Z")
A lot of former Masonic lodges have become fine music venues. A couple of weeks ago a guy from the Santa Barbara lodge posted on the local subreddit about a open to everyone comedy night. They gave tours of the lodge before the show which is totally not recruiting. It turns out that the local lodge is one of the oldest ones in the Western United States having been founded in 1868 and all of the local founding fathers who are today memorialized by streets and monuments were members. The current lodge location dates to 1924. A good friend’s dad was big into the Masons and my friend found one of the manuals. There are secret hand signals! There’s an apocryphal story about American soldiers being captured by German soldiers in WWII and were about to be executed when one of the Americans made a hand signal and luckily one of the Germans was a Mason and recognized the sign and didn’t kill them. One other tidbit that amused us. If your car broke down on the highway there was a certain stance that you would take so that a brother driving by would recognize you and help you out. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-become-a-freemason/1010218/46 "2024-11-14T01:24:40Z")
The US Masons in e.g. 1880, 1920, 1950, and 2020 are very different beasts. Non-US Masons are (presumably) different yet again. A good friend of mine became one here in FL about 5 years ago. During which he and I learned a lot about the org. He directly and me vicariously fro his descriptions and actions. Substantially all the secrecy & mystery is gone, and what had been a decades-long process of “apprenticeship” to slowly reach the inner circle / upper ranks via learning arcane knowledge and suffering through complex semi-hazing rituals is now compressed into a couple months and a handshake. IOW, it’s now an organization where everyone is a Colonel and nobody is a foot soldier. Everyone gets a big Easy button right off the bat. Seems like a good way for the traditional 1950s henpecked husband to get out of the house on e.g. Wed evening for the vital lodge meeting AKA drinking session. How quaint. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-become-a-freemason/1010218/47 "2024-11-14T01:36:28Z")
TIL that some jurisdictions in the US now allow alcohol on Lodge property. Wow, quite a change from when I was active. Back then, the universal (US) rule was that alcohol was verboten in Lodge buildings. We actually rented out our dining hall for a couple of wedding receptions/rehearsal dinners and they were told “no booze”. Hell, back in the '50s, owning a liquor store, bar, or pawn shop was an automatic bar (heh) to membership as said owners were assumed to not be “of good repute”. ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Finn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-become-a-freemason/1010218/48 "2024-11-14T01:55:05Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > My brother’s father-in-law was and is a Mason in a small Connecticut town. I went there once with my brother and sister-in-law for some public event (can’t remember what it was) and my impression was that almost all of the members were older men. I suspect they would welcome any new blood, meaning anyone who wanted to join. > > Edited to add, when I’ve traveled for work, I notice that in many cities, the old Masonic Temples are prominent architecturally (and some are quite nice buildings). If any are still active chapters in your area, perhaps just walk in and ask. While visiting Washington DC, I took a walk through Alexandria (across the river from Washington) when I saw this large, high building on a hill. Being curious, I went for a closer look. Turns out it was/is the [George Washington Masonic National Memorial](https://gwmemorial.org/). I had an interesting and detailed tour - it’s worth it if you’re in the area. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-become-a-freemason/1010218/49 "2024-11-14T03:46:26Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Seems like a good way for the traditional 1950s henpecked husband to get out of the house on e.g. Wed evening for the vital lodge meeting AKA drinking session. How quaint. Nope. No drinking at regular lodge meetings or in a lodge building. However, if so desired, a member can choose to become a Shriner. Drinking occurs at Shrine clubs. ---
**Author:** ![Turki-lurki](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turki-lurki/32/7168_2.png) [@Turki-lurki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turki-lurki)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-become-a-freemason/1010218/50 "2024-11-14T03:49:35Z")
I am an active Mason in Va. Past master of a lodge, and secretary in two lodges. I’m surprised you have not gotten more replies from active Brethren. If you would like to learn more about the Craft and do not know any active Masons, just go to a local lodge on meeting night and ask to speak with an officer. Meetings are usually called ‘Stated Communications’ and the date and time are given on a sign in front of the lodge. That will get things rolling. The process is not fast. We want to be sure you are a good candidate, and we want you to be sure you are really interested. It is emphatically not the same as joing the Rotary or Kiwanis (both worthy organizations composed of fine folks). This is not a group to join if your main interest is making business contacts. We are not a religious or political group. We do not run the world economy. We do make pretty good shepards pies for dinner, though. PM me if you want more detail. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-become-a-freemason/1010218/51 "2024-11-14T03:50:20Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > A lot of former Masonic lodges have become fine music venues. The old Masonic temple in Tacoma is a convention center/theater now. [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/84/Masonic_Temple_Building-Temple_Theater.jpg) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/84/Masonic_Temple_Building-Temple_Theater.jpg) I saw an indy wrestling show in the basement back in 2017. Cody Rhodes defended the ROH world championship against Kyle O’Reilly. