My great uncle was a 33rd degree. Essentially, the Masons were his entire life, both socially and professionally - he earned his living administering a scholarship fund for them (about 2 hours of actual work a week, according to my grandfather, whose business sense was to be respected). Imagining my great uncle as a secret ruler of the world, rather than a harmlessly silly old buffer stretches credulity far past the breaking point.
For the last century, the Masons have been no more sinister, and at least as praiseworthy, as other fraternal organizations.
Historically, you get into some very murky waters, particularly with regard to early American history - certainly, many of the founding fathers were involved with Freemasonry. In itself, that is not surprising, since the movement was very popular among progressive intellectuals of the late 18th century. It is also true that there was once an “Anti-masonic” party because of widespread fears concerning the political power of the Masons. In the 1830’s, that concern may or may not have had some validity.
That history need not influence one’s decisions regarding involvement with the present day organization.
How expensive? I have heard it costs money to join and it costs money every time you are initiated into a higher degree, and each degree costs more. If these costs are high, the organization would inevitably be dominated by its richest members, and effectively closed to the poor.
Posted by drhess:
What makes you think the city doesn’t collect taxes on them? The Masons don’t have the tax-exempt status of a church – do they?
They don’t have to be a church - I’m sure the Masons is a non-profit organization. What kind of break this gives them on property taxes varies by state. Currently, many local governments have an exemption for nonprofits or certain types of nonprofits, and many are considering modifying those laws to collect additional revenue. Fraternal organizations may currently be exempt from property tax under DC statutes as suggested - I don’t know. I brief search turns up that the STATE of Washington exempts “social service” and “character building organization” nonprofits.
A local detractor here in Houston once raised hell about the tax exempt status of the Masonic Temple on Braeswood Boulevard. A Harris County Hospital District official that pointed out to him that the taxes the Masons would pay would be dramatically less than the amount of money they saved the Hospital District every year by providing care for patients that would otherwise be relegated to the charity hospitals.
Taxes versus benefits to the community: That big chunck of tax money is not gonna balance the many millions of dollars a year that the Masons put into charitable work.
When I was much younger, and perhaps more gullible, I read a book from a Christian perspective about cults, sects, and such. The Freemasons were included. It talked about all sorts of strange initiation ceremonies and mafia-like fear imposed in regards to speaking of any of the interworkings of the organization to non-members. I remember vaguely something about men dancing around in thier underwear. (IMHO If it’s true its not scary, just really lame!)
Although, this was probably a highly exagerated account (written supposedly from a rouge x-member who will forever have to live a life of fear and regret) there does seem to be a shroud of secrecy surrounding the organization.
Does anybody have any insight they can share without fearing banishment or death?
Strange coincidence - I read this thread yesterday, and before I read it I had never heard of Freemasons, then I got home and I picked up the book I have been reading, War and Peace, and he mentions Freemasons in the book =)
You are not asked to join the Masons, period, end of story. If people were asked to join, then it would be possible to force people to join. 2B1ASK1 sums it up perfectly. If a person is dropping “heavy hints”, I would suspect that person of violating the Masonic codes of conduct. When I asked my sponsor how I could get him to sponsor me, he would not even answer, instead having his wife tell me so everything went correctly.
As for the God question, to be a Mason one must believe in one God, not a specific god. A Muslim, Jew or Christian may join without regard to their religion. This of course does not sit well with certain groups who believe that Jesus Christ must be the center of everything. I was thinking about this when reading a thread awhile back concerning George Washington. The author claimed Washington was an atheist. The problem was that being a Mason, he either lied to get into the Masons or he was not an atheist.
Regarding expenses, the only things you are required to pay for are the initiation fees for each degree and your annual dues. When having dinner before a meeting, it is the custom to give a dollar or two to defray the cost of the meal and drinks.
If you are interested in becoming a Mason, I can not recommend it enough. You meet a great group of people who treat you with respect and are happy to see you each time you attend a meeting. It’s really a great social organization. If you someone in the group or call to find out about joined, ask about “bring a friend” night. You are served dinner and attend a general meeting in the lodge where Masonry is explained to you.
Yearly fees are nominal. $30/year at my lodge. Addtional degrees do cost money, though they are not much. For those desparately unable to pay, the organization is usually able to make accomodations.
Although I am not a Mason, I have it on good authority that the pledge one takes attaining the third of the three Lodge degrees (Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason) involves a certain amount of hyperbole… violating the pledge of secrecy can subject you to having your body “…severed in twain, [your] bowels taken thence, and with [your] body burned to ashes, and the ashes thereof scattered to the four winds of Heaven, that there might remain neither track, trace nor remembrance among man or Masons of so vile and perjured a wretch as [you] should be, should [you] ever knowingly or willfully violate this, [your] solemn Obligation of a Master Mason.”
I am confident that no one in Freemasonry actually undertakes such actions, but the presence of such hyperbolic dialogue can easily lead to misconceptions.
And not to sound snarky, but my own organization merely asks candidates to keep the pledge of secrecy “…on their honor as a Catholic gentleman.”
Gosh freaking out Louis is so easy as to not be sport anymore.
The Lodge halls in DC are quite nice. I have sat in several of them, including the one in Georgetown at Wisconsin Avenue. They met in Fasi. It is worth going just to see 'em do the ritual in Persian.
One that meets near DuPont is in German, the legacy of long-gone immigrants. Of course most of our work in America is done in English. Washington is just so cosmopolitan.
The Scottish Rite (headquarters on E street, well worth knocking on the door for a free tour. They have J Edgar Hoover’s office in the basement), is a club of Master Masons. All SR guys are Masons. Not all Masons are SR or York Rite.
Meanwhile, all Shriners must be members of the YR or SR.
Some people just can’t stop joining things I guess.
My wife’s grandfather is more subtle. His fiendish plot for world domination seems to involve playing cards and giving people beautiful handcrafted gifts made in his wood shop.
That reminds me. I need to take another look at that mirror and see why it’s making those humming and clicking noises…
To illustrate:- I was asked at a Masonic Dinner if I was enjoying myself, I replied that I was and was fined £20. Later in the evening another mason asked me the same question I replied (cunningly) that I wasn’t, this time I got fined £25.
At that point and before I paid up I buggered off dragging my date with me.
Her father was a mason and it was he who told me that I would have to wait to be invited to join the lodge, I didn’t bother holding my breath.
I still know the secret handshake tho’ and I still haven’t found that sodding ferret.
I’ve been wondering about your experience. You went to a dinner and were “fined” because you said you were enjoying yourself and then paid the fine?
From your post, I think it is safe to assume that the group was having a good bit of fun at your expense. I have never heard of such a thing and think it is possible your dates father set you up. As for the statement “I still know the secret handshake tho’…”, that is enough information to tell any real Freemason that you have no idea what you are talking about.