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-become-a-freemason/1010218/52 "2024-11-14T07:26:21Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > They don’t seem to be common in Berlin. Or Germany in general. Nor in Spain or Belgium, where I have lived too. There’s someone here in Luxembourg driving around with big adhesive letters spelling out Q-ANON on his car’s back window. If you want an inside line on a conspiratorial group, I bet this guy could put you in touch. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-become-a-freemason/1010218/53 "2024-11-14T08:40:29Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > Back then, the universal (US) rule was that alcohol was verboten First the God thing, then no alcohol. It’s getting clearer and clearer that we are not made for each other. > [@Cervaise](#): > > There’s someone here in Luxembourg driving around with big adhesive letters spelling out Q-ANON on his car’s back window. Not being made for each other is one thing. QAnon is another league. I [don’t like](https://schumanchu.eu/html/l/l_00114wankers.html) them. [At all](https://schumanchu.eu/html/l/l_00098qanal.html). I [don’t speak](https://schumanchu.eu/html/l/l_00097qanus.html) to that kind of people. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-become-a-freemason/1010218/54 "2024-11-14T09:01:10Z")
> [@Turki-lurki](#): > > PM me if you want more detail. Thanks for your kind offer, but it seems that my query was based on false assumptions on the one hand (vague myths I had heard as a child when freemasons were the scapegoats for a small minded fascist regime) and that the situation in Europe is very different from the USA on the other. My interest will remain academic. But even if I take the posts in this thread in jest I find it interesting, there is a lot I did not know. The way you (generical you, with an enormous dose of generalizing) build social relations in the USA is not what I am used to. It feels from afar as if you channel much more through institutions (churches, political parties and lodges) than what is common in my circles (work, private activities, associations with a very focused subject – the German _Vereine_ (associations) are often mocked for taking things a bit far down the pedantic road, see the proverbial _[Kaninchenzüchterverin](https://kaninchenzucht.de/vereine/)_ – or sports). ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-become-a-freemason/1010218/55 "2024-11-14T09:17:02Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > First the God thing, then no alcohol. It’s getting clearer and clearer that we are not made for each other. Note that the poster said, “Back then.” And even back then, there must have been some leeway. My grandfather, who was a Mason in the 1940s, was known to enjoy a glass or two of Scotch from time to time, where “from time to time” meant “daily, after work.” My mother (whose father that was), was always disappointed that neither my father nor I had any interest in joining the Masons. “But I know who to talk to who could get you in!” But Dad and I saw no positives to it, so despite Mom’s entreaties, we had no interest. In fairness, we also didn’t have any interest in the Rotary, the Lions, the Kiwanis, and so on. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-become-a-freemason/1010218/56 "2024-11-14T10:41:13Z")
> [@mjmartin](#): > > When you are initiated, there is a particular ceremony, which involves dressing in a funny costume. Apparently sensing that I was nervous about the whole affair, the old Mason that was handing the ceremony discretely told me, “don’t worry, the goat feels just like a woman.” I was five steps out the door before they started laughing and told me to come back. Check out the old catalogue linked in this thread. It is from a company that supplied funny costumes and elaborate hazing ritual equipment to a variety of goofy secret societies. They were apparently especially fond of electrocuting recruits. > [@Looking for a vintage night mare ad](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-vintage-night-mare-ad/941305/): > > I used to have an image of a magazine ad from circa a hundred years ago. It is for a “night mare” (in large text, with other descriptive text that followed) and has a drawing of several people sitting on a weird dragony thing. It was some sort of ride-able (or at least sit-on-able) novelty thing that was either 7 or 9 feet long. I lost the image years ago and have never been able to google it up again. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-become-a-freemason/1010218/57 "2024-11-14T12:52:56Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > But Dad and I saw no positives to it, so despite Mom’s entreaties, we had no interest. I thought that, if you were in trouble, you could cry out “For the sake of the widow’s son!” and all the Masons around would come a-runnin’. Like if you were a carnie and you shouted “Hey rube!”. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-become-a-freemason/1010218/58 "2024-11-14T13:50:53Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > My grandfather, who was a Mason in the 1940s, was known to enjoy a glass or two of Scotch from time to time, where “from time to time” meant “daily, after work.” It wasn’t no alcohol period. We were allowed to drink, just not in the Lodge building. We drank all the time at fund-raisers and such held off the grounds. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-become-a-freemason/1010218/59 "2024-11-14T13:55:25Z")
Yep. I had a co-worker who was about as open as a Mason could be- he had a ring, ballpoint pens, etc… with the compass/square on it, and IIRC even the name of his particular chapter. We talked about it for a while, and it was interesting- there were things he wouldn’t tell me, and the funny one was that he couldn’t actually recruit me, or in any way volunteer the membership stuff. But if I asked, then he could start the initiation process, or something along those lines (it’s been eight years or so). I never did end up pursuing it, mostly because where he met was nowhere near me, and I didn’t really have much time to budget for something like that. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-become-a-freemason/1010218/60 "2024-11-14T14:01:09Z")
I was surprised to find out that a recently-deceased uncle in a small town in CT was a Mason. My mother quickly said, “Of course he was! He was an insurance salesman.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-become-a-freemason/1010218.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-become-a-freemason/1010218.md?page=4)